Accessing Maralinga from the north?
Submitted: Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 04:10
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Candace S.
I'm developing an itinerary for my Outback trip and would like to include the
Maralinga range tour. I'm also hoping to drive the Anne Beadell Hwy during this trip.
There is a track linking
Emu Junction to
Maralinga. That would allow me to visit
Maralinga as a multi-day "side trip" from the AB. Looks perfect on paper! But...
Is it feasible or even possible to access
Maralinga using that track? How difficult is it to obtain permissions? What are the track conditions?
I know "normal" access to
Maralinga (as detailed in the EO
Treks) is from the south. But it's proving difficult to manage that given the other
places I want to visit and the various time constraints I'll be under.
BTW, this trip is planned for late fall 2014. Also, I'm aware of the 19 May - 8 June 2014 exclusion period that affects the area.
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:37
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:37
Hi Candace
The track that you are referring to is what is known as "the Emu Road". If you asked this very same question less than 12 months ago, the answer would be NO.
Things have greatly improved thanks to the continued push by Robin from
Maralinga. If you get in contact with Robin, he will meet you at Emu and escort you to
Maralinga, and show you some very interesting sights along the way.
The only down side is that Robin is a one man show running
Maralinga, and is hard to get hold of. Things will be changing there in the not so near future, as Robin will be taking on the sole role of tourism and a new person is going to be employed with the general running of the village, water runs etc.
This drive is a very pretty drive and by the time you drive to
Maralinga, do the range tour with Robin, get Robin to show you other special sights in the area like
Ooldea soak,
Watson quarry, Daisy
Bates site and then back to Emu, you can kiss good buy to at least a week.
If you need any further information, send me a private email.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
521241
Follow Up By: Candace S. - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 12:21
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 12:21
Stephen,
Thank you for the information. I'd love to send you an EO message but I'm not a member! Is there another way I can contact you directly?
Perhaps I should contact Robin directly, and discuss my ideas with him?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 14:38
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 14:38
Hi Candace
If you click on the "My Details" tab, you will see my private email address so you contact me directly. August is the time to see the first of the
Wildflowers, and usually any earlier than that and you will be too early in the season.
How many vehicles in your group?
There is so much to see out there and the countryside is unreal.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
801945
Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 17:10
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 17:10
Candice, Stephen has given you the right info. We discussed this with Robin in August this year when up there, knowing that the logistics for many travellers would be the wish to access
Maralinga from the north as you want to.
Stephen, Candice needs to click the link to your profile at the bottom of your post. Only you see the "My details" tab with your details. She sees her details. hehee!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 18:51
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 18:51
Hi Michelle
Thanks for that and presumed Candice would be able to see my details.
So if you can not see them, here they are
......langman at bigpond dot net dot au
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
801965
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:46
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:46
Candace,
From a practical point of view, Emu to
Maralinga is quite possible for a well prepared 4WD and experienced driver. There is very little traffic on that track though and it would be foolhardy to attempt it with only a single vehicle. Don't overlook your fuel requirements - it's thirsty country!
For very good reasons, that area is tightly controlled, and permits are essential. The person who could best answer your questions is Robin, the caretaker at
Maralinga. His contact details should be in the EO trek notes. If visiting
Maralinga strongly recommend reading lots about its 20th century history first.
Just when are you planning to be in the area? What months? (We don't have a "fall", so are you talking of your season or ours?)
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:53
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 07:53
Stephen and I were typing at the same time!
Check out his excellent coverage of the area
here.
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 11:54
Monday, Nov 11, 2013 at 11:54
LOL, I was trying to be helpful and I simply caused confusion! To be specific, mid-May to mid-June 2014 is the time frame I'm currently looking at. Thus the 19 May to 8 June
Woomera exclusion period is a concern, as of course the AB crosses their zone.
As of now, I don't expect to be part of a convoy. But if Robin is kind enough to come up to Emu as Stephen mentioned, then we would have small convoy of two vehicles!
I did see that
Maralinga Mystery Tour blog posted by Stephen, in the comments I even expressed my envy! Looking through those photos again makes me think I should try to schedule my trip for August. I wonder if I'd be lucky enough to see all those flowers and have similar beautiful weather?
FollowupID:
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