South Aussies where are your good spots!?

Submitted: Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 19:38
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Hi folks,

Was looking for some recommendations of some good remote camping and 4WD spots in SA. Heading over that way from W.A and will have a few days to explore the area on the way to Victoria and another few days on the way back. Wagunyah conservation Park is definitely on the list but there are a plethora of options. A bit of local knowledge or advice from previous visitors would be great!

Cheers
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 20:25

Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 20:25
I am Victorian but the Gawler Ranges are great, usually pop in there when in the general area.
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Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexic - Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 21:11

Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 21:11
The Gawler Ranges are not far out of your way and are well worth the visit and then you hit the Flinders Ranges. Googs Track is probably another trip. If your going through Mildura, Kataraptko Creek by Berri is off the Murray and is a bit of a secret spot that isn't publicised very much.
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Reply By: tazbaz - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 08:50

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 08:50
Not telling otherwise they would not then be good spots!
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:46

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:46
Not asking for GPS coordinates, just a few areas to explore!
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:42

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:42
In commuting from Victoria to the NT or WA we have often struggled to find good bush camping spots along the major highways. However, a few crackers spring to mind.

Drive down the dog fence from near Yalata to the coast. Swim with the southern rights and great whites!

Head north from Ceduna along Googs Track.

North of the Eyre Hwy to the east of Kimba is the Lake Gilles Conservation Park.

Between here and Victoria its slim pickings, unless you head north to the Gawler and Finders Ranges. From Port Augusta to Burra and the border there is a real dearth of good camping spots. For that reason we usually stay at the Burra Hotel.

Once in Victoria, there is good camping in the Murray Sunset National Park, or south into the wheat country along some of the little used tracks running off the Hwy.

Bob
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:54

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 10:54
Brilliant thanks Bob. Yes had looked at the dog fence run down to the coast. I surf with the Great Whites in W.A all the time so no worries there :) Thanks for your other recommendations I will do some research.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 11:27

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 11:27
Hi Bob,

Just looking at my Hema map for the Dog Fence Beach. Is it possible to follow the fence all the way down or do you have to take an alternative route in?

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Minty (SA) - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:47

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:47
Near Burra...Burra Gorge Park aka Worlds End.
Good free camping.
Busy at times but plenty of sites.
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:57

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:57
Thanks mate, looks like an interesting stop!
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 17:00

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 17:00
Not far outside of Burra is Redbank CP.

There's another CP on the dirt road that runs btwn Renmark and Wentworth north of the Murray.

In NE Vic check out the 'desert' parks as mentioned: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks
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Follow Up By: Echucan Bob - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 20:17

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 20:17
Cruiser74,

Its a few years now, but we drove along the western side of the dog fence the whole way. I can't remember if there were gates. You can get a fair idea using Google Earth.

Bob

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Reply By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 12:11

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 12:11
Warrens Gorge and Alligator Gorge near Port Augusta are great little spots and not that far off Highway 1 (less than 100kms).
Burra Creek Gorge is good too.
As you get closer to Adelaide, The Rocks near Balaklava is a good spot also.

Fab-io
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 13:09

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 13:09
Hi Cruiser

There are just so many great spots, that a few days will do non of them any justice.

Each location that I list below, you can spend as little as 2 -3 days in the area, or do it justice and spend up to 2 weeks and then you will still not see it all.

The Far West Coast, depending on time of the year, the Head of the Bight Whale watching area.

Follow the coat around to Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Park

Gawler Ranges

Flinders Ranges-----an absolute must.

Mid North Towns in the State

Yorke Peninsula

Kangaroo Island

Riverland/Murrayland

South East

The list goes on.



Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:07

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:07
Thanks Steven,

I think we will have maybe 2-3 days on the way over and more like 5 days on the way back. Nowhere near enough time I know. There are heaps of spots still on the W.A side we are still yet to see but they are more in our own backyard than S.A so want to see at least a few gems there as not sure when we will be back that way again. Thanks kindly for your recommendations.

Craig
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:31

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:31
Hi Craig

If you are going into Wagunyah CP, make sure you go to Dog Fence Beach, which is the official start of our world famous...Dog Fence.

Depending which way you come in, there are some nice camping spots along the way in. While you are in the neighbourhood, a vist into Fowlers Bay is worth it.



Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:59

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 14:59
Hi Stephen,

Yes we are planning on coming in that way off the Eyre Highway on the way over. Really looking forward to seeing this part of the country. Thanks for the HU on Fowlers Bay also.

Craig
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:35

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 14:35
G'day Stephen,

Just looking at my Hema map for the Dog Fence Beach. Is it possible to follow the fence all the way down from the highway or do you have to take an alternative route in?

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 17:47

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 17:47
Hi Craig

If you use Ozi, then please put these co-ordinates in for the turn off on the Eyre Highway, coming in from the east after Yalata and Western Australia.

S31 31 23.7360

E131 52 53.2560

The turn off is not signposted, but it is right on the actual Dog Fence Crossing as it crosses the Eyre Highway.



As you are heading south for the coast, you will be following the actual Dog Fence all the way down to the coast, and the track will be on the Right Hand Side of the Dog Fence.

Conditions to the coat will be long open flats, to Mallee Covered Dunes.





Once you are at the coast, there are tracks heading to your right to Dog Fence Beach, or you can stand at the actual point were the fence goes over the cliff.






Once you have looked around the area, you can get back to the Eyre Highway 2 ways. Retract your tracks back the way you came in, or go through the Dog Fence at this gate.



Coming back this way is very different where you will be travelling through the Mallee. If using Ozi, you can take lots of back tracks that will bring you right into Fowlers Bay. If you are unsure, follow the main track as it leads you out of Wahgunyah Conservation Park and it will bring you out on Tower Hill Road.





Once back on the Eyre Highway, you will now only be a few kilometers west of Nundroo.

I hope this heps you out a little more.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 18:10

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 18:10
Mate, I can't thank you enough for passing all of this info on it is very much appreciated. I have printed this out and will put in the glove box of the Cruiser for reference. Seeing these pics has really kicked the excitement factor into overdrive for the journey!

Anytime you want the lowdown on anywhere on the W.A south or south west coast I will be happy to help you out. I promise to treat your neck of the woods the same as I treat mine with respect.

Many thanks

Craig
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 18:28

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 18:28
Sorry, one last question! I noticed a lot of this area is within the Yalata Aboriginal Reserve. I already have a national parks + camping permit for the area. Do I need another permit for being on the Aboriginal Reserve?

Thanks
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 19:17

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 19:17
Hi Craig

No you will not need a Permit for the aboriginal lands as the moment that you leave the Eyre Highway, you will come across the National Parks signs.


Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 21:52

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 21:52
Thanks steve. That brought back some memories from the 80s cruising the dog fence to the coast with the dogger. Fixing the fence along the way and finishing off the dogs in the traps and clearing the dead ones. Great couple of days
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 22:37

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 22:37
Hi get out more

As you know, it is a good drive

Cheers



Stephen
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Reply By: Kilcowera Station Stay - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 08:56

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 08:56
This website may be useful too http://www.stationstayssa.com.au/
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