More time - Blackstone Ranges or Rawlinson Range

Thanks Mick.

Interesting. I currently have transit permits and realise going the next step may be harder.

Assuming I get permits, is the drive on the North side of the Rawlinson's relatively achievable. It doesn't look like there is a track there but it sounds great. I have done a small amount of digging since your post.

Any more info woudl be appreciated.

Yes BooBook,
There is a track, and it's in pretty good nic. An easy drive, quiet and thus classified by me as remote.

If you have permits, head north through Warakurna community, through the Pass of the Abecarrages, hook west along the northern flank of the Rawlinsons, passing to the north of Gorge of Tarns, Fort McKellar & Circus Water. Circus Water has been described as 'probably the best water in the whole of the Rawlinsons'.

Note that there is currently some dispute about the location of the 'Circus' water feature - the topo maps have, at the western end of teh ranges, a Circus Rockhole, and further east, Circus Water. My own co-ords are Latitude: 24° 45’ 22” Longitude: 127° 45’ 10”. This is not the position on the current Rawlinson top map. It is highly likely that place this is the T/O's 'Tutjurangara'.

The track then rounds the western edge of the Rawlinsons, whence you can pick up the Old Gunbarrel, or go on further west past Lake Christopher and eventually south, on to Jackie Jackie Junction and down to Warburton. Some lovely scenery through the Gibson Desert sandhills & desert oaks.

This is all of course hot on the heels of Giles - which I alluded to in an earlier reply. Its of interest, IMHO, that near to Circus Water, in 1932 Michael Terry found a cabbage gum blazed by Lasseter.

All fascinatin' stuff in my view!

The relevant topo map "Rawlinson, 1:250,000, printed 2001, Datum: Map Grid of Australia 1994" does not have enough detail, unfortunately, but on Google Earth you can see the tracks.

Cheers

RM

Hi Rick

How did you get a permit to head that way?

When I applies a few years ago, I was told it is completely out of bounds.



Cheers



Stephen

G'day Stephen,

trust all is now OK with the 4WD rear door.............

As far as permits go, I have no experience at all. The bloke I travel with does it all, so I am no help to you at all. Sorry.

About to depart for the CSR and other desert destinations. Four desert trips in the wind - what could be better?

All the best
RM

Hi Rick

Hope you have another great time out in the desert. You must have been very lucky to visit that area when you did, well done.

Yes the Prado should be ready some dime next week fingers crossed.



Cheers



Stephen

Ps

Have you heard from Ruth and Ian from Birdsville lately?

Hi Boobook,
As Rick says, The Schwerin Mural Crescent is magnificent on a clear day ( if there's no burn offs), we got permits to go into Blackstone a few years ago for the fees mentioned, Also to the S.G.C with an Aboriginal Guide.
However, we weren't allowed to travel on the road which traveled along the Blackstone Ranges and we had to come back along that same road.

We were wanting to see the Ranges close up & felt that the price per car was a bit of a waste,being only 2 people.

Anyway, when we got back to Alice we met up with someone who had met with the right person, (so to speak) & was allowed to come back the other way, therefore not doing the same road in & out.
I don't know about now.
Take care, safe travels. Ma.