Getting to Surveyor General's corner

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 08:51
ThreadID: 130529 Views:5744 Replies:9 FollowUps:9
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I recently visited SGC. Prior to the trip I made inquiries everywhere including this site on what is required to get there. I got various different answers and wanted to relate my experience for those who may visit in the future.

You need a permit from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Council that specifically includes the corner.


The Hema Maps say it is $100 per vehicle and you have to ring a number in Wingellena. That number never answered in 3 months prior to the trip.
Some people on this and other web sites say you need to pay various amounts, ranging from $50 per person.
The Lands council don't know the procedure and direct you to the local community.

However once we got there we were told if you have the right permit then you are ok. They didn't even know who you would pay if you had to. ( jokes about credit card machine at the corner etc).

Anyway once there there are 2 markers, the right one is the one 50m to the north. It is missing the top plate at the moment.

Hard to get to but that completes every corner for us...
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 09:49

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 09:49
Correction

Anyway once there there are 2 markers, the right one is the one 50m to the EAST. It is missing the top plate at the moment.
AnswerID: 591297

Reply By: Idler Chris - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 11:51

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 11:51
Hi Boobook, thats great info. Please consider creating a "Place" in the "Places" database so that everyone else in the future may share your findings. It is a simple process you need at least a GPS location, some photo's, and a description. Just go to the "Places" page and click on "Add New Place" and add as much information as possible. Once the "Place" has been added you can add your photo's.
If you have any problems just post here and I will help out.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:53

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:53
Chris,

there is already a place file in there. All that is needed is for updated information to be added.

Surveyor Generals Corner.


Cheers,

Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:21

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:21
Thanks Mick. I did a search for it but found nothing. I am in Perth at the moment,it looks like the wise men from the east are not so wise.
What other people think of me is none of my business.
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 13:11

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 13:11
Well Boobook, that is interesting.
Several years ago we were in the area. Another vehicle in the group wanted to visit Surveyor Generals Corner (we did not) and made the 'appropriate arrangements'. They paid over $100 and were escorted all the way by an aboriginal person and through a locked gate. Seems things have changed.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:49

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:49
Yes I had seen such comments, That is one of the reasons I updated the info. I saw no gate but there is a house that looks unused near the corner.


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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:55

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:55
I think the elders who's country it was Mr Eddy and Mr Ferguson have passed on. Stephen L will probably know who's who in the zoo out there at the moment.

Cheers

Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Reply By: B1B2 - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 13:33

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 13:33
Boobook,
Just to clarify, did you actually get a permit from Ngaanyatjarra Lands Council eventually and how much was it?
The GPS position 26°S 129°E should be close from Wiki I suppose.

Cheers,

Bill
VKS Mobile 0967


AnswerID: 591308

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:51

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 15:51
Yep that's where I got it. It was free but allow 6 - 8 weeks and chase it up after 4 weeks.

You have to specify the areas you want to go to in the lands including the corner.

It is verrrrrrry difficult to get a permit int he APY lands and head east though. We were very lucky.
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 16:03

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 16:03
Mate you are not wrong there. Bloody difficult. We managed to have one issued as we were carrying equipment across to do a job with the Birilliburu people but they are not issued for "transit" purposes.

The best bet is to ring the various communities and see if you can tee up a visit to their art galleries. If they give you that permission then a permit may be given for travel through the Musgrave and Mann Ranges on the Gunbarrel and Giles-Mulga Park Roads.

I still reckon this is one of the best drives in the country. A shame they can't find a way to capitalise on it so that we all could benefit.

We were stopped by the SA police this year near Kalka and our permits checked so be aware. They will have no hesitation in turning you around and escorting you back to the Stuart Hwy!

Cheers Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:19

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:19
Yes Mick,
It is a great shame that something couldn't be worked out . It's just the badly behaved people that have to spoil it for the rest of us.
We have nothing against getting a permit providing it isn't overpriced and extremely hard to get,
we'd spend money in the communities if we needed or wanted something & it could help break down barriers built from long ago if it worked well.
I am surprised you have rated this drive better than Rudal River, having seen a little of that place which is breath taking in places, this drive you now speak of must be well worth doing.
Thanks for your reply.
Take care, safe travels. Ma
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 07:15

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 07:15
Mick, I agree, it is a spectacular drive skirting along the south side of the Mann ranges and even more so into the Musgrave Range, parts of which reminded us of the Mcdonald Ranges. It is a tourist hot spot waiting to happen and a real highlight of our trip from Maralinga to Giles and APY via AB, CS, Gunbarrell, north of the Rawlinsons ( thanks Mick) and Blackstone.

I was told by a policeman that the number permits are deliberately restricted because of local issues, nothing to do with the behavior of visitors.

The APY permit was by far the most difficult to get for our trip, taking many many emails and phone calls to each of local communities and the council over about 3 months. if I was working I would never have had the time to persist. Worth it though. Even with all that they were adamant that we could not camp anywhere so we headed up to Mulga Park to camp.

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Reply By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 17:36

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 17:36
Thanks Boobook,
I think things must've changed & maybe it is because some of the Elders have died.
It was many years ago when we were advised and were even told that your vehicle would be confiscated without a permit! By Police.
One more corner left for us then, thanks very much for letting us know.
Take care, safe travels. Ma.
AnswerID: 591316

Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 21:20

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 21:20
Boobook Hi,
When I was there in 2013 was told by the administrator at Wingellina that the confusion of permits, guides etc. was because the traditional owner ( can't remember His name) was in a health care "facility" and that the $140.00 that I had paid would be looked after for Him.
His house ( a gift of the Fed. gov. was starting to get vandalised guess it is by now derelect.

The next trip that I did went to Cameron that completed the corners & extremities for me.
Regards Mike.
AnswerID: 591328

Reply By: Member - Megan and Kevin D (AC - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 22:31

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 22:31
Yes, Mick O.

We have travelled through that country with permits based on our requests to visit art centres in the various communities. The art centres are terrific to visit especially when artists are working. We always buy one or two paintings - and now have walls full of fabulous paintings which bring back memories of each visit.

Well in advance of trips, we contact the art centres and sort out a mutually satisfactory date to visit. The art centre coordinators are very welcoming and can often arrange camping spots. It is important to set a date and double check that it's still OK shortly before visiting (anything can happen to close the centre).

Megan

AnswerID: 591332

Reply By: equinox - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 22:50

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 22:50
It might pay to contact the relevant Surveyors General (WA, NT and SA) and let them know about the missing plate.


Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way.



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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 07:37

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 07:37
Yep thanks, already done.
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Reply By: Member - Paul B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 08:41

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 08:41
I am very surprised to read this. I must have visited Surveyor General's Corner 3 or 4 times over the years, most recently on our way back from the National Gathering at Ross River in July.
I simply applied to the WA Department of Aboriginal Affairs and it was issued online. There was a problem with the website when I needed to amend my travel dates but there was a most helpful man who took my phone call and did it manually for me. I have no recollection of paying.
I might also say in 20 odd years of visiting the Ngaanyatjarra lands, no one has ever asked me for a permit. In all that time, though I've only been across the border once, which was this year, and it was a far more complex rigmarole to get permits for NT than for WA.
I also agree that the drive past the Musgraves is one of the greats and the roads, like all of those in the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku are absolutely the best dirt roads in the world.
Anyone traversing the Gt Central with a return trip should apply for a permit via SGC on one leg so they get to see both SGC and the different magnificent country.
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