Desert Passes

Hi Peter,
What is the road [track] like out to Coongie?


Thank you,
Gary

We were there last in August '17. Not a problem, but there were some sections of quite bad corrugations and the best camping areas (in our view) are over one dune although all sorts of vehicles were getting over that without difficulty.
It is not so far, so just take it slowly with reduced tyre pressures.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

What amount of time would l need to drive the 100-ish km out there?

2 hours tops, the common was overgrown and nowhere near the river last year (dry bed) but congee never lets you down....

Did the drive to the lake last week , 2 hours max , road was in reasonable condition .
Great camps around the lake well worth the drive .
Cheers

I have to agree with Stephen, the Dig Tree is well worth a visit. Plenty of spots by the creek to camp and the local ranger gives a good talk on the history of the tree. Learn't a lot from him and it wasn't just the vanilla version that I remember of Burke and Wills from my school days.

Between the Cullyamurra turn off and Innamincka is 6km.
It is another 7 km to the river.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Hi Candace

There is great camping in the Common at Innamincka at only $5 per night, with large flat areas right on the Cooper Creek.

Its the same for the Dig Tree, which is only just across the border in Queensland.

All they charge is $10 entry fee and that cover you camping costs.

Both of the above does not require any Desert Parks Pass and as one local told me, why give the Government you dollars when all money collect at the Common goes back into the Innamincka Progress Association and supports local events.



Cheers



Stephen

That's correct, park fees can be paid there and unless it's school holidays you reckon you'd be ok.

Are there any school holidays coming up ib the first half of June? :)

Stephen--good point about spending locally. :) But, I still need to pay the vehicle entry fee to Innamincka and Coongie Lakes. Plus camping fees if I camp at Coongie Lakes.

Hi Candace

No school holidays until July, so you will be lucky.

For the settlement of Innamincka, it is a public town, so no you do not have to pay any money to the National Parks for staying in the Common, getting fuel, having a great meal at the pub or purchasing supplies at The Trading Post.

If you want to visit other places around Innamincka, then yes you will have to purchase your permit at The Trading Post, with the same as visiting Coongie Lakes.

The Did Tree is just over the border, and is not part of the SA National Parks, but you do need to pay at the honesty box there.



Cheers

Stephen

Cullyamurra is quit a large area along the length of the waterhole. I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a nice spot. But I'd go the common, as someone said 'why give it to the Govt"

As Peter_n_Margaret show above, it is quite a way from Innamincka out to Cullyamurra, and so people coming from the East may be tempted to simply not pay, rather than drive the extra kms. I don’t think Peter is suggesting it is a long way- that is my own interpretation!

But as for reasons to stay at the Common, each of the several times we have been there, always at peak season I admit, it has been crowded, whereas Cullyamurra has been scenic and peacefully quiet. Cullyamurra is my pick of the places to stay. If however what you are after is socialising and a good time, then the Common is a great spot to stay.

What I think would help is for the SA Government to allow online booking for a period, rather than a specific set of dates. As in book for “four days in the month of June” rather than “16 to 19 June”.

No, they need to simply allow people to occupy an open site, then pay by putting some cash in an envelope and dropping that into a secure container. :)

Nat'l Parks SA states they have Rangers patrolling, who can issue fines on the spot if you didn't pay your entry fee or book your campsite online. If they are out there regularly doing that, seems like they could just as easily be collecting the cash, etc. JMHO :)

Yes Candace, How easy was that old system. I guess the online system gets all the money electronically and no cash handling by others lower in the chain and a bonus when you pay and fail to turn up. Michael

Or they they don't get anything. We recently camped in SA...plenty of people camped in the park but know one was booked in. According to online booking, every site was available. The guy at Salt Creek roadhouse is not happy as he knows plenty free camp in the park knowing there aren't any rangers to check.

My hunch is the arithmetic says it's financially a lot better not to have the ranger. There's a bucket load of camp fees required to pay a ranger's wage, so much that it would probably always be running at a loss. Make it only online and anything that does come in from honest people is profit. Then get the fewer rangers who's job priority is maintenance not collecting fees, to book a few illegals, and you get more profit. Factor in people not going to the park because they don't like the system, and you have less maintenance to worry about as well.