Camp Kingfisher

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 16, 2018 at 20:25

ThreadID: 136854 Views:2276 Replies:6 FollowUps:4

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Fangster

We were planning to visit the Nicholson River via Camp Kingfisher. However, it seems we are 2 years too late as apparently Camp Kingfisher closed down in 2016.

We have never been in the area. Does anyone know the status of this Camp area? Can one still put a boat in the Nicholson River here? Or does anyone know of people we can seek permission of to do this?

I'm not really keen to barge on in to areas without permission.

Or even better - is there somewhere nearby one can put a boat in?

Many thanks in advance.

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Reply By: Member - Len & Rhoda - Saturday, Jun 16, 2018 at 21:37

Saturday, Jun 16, 2018 at 21:37

Hi
Drove by there last year in September and the access was locked, from all the signage they don't want anyone in there.

AnswerID: 619627

Reply By: Member - eighty matey - Saturday, Jun 16, 2018 at 22:51

Saturday, Jun 16, 2018 at 22:51

The old camp is on private property and is closed.

AnswerID: 619628

Reply By: rumpig - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 10:18

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 10:18

Out of curiosity, does anyone know why KFC closed?....was it a change of ownership or the current at the time owners just had enough of visitors?

As to the OP's question...as already mentioned, a locked gate at the private property stops access to the water well before you get to it. Friends ended up bush camping near the property a entrance a few years ago, after arriving there very late in the afternoon not knowing the camp had closed .

AnswerID: 619633

Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 20:50

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 20:50

Maybe they just got tired of dealing with people that take no notice of basic rules. When we there although there was a clearly marked area for generator use, people just ran their generators when & where they felt like it. There was one camper with an industrial style, open frame generator running full time in the back of a Landcruiser tray powering a 240v freezer with his fish catch in.

FollowupID: 891932

Follow Up By: Baz - The Landy - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 21:13

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 21:13

Similar to other places like Kingfisher, the money they make out of it doesn’t pay the management time and focus and diverts from their main activity - running a cattle station!

Solution, don’t do it and concentrate on the main business. My understanding of Kingfisher Camp is the owners of Bowthorn Station arrived at this conclusion...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy

FollowupID: 891935

Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 21:51

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 21:51

After talking with the managers, I assumed that they were volunteers.

FollowupID: 891936

Follow Up By: rumpig - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 22:48

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 22:48

Sounds like a fair call then Baz, can't really blame them for doing so if that's the case.
@ Shaker...i vaguely recall on our visit there the staff "managing" the camp area had accents and appeared to be backpackers, but I reckon Baz is referring to overall management costs, so include insurance, upkeep of grounds and a host of other things into the equation.

FollowupID: 891939

Reply By: Fangster - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 10:50

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 10:50

I really appreciate the replies. We may have been given contact details of the Station that owns the area.

However, if anyone else has anything to add, I'd appreciate it.

We're hoping to go about 2km west of the campsite along the Nicholson River. If anyone else has other (legal) access suggestions to this area they can share, we'd appreciate it.

AnswerID: 619634

Reply By: Rangiephil - Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 15:14

Sunday, Jun 17, 2018 at 15:14

Does anyone know if the track through Bowthorn station from Lawn Hill Gorge is still open.
This goes past Kingfisher on the way across to meet the Savannah Way west of Doomagee. It passes close to the house and sheds on Bowthorn and there are several Gates to close. You cross the Nicholson River on a very sandy crossing and as you exit the river you can see Kingfisher off to the left.

Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 619636