Mcgowans Island - Kalumburu
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 01, 2004 at 21:24
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John & Julie from Getabout 4WD Adventures
Hi Folks,
Just completed another tour of the
Kimberley, and again it was absolutely fantastic to be there again.
The only downside to the whole trip was that
Mcgowans Island (one of only 3 recognised
camp grounds) has been trashed with no-one left to run the place.
I understand that there was some sort of family dispute which resulted in the 2 houses there being trashed one beyond repair and no water or
toilet facilities.
You are still able to
camp there, however you will need to be fully self sufficient and be able to look past the
ruins.
It is still a magnificent place and I can personally vouch for the great fishing.
Remember, Get out there safely.
regards eggy.
Reply By: madcow - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 08:08
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 08:08
Glad to see you had a great time. A mate is heading that way on Sunday and I will pass that info on as he has mentioned it. No doubt someone will take it back on. I know Jeff D from the Albury Wodonga club are heading that way also soon.
Cheers Dave
Ps the shower is still working great!
AnswerID:
66098
Follow Up By: John & Julie from Getabout 4WD Adventures - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 09:11
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 09:11
Hi Dave,
Glad to hear that the shower is working
well. I was down the high country about 7 weeks ago and got my shower sizzling out of those crisp creeks.
I would love to take on
Mcgowans Island, it would be a great place to create another
Cape Leveque, just need to convice the boss that she would like to live there and then convice the community to let me set up.
I think that I would strike out on both counts.
Talk to you soon
stay safe out there
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Indy - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 13:20
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 13:20
John & Julie
How is the road to Kalumbaru? I was thinking of taking an "off road" caravan up there next year. What's the track like between Kalumbaru and
McGowans Island? Is it a bit too squeezy or overgrown for an "off road" van caravan.
Regards,
Indy
AnswerID:
66138
Follow Up By: John & Julie from Getabout 4WD Adventures - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 16:09
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 16:09
Hi Indy,
The road to
Kalumburu changes a lot throughout the season, this year when we were there, it took us 1.5hrs from Drysdale to the King Edward turn off and then 3.5hrs to travel the remaining 100kms to
Kalumburu.
But I beleive that they were sending a
grader up to do the road some time in late July.
Best thing to do is to
check the condition of the road just prior to travel, this can be done on this site (quite accurate and recent reports) or by ringing Drysdale Station prior to your trip.
with regards to bringing an off road van, yes - as long as you take it easy and prepare the internal of the van for corrugations ie; make sure everything is very
well secured.
the run from
Kalumburu to Mcgowans is 17kms and is pretty good, a bit corrugated but not too narrow or scratchy.
Hope you have a great trip, when are you going, we may see you up there.
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Reply By: Indy - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 16:37
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 16:37
John & Julie,
Thanks for the info. I will be up there in the first week of June depending on the wet season next year. Which is your preference, MacGowans or
Honeymoon Bay? By the way and is it desirable to take a tinney for the fishing?
Regards,
Indy
AnswerID:
66161
Follow Up By: John & Julie from Getabout 4WD Adventures - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 18:42
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 18:42
Hi Indy,
My Pick would be Mcgowans, at that time of year the prevailing winds are from the East so McGowans is nice and sheltered.
Yes a Tinney would be a great addition to your fishing arsenal, there are a couple of reefs just off shore and there are some great fish out there.
Recently a guy was there when we were, and in just over 1 hour he caught a
spanish mackeral that was just on a metre long and several BIG queenfish.
We got amongst the golden trevally and smaller queenfish just from the rocks.
cheers for now
stay safe out there.
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