Using station tracks shown in EoTopo & Satellite imagery

The other major map producer, presumably Hema? may well do as you suggest, but they also tend , when there are multiple tracks, all kosher to travel on, & generally meeting up again after a while, to show the 'main one in use' only. Occasionally this usage changes & if relying on that now 'incorrect one' can cause some degree of uncertainty, and/or anxiety. Having the Exploroz map with the other tracks shown is very helpful in those circumstances.

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It's difficult isn't it Peter.
My procedure has been that if I encountered a gate, open or closed, I assumed it was private property and hence a private road so I did not proceed. It may not have been adventurous but it kept me out of trouble, and I found enough remote minor tracks available to explore anyway.
I'm not suggesting that others should follow my weak-kneed methodology though.

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Cuppa, you are lucky that you did not encounter a Sovereign Citizen and get a shotgun shoved up your nose.

Couple of years ago we did a trip which involved traversing 3 different stations through some wonderful, rarely visited, country. We contacted them all and they all gave their permission.
One requested that we not call in when in transit, but we did see both of the other 2 (with bottle of red in hand).
One said something that I will always remember........
"We always give permission to those who have the courtesy to ask."
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Peter, That S.A. arrangement has worked well.
But your link to "List of PARs" leads to the map. Is this the one you intended?

Correct Allan, thanks.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

We all get on the wrong track sometimes Peter. lol

For me the question becomes - can I drive on a track that is shown on EOTopo if it isn't marked as private? I can find examples of "red" tracks in National Parks around Sydney that are closed to vehicles for the public so I'm not confident that the lack of a "private road" marking means I'm allowed there.

For example, the track from Fountain Springs to Devoncourt:


It's not shown as private. It exists on Satellite imagery. It doesn't exist on the Traveller "routing" layer (hence the straight line segments). It exists on Google Maps, it doesn't exist on Bing Maps. It isn't shown on the older HEMA maps I have (to be fair they don't show anything in that general area, including Fountain Springs and the road to it!). It does show in an old QLD 1:250k topo.

How do I tell if I need permission to drive it?

Sorry to be “picky” but you shouldn’t say “shut gates”
It should be practice proper gate etiquette .

Shane - you're joking surely?!!!
MM

Pete, if I was you with these queries I’d make enquiries locally. The map shows this land is all under native title and theres that historic tramway. The Place notes discuss access along the 4wd track from the north along the disused tramway but not on the southern section you are interested in.
MM

David and Michelle
No I’m not , you said “shutting gates”
My long time understanding is , leave gates as you find them .
Open gates open , and shut gates shut.
Regards Shane

Peter, I don't believe anyone would know if you can drive a track without local knowledge or experience of any area . Just because it's NOT marked private dosen't mean you can drive it with confidence that it's okay with the station. IMO

Hi Shane,

No, I did not say "shutting gates," and your quote is taken out of context. Here is exactly what I wrote:

"Travellers must still respect landowner rules such as no shooting, no camping, and closing gates. These requirements are usually signposted on-site."

As you can see, I used “closing” and not “shutting.” The phrase “such as” was used to give examples of typical landowner rules.

I agree that good gate etiquette is important — generally, gates should be left as you find them unless signage indicates otherwise, such as “Keep Gate Shut.” My comment was meant to reflect the broader point that travellers should respect landowner instructions, not to dictate a single approach to every gate.

Michelle

Michelle,
I get what you were meaning to point out.
Are you getting picky now ? Sorry, I did write shutting instead of closing.(just a different word meaning the same thing)
What I saw was “closing gates” which some may take as close ALL gates , which is not right.
I grew up on a farm and farmed for some of my working life so feel strongly about the subject.
I have the “gate etiquette “ thing come up on “adventure” motorcycle pages from time to time , and with people generally. And a lot of people don’t actually know it. So have explained gate etiquette more than a few times.
As you know it’s a very important thing that needs to be respected and understood for travelling our country.

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I don't know how this expression "etiquette" started in respect to gates.
The correct term is "protocol" and always was so.
Etiquette refers to societal behaviour and refers to which fork to use to eat hors d'oeuvres.

And gate protocol is clear…… If you need to open a gate then close it again. If you pass through an open gate then leave it open. If you encounter an open gate bearing a sign that says "Keep Gate Closed" then it is apparent that someone before you has not behaved correctly and you should close that gate.

So stop being pansies with the "etiquette" thing.
And don't even think of coming at me with the grammar police thing!!! Because I can't spell etiquette.

So you would think to leave a gate the way you find it would just come Nature to everyone out Travellering around , with the exception of shitheads that want to be a pain , ignorant & bumbclucks . I can't remember anyone explaining it to me but thats the always its been for me & people i know.

Just one other thing while on the subject i have learnt is that station people really hate is when you start driving around off the track, As then they need to investigate & that take time .

Yes Alan , that would correct, protocol . I’ll start using that.
And Nick , I’m the same can’t remember being taught , but definitely people out there that don’t know.
Cheers Shane

Perhaps David & Michelle could incorporate the gates on the map and indicate whether open / closed or just ajar.
Dave.

David, I'm sending you a packet of lol's. You may find them useful. lol

Here is one for stations within the Woomera Prohibited Area (the boundary of which I think is incorrectly shown to include the Maralinga area on EoTopo)
Stations within the Woomera Prohibited Area in SA
I think I also have one for the whole State somewhere.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Yes Peter, Section 400 (Maralinga area) was excised from the Woomera Prohibited Area in 2014 and current official maps show that. The EOTopo map in my collection is in error in that regard.
Maralinga is of course also prohibited but not under the WPA regulations.

Yes Allan. the Maralinga area is under the control of the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands.
We have spent several trips doing 'citizen science' stuff in the Great Victoria Desert with permission and support from Maralinga Tjarutja (to whom we supply the results) and looking at EOTopo I find many instances of confusion and errors in EOTopo in the Aboriginal lands there.
My personal view is that it would be better to have less information if it meant more accuracy of what is presented.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

I have been sitting on the fence, but the screen shot below is a good example of tracks shown, but are totally private, and if you get caught out there on these tracks, you will be in for a very big shock.

This Pastoral Land is on Etadunna Station and the only track that is ever open to the general public, is the south and north access roads to the Cooper Creek Barge site and all other times these roads are closed to everyone without prior approval.

Your screen shot is not showing for me Stephen, but what you say is not quite true as it is also possible to get permission to go out to the Bethesda Mission site and camp there (for a nominal fee). At least it was.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

This database let's you know where all the pastoral lease boundaries are and their names in WA.

HERE

It doesn't list the contact details though - you will have to look that up elsewhere.

Import into your favorite GIS software.

Hi Peter,

It was a screen shot of the access road to the Cooper Creek Barge site and other tracks shown on the maps…..please open the maps to see what I mean. There are also other tracks shown in this area that are all private with no public access, and a clear case that they should not be on the map for everyone to think that they can drive them, just because they are shown on a map.

This seems to apply to each and every one of the stations we have worked on.
On one, I graded a track several km long to facilitate the building of a new internal fence. It subsequently became a "road" on EOTopo. It is no more a road than any other fence line on the property.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

In November 2023, I reported a section of a road that had been permanently closed and a diversion established about 10 years earlier in the Great Victoria Desert. I supplied full information complete with GPS tracks.
We had several email exchanges about it.
It has still not been corrected.
Why would I waste my time with others?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Peter Ive had a very good look at that email again tonight and wonder if I misunderstood it. I can see now what you were referring to and will ensure we look at this again before finalising EOTopo 2026. I cant see any gps tracks supplied just screenshots but I can make do with that. Thanks
Michelle

For the benefit of others...
The road in question is the Voakes Hill Corner to Cook road.
This is s screen shot of GPS tracks on a HEMA Great Desert Tracks map.
The existence of roads on maps (any maps) in this area is NOT any indication of their availability to be used by the public. It is possible to get permission, on some occasions, to use some of them, on a case-by-case basis.

The section of road with the BLUE GPS track has been permanently closed for over 10 years. Members of the public will NOT get permission to use it. Our group does get permission to use some roads not generally open to the public in this area, from time to time, but we do NOT get permission to use this section. We were there again this year and I have photos of the northern end of the diversion. There is no doubt that the old track is closed and is becoming overgrown.

The EOTopo map of this area is totally misleading.
It does not display roads and tracks that exist accurately or, more importantly, indicate those that might be available for public use, with permission (none are available for public use without permission from Maralinga Tjarutja Lands).
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It should be noted that the whole area north of the rail line and south of the Anne Beadell, between Mamungari CP and Maralinga, and beyond is full of old shot lines and many significant roads. Many are becoming overgrown and that is being encouraged. Others are available for special use with special permission, on a case-by-case basis.

There are maps that show proper historical detail of the area. This is one that specifically shows the fire history of the area and all the roads, both current and old, plus the shot lines.


For information:
The Anne Beadell Highway: Several permits are required and they are usually available.
The Voakes Hill Corner to Cook Road: Permits are usually available for travelers.
The Emu Road: Permits for public access are not issued.
The Aboriginal Business Road: I am not aware of permits being issued to the public.
The Lake Dey Dey Road: Usually closed, but I am aware of travelers coming from WA on the Anne Beadell Road getting permits to use this road to attend Maralinga Tours and to buy fuel at Oak Valley community on the way through.
I am not aware of any other roads or tracks in the area that are likely to be open for use by general public travelers.
The message is ASK. Things can change from day to day.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome