Kennedy Range

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 27, 2005 at 18:14

ThreadID: 21539 Views:2033 Replies:3 FollowUps:8

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rash

Hi all seeking any info on Kennedy Range
Am planning to travel via Marduntha Rd out to Binthalya Outstation then to track N.E. crossing the range and exiting on to the Mt. Sandiman / Williambury Rd on on to Mt. Sandiman joining the Ullawarra Rd.
Has anyone been out this way? Any info would be most appreciated

Regards
Rash

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Reply By: motherhen - Sunday, Mar 27, 2005 at 18:32

Sunday, Mar 27, 2005 at 18:32

Check with the stations you will be crossing. Some surrounding stations seem to be charging for tours and access.

AnswerID: 103966

Follow Up By: rash - Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 12:27

Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 12:27

Yes thanks Motherhen had definitely planned to do this as a matter of courtesy........Have you been in the area??

FollowupID: 361517

Follow Up By: motherhen - Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 12:56

Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 12:56

Just to the "ground level" area on the East side (year before last). Walked a little way up the gorges which are marked from the campsite. We had come down via Mt. Augustus, and finding the way to the top looked like we'd need to go back to Carnarvon. It is a very dry area. One of the stations, probably Mt Sandiman, was signed up for accommodation and tours to the top - looked like pay pay to go in that way and we didn't investigate further. We did better than the previous time, when a fuel blockage and a faulty fuel switch meant we drove past the Kennedys (again coming from Mt Augustus) trying to get to Carnarvon on "momentum". Didn't know about the West access then - quite some years ago.

When you find our more, post the details. A drive to the top should be spectacular.

FollowupID: 361524

Follow Up By: rash - Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 13:20

Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 13:20

Thanks Motherhen........do have a track marked on a QPA(Qality Publishing Australia) map.......PILBARA-KIMBERLEY.....so we hope to give it a go in July
By the way i find these maps extremely good for fine detail

FollowupID: 361525

Follow Up By: motherhen - Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 13:27

Monday, Mar 28, 2005 at 13:27

We've yet to get a decent map, so will look into it. We have just got a GPS, which has great detail on the mapping (even shows the internal farm track on our block here), but need paper maps for planning.

FollowupID: 361526

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 00:20

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 00:20

Hi Rash,

We were at the Kennedy's last June. Not much to tell you that isn't readily available. We spend a couple of days there doing the easy walks (had a 3 yrs old and 3.5 mth old with us) up the gorges and searching for fossils and lava tubes. The more ambitious can get to the top of the ranges by scrambling up one of the very steep goats tracks. Hubby set out to do this alone one afternoon but gave up about halfway up because the track was not only steep but very loose and rocky and his opinion far too risky. Some fellow campers went up though and didn't seemed fazed by it so entirely a personal choice. The campground is basic with very little shade, no water but a long drop dunny. The ranges make a great backdrop to the campground and a we enjoyed sipping on a wine watching the changing colours of the rocks as the sun dipped each evening. There is no ranger base there and an honour system applies for payment of fees. It can get very hot so I recommend you do your exploring in the mornings.

We headed to Mt Augustus from there then doubled back along Illawarra Rd before branching off NW out to the coast via the Lyons River Road. Illawarra Rd we found in generally good condition although corregated in places. Most of the creek and river crossings were dry but many made good smoko stops.

One thing to note, we found through personal experience and from other travellers that many of the stations in that region that were touted as providing station stays/camping etc in fact did not. If you're planning to call into any stations, try to contact them before you go to verify the latest facts. Enjoy your trip.

:o) Melissa

AnswerID: 104249

Follow Up By: rash - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 13:04

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 13:04

Thanks Melissa.........we also plan to have a look at Mt Augustus and surrounds

Rash

FollowupID: 361731

Reply By: MAVERICK(WA) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 16:21

Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 16:21

now don't fall off your seat but CALM is actually in the process of putting in a management plan for the kennedy ranges - they are currently sorting out the West side and have a number of campsites planned. Contact CALM Carnarvon and they may help - they may not also but you never know. There is a loop from Gascoyne Jctn up the West side of the Range then back down the normal East road. rgds

Slow down and relax......

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AnswerID: 104494

Follow Up By: rash - Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 18:08

Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 18:08

Thanks Maverick........have just been on the phone to CALM in Carnarvon and Scott there was most helpful and is in the proccess of drafting up a reply which he will E' mail to me

FollowupID: 361869