Gammon Ranges

Submitted: Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:03

ThreadID: 37189 Views:2210 Replies:4 FollowUps:4

This Thread has been Archived

Beastie

Hi, Has anyone been to Mawson Plateau and can advise on tracks, if there is one, and permit requirements? Also details of the walk to Bunyip Chasm or Mainwater Pound would be good.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:17

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:17

the walks very rocky but considered easy....providing your not chasing goats up hill and down dale

keep an eye out for the Yellow footed rock wallaby around the Chasm and rocky outcrops...they are making a comeback

AnswerID: 191424

Reply By: Beastie - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:20

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:20

Thanks for quick reply and glad to hear wallabies on return. Have admired them in the past. Have you walked through to Bunyip Chasm and over into Mainwater Pound?

AnswerID: 191425

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 12:11

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 12:11

as goats dont obey any boundaries neither did i when I am up there eradicating them for NPWS.

the terrain is basicaly the same all over...some rolling terrain ranging up to lots of steep rock faces...depends on which way you go to get to Mainwater.....just make sure you have a map if go off the usual trail...you can get stuck making for a lot of walking to backtrack.

Apart from the graded track around inside there are no others that one is allowed to use...they are all being returned to the bush unless you have permission to be on them and then you'd either have a key or the barriers unlocked

If youve done bushwalking the jaunt into the chasm isnt too bad

FollowupID: 449186

Follow Up By: Beastie - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 14:37

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 14:37

Thanks again,this site works well! Guess we are experienced, enough to know to ask about country anyway, and will purchase maps. Longest dry country walk was Larapinta trail so enjoy bushwalking a lot. Looked into Mainwater from North twenty years or so ago, always thought it would be good to wander through it and the way to go would be from Gringells hut into bunyip chasm to the pound then NE towards Arkaroola. You imply there is a track in Mainwater, is that correct. I just assumed we would follow map and compass for two or three days. Have you chased Goats on the hills North of the Gammons too, ie Mawson Plateau. (I think that is the one I am after)

FollowupID: 449212

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 16:25

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 16:25

there is a track that takes off a lot of walking but it is closed to normal traffic. The rangers give us a key as they know us

you can get up onto mainwater from the lookout on the north side of the track that goes around anti-clockwise...havent done it from Bunyip

nope havnt been to Mawsons plateau

FollowupID: 449252

Reply By: burnsy - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 19:22

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 19:22

If you contact Arkaroola Resort I'm sure you will be able to help you regarding Marwson's Plateau. I have flown over it a couple of times & I have been told it is a tough hike about 1.5km/hr walk speed. I do not know about any tracks .
here's their web site. www.arkaroola.com/

Regards Mike.

AnswerID: 191512

Reply By: Rick (S.A.) - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 21:31

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 21:31

It may be worth asking Mt Freeling (pastoral station) as they would abut the Mawson Plateau. Phone 08 8648 4851.
I have a friend who has recently walked the Mawson plateau, his pictures were beautiful. Quite bare, sheet style rock compared to the balance of the environs. You may be aware that the Plateau region was highly prized by the pastoralists as it held water better than anywhere else.

Mainwater Pound is in the Vulkathuna-Gammon Ranges National Park. Park HQ is at Balcanoona, phone 8648 4829.

You can drive to the Mainwater Well campground, about 1.5 hours N-W of the park HQ at Balcanoona & use that as a base to hike from, according to the NWPS pamphlet I have here.

What about contacting a bushwalking club for maps/links/contacts. Google them?

Cheers

AnswerID: 191543