Mt Gibson Sanctuary
Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 19:40
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ExplorOz Team - Michelle
Anyone been there? We are going up in a few weeks - looks fab but would love to hear your comments.
Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:07
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:07
Where is Mt Gibson Sanctuary, and don't say Mt Gibson; cos I've no idea where that is either?
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:13
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:13
The turn-off is 75km northeast of
Wubin (WA) on the way to
Paynes Find on the Great Northern Hwy. The sanctuary is 25km off the main road. It's privately owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservatory. I've spoken with them this week and sorted it all out as you have to apply to gain access but just wanted to hear some first hand comments from people that have been there (I don't expect a lot have).
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:22
Reply By: Member - Colin (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:32
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:32
Hi Michelle,
We stayed there in 04 and had a ball . Don't know if the old couple who used to run the
emu farm are still there very interesting people to talk to. There are 2 rammed earth chalet's with a small shower block there is a small dam just behind them that had plenty of yabbies ( if your interested ).
The track's are all easy enough, there was a
camp site over looking the
salt lake with a bbq and small shady trees. Look around and you will find some old Sandal wood cutters camps still with a lot of old bottles and bits and pieces, they had some school group going there and planting sandal wood trees they had grown from seeds, will be interesting to see how many have survived due to drought.
Regards
Col
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:35
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:35
Thanks Col - that's useful. I discovered via a
forum search of the archives before making our booking a few weeks ago that the
Emu Farm you refer to has since closed - shame.
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Follow Up By: Member - Colin (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:48
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 20:48
The couple where doing it tough when we were there after 3-4 years of not much rain they had to let their stock of 3000+ go as they could not afford to keep them any longer. They did mention that it was going to be turned into
a sanctuary but where hoping to be kept on as caretakers .
Col
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:27
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:27
Was that Mary and Stan Ennor? That's the name of the current caretakers.
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Follow Up By: Member - Colin (WA) - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 07:38
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 07:38
Hi Michelle,
yes I am sure that was their names they must be in their 70's now be sure to have a chat with them . David will be able to do his training no problem as the tracks are all firm, there are a few hills but mostly flat .
Col
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Reply By: Member - Scooby (WA) - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 at 10:58
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 at 10:58
Hi Michelle,
We have camped there several times over the last four years. Great
camping spots, lots to see and do. Mt Gibson Station is owned by The Australian Wildlife Conservitum, and they are doing a lot of work rehabilitating the area after stock degradation. I rang them yesterday to ask if our club could stay there for the long weekend and the answer was " No, we are doing a Fauna Survey"
So, I would suggest you ring them before you go.
Regards
Scooby
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:30
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:30
I booked in a few weeks ago and we were lucky that our dates did not clash with the survey - we knew it was near to our dates but we're ok. Sounds interesting - do you think we'll get some good opportunities for mountain biking? David is in training for 4 marathons this season for which he gets the 23km mountain bike leg in all of them and he can't miss any training whilst we away and thought this might be a good spot.
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:40
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:40
Scooby,
In terms of "see and do" is that all pretty obvious when we get there, or have you discovered things over your previous visits? I'm just wondering if there are specific sites to see that we need to be aware of, or is it just find it as you see it? Any info much appreciated. Only planning to spend 2 nights -
camping.
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Reply By:- Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:13
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:13
I was there last week. Friends of
mine are caretakers there. Yes the
emu farm has closed down but all the
infrastructure is still there rotting away. There is no stock on the station. There are a few wild goats but the rest of the area has just wild life. It will take millions of dollars to bring the place up to standered
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:36
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 00:36
That would be Mary and Stan? Mary is lovely and very helpful. I'll mention you if we get to meet them. Fascinating concept to let pastoral land return to wildnerness in today's age...David has a mate who works for Mt Gibson
mine - the CFO actually, seems the land has value to someone!
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