Access to tracks alongside the Cent. Aust. rail line near Alice

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 19:42

ThreadID: 51822 Views:2758 Replies:4 FollowUps:14

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On Patrol (Aust.)

I am planning a trip to central Aust. and want to go from Chambers Pillar to Rainbow Valley.

I see on my maps a track alongside the current rail line heading north from Charlotte Ranges to Pwerte-Marnte-Marnte and over the line into Rainbow Valley.

Are these tracks closed to the public, like the Indian Pacific line track is?

I am looking for a definitive answer, Yes they are OK to use or No they are not.

Not "my Uncles second cousin said maybe not" LOL

I've confirmed the existence of these tracks on Google Earth and just need to know "can I use them?"

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Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 19:51

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 19:51

When I was at Rainbow Valley in Sep. there was no access, I had to come out to the Stuart Hywy and run down to Stuarts Well and then across on the Hugh River Road - very fast road !

Stop at Stuarts Well Roadhouse and see if you can meet the pet dingo. He 'sings' when anyone plays the piano.

AnswerID: 272788

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 19:56

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 19:56

Gday Kiwi

I can see the track on Google earth but I would not be able to see any gates naturally, are you saying that the valley reserve is fenced or gates, and only the access rd from the highway is the way in and out?

FollowupID: 536076

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:00

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:00

Everyone would sing if I played the piano, the song would be "The day the music died"

FollowupID: 536080

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:29

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:29

Hi On Patrol,

I knew that there used to be a track from Rainbow Valley across to the railway line but had been told that this was now closed.
When I went into Rainbow Valley I was looking for the track to see if I could go onwards that way but instead saw a large sign that clearly stated that the only way out was to return the way you go in !

FollowupID: 536090

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:30

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:30

Also meant to say - yes the area is well fenced.

FollowupID: 536091

Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:05

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:05

When you come over the jump-up out from Chambers Pillar there used to be a track following the fenceline to the left. Then a bit further on you did a sharp left along the same fenceline for about 12km to the Railway Line. Halfway down this track there is a Cocky-gate.I followed the line, crossed over the Hugh River Stock Route road and then later took another left up in to Rainbow Valley on a number of occasions in the 1990's. This was a while ago however, and access routes may have changed.

AnswerID: 272794

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:35

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 20:35

Thanks Willem & Kiwi
It seems, as in so many cases, we are being restricted again by gates and fences. Bugger.
Thanks Kiwi and Willem.
Looks like I get to meet the dingo!!!
Colin.

FollowupID: 536093

Follow Up By: Member - Adam S (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:24

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:24

Many years ago I used to do tours to Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley and Willems route was the best way to Rainbow Valley.
I was also there in September and this route has been closed to the public(a couple of tour companies still have access) like Kiwi said it is now a case of doubling back to Hugh River stock route and out to Stuart Hwy which is a pain.

FollowupID: 536125

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:32

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:32

Cheers Adam S
Looks like I will have to learn to play the piano if I want to hear the Dingo sing.
Colin

FollowupID: 536134

Follow Up By: Member - Adam S (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:49

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 21:49

Colin I don't know your plans but if I was you I wouldn't plan on camping at Rainbow Valley not the best camp.
Unless you particularly want to see sunset there, and then I would still probably leave.

FollowupID: 536145

Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 22:37

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 22:37

You do particularly want to see sunset and sunrise at Rainbow Valley...

The campsite there is unfortunately small and often crowded (though not at this time of year). Hopefully there will be a new bigger one built in the next year or so, given the glossy new joint management plan for the park.

FollowupID: 536155

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 17:58

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 17:58

Thanks to all that replied.
I thought it was a good idea to double check some of my more remote tracks on Google earth but it's hard to see gates and fences that way and your first hand replies were of great help, Thanks.

FollowupID: 536297

Reply By: North Coast Bob - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 12:23

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 12:23

Hi On Patrol,

We visted Rainbow Valley at the end of August - the sunset is well worth seeing and there is a viewing platform,etc, but the camp sites are fairly poor.

We booked in at Stuart Wells, put up the CT and headed out to see the sun set in the Valley - back to Stuart Wells in the dark but well worth it.
And we got to hear "Dinky" the Dingo sing.

Cheers,

Bob

AnswerID: 272929

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 17:59

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 17:59

That seems a good option Bob, I will keep that in mind, thank you mate.

FollowupID: 536298

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 18:18

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 18:18

Gday,
1st answer....Yes you can.
2nd answer......No your not suposed to. (the gates werent locked a few weeks ago)
You will be travelling on station property from the other side of the jump up to the rail way line and railways property after that.

Cheers

AnswerID: 272981

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 19:27

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 19:27

G'day Hairy
Thanks for that mate but It appears I cannot enter the Rainbow valley site this way, so I will turn off at Hugh River rd and head out to Jims Place on the highway first and have a drink with Jim & Dinky, before heading into the Valley.

Are you based in the Alice Hairy?

FollowupID: 536317

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 19:38

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 at 19:38

Gday,
You can get in the back way (railway line to Rainbow Valley)
Id personally go the back way from Chambers Pillar to Rainbow and then Jims.

Cheers

FollowupID: 536323