Arkaroola - umberatana - yankaninna - owieandana

Hmmmmm.....I drove that way around 2002. Came through the Gammon Ranges NP and out again turning north past Yankannina and Umberatana. In those days Umberatana was the only place occupied.

I have a feeling that the track towards Owieandana may be fenced off as a mate got lost out there a couple of years ago and told me about it. I don't think it is an issue driving those tracks as they are connector roads between stations. You could do the reverse to what I did and come from Arkaroola to Umberatana, then Yankannina and back into the NP. There is camping at Grindells Hut as I recall and there are interesting tracks throughout the park. Contact the Gammon Ranges NP HQ at Balcanoona. They should be able to give you updated info.

Whilst travelling that route I did not see any one. So if your trip is out of school holidays you might be lucky

BTW Owie means Water in the local aboriginal languages

Cheers

We drove from Arkaroola on station roads through Umberatana and Yankaminna and Owieandana in 2006, . From Arkaroola to the Umberatana homestead, the track had ridges of sharp rocks and hadn't had a lot of use. We were told these are public roads. We had a hand out map from Arkaroola, and tracks were unsigned, so the track we left Arkaroola on wasn't the one we originally intended as we missed that one - it was signed into the Park i recall. We continued on past an old mine and through a gate onto the sharp stony track through Umberatana.

Our intention was to go through the Gammons from this side, and the track was through a gate. We started out on it, and being unsure if it was the right track, and the fact it had a lot of sharp rocks and we were by that stage only carrying one spare tyre, we turned back and continued south to the road that runs to Copley, then west and north back to Arkaroola where we had left the caravan. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive through the stations and got to speak to people on the stations, which was of interest to us as farmers.

No advice on camping spots along the station tracks.

We did the full circuit drive in the Gammons another day, and as it took quite some time, we were glad we didn't try and cross from Yankaminna. We would also have missed on some of the circuit if we'd cut through.


Motherhen

I also did thhe track out from the Gammons in 2006 towing the Camper trailer. We left Arkaroola and headed out west past Bolla Bolana Spring and the old mine. We headed down to Umberatana whicxh still had residents and then down to Yankannina and headed back into the park and the 4x4 loop, camping at Grindells Hut. The track was rocky but navigable. The station country is something else entirely different. It must have been hard yakka putting those fences in. They are public roads and providing you remember to comply with instructions and shut gates, you shouldn't have any worries. The camping at Arcoona near Owieadana is still operating (for a fee) as far as I've heard.

Cheers Mick

2007 did a circuit from Arkaroola, past Bolla Bollana as mentioned above, then Umberatana, Yankaninna, had a look at Arcoona camp area (nice - a bush camp area, no facilities) then on to Mt Serle and back around through Balcanoona. Was quite a long day. We saw no other traffic from Arkaroola to Mt Serle. Had intended to cut through from around Yankaninna into the Gammons and back that way, but the track was closed - got the impression it was permanent. Another day we went into the Gammons from the eastern side and drove the internal circuit drive - that takes a while, too.

Thanks folks. Sounds like it's do-able but will need a bit of time
(which I'm not sure we will have). Much appreciate your input.

HD