Tablelands Track as alternative to part of GRR
Submitted: Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 00:44
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Sixty at Last
Dear all, on my way back from the NT in Aug I had intended to use the GRR.
However, checking the sheets, it looks like there may be a viable route thru Bedford Downs and Tablelands stations from the Grt N. Hwy sth of Halls Ck.
I believe that this option may however not now be do-able given change of ownership of Tablelands to Aboriginal interests and possible difficulties on the jump-ups near Teronis
Gorge.
Anyone have a cloo??
I'd like to take it on as, in a different life, I travelled the route between Mt House and Tablelands and return about 20 years ago and it was attractive country.
Best.
John.
Reply By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 06:26
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 06:26
Hi
John,
We did the Bedford downs Tablelands Station track about 10+ years ago. By going through Teronis
Gorge we missed what they called the Algi Jump up (spelling).
As few years later access to the track was denied by Bedford Downs. I have since heard that access is now allowed. I suggest you start with the
Halls Creek Shire to see what they know about access.
We got a lot of info about the Tablelands Track from Moon's
Kimberley book.
If you can get to do the track, its a great drive and
well worth doing, some really speccy country in there.
happy travelling
Phil
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Follow Up By: Sixty at Last - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 15:29
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 15:29
Thks Phil. I've now got the Moon book from the library and it is a v. useful reference altho it says the option is not on (however it is a few years old now).
I'll follow-up on the HC lead.
John.
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Follow Up By: Member - Robert M (QLD) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 21:36
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 21:36
Gidday Phil, I think the spelling is Elgee as that is the range on the western side of the
Chamberlain River. I remember going that way in 1970/71 with my father taking some gear out for an exploration mob that were working on the Chamberlain area. Cannot remember how far down the river we went but we ended up having to
camp there for the night as it took so long to get there.
Cheers
Rob Mac
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Reply By: farmer112 - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 08:00
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 08:00
Hi
John,
I did the Tablelands Track in late in September 2007 - GREAT experience!
You need to ask permission from Bedford Downs Homestation. They were happy to assist some crazy Gerries going there and we got permission. I then got the phone number of the Aboriginal office in
Derby via
Derby Tourist Information, and the officer asked Yulumbu Homestation for their consent, which was granted.
The people from Bedford Downs told me that they just close the track for the wet season, after some stupid a...oles had done extensive damage to the track some years before.
Just make sure to look out for a very sandy patch of track, just two kilometres or so before reaching Yulumbu. Leave the track, there are very sharp stones under the sand, which may damage your tyres. A guy from Victoria went there two days before we did and damaged all four tyres. We were warned by people from Yulumbu and avoided this sandy patch by slowly bypassing over the grass on the side of the track. The people at Yulumbu were very nice and helpful.
The track itself is not too serious, the so-called "impassable" jump-up made us smile, after we had done some very serious jump-ups along the Munja Track to Walcot Inlet before. It just took us one afternoon to go to Bedford Downs from Yulumbu Homestation. But navigation might be tricky after strong regrowth of spinnifex. The track is extremely isolate, so travel fully self-sufficient and
well-prepared. I would recommend to carry an Iridium satphone. You can ask the guys at Yulumbu to call the police at
Halls Creek if you do not report back to them by phone from
Halls Creek after three days or so.
The trip itself is fantastic, beautiful scenery, we enjoyed it a lot. But it may be a good idea to travel this track with at least a second vehicle. I would also recommend not to tow a trailer along this track.
Cheers from bloody boring Dortmund/Germany,
Juergen
German by Birth, but Aussie by Heart!
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Follow Up By: Sixty at Last - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:46
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:46
Cheers Juergen.
We may elect to do it on our return from the NT - would it make any difference if we did it in the Hall Ck to Mt House direction pls?
John.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, May 15, 2009 at 21:06
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 21:06
Seeking Jergen
Hi Jeurgen
If you read this, i would be most grateful if you email me
motherhen @ westnet . com . au
We need some translation help. My daighter needs translation to email communicate with someone in Germany who doesn't speak English, and we don't speak German.
Thanks
Motherhen
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