Mt. Davies Road / Mulga Park Road / Old Gunbarrel Information wanted

Stephen

last year when we did the AB we met a bloke called Tommy, he had a permit to travel the Mount Davies road, he didn't go but 4 others that had permits did, when we got near the area we could hear them on the UHF, and could see there tracks leading up the Mount Davies road at Anne's Corner.

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If I can remember they had Vic. plates on and maybe something to do with Vic 4WD club.

I found it funny that Tommy said it took forever to get the permits and then not travel the track.

They say it's hard going.

Cheers

Richard

The group you mention was being led by a member of the Landrover owners Club with a belated invite to 4WD Vic members. This year was to be his last trip as it was all getting TOO hard to organize.
Cheers Craig..........

Craig

Thanks, you should try and get one of them to get in touch with Juergen regarding he's question, as they would have to be the most recent group to have done the track.

Cheers

Richard

I remember that sign Stephen, when I drove past in '97.

It does look unsafe doesn't it. What dangerous things await those whose go down it I wonder. You would have to be very brave to attempt it I think. :)))

Hi Allan
The picture that I took is the start of the Abandoned Section of the Old Gunbarrel. We drove it a couple of years back with no worries.

Cheers

Stephen

It's still there in 2009, the track is OK, but some of it is now a creek bed, especially between Mt Charles & Mt Samuel and west of Mt Samuel but easily passable in a Toyota.. LOL

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The section between Million Dollar Corner and Jackie Junction is a very good road

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Now the legs working again, I can't wait to get back out there......


Cheers

Richard

Hi Richard (or Stephen)

Have you any pics of the Rawlinsons, especially the western half that you can share?
I would love to explore them one day, Giles makes them sound so romantic.

Cheers
Alan

PS - the road north of Jackie Junction looks pretty tame, even a Nissan may be able to do it!!!

Hi Richard and Alan
We have tried to get permits a couple of times and was told that the nature of the track, not being used for many years and overgrown. It would not have been a safe track to follow and was completely off limits to everyone. It was the same when I tried to get permits to travel from Lake Christopher the back way to Warakurna via Circus Water. Strictly out of bounds. Like most things, the only way you would be able to get there is to know someone from one of the Aboriginal Communities.

When we went through all the APY Lands many years ago, it was only because we knew an Aboriginal Elder, and our permits were issues as a "Family Visit". Those that have been lucky enough to get out through that area will know what I am talking about - it is unreal country. Even just last year I tried for permits from Wingellina to Warburton, via Blackstone, again was told out of bounds.

Surely there would not be many white people that would want to travel out that way, so why should responsible people be stopped from travelling these public money maintained roads. That is my bitch for the night and wish we could get out to those areas.

Cheers

Stephen

Below are sections of the Old Gunbarrel between Warakurna and Jackie Junction

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"Thanks, you should try and get one of them to get in touch with Juergen regarding he's question, as they would have to be the most recent group to have done the track."

I expect our group of 8 who travelled through in August this year may have been the last official party to have done it. The trip leader was to have taken another 9 back south but that fell over with the Aboriginal Elder failing to show leaving them without a guide. It's an interesting area but a long frustrating process to gain access with no gaurentees in the end.

"Even just last year I tried for permits from Wingellina to Warburton, via Blackstone, again was told out of bounds"
An angle that may help you in gaining a permit through Blackstone is to contact the art gallery there and tell them you'd like to bring your group through. They have an interesting display with much on sale of course but with a good word from the gallery manager it could get the transit permit stamped.
Cheers Craig.............

"........so much for our free country."

Mmmm, makes one wonder what would happen is any other group tried to impose restrictive boundaries.

Say no more.

Hi Craig
All that one needs is the right contacts, but it should not be like that. You should feel very privileged to have travelled that track and it will be one of those tracks that will remain so special for you. The strange part of life out there is that it seemed to be governed by white people, and they seem to be the ones that do not want other white people out there. One chap in Clare that worked up that way for years, said that they had a special name for those type of white people, he said that referred to them as "spinifex fairies". When we passed through the APY Lands, the Aboriginal people that we had contact with were not concerned that we were out there. When we were at Umuwa with the group of Aboriginals that we knew, one white person came up to me and asked if I was a Politician, as they were the only type of white people that went there.

Half your luck for doing the Mount Davies Track.

Cheers

Stephen

"........so much for our free country."

Now that's what you call Trolling


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"All that one needs is the right contacts......it should not be like that"
Knowing the right contacts applies to many places around the country from getting access to MVO tracks in the Vic High Country to tickets in the corporate box. Sometimes you need to be lucky but often it's just a matter of following the process. If the route is that important to anyone they could always be a politician ;-))

Exemptions for Entry permit:

Police Officer on official duties

Electoral Commissioner, in relation to an election

People with the written authority of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

Member of Parliament, or a genuine candidate for election, of the State or Commonwealth

In cases of an emergency

Hi Stephen

Your first photo in the set of three is so beautiful. The WA deserts are just wonderful and you have captured it at a perfect moment.

Motherhen

Hi Motherhen
Thanks for that. The deserts of WA rate as No 1 in Australia as far as I am concerned, they are just the best. That first picture is taken before Hills Pass on the Abandoned Section of the Old Gunbarrel. The best thing about that section of the Old Gunbarrel is that the terrain changes constantly about every half an hour from wide open spinifex covered plain, to dense stands of Desert Oaks. What makes it even better is the Rawlinson Ranges, silhouetted in the background.

Cheers

Stephen

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May you can be naughty and go for a drive. Chances are no one will see you. Better still drive a Toyota without a spare wheel and you will blend in. Take a bit of insurance with you just in case :-)

Another small but racist remark slips through to the keeper.. :-)

Richard

If your comment is aimed at me then I take exception to it. I fail to see where racism comes into it. If however I had said that Slovaks are dumb posters then you may see racism in it. But I have not said that. It is you who are inferring racism.

Ho I'm sorry Willem, must have miss read your comments. I'm sure you new what you meant.

And the word Kovac is Croatian, and I'm an Australian or as least a Victorian.. LOL

Anyway I have to be consistent otherwise people may think it's personal.. ;-)

dumd yes I can agree with that one.. LOL we all can't be smart. thats what my folks told me .... :-(

Cheers

Richard

Yerrrr...Richard...thats OK....:-)

Cheers

Colson not Colston