Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 16:34
Lizard,
We chose the Corella
Camp site which was one of the first sites on
Willow Springs Station.
Yes it is a stunning place, like all the Flinders Area.
I had booked a site big enough for three campers a couple of weeks prior as the weather conditions at the time were still unpredictable.
Unfortunately, Skytrek was closed on the Thursday prior to our arrival due to a conflict between
Willow Springs Station and The owners of adjoining land that the trek transgresses. I wonder if this incident had anything to do with the Station Manager's health problems.
On the Sunday we drove the first part of Skytrek. Along the way we passed the Manager as he headed towards the back section of the property on a trail bike as reports came through that someone had left a
gate open and the sheep were wandering all over the place. Not a good situation on top of the problem with Skytrek being forced to close due to the "conflict".
Personally, I have driven Skytrek before and was simply attempting to show some close friends the wonderful experience and
views. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our weekend and drove back through the Brachina/Bunyeroo Gorges loop that was closed only just prior to our visit.
One little bit of "disappointment" I noticed was the road between
Wilpena Pound and
Blinman has now been bitumised. It has taken some of the "country" out of the country, but I guess progress is progress all the same.
Actually I only drove part of it, from Willow Springs towards
Blinman until we reached the
Brachina Gorge junction. Some of our party ventured to
Blinman on the Sunday arvo, but two of us stayed at the
campsite contemplating out navels and solving most of Australia's problems while sipping on a few reds.
(I have been to
Blinman a few times before)
I love the Flinders and all it presents in all seasons and never get tired of travelling, or camping there.
One thing I did notice that was a bit "off" was the large sign between
Hawker and the Pound which states the need for a permit to enter the
Flinders Ranges National Park with a self
registration station just after the signpost.
Now in our case, we were travelling along the main access road to a
campsite on private property (Willow Springs) and therefore ignored the "invitation".
On our return journey, travelling along the Brachina/
Bunyeroo Gorge access roads we may have been in "violation" of a National Parks law but did not encounter any "pay station" where I could have paid an access fee.
I have no problem in paying any relevant fees applicable, but they must be plain in what those fees represent. (ie. day access fee, or overnight camping fee, etc.)
Bill.
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