Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour

Hi there - just wondering if this Ridge Top Tour is like the Skytrek at Willow Springs in the Flinders Ranges. Any one been on the 4WD Skytrek - costs about $75. Is it worth the money?? Also have to ask is there a mice plague at the moment?? Leaving in two weeks from Melbourne via Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and heading to the Centre for 3 weeks - can't wait but not sure about the mice!!
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Rose

G'day Rose, another thumbs up for Skytrek from me. Has got a bit dearer since we
went but still worth it. Not difficult but steep in some parts. You had to have low range to be allowed on it then, but that may have changed with the proliferation of
single range softroaders. Go early,take some tucker & your camera..its a great day
out....oldbaz.

Thanks Oldbaz
Look forward to the Skytrek. Just wondering though about travelling with a 4WD and towing a trailer that is not off-road but a caged one do we need mud guards? Keep seeing stuff about the back window damage from stones? Could you explain this for me?
Thanks so much
Rose

Hi Rose, I assume you refer to some form of stoneguard, & the answer is yes. Start
with a decent set of mud flaps on the rear of the vehicle. You may then add some
form of stoneguard to the front of your trailer. Some are made from a light metal
frame with shade cloth attached..this is attached across the A frame & angled forward to deflect stuff downward. Others ,including me, use a horizontal frame with
shadecloth, laid flat on the A frame & taken forward to the tow hitch, with the corners
angled to allow turning the vehicle. Some commercial types can be purchased as well.
cheers...oldbaz.

Thanks Oldbaz - will pass this info onto the hubby....don't think I'll get involved with this stuff!!!
Cheers Rose

Skytrek is excellent. We did it as a self drive. Would do the Ridge Top as a self drive, too, if it was allowed - but would definitely be using low range going down those gradients. The couple of times we've been on the Ridge Top Tour, didn't really notice what they were using. Never felt unsafe, anyway.

Another thumbs up for Skytrek. What a great day out. Low range was mainly for the downhill bits....

Regards

Chris

Hi Bill
I'm glad someone else shares my view that their use of high range is a bit suspect. I asked why during my visit and it was company policy to use high range because using low range led to more maintenance costs apparently. So IMHO cost was put ahead of safety. I am a little experienced in off road driving and training and I felt uncomfortable in the back of the Cruiser as we not only slipped down hills but scrabbled for traction on 1:3 climbs on loose rock. Their tyre wear must be huge given the punishment.
In regard to Sky Trek, definitely worth the money as are most of the other private/fee access tracks in the Flinders, some do require an experienced driver though.
Vic Widman

I have often wondered how the Arkaroola and Skytrek tracks compare next to something like Mt Gibbo and Pinnibar tracks. I have not seen either of them. But I have been up in the Vic high country plenty of times. And getting a bit sick of damaging the car. (lifted 100 series).

How do they compare Bill? Or are they just a steep dirt road?

Phil

I was directing that response to Vic.

Not Bill.

Sri

I often say 7 days in the high country is one of the best 4wd trips from a scenery, 4wdriving and camping experience (is there anything else?) point of view. Having spent 7+ days in the Flinders ranges doing as many of the private tracks I could fit in I now say, the Flinders is on par with the High Country for scenery, 4WDriving and camping (albeit on dry creeks as opposed to wet ones). Skytrek on the first drive over it is as good as Pinnibar/Gibbo in terms of scenery and 4Wdriving. The Mt Samuel private track is the piece de resistance (my French is hopeless-sorry) the notes say only do this track if you don't mind damage to your 4wd, we didn't damage anything but it was one of those tracks that had me jumping in and out of the Cruiser to check my clearances on sides, under, front and rear, good fun and very rewarding if done right.

Very informative Great Divide Tours - sounds like we will have to spend more time in the Flinders Ranges exploring and 4WDriving but for the time being only can manage a drive through on the way to Lake Eyre - will stop at Wilpena Pound from Mildura and then do the Skytrek next day, then continue on to Lake Eyre... willl give us a taste of the Flinders Ranges and 4Wdrving. You seem to know the Flinders quite well - do you recommend Wilpena Pound as a place to stay two nights or any other recommendations... can't be too off road as we are really just passing through.
Cheers Rose

Hi Rose
I would recommend camping at Rawnsley Park which you pass on your left as you drive towards Wilpena Pound. Ask for the bush camps which are just half a k past the official camp ground, more space and a great view across to Rawnsley Bluff, part of Wilpena Pound, take in your own firewood if you want a camp fire, you can probably purchase bags of it in Hawker. From here the road is sealed these days all the way to Wilpena Pound and up towards Willow Springs and Skytrek, you need a full 6 hours to drive Skytrek and don't be afraid of heights or low range, check out Phantom Rock too at the end of Skytrek, it will be on the mud map you get when you pay your fee. Sorry, I'm raving on, there is sooo much to see in the Flinders (and Australia). To see Lake Eyre properly you need to take the plane flights out of William Creek, getting pricey now but still worth it. Better than Marree flights IMHO.

Hi Rose
I would recommend camping at Rawnsley Park which you pass on your left as you drive towards Wilpena Pound. Ask for the bush camps which are just half a k past the official camp ground, more space and a great view across to Rawnsley Bluff, part of Wilpena Pound, take in your own firewood if you want a camp fire, you can probably purchase bags of it in Hawker. From here the road is sealed these days all the way to Wilpena Pound and up towards Willow Springs and Skytrek, you need a full 6 hours to drive Skytrek and don't be afraid of heights or low range, check out Phantom Rock too at the end of Skytrek, it will be on the mud map you get when you pay your fee. Sorry, I'm raving on, there is sooo much to see in the Flinders (and Australia). To see Lake Eyre properly you need to take the plane flights out of William Creek, getting pricey now but still worth it. Better than Marree flights IMHO.
Vic Widman

Thanks for the info Vic
Just wondering as far as Rawnsley Park what are the pros of camping there compared to the Wilpena Pound Resort. Also will be staying two nights as one night will be when we have just arrived from Mildura and the other day the Skytrek then gone the next day through Flinders just for a look. Do you know how far Skytrek is from Rawnsley Park as that will definitely be a full day out....Understand your raving as I am so excited at the moment and i am just packing - (for five of us there is heaps of gear!!!)
The countdown is on 12 more sleeps!!!
Rose

Vic

We took a quick drive (no time even for camping) from Canberra to Lake Eyre and home at Easter.

On the way home we swung east through Parachilna Gorge for a look down the eastern side of Wilpena pound. No time for stopping as you could imagine.The Gorge was dry, dusty and no big deal - sorry guys but that's what we saw. Thus our image of the Flinders was "no big deal". We were sure that we had misssed something and the response above said that we should go back.

Pity that they are private though. That could add some load on the pension that we could do without. But we are after the views. And we did see some on a short video on the SkyTrek drive.

We will go back one day.

Thanks

Phil

Rose, I just think that the bush camps at Rawnsley are more likeable than the green manicured grass and "you shall camp there" regime that you get in a formal camp site such as Wilpena, also, Rawnsley park was foremost a sheep station that has made tourism a big part of their business whereas Wilpena is basically a big tourism operation owned by who knows whom?

Phil, a drive through the Flinders when it is in flower is one of the most stunning sights ever, it was brilliant at the end of September last year, at other times, yes its just a pretty drive. You definitely have to pay your entry fees to do all the best bits on the private sheep stations, well worth the money, once you have done it I'm sure you will agree. For me to put it in the same category as the High Country is a big call.
Vic Widman

Vic

Thanks for the hint. That is a bad time of year for us.

Phil

Thanks for the insight Vic - sounds like the place to go is Rawnsley - we like sheep!!! - how far is it to the Skytrek?
Rose

Sorry Rose, forgot to answer that question before, say about 30 mins drive without stops for sightseeing, maybe even less now they have sealed most of the road. Its only about 35k's by road. You need to be at Willow Springs no later than say 9am to give your self sufficient time to do the whole trek and sight seeing along the way.
Vic Widman

Awesome - just spoke to Wendy at Rawnsley Station - sounds great. I think it's going to be hard to keep moving on when every where we go there is so much to see....

Thanks for again for your help and insight.
Rose

Hi Rose,

Best to ring Willow Springs maybe 2 days before planning to drive it just to be sure it's open and not booked out.

Regards

Chris

Thanks for the advise - didn't ever think it would be booked out!! As we know exactly when we are getting to the Flinders I will book this week.... just to make sure.... Have you driven the Skytrek yourself? If so what's it like??

Thanks again...

Rose

Yes we drove it last September. Absolutely loved it. Like being on top of the world. We took our time and enjoyed every minute. took the whole day. Low range is good for the downhill bits. Shouldn't have any trouble getting in, booking is just a precaution.

Regards

Chris