Mungo NP

Just read a bit from last Fridays Westprint fives that the drive around Mungo has been closed.

This is a shame, another place I nearly got to see. I doubt worth going there if this is the case.

Richard
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Longtooth (SA) - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 22:37

Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 22:37
Yes, it is a shame. We made a phone call a couple of days before visiting due to possible rain in the area. Were assured there had been no rain and it was all open and just waiting for us to visit. On arrival the sign said CLOSED. Asked if there had been rain and was told there was none for two weeks. Asked why the loop was closed and told it 'JUST WAS'. Wasn't told there was an apparent lack of interest in tourism and it was all too hard. Lots more to say but it would be construed in a couple of ways and I would then be accused of being a person of dubious qualities.

Longtooth
AnswerID: 465838

Follow Up By: Oldman - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 07:09

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 07:09
Yep!
0
FollowupID: 739887

Follow Up By: Gramps - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:52

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:52
Longtooth,

You must have got them on a 'bad hair' day LOL.

When we were there it had rained overnight and some showers in the morning. I asked the Ranger about doing the loop and he said to go straight away as he was about to close it. They were all very helpful and only too happy to answer any questions we had about the Park.

Regards
0
FollowupID: 739913

Reply By: Motherhen - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 23:27

Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 23:27
I am trying to get clarification from Park NSW. There are two closures; the loop drive which should be temporary and is cited as due to weather damage, and the freedom to walk on the delicate structures at what they call the Walls of China. In the latter case, viewing can now only be done from the boardwalks or when supervised with a tour guide. I am not surprised. We were amazed that we could walk freely on the lunette, site of discoveries of world significance, and walked carefully while we still could access this amazing place knowing we would be unlikely to do so in the future. Not everyone is totally responsible, as can be seen from recent threads on campers who just don't care.

It is still worth going to see Mungo Richard, but better if you can do the loop drive as well, which shows the modern history of this ancient place.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 465844

Follow Up By: Oldman - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 07:12

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 07:12
What I read was that it was closed permanently.

This probably means I will not get to see one of wanders which I believe predates any human habitation.

As said before, what a shame.


Richards
0
FollowupID: 739889

Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:27

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:27
Westprint has published a couple of updates on Facebook and their latest newsletter. The latest said it was closed due to flood damage and should hopefully be open for the school holidays.
0
FollowupID: 739895

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 11:09

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 11:09
I doubt we will ever be able to wander freely on the lunette again and fair enough, but feel sure the loop road will be open soon.

I am aware of the Friday Five report, and have been corresponding with them and Park NSW. Mungo has an amazing history.

Mh
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 739917

Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:47

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:47
There is a tendency to forget the amount of damage done in the eastern part of Australia by flood waters last wet season and the huge amount of time and money needed to fix things that got broken. I understand that Mungo was inundated from the Darling. Some roads in the area were cut for months.
My understanding is that the closure of the loop is temporary. Local folk expressed the view to me that as it was not opened by Easter 2011, which is the high point of the main tourist season, that there would not be an early reopening.
Kevin
Kevin
It is important to always maintain a sense of proportion

2019 Mitsubishi Cross

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 465868

Follow Up By: Oldman - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 09:09

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 09:09
I hope so as it a place. I do want to see.


Richard
0
FollowupID: 739902

Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:00

Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:00
Kevin, the Darling is about 80 odd Kms from Mungo, it was local rains that caused the damage to the Loop Rd.

cheers
Dave
'Wouldn't be dead for quids'

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 740032

Reply By: Navigator 1 (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 22:02

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 22:02
I was told today that the grader has finished work on the loop and it is now open.
The outback calls

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 465952

Follow Up By: Member - THOR01 - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 22:36

Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 22:36
What a shame. We were there 2 weeks ago and it was closed. Best thing we saw was the old bloke in his Suzuki Siera being towed by 2 camels
0
FollowupID: 739978

Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Sep 29, 2011 at 21:35

Thursday, Sep 29, 2011 at 21:35
NSW Parks have confirmed what i have been reporting.The loop drive was a temporary closure, but the freedom to walk unaccompanied on the lunette will not occur again. Park Rangers will be taking more frequent guided tours.

The Loop Drive was re-opened last week, but rain in the area may result in closures again. Check before visiting. However the loop drive covers recent history and does add another dimension and more interest to a Mungo visit, but the wealth of ancient history is the main attraction. The feeling of being there is awesome.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 466351

Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Friday, Sep 30, 2011 at 08:01

Friday, Sep 30, 2011 at 08:01
At the National Gathering we had a session with the Regional Director (??) of NPWS and he went into great lengths to explain why the Walls of China walk was restricted to guided tours only. Highly sensitive artifacts had been uncovered in the recent flooding and the erosion had caused a high possibility of someone falling if in the wrong areas.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 740480

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Sep 30, 2011 at 10:52

Friday, Sep 30, 2011 at 10:52
Hi Kev

We felt so very privileged to walk on the lunette, knowing that reason dictated that freedom could not last forever. We took our time, move carefully, and felt the power of the history through the ages, even though we did not come across any of the artifacts. Doing a tour would be very worthwhile, as Rangers know where to go and can explain the fascinating background of these world significant truly ancient discoveries. The structures in the sand being uncovered underfoot as the sand on the dune moves are very soft and subject to damage too. Mungo was one of the most memorable places of our last big trip.

Mh
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 740488

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)