Kunawarritji & Ruddall River NP

Good to see someone doing more than the bloody CSR in W.A. Rudall River NP can be accessed via the Talawana Track 340kms east of Newman or via the Telfer Road. The Cotton Creek community in the Eastern edge of the park now has supplies to sell to the public (includes fuel). Best time to visit is May - August. Water is avail at pump sites (don't rely however). There is getting to be more people visiting but that's how it goes. Best site is on here or go to naturebase from calm.wa.gov.au (should be linked off exploroz or try wa4wda.com). Not administered by CALM so roads in the park are interesting to say the least. Enjoy - it is a very nice. isolated place. rgds

Thanks for the info maverick,

Yeah, have done a 5 week Canning a long while ago.

I am planning the trip as follows.....PeterboroughSA to startpoint Cocklebiddy, Rawlinna, Connie Sue to Neale Junction, throw a left to Yeo Lake, then up to the GCR and refuel at Tjukayirla Road House (hope they have unleaded), undecided whether to take the Eagle Highway or the Hunt Oil Road, then up to the Talawanna Track and in to Ruddall River NP and out again to the coast.. ..probably Onslow(haven't been there before) On the way home would like to come down the Telfer Road, Kunawarritji, Gary Junction Road, Kintore, Papunya, Alice Springs and then back to South Oz. Taking two to three months starting late June 2004.

Hema Great Desert Tracks maps show Cotton Creek community as closed as well as a few other discrepancies in their maps. But up to date info can always be had on EO. Good on ya EO !!!

Cheers,Willem

Always going somewhere

Also, there is access from the South via Gary Junction and East via Alice Springs through Kiwirrkurra Community (22deg 49'S 127deg 47'E) that gets onto a track (really good condition) that runs through to Marble Bar via well 33 Ku......... community. ps the 'new' Ripon Hills road was to service the nuclear waste dump - at least that's what some peole said.
rgds

Kiwirrkurra Community was flooded I believe.
Willem the Kidson Track will get you back to NW Highway and is a breeze (comes out at Sandfire) other than a few washouts. Onslow still about 800 km's south.
I'd rethink the Onslow bit unless you have a distinct reason for going there but that's just my personal opinion.Allyn
Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen.

Coops,
Thanks for the info.
Onslow is the one place I have not been(apart from Steep Point on the NW coast..so there is a reason to see it. At this point in time it seems that I will access Rudall NP from the Talawana Track and head back to Alice via Marble Bar and the Kunawarritji Community. Will have a 1440km ULP range with the truck and trailer.
Cheers,

Willem

Always going somewhere

would be interested to hear what you think of Onslow.
I used to work about 100 km's offshore from there but it was never a place that was (or is) spoken of very highly.
Great spot for mud crabs & excellent creek fishing with some really good size mangrove jacks available. Beware the sandflies !!!

P.S. Beware the sandflies !!!
Allyn
Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen.

This sounds like the one I did recently. Cuts thru from Woodie Woodie, east to Nifty mine then SE to the Telfer-Rudall road. Good track but a bit soft on the eastern end. Nice drive. Have the Waypoints and track files for OziExplorer if you want them.
gerron@bigpond.net.au
rgds
Gerry

Thanks Colin,

I presume you meant Kunawarritji instead of Cotton Creek.

I have a colin.johnson email adress. If this is not the one please send yours to willem@kempen.id.au

Cheers,

Willem

Always going somewhere

Thanks Gerry,

I'll drop you a line if I need them. I take it the Telfer-Kunawarritji road is open and not subject to permission as stated on the GDT maps (my digi maps may be a tad old).

Cheers,
Willem

Always going somewhere

Willem,
It's a private mine town. Officially, I understand that you need a permit to go to Telfer, but I have heard that the road scouts around Telfer to head south to Rudall River, so you don't actually go into the town. But there is no fuel avail there to outsiders. The short cut thru Nifty Mine is a good alternative so no one gets upset and you save quite a few kms. Didn't see fuel for sale at Nifty or Woody Woody.
Loved Rudall River NP, magic spot, but didn't get right over to the south-eastern parts of it (fuel limitations). Queen of the Desert Baths is a must.
Also, as mentioned, go to Carrawine Gorge on the Oakover. If you have a tinnie/inflatable, there is about 2km of river to traverse. And further upstream, Running Waters - magic spot, warm spring.
We came in from Newman on the Talllawana Track, then north thru Rudall, coming out at Nifty and Oakover River.
Gerry

Thanks Gerry,
I carry 360 litres of ULP which should give me at worst 1440km depending on terrain. Will take a pump up mattress for Carrawine Gorge. There is so much to see but I don not want to be driving all the time so will have to select the right place to camp and stop over.
Cheers,Willem

Always going somewhere

in 97

as a side line I would recommend the Skull springs rd from Woody woody to Nullagine ,the Oakover river crossing is a top spot to camp also see Running waters (cristial clear and always worm) also a very nice camp at Skull springsThis is not my car anymore
Peter York 4x4

Hi Willem, have some pics of Rudall N.P. & Carrawine Gorge on my web site at www.havewheelswilltravel.iinet.net.au The track from Telfor to Christmas Pool & Rudall N.P. turns off to the left at the Water Tanks just before entering the Telfor township. If you want more details email me.
Cheers.Have Wheels Will Travel

Thanks Peter...when do we see a pic of the new truck?

Thanks for the info, Topcat..will check out your website.

Cheers,

Willem

Always going somewhere