Kingoonya down to Mt Ive Station SA through Lake Gairdner NP

[aussyjulie]

Just wondering if anyone has done this road/track. Map says it is just minor unsealed road but am looking at possibly doing it in October with around 18 vehicles, 12 of which will be towing camper trailers and one towing a van.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[geoffsa]

Welcome to the site Aussyjulie.

The road from Kingoonya to Mt Ive is a good secondary gravel road. No good after heavy rain.

Take it easy with the caravan and it should be okay. From Mt Ive to Kimba is similar.
There is a bush camp ground on the edge of the lake before you get down to Mt Ive.

PS:- fuel is cheaper at Kingoonya than Glendambo (card only)

 

[outbackjack1]

Kingoonya - a way of life

I know the bloke who grades the roads through there, they are generally good secondary gravel roads, however if there is very heavy rain through the area it can take some time to get around to fixing washouts etc. Be aware that Wombats are sreading further abroad and have been quite active digging the occaision hole under the roads.

Be sure to stop in at the Kingoonya Hotel - yep fuel is cheaper there than on the Stuart Highway. Most cards are accepted in the fuel - Eftpos and credit cards. If you have a problem just visit Maria and Colin at the Hotel. Kingoonya and AReas Progress Association now has it's own website. Would love to hear from you on their Blog or see your photos on their user gallery about your trip.

Can't put the link in as I have not done 5 posts yet kingoonya.org.au is the url just add the rest. Also Andamooka now has it's own community website and if you go through there drop us a line and let us know how the tracks and conditions etc are.

 

[geoffsa]

Welcome to the forum Outbackjack1.

Sounds like you are not too far from me geographically.
Have you spent any time at the new camp on the west side of Lake Gairdner? Opposite side of the lake to where the speed camp site is.

I haven't been in there yet, and wondered what it would be like, size, cover, etc.

Geoff.

 

[outbackjack1]

Not for a long time

Last time I was there was over a year ago, but my hubby is home on friday and I will ask him. Not sure if he was on that road this month, I do know he was working around Nonning for awhile. I live in Quorn and work for various outback communities around that way. So you are from the Southern Flinders lol can you tell me where the Southern gives way to the central and where the central gives way to the Northern lol

I get frustrated with tourists who visit Quorn and when you ask them where they are going to next they say they are going to the Flinders and I think ### where do ya think ya are at present.

 

[outbackjack1]

just one more post lol

Have to get five posts in so I can email members etc. So here it is.
Iron Knob progress association finally got domain name registered tonight. Will be working on their website real soon. The progress association will be taking over the running of the mine tours. I am looking forward to getting on a tour to get some pics. I will post the URl soon when I get it up and running.

By the way if you live in an Outback community and need help to get a web presence drop us a line, my fees are very low if it is for a not for profit group and I can work of off a few different platforms.

 

[geoffsa]

Last time I was there was over a year ago, but my hubby is home on friday and I will ask him. Not sure if he was on that road this month, I do know he was working around Nonning for awhile. I live in Quorn and work for various outback communities around that way. So you are from the Southern Flinders lol can you tell me where the Southern gives way to the central and where the central gives way to the Northern lol

I get frustrated with tourists who visit Quorn and when you ask them where they are going to next they say they are going to the Flinders and I think ### where do ya think ya are at present.

The Flinders Ranges regions are always a topic of debate, but the locals say the Southern Flinders Range starts at Crystal Brook (where the Northern Mt Lofty Range finishes), and finishes around Hawker. The Central Flinders Range then goes from Hawker to Copley. The Northern Flinders range then goes all the way to Moolawatana Station where the Terrapinna Waterhole exists (largest permanent waterhole in the Flinders Ranges.

I don't think there are formal boundaries to seperate the ranges, just adopted names over the years to make it easier to describe places. The Flinders Ranges cover quite a diverse area of SA, being the longest in the state.

Some claim they go down to Clare, but this is incorrect, Clare is in the Northern Mt Lofty Range.

I live in Port Pirie, so not far from you.

Geoff.

 

[aussyjulie]

Thanks for that geoffsa and outbackjack1, much appreciated. I had read that the wombats were making life more interesting out there.

Is the bush camp easy to find?

I've been to the Kingoonya and Andamoooka websites and they were both good. Thought Kingoonya pub was definitely worth a stop. I have been in touch with them about camping there already lol.

As far as the rest of our trip goes we are doing 'The Flinders'. So far, going to Mt Remarkable NP first, then up through Pichi Richi Pass, on to Willowsprings/Wilpena Pound for a couple of days to explore. Then up to Arkaroola for a couple of days. Want to really do the Pinch of Salt Track as well. Then heading out to Farina and the Torrens Track. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. There's so much to see out there its hard to know where to start.

Cheers

 

[geoffsa]

The camp is only 2.5 km from the turnoff, which has an example of one of the original underground catchment tanks used for sheep grazing. There is a lookout only a short walk from the camp overlooking the lake.
Firewood is scarce, and there are no facilities.

The Flinders:-
There are some good tracks in the Wilpena area. Make sure you do Skytrek.

Arkaroola is my favourite part of the Flinders, Waraweena is second. Have a meal at the Prairie Hotel (Parachilna Pub), also owned by the people with Pinch of Salt track.

What part of Mt Remarkable NP are you staying at, Mambray Creek or Alligator Gorge? Mambray is better in my opinion.

If you are doing the Lake Torrens track from Farina (good camp ground with flushing toilets and a donkey shower) it may have some areas where caution will be needed with the caravan. Some good camping when you get to the sand dunes north of Andamooka.
This track can be quite slippery after rain in the salt flat areas, and you can get your permit from Wichelina Station along the way.

A few photos of the track around the top of Lake Torrens are attached.

Geoff.

 

[outbackjack1]

Hey don't forget Quorn

Quorn is well worth looking around and instead of taking the main road to Hawler why not go the back way? Stop in at Warren George and see the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby - free camping in the George with toilets. It is a good secondary dirt/gravel road most of the way except for a few little wash-outs if we have had rain. You will go past Proby's grave too.

Also whilst at Quorn you can check out the Pichi Richi TRain museum. Take a hike at Dutchmen Stern - which is part of the Heysen trail. There is even a Hut at Dutchman complete with sink, combustion fire and flushing toilets lol. The Hut is free but there is also accommodation which you can book at Dutchmen Stern through Mt Remarkable National Park office. Very nice old homestead and shearers quaters with all the things you need.

Take a look at Quorn with Outback Jack - It's Great