Australia So Much to See
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Mungo National Park, New South Wales: The Self Guided Loop Drive has now been re-opened, however it may be closed again following
rain. See full report here. See our travelogue on visiting Mungo
Road conditions can change daily. Please ring the
Buronga office of Environment NSW for the most up to date information on road closures.
Walls of China closure - Walls of China.
Viewing the Walls of China is only possible from the boardwalks or if participating in a Discovery Tour or other commercial
tour operation. Unaccompanied walking on the lunette is no longer permitted. A Discovery Tour with a Ranger is worthwhile
as you will be shown and told about places and history you would not otherwise see as well having the opportunity of walking on this
ancient dune. For timetable see here
Carnarvon National Park Queensland: The Carnarvon Great Walk is closed from the beginning of November to the end of February — the
hottest time of the year. The track may also be closed at other times during fires or adverse weather conditions, for essential track
maintenance or for safety reasons.
Chambers Pillar campground in Central Australia has been upgraded with the addition of a new larger campground to supplement the smaller
eight site campground. See 1 November 2011 press release here
Improvements have also been made to the access track
from Maryvale Station, however the track is still considered as suitable only for four wheel drive vehicles and dedicated off road
trailers or caravans. Use you UHF radio on the specified Channel 10 to announce as you approach the dunes.
November 2011
See our Travelogue
GOOD NEWS: The Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park re-opened on Thursday 5 April for the 2012 season.
Tour
times at the Dinosaur Stampede are at 10.00 am, 12 noon and 2.00 pm daily. Entry into the Trackways for 2012 is $12.00 adult, $11.00
concession and $30.00 family. We recommend allowing approx 1.5 to 2 hours travel (as 55 kilometres is sealed and 55 kilometres
unsealed; but well maintained). Please ensure that you have food and water as there is no canteen available at the Trackways. If you are purchasing your tickets at the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park please have cash as EFTPOS is not available. The Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park is opened daily excluding Christmas and Boxing Day.
This
re-opening is fantastic news after the closure last October due to stability issues with a wall.
Esperance in Western Australia has installed a dump point for use by the travelling public at no charge. It is located in Sheldon
Street, which runs roughly east west between Harbour Road and Norseman Road, to the south of the South coast Highway. Look for
it on the south side of the road, opposite the car wash, at the Norseman Road (east) end of Sheldon Road.
November
2011
The New South Wales town on Nyngan allows free camping for up to 96 hours at the Showgrounds. Nyngan has recently qualified
as a CMCA RV Friendly Town, adding this short to medium term camping option to the existing dump point at Teamsters Rest and potable
water for tank filling at the Showgrounds. Good parking exists close to the CBD and Nyngan invites you to visit. Update
May 2012 showgrounds free camping does not allow access to amenties or power - self contained rigs only. Note news updating
the deveopments at Nyngan
December 2011
A dump point has been installed at Wilks Park free campground, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
December 2011
Copeton Dam Northern Foreshores in the New South Wales Shire of Inverell will be scaling down the size of the campground, and the
camping area will be informal. It is anticipated that the power and showers will remain, at least in the short term. This
is to meet the criteria for a Primitive Campground, rather than to upgrade to meet the requirements of a caravan park.
7
September 2011
Department of Environment and Conservation have announced the opening of a new Granite Skywalk and Viewing Platform at Castle Rock.
We visited and climber Castle Rock in 2015.
The Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park is now
open, being part of a $1million revamp of visitor facilities, the new lookouts offer views across undulating farmland
to Albany in the south and to Mount Gardner and Mount Manypeaks to the south east.
27 January 2012
On 19 February 1942, Japanese headed towards Darwin with 81 medium bombers, 71 dive bombers and 36 fighters. There were at least
45 vessels in the harbour at that time and 21 were sunk or disabled. Many buildings, including those on the airfield and the
Darwin Post Office were amongst those destroyed during the first air raid; the Post Office was on the site where Parliament House
now stands. Twice as many bombs were dropped on Darwin than were dropped on Pearl Harbour ten weeks prior, in two waves that
morning.
At least 292 people were killed with hundreds more injured. These unexpected raids shocked the nation,
although the magnitude of the damage was censored. The loss of life on this first day of air raids was dramatically understated
in the media, with press releases listing some of the property damage and saying that a few lives had been lost. Any
claims made by the Japanese were censored from publication.
Read about our visit to Darwin here
21 February 2012 was a good day for campers. On this day two different Shire New South Wales Councils met, and at both, approvals
for their local Showgrounds (Inverell and Grafton) to operate again as primitive campgrounds were approved. Awaiting the
latest news on showground casual camping at Inverell, as this does not seem to be happening. See update above
22 February 2012
Grafton Showground has today received official documentation so they are now back in business for casual camping at their showgrounds. Well done Grafton Showgrounds Trust Committee. Good news for Grafton and those who choose showground camping.
Fees
are $20 per site for powered site (plus $3 for extra adults above two) and $15 for unpowered sites.
A dump point is in
the future planning for the Grafton Showgrounds.
9 March 2012
Cue, a historic gold mining town in the Murchison region of Western Australia
The Cue Tourist Park upgrade is almost
complete and will be officially opened on 20 April 2012. There are limited powered and un-powered sites already available. A dump
point has been included in this upgrade and is already in operation.
2 April 2012
Following controversial publicity free camping continues at Lake Batyo Catyo Victoria. Access to power and showers has
been removed.
13 September 2012
Looking for a bit of work while travelling? An opportunity for retired travellers to boost income on the way around Australia:
Oz
Parks seeks retired nomads on a commission basis to recruit additional tourist parks for our company.
Now
obsolete
30 August 2012
Update on the Canning Stock Route Permits:
The ANFWDC (4WD AUSTRALIA) has agreed to a request from the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal
Corporation (WDLAC) to continue management of the CSR Permit system until further notice.
This now means that the ANFWDC will still
be issuing the CSR Permits.
The WDLAC Board resolved that the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council (ANFWDC's) Permit System
for the CSR would remain, as it has for some five years.
Read the full media release here
28 September 2012
Albury New South Wales – services for caravanners and campers
The Albury Railway Station Precinct caters for caravanners and
campers with provision of big rig parking, potable and non potable water, and a dump point. This area is not to be used for
staying overnight.
8 April 2013
Inverell Showground casual camping restored
21 February 2012 was a good day for campers. On this day two different Shire
New South Wales Councils met, and at both, approvals for their local Showgrounds (Inverell and Grafton) to operate again as primitive
campgrounds were approved. Awaiting the latest news on showground casual camping at Inverell, as this does not seem to
be happening.
At last we have the news from Inverell.
Limited casual camping in now available at their showground with six powers sites.
Sites are $15 which gives access to showers and toilets. Book and pay with caretaker. Phone 02 67223435
6 August 2013