SA

another week with mike
gawler ranges

Members are invited to attend a group get together in the Gawler Ranges

if you wish to attend please add your name to the poll provided

YOUR HOST for the week will be Mike Fretwell.

WHERE. Mount Ive Station http://www.mtive.com.au/index.htm within the Gawler Ranges, South Australia (approximately same latitude as Port Augusta). The Ranges are to the north of Eyre Peninsula. And were named by Edward John Eyre after the Governor of South Australia, George Gawler in 1839. This was on one of Eyre's earliest expeditions before his famous crossing of the Nullarbor Plain further out to the west.

The Gawler Ranges are a range of stony hills in South Australia to the north of Eyre Peninsula. The Eyre Highway (Ceduna – Port Augusta) skirts the south of the ranges and the Stuart Highway (Port Augusta – Glendambo – Alice Springs) is to the east. The Gawler Ranges National Park and Gawler Ranges Conservation Reserve are in the ranges north of Wudinna and adjacent to Mount Ive Station to the south where we will be based. This is also adjacent to Lake Gairdner which is the fourth largest salt lake in Australia being over 160kms long and 48kms wide; the salt is over 1.2 metres thick in places.

LOCATION of Mount Ive Station

32degs 26mins 23.13 secs South 136degs 03 mins 53.4 secs East
UTM 53H 64110320mN 6000099mE. Altitude 186.68m

This pastoral sheep station, first taken up by Price Maurice in 1864, is the only property within the Gawler Ranges with visitor facilities. We will also have private access to Lake Gairdner on station tracks (key required) via organ pipe rock formations and, an historic dam.

WHEN. Over the week from Saturday 2nd to Friday 8th May 2015

GETTING THERE. Mount Ive Station is located 86kms NW of Kimba. The Ranges are accessible from the North via Glendambo and Kingoonya, from the west via Ceduna and Wirrulla, and from the East via Port Augusta and Iron Knob. The region is classified as a wilderness area and you need to prepare accordingly.

THE ROAD. The road to Mount Ive Station is unsealed (mainly all weather) in all directions; from leaving the highway onwards! Over the week we will be travelling on unsealed roads and station tracks that may be a little corrugated. A vehicle with high ground clearance is best suited to the conditions.

CAMPING, FEES, & POWER. There are powered and unpowered sites in the camping section. Powered sites are $28 per night for a camper trailer with two people. Non Powered $20 for a camper trailer with two people. The bush sites are $9 per night. The bush camps are approximately 500 metres past the main camping section and are the cheapest option – but you will have to walk to the loo!

There will be a one off fee of $55 per vehicle to drive on all the station tracks during our visit and, to visit Lake Gairdner. All very worthwhile.

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS. Please add your name to the form provided if you are definitely attending. The address of the form can be found in message 81415 within the CamperTrailers Yahoo Group or in the CamperTrailers forum under the Upcoming Events heading.

NAME TAGS. If you have a name tag please bring it along.

TOILETS & SHOWERS. There are hot showers (donkey boiler) and flushing toilets in an amenities block.

AMENITIES. There is a BBQ area in the gazebo. The undercover / mess / camp kitchen with wash-up and eating facilities are ONLY available to tenants of the 21 cabins in Shearers Quarters.

WATER. Drinking water is available.

CAMPFIRES. We will be having a central camp fire which will be suitable for camp oven cooking.

FIREWOOD. Please bring some firewood along; a few tree stumps will be provided.

GENERATORS. The use of generators will be limited & subject to the Station Managers & CamperTrailers Group organisers permission, & then in daylight hours only.

DOGS. You may wish to visit the Gawler Ranges National Park where no dogs are allowed. However the station owners have confirmed that dogs ARE welcome PROVIDED they are "well behaved"! Mt Ive also has a couple of spare dog cages so, if you would like to do a trip to the National Park, these can be utilised for the day. I believe some / most of you will find that there is more than enough to do and see on Mount Ive without visiting the National Park during your stay with the Group.

Re visiting the National Park – it will be a day trip of approximately 250 - 300kms. Mt Ive has similar country and there will be a lot to see. Mt Ive is opening more tracks just for the CT group. This will allow numbers on each track to be kept to a reasonable size (say 5) whilst allowing the whole group to be exploring on the same day.

SERVICES. A basic shop and Liquor Store / Bar are also located at Mt Ive supplying fuel, liquor and drinks and other small items.

EFTPOS is available. The nearest service towns are Port Augusta, Kimba, and Ceduna. There you'll find supermarkets, pubs, cafes, fuel, a visitor information centre, and public conveniences.

COMMUNICATIONS. Free limited WiFi is available in the camp kitchen. There is NO mobile phone coverage. Some members will however have satellite phones in case of emergencies etc.

ACTIVITIES. Come & see more of Mike’s other backyard, the Gawler Ranges. Visit places you may not see if you were travelling past by yourself. Over the week there will be tag a longs, drives & walks to various features throughout the Ranges. You will be able to act independently of course should you so wish.

NATIONAL PARK PASSES. Entry into any South Australian National Park will require the purchase of a pass and there are a variety of passes available, depending on your need. For example, a single park pass currently costs $10/night plus $10 entry fee; however a multi park pass for 2 months costs an $40! You can purchase passes on line.
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Park_Entry_Fees/Parks_Passes/Holiday_Park_Pass 

ADDITIONAL INFO.
Eyre Peninsular Regional Guide http://eyrepeninsulavisitorguide.realviewdigital.com/#folio=OFC 

South Australia National Parks’ Guide http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/SA_National_Parks_Guide

Please keep in mind that the group owners will not accept any responsibility for members & non-members actions during the week long get together. If you decide to attend, it is solely at your own responsibility, including any side trips or outings.

Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owners
Rob, Kevin & Jason