Cable Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Tasmania

Cable Mountain is listed by the World Heritage Commission as one of the most precious places on earth and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area.

This area contains rugged mountain peaks, steep forested gorges, moorlands, rainforests, glacial lakes and tarns.

The National Park is a veritable magnet for all lovers of nature. Prolific wildlife found in the region incorporates many migratory species of birds, such as wrens, honeyeaters, and robins, which depart the high country in winter and head towards coastal areas, leaving the park to the resident bird life, which includes eagles, currawongs and parrots.

Nocturnal marsupials populating the area include wombats, possums, spotted-tailed quolls(tiger cats) and the famous Tasmanian Devil.

Numerous walking trails ( all signposted ) from easy, intermediate and hard, crisscross Lake St Clair National Park. A popular 6 km walk track  around the shores of  Lake Dove and pass the  imposing spires of Cradle Mountain is believed to be Tasmania's premier walking track.

We last visited Tasmania in March 2000.  We obtained all the necessary camping permits enabling  us to camp in National, Conservation and general camping areas.  We spent one month travelling Tasmania- nowhere near enough time.   We are planning to return and have no time limit. 

Cradle Mountain has a Lodge offering the traveller a warm haven against the fickle and often inclement weather of the Tasmanian highlands. 

There is no camping in the Cradle Mountain day-walk areas.  Shadow Lake has camp sites where you can enjoy superb lake and mountain views.  Lake St Clair Wilderness Holidays, 5 km north of the Derwent Bridge has camp sites, backpackers' accommodation and luxury cabins.
  


We camped at Lake St Clair camping area and found the staff very helpful with information about the Lake and also the surrounding areas.






So go and explore Tasmania - organise your next holiday through
Discover Australia.

SIMPSON GAP

                             Only 18km west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory 
campers and travellers will find

SIMPSON'S GAP

Simpson's Gap

 

            

                   Small delicate wildflowers at Simpson's Gap

Sunlight coming through Simpson's  Gap

 

Simpson's Gap is accessible by 2 wheel drive

and is open from 5am to 8pm.

Camping nearby is permitted ( fees do apply),

Disabled access, information displays, toilets, drinking water, 

BBQ facilities, picnic facilities, marked walking tracks, 

A lookout and even a bicycle track are  provided.

There is an annual bike ride from Alice Springs

to Simpson's Gap

proving to be very popular with locals and visitors.

(Just recently held in August)

Looking back upstream from Simpson's Gap

Camping is permitted at a special camping area.
  A small fee is payable to the Ranger or in the honesty box provided.
These light and easy to erect tents are popular the hikers and campers alike.






                                        Come on everyone
                        get out and explore your world
                        there is so much to see and do
                        Life is too short to stay home and watch the box!

Innes National Park. South Australia

Innes National Park view from Cable Beach 

Innes National Park is located on the Yorke Peninsula.
Outstanding coastal scenery, top surfing and  great fishing keep bringing campers and holiday makers  back  often to this beautiful National Park.
Most of the roads in Innes National Park are now 2 wheel drive accessible.
The wild coast is protected in most places by sheer high cliffs and probably the best spot to  experience such a dramatic scene is at the Gap, near Reef Heads.
Pondalowie Bay further north has protected waters and is the most popular camping  area.
Other areas to camp are Cable Bay, Gym Beach, Shell Beach and other smaller areas.
National Park and camping fees do apply.  

"Gatehouse Lodge" for accommodation

Other accommodation is available at the Inneston Heritage Village by contacting the local Ranger ( phone number we had was (08) 88543200).




Innes National Park have a very well equipped  visitors information centre
The Stenhouse Bay Trading  Post has basic supplies and fuel.
National Surfing Championships are held in Innes National Park on occasions.

Inneston Old Post Office restored

View from Cape Spencer Lighthouse

Coffin Bay National Park. South Australia

Coffin Bay National Park takes up the whole of the Coffin Bay Peninsula, with 30 380 hectares of sand and limestone country covered mainly with mallee, tea-tree and she-oak woodlands. Low swampy areas are covered in samphire.
On one side of the great T shaped peninsula are the placid protected waters of Coffin Bay, an ideal place to camp, swim, sail or go fishing (Whiting being very popular).
There are walking trails in the park, most follow old vehicle tracks.  Walking along the beaches being well received by most holiday makers.
On the opposite side of Coffin Bay Peninsula, along the south-western coast, the surf generated from the great Southern Ocean pounds the coast continuously.
Such an untamed area has other attractions.  The beaches, headlands, rich shallow coastal waters and scrub-covered sand ridges provide a rich habitat for birds.
Ospreys, rock parrots nest in the scrub above the cliff lined beaches. The rare Western Whip bird occasionally can be seen.
Coffin Bay offers superb fishing both from the protected bayside beaches and on the wilder sea coast.  Fishing boat charters are available for the keen fisherman. The protected bay beaches are great for King George whiting, garfish, trevally, flathead and salmon.
In the National Park campers are only allowed to camp at Yangie Bay, Black Springs, Morgans Landing, The Pool and Sensation Beach.  2 WD vehicles can access Yangie Bay the other camping spots need  a 4WD vehicle .
The nearest shopping is in Coffin Bay township. Campers going into the National Park must be self sufficient.  Toilet facilities are available at Black Springs camp ground area.
Coffin Bay township  has a range of camping and accommodation for all tourists.
There are wild ponies in the park managed by the Coffin Bay Pony Preservation Society and National Parks and Wildlife SA.  The ponies are believed to be descended from animals brought to the area by the early settlers in the 1840's.
Kangaroos  roam the National Park and often visit camping areas.  Campers are requested not to feed the animals.
Best time to visit is between October to April.

It is highly recommended for campers to always wear a hat when outdoors.


Coffin Bay National Park is 625 km west of Adelaide, via Port Lincoln.
National Park and camping fees do apply in South Australia.

Our Campsite at Black Springs

Mother Kangaroo and her Joey came to visit  us most days.

Our plan was to camp for four days, but the area was just brilliant with  the ocean so close to our campsite , the weather could not have been better. We ended up camping for ten days and loved every minute.
I would recommend Coffin Bay National Park to all our readers.
Get out and explore your world no matter where you live.

Alice Springs East MacDonnell Ranges

Corroboree Rock Nature Park is located 47 km east of Alice Springs on the sealed Ross Highway.
This is a sacred site to the Eastern  Arrernte Aboriginal people.
The significance of the areas is not well known, it was probably not used a a corroboree site, due to the lack of water in the area.

Front view of Corroboree Rock from parking area

Rear View of Corroboree Rock

Corroboree Rock is an easy stop off for your trip through in East MacDonnell Ranges.
There is a walk trail around the rock with informational notice boards placed for the visitors.
The walk trail takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is a very easy walk trail.
We found the area very interesting and enjoyed our time there.

Alice Springs East MacDonnell Ranges

JESSIE GAP dry river bed in August

In the East MacDonnell Ranges, Arltunga became the site of Central Australia's first town in 1887, after alluvial gold was discovered in the area.
There are a number of gaps, gorges and historic sites to explore.  Many of the natural attractions are accessible by 2WD but sometimes a 4WD is required for some tracks.
Emily Gap and Jessie Gap  are approximately 10 km east of Alice Springs on the Ross Highway.  Both these gaps have Aboriginal paintings and hold great significance to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal People.
There are picnic facilities at Jessie Gap.

Beautiful River Gum at Jessie Gap 

We parked in the Picnic area of Jessie  Gap

Currawinya National Park. Queensland

The Currawinya National Park is a semi-arid park and was establisted in 1991 to protect the area's freshwater lakes, which are an important refuge for inland birds in times of drought.
Black Swans, Pelicans and many duck species can be found at Lake Wyara.
Lake Numalla in the north west of the park is a 220 hectare body of fresh water.
Access to the park is via Cunnamulla and Eulo, Bourke or Thargomindah.  4WD is recommended but we have seen 2WD vehicles in the park.  Always check  road conditions before going into Currawinya National Park.  The local shire/council  keep the gravel ( unsealed ) road is good condition most of the year but it does depend of weather conditions.
There are no designated walking tracks in the park, but the bird life make up for it.

  Fishing is permitted in the Paroo River ( you do not need a permit) but not in the freshwater lakes.
Currawinya National Park is a remote park with no real facilities, therefore campers must be self sufficient and go well supplied with food , water and fuel.  
There are plenty of bush camping sites where only minimum camping permit and camping fees apply.

If you have children travelling with you, a good book about Australian Birdlife to keep them interested.

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. Queensland/Northern Territory border

Northwest of Mount Isa approximately 400km is the Boodjamulla National Park. The park  is a favourite spot for nature lovers and campers from all over Australia and now includes International visitors.

Lawn Hill Gorge which cuts its way through the sandstone plateaus of the Constance Range. The 60 metre walls of the gorge protect the warm clear water in the pristine waterway.

Lawn Hill Creek is a permanent watercourse, fed from many springs. Freshwater crocodiles live in the park and although they look dangerous, they are not usually a threat to people.

Riversleigh section of the park has the Gregory River flowing through. The World Heritage listed fossil deposit of prehistoric mammals and reptiles remains can be found here..

The Highlands Plains area being north-west of the Lawn Hill Gorge is a designated wilderness region therefore no access to vehicles is permitted.

Boodjamulla is a haven for a variety of wildlife  with  over 135 species of birds, 36 different types of mammals, and  snakes and lizards.

Campers should allow at least 3 to 4 days to enjoy Lawn Hill.  20km of walking tracks with the 7km return walk to the upper gorge which passes through a wide variety of diverse habitats a must to do.

The road to Boodjamulla is a gravel (unsealed) road. The road can be access by 2WD but 4WD is recommended. Visitors must be self sufficient in food, fuel, camping supplies and vehicle spare parts as the nearest place is Gregory Downs Hotel some 100km east of the park.

Camp sites have toilets, showers and fireplaces ( although it is best to have your own fuel source - Gas Stove). Collecting firewood in the park is prohibited.

There is an excellent privately owned very popular camp site - Adels Grove- only 10km from Lawn Hill Gorge.

Take your own inflatable boat or canoe- or you can  hire from Adels Grove  - and enjoy  peaceful hours  paddling along and exploring the creek.

The red cliffs around Lawn Hill Gorge are covered by rain forest plants, with much of the park being grassland and open forest.

During the wet season, access can be cut for weeks at a time and the roads closed.  

We contact the RACQ on 1300 130 595 for the latest report before going to Boodjamulla.

Best time to visit is June to September.

Camping Equipment and Shopping Website

This is just a friendly reminder for all our visitors to have  another look at our website as Christmas and the school holidays are fast approaching and you will need  to order soon,  you do not miss out on some really good sales prices at the moment through Amazon and Camping Equipment and Shopping.
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