MERNA MORA MUSTER EASTER 2009 Event Information Where The event will be based at Merna Mora Station, located on the Hawker to Parachilna road, at the intersection with the Moralana Scenic Drive. (Refer map below). Merna Mora Station is approximately 42 kms from Hawker and 55 kms from Parachilna. The club uses UHF radio channel 21 and we will be contactable on this frequency at all times. Please note that as Merna Mora is a working sheep & cattle station no pets are allowed at the station. When We will have access to the station from midday on Thursday 9 April until midday Tuesday 14 April. However, for those wanting to stay on after the event to explore the Flinders a little more, this can be arranged with the property owners at the time – no prior bookings are required. Please do not plan to arrive before midday on the Thursday – we will be unable to accommodate you! On-site Facilities The campsite is located 2-3km off the Hawker to Parachilna Road (bitumen) on a good quality dirt road, and is easily accessed by Caravans and Camper Trailers. Camping will be on the station’s “Roland Garros” style polo field complete with drop toilets (freshly dug for the event!!) and, within a reasonable walking distance, limited access to showers (although we would encourage you to bring your own if possible) and flushing toilets. The camping fees for the weekend are inclusive of charges for the use of 4WD tracks on the property, with many of the trips not leaving the property. The trips we have organised take in some spectacular country and views – make sure to pack a camera!! The station uses bore water and although there are no taps at the campsite, there will be two tankers filled with bore water for you to use, however, you will need to be self sufficient with your own drinking water. Mobile phones generally will not work at the campsite, however, most (Telstra) may have reception during some of our planned trips (especially on the higher peaks). Our experience suggests that Optus and Vodafone will have VERY limited service. For those who require power, we have secured 4 powered sites and 12 small basic rooms located approximately 400m from the campsite. We are aiming to fill all the rooms to cover our costs, however, priority of the rooms and powered sites will be given to those with medical requirements. There are 10 rooms furnished with 2 single beds and 2 rooms with a double bed each, and each contains a desk, chair and wardrobe, bed light, heater and reverse cycle air conditioning and have access to a fully equipped kitchenette. Page 1 of 15 Other local Facilities Nearest fuel available is at Hawker, Wilpena Pound and Parachilna, with some trips travelling through these towns. Please plan to arrive at the campsite with your fuel tank as full as possible, to minimise delays on trips. Church services will be conducted in Hawker and details will be posted on the notice board during the weekend. Medical and other emergency facilities are also available in Hawker and details will be posted on the notice board during the weekend. Events over the weekend The following pages give details of the range of 4WD and touring trips on offer over the weekend, including some self drive tours and some very challenging 4WD trips for the more adventurous. Happy hour will start around 4.30 pm each afternoon. Children’s events will be run on most afternoons – keep an eye on the camp notice board for details. Activities with points awarded to each state going towards the tri-state trophy will be conducted on Sunday afternoon – bring your sense of humour! Saturday evening will feature a local entertainer around the campfire, while Sunday evening will see the traditional hosted 3 course dinner. We have also managed to secure the best pilot in the area to provide scenic light plane flights over Wilpena Pound and the surrounding countryside on the Sunday morning at a cost of $130. Flights will be departing from the property airstrip. If you are interested in this option, payment needs to be included with the registration form. Registration Form A Registration Form is attached at the back of this document. Registration for the event is open to all club members. Please complete the form and return it, with payment, before Friday 6th February 2009. Location ofofof Merna Mora Station . Entry off the Hawker to Parachilna road – look for the arrows! Page 2 of 5 Trips and tours We will be offering a range of 4WD and touring trips, including some self drive options. We are aiming for all trips to be back at the campsite by 3.30 pm, so everyone can attend happy hour at 4.30pm. 4WD Trips Note that all the 4WD trips on offer will involve rocky hill ascents and descents on narrow station tracks. You may need to deflate your tyres (probably to around 28 psi). Recovery gear is unlikely to be needed but you should have access to the following • Rated recovery points • Tyre gauge • UHF radio • Jacking plate • Compressor • Snatch strap • Shovel (preferably long handled) All our trip leaders will carry a first aid kit and additional recovery equipment, appropriate to the degree of difficulty of the trip. T1 Bunbinyunna Range (Hills and Views) Drive on station tracks through native pine forest covered hills with views of the outer escarpments of Wilpena Pound. The track starts on Moralana Scenic Drive and then varies from stony hills to earthen flats with erosion gutters. A pioneer Shepherd’s hut and other early settler remnants are also seen. The track exits to the west with views of the plains and Lake Torrens in the far distance. 4WD skills required for hills. Grade – 3.5 (Medium) Road Surface – Mostly rock and dirt Time - approx 5.5 hours Distance 41 Km Altitude change 170 M T2 Bullock Trail (Hills and Views) This Elder Range drive is on station tracks through native pine forest. It takes you to several lookouts with views of the outer escarpments of the Bunbinyunna Range and Wilpena Pound. The track varies from stony hills to earthen flats with erosion gutters. The track exits to the west along Moralana Scenic Drive. 4WD skills required for hills. Grade – 3(Medium) Road Surface – Mostly rock and dirt Time - approx 4.5 hours Distance 30 Km Altitude change 240 M T3 Wowee Track (Hills and Views) Stony station track on two hills north of the Homestead. These hills are quite steep, but offer amazing 360 o views from Lake Torrens across to Wilpena Pound so take your camera! There are some very difficult sections crossing gullies where you will hit your tow bar and maybe bottom out. Some very steep inclines and descents. Grade – 4.5(Hard) Road Surface – Mostly rock and dirt Time - approx 3 hours Distance 19 Km Altitude change 100 M Page 3 of 5 T4 Historic This commences on Merna Mora Station viewing homestead and railway ruins. Bitumen and dirt tracks are then used to view some less well-known historic sites, including Wonoka and Hookina townships, Willochra creek and Simmonston, returning via Hawker. If time permits, this trip will also include a visit to the historic Craddock Hotel. Grade – 1(Easy) Road Surface – Mostly metal and bitumen Time – 5-6 hours Distance up to 150 Km T5 Nuccaleena Copper Mine This trip is offered with two variations. Access to the old mine site maybe via dry creek beds (a fee of $10 may apply). These creek beds have a few difficult rock ridges, but it mainly consists of a wide gravel and sand creek with large gums typical of the area. The alternative inward route is via gravel roads that are one of SA’s Pastoral Lands Public Access Routes (PARs) (no fee applies). The exit for both is by using/retracing the PAR eastwards. Depending on the day, and time taken, we then may travel through picturesque Glass Gorge (named after Mr Glass) with its native pine forests to Blinman. From Blinman we travel west over ridges with excellent lookouts and return via the iconic Parachilna Gorge with its stately gums. A quicker return to Merna Mora is achieved by driving directly to Parachilna Gorge from the PAR bypassing Glass Gorge, Blinman and the lookouts. Grade – 3/2 (Medium/Easy) Road Surface – Mostly metal and bitumen Time – 5 or 7 hours Distance 195/220 Km T6 Brachina Gorge Using public roads travel through the Flinders Ranges National Park ($7:50 fee applies) along the geological trail covering rock and sediment formation over millions of years. Information boards with adJacent real fossils are scattered along the route. Start on Moralana Scenic Drive, pass Rawnsley Bluff and the eastern side of Wilpena Pound, ABC range razorback, Bunyeroo Valley and then Brachina Gorge. This trip incorporates many fantastic photo opportunities. Grade – 1(Easy) Road Surface – Mostly metal and bitumen Time 5-6 hours Distance 160 Km T7 Black Gap to Wilpena guided walk This walk starts from Black Gap and climbs to the rim of Wilpena Pound at Bridle Gap. It then follows an easy walking trail to Wilpena Chalet. Walkers will be dropped at Black Gap, then met at Wilpena Resort for transport back to Merna Mora. Optionally, some less energetic walkers will return from the end of Black Gap (350M) to take vehicles around to meet the others. Grade – 4(Hard (Bridle Gap section)) Road Surface – rocky walking trail Total Time 5-6 hours Distance 12 Km Altitude change 350 M T8 Edeowie / Kanalla Falls guided walk A 16 km return walk to Kanalla Falls on Edeowie station.