TriState Event 2018

#4

Proudly hosted by the Holden 4 Wheel Drive Club of South Australia www.holden4wdclubsa.asn.au

Thursday 29 March to Tuesday 3 April 2018 at Merna Mora Station in the of South Australia. Getting To Merna Mora Homestead Hi all! It’s nearly time for our Easter TriState On one of our recent recces, we experienced a day get together at Merna Mora, in the Flinders of heavy rain which hampered our plans somewhat Ranges. It’s one of the most of the beautiful but that was nothing compared to the group who places I have been to anywhere in Australia. followed their Google Maps to Merna Mora Station. It My first visit was a matter of good fortune, took them on a track that was not traversable in wet when another trip we had planned was weather and as the vehicles were not four wheel drive cancelled, and then someone broke their leg, but instead, people movers loaded with occupants, and cancelled their Merna Mora booking, they got stuck up to their axles. The two cars were not leaving an opening for us. That was 1999, able to drive out until later the next day and everyone almost 20 years ago. I have been back nearly and their luggage had to be ferried out to the station. 30 times since then, and still love every visit. The main entrance to Merna Mora is clearly signed on If you have never been to Merna Mora, or the the bitumen road with a two sided large sign highly Flinders Ranges, do everything you can to visible from either direction. There are other signs get here. Even if it’s not this Easter, get there leading to the Homestead track which indicate that whenever you can! you are approaching the station. The ‘Pearly Gate’ is set in from the road with a large approach apron. It will The Registrations are coming in well, and so be open for everyone’s convenience. far we have around 60 cars and 120 people. Please DO NOT USE GOOGLE MAPS to locate It’s going to be a great weekend of catching the station entrance as it WILL send you the wrong up, driving, sitting around camp, rekindling old way along a minor rough track. As most of you will friendships and making new ones. be towing, the possibility of getting into difficulties We have plenty of things planned and the is great. Look for the signs pictured above if you Campsite is going to be fantastic. do not have Hema Maps. Hema shows the main driveway located on the western side of the Hawker If you have any questions give me a call, to Parachilna road just north of the Moralana Creek Cheers and see you soon, crossing. Greg Stevens There will be a Welcome Tent set up to receive all our TriState Committee Chairman SA guests near the Homestead at the end of the two to 0411649774 three kilometre drive in. You will be given instructions [email protected] on where to camp at this tent. There are no restrictions on when you can arrive and drive slowly on the way in. Merna Mora TriState Event 2018

to Parachilna

Merna Mora Tracks to Hawker

The Trips #3 BLACK GAP WALK #1 PITCHI RICHI RAILWAY TRIP Another walk if you’re up to it! This time we’ll stop This trip will begin by travelling to Quorn, then we will off at the Old Cueing Yards and stroll up to the hill board the old steam train which does a there and back behind them for a spectacular view of the area. Though trip through the hills. As we have to book for this trip we steep, taken slowly we’ll all make it easily. It’s really would like expressions of interest. Please contact Sue worth it. Then we’ll drive to the carpark which will be Smith on 0427702764 if you want to participate in this our starting point for the walk to Black Gap along the trip. creek bed and the Heysen Trail. We’ll have lunch up #2 ARKAROO ROCK & SACRED CANYON on the rise. It’s a ‘there and back’ walk rather than all This trip is for those who would like a walk. Arkaroo the way through to Wilpena but quite different coming Rock is approximately 3 km one way (6 km return) and down to going up. There are beautiful views which you has some lovely colourful Aboriginal art on the cave never get sick of and there’ll be ample time to take walls. After lunch, the group will visit Sacred Canyon photos and rest if needed. At times towards the top which also has some rock art that is well worth seeing. and in the creek bed there are a lot of rocks. Also it is The canyon itself is not too strenuous to walk but a little slippery on the shale when coming down from because of its narrowness, has some spectacular rocks the rise but only in one patch. We advise walking poles that have been worn by the huge volume of water that of some kind because of the rocks. All in all, it’ll be a gets pushed through the gap. Both walks are Easy to lovely relaxing day with stunning scenery. Medium difficulty and won’t take long. We won’t be #4 AROUND THE POUND racing. This may end up a short day but for those who This is an easy trip to Hawker via Moralana Scenic are willing, we can drop into coffee Route then onto lookouts etc around Wilpena Pound. shop for a look around the Information Centre and to It does not go into Wilpena. Fuel is available in Hawker. have a well earned coffee. Total length 215 km. Returns through Brachina Gorge. Merna Mora TriState Event 2018

#5 KENYAKA & HAWKER #10 NUCCALENA COPPER MINE This is a short half day non 4WD trip which visits This is an easy to medium 4WD trip with some uneven Kenyaka Ruins and the Gallery in Hawker. These ruins ground travel. Off road tyres are preferable. The length are special and well worth visiting. The Jeff Morgan of the trip is approximately 200 km and visits the ruins Gallery & Panoramas are amazing. There is a small of the Nuccalena Mine and the Tam O’Shanter Pub. fee to visit them and Jeff Morgan has reproductions of Fuel is available near the end of the trip at . his paintings for sale. He is a prolific and highly skilled The trip goes through Parachilna and Glass Gorges artist. The 360º Panorama is huge and can be viewed and visits and Angorichina. from a specially built platform. You will be able to top up #11 MERNA MORA HISTORIC TRAIL your fuel in Hawker. This is a hard 4WD trip with steep rocky ascents and #6 PANORAMA & POUND descents. However, nothing is too challenging. This is This trip does not need a 4WD and visits Hawker and an all day trip of only 42 km. The first half of the trip Wilpena. It returns along the Moralana Scenic Route covers the history of Merna Mora with ruins of the lime and combines art with history. The length of the trip is kilns, old school house, viaduct and fettler’s cottages. 150 km and will be an enjoyable day out. Fuel will be The second half crosses the main road and shows the available in Hawker and Wilpena Pound. Flinders Ranges in all its beauty from several lookout points. #7 PAWAWARTA GAP This is an easy to medium 4WD trip with some uneven #12 BUNBINYUNNA RANGE ground. Off road tyres are preferable. The round trip This is a very scenic but at times challenging 4WD trip. is 215 km and visits homestead ruins and beautiful Off road tyres are necessary. There are steep rocky scenery. A very enjoyable drive. The trip starts in ascents and descents with beautiful scenery. This an Brachina Gorge and then visits Artimore ruins. It then all day trip of 38 km. Recovery gear would need to be visits a valley full of wildlife and lovely landscape. carried. The trip starts on a Moralana Scenic Route and includes the bullocky cuing yards which our Club #8 WILLOCHRA PLAINS helped to restore. There are many lookouts which give This is an easy 4WD trip which may be a bit harder great views of Grieg’s Peak and Lake Torrens as well depending on weather conditions. It’s an all day trip of as many other spots. approximately 200 km and visits a lot of historical sites and ruins and it showcases how hard life was for our #13 WOWEE first settlers especially in this semi-arid landscape. The This 4WD trip falls into the ‘hard’ category with one trip visits the ruins of Old Hookina, Simmonston and especially challenging down hill descent. The rest of Kenyaka. It also goes to Willochra Creek where lots of the trip is not too bad. It is a half day trip of 40 km birds, including pelicans, congregate. all on Merna Mora property and off road tyres are essential. The views of Wilpena and Lake Torrens from #9 OUTBACK PANORAMA the peaks are panoramic and amazing. This trip really shows the beauty of the outback. The scenery is more arid than the Flinders and is truly All these trips will be posted up at the event and you breathtaking. It is an easy 4WD to Beltana then onto will be able to put your name down for any of them. If private property. This will incur an additional fee of unsure of what to do, ask a Committee Member at the around $20 to $40 per car. Total distance is 250 km. daily Happy Hours to assist you. Merna Mora TriState Event 2018

ARKAROOLA Trip April 4 to 7 REMINDERS Ian McColl is going to lead a trip straight after Easter to Church Services for Easter The nearest the Wilderness Sanctuary. Please refer to the services will be held in Hawker. The Catholic services attached msWord document for an outline of Arkaroola, are on Thursday 5:00pm, Friday 11:00am and Sunday its history, geography and other general information at 10:30am. about what to see and do while there. Read it if you’re The Uniting Church service is on Friday at 9:00am and thinking of coming as there’s a list of facilities including Sunday at 10:00am. a caravan park and hotel accommodation plus the internet service etc. Contact for details: Janet Teague 8648 4014 Ian and Wendy will only be able to stay for 4 to 5 days Generators The use of generators is permissible at but those who are interested can stay on for as long as our campsite between the following times: they wish. 8:00 am to 10:00 am daily & Arkaroola Sanctuary is a beautiful and unspoilt place 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm daily. which is more arid than the southern Flinders Ranges There is NO set area for the use of generators. We ask but spectacular in its ruggedness. Of course it is home that if you are using your generator, it remain on your to the cute and elusive Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby site and all noise be reduced where possible.Do not but boasts that it is home to over 160 species of birds. leave unattended. Bring your binoculars! (Should I mention the stars?) Breakfast BBQ This will be offered again so that If you have any queries, please ring Ian McColl on you can grab a quick brecky before your daily trips. 0437565983. He’s happy to take your calls. Jim Wissell is organising these and will be supported REMINDERS by his daily helpers. Bring your own plate and utensils. Water At the campsite, bore water is provided from Campfire Though we expect the weather to still be two taps with hoses and though the quality of the water quite warm at this time of the year and all going well, a is quite good, it is best used only for washing etc. You single community campfire will be provided. should bring sufficient drinking water for the duration Dump point A new facility is being created by the of the Event. Hawker may sell the 10 litre cardboard Fels family especially in time for our event. containers but do not depend on this. Easter is a busy time for the region and supplies are not easily Medical Assistance Hawker Hospital: 08 8648 4007 replenished in these small towns. Port Augusta Hospital: 8648 5500 Trips Pack your lunches, snacks and plenty to drink. Quorn Hospital: 8648 7888 Also bring hats and sunglasses to all trips. You should put your chairs in the vehicle for stops for lunch. The walking trips would benefit from some walking aids like hiking sticks or poles for the rocky terrain.

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