MERNA MORA MUSTER EASTER 2009 - Event Information
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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 of Merna Mora Station.
Entry off the Hawker to Parachilna road – look for the arrows!
Page 2 of 5Trips 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
360o 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 5T4 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. There will not be any water at these falls at
this time of year but the creekbed walk will provide an opportunity for photographers and birdwatchers.
(This walk is under negotiation at the moment and may be replaced with a similar walk.)
Grade – 3 (Medium) Road Surface – rocky walking trail Total Time 5-6 hours
Distance 16 Km Altitude change 200 M
Page 4 of 5T9 Scenic Airflight
We have arranged for a local aircraft operator to provide scenic flights on Sunday from the Merna Mora
airstrip. These flights will give an overview of Wilpena Pound western flank and the Bunbinyunna and
Elder Ranges. Cost for the flight will be additional to the event fee ($130.00 for approximately 30
minutes)
T10 Lake Torrens
This track is not being offered at the moment as it is very environmentally sensitive and is likely to be
excluded because the track will be too dry. (It would also be excluded if wet.) It may be offered to
people with non aggressive tyres if conditions are suitable. Remember your fishing rod, just in case!
Grade – 2(Easy - Medium) Road Surface – Mostly dirt Time - approx 6 hours
Distance 95 Km
T11 Tourism Highlights (self drive, walkers)
Wilpena, Black Gap, Hawker and Yourumbulla Aboriginal Caves
(Wilpena is the Aboriginal word for ‘place of bent fingers’)
A self drive alternative with options to cover walkers and drive-by tourists. You will be able to walk
Black Gap, through the Bunbinyunna. Alternatively, you can visit the Wilpena Pound tourist
establishment and take a short walk into the original Shepherd’s Cottage on Wilpena Creek. Other
options include a trip to Rawnsley Bluff rock climbing area, Pugilist Hill lookout or Hawker museums and
galleries as well as the Yourumbulla Aboriginal Caves.
Grade – 1(Easy) Road Surface – Mostly metal and bitumen Time 2-6 hours
Distance upto 140 Km
T12 Sliding Rock Copper Mine (self drive)
Using mainly public roads visit old copper mine and township at Sliding Rock beyond the early
settlement of Beltana. Many ruins of old mining buildings are scattered around the beautiful Sliding
Rock creek. The trip could include a drive through Puttapa Gap and Copley.
Grade – 2(Easy - Medium) Road Surface – Mostly metal and bitumen (some in poor condition)
Time – 7 hours Distance 195 Km
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