Caernavon Track Oct '25

We headed up to the Willow Springs campsite on Friday before the October long weekend and found Barry and Helen, Gordon and Joy, Mel and Jamie and Brian and Jane already set up as they had been able to head up on Thursday. We were joined later by visitor Justin.

That evening's fire kept us all warm as it was a cool evening but fortunately not as chilly as the previous night. Saturday morning was leisurely as we waited for visitors William and Emily to arrive and then, those that wanted to, led by Brett, went for a very pleasant and scenic drive along the PAR 4 track which took us out to the Artimore Ruins. Along the track we found a steep and bouncy hill that showered all that went up it in bulldust. The track then came out near Angorichina Homestead, giving some the opportunity to go on to the Blinman pub which was doing a roaring trade. Mel took her kanga joey with her and was a big hit with all the kids. Those that required more fuel for the following day's track made detours to both Angorichina and Wilpena Pound, with the rest of us heading back to camp for late foursies. We were all gathered around the fire when Aaron and Louise arrived in the dark, Aaron sporting his maroon colours in anticipation of the upcoming NRL grand final. There was much discussion about what time we would need to get up in the morning to do the 5-6 hour Canaervon track. Daylight saving made a lot of people groan about having to get up at the crack of dawn and there was plenty of angst about having to put alarms on and whether our phones would automatically change over to the correct time without mobile phone signal. We found out that we had no need to worry as due to the black magic of gps our phones did in fact change to the correct time. 

We gathered around on Sunday morning and Gordy told us what to expect for the track today which was "no - one's done this track so we don't know what to expect!" Mel and her joey and Joy and Henry the dog remained at camp as the day's trip was in a Conservation Park. 

We had several 200 series cruisers, a 76 series, a ford ranger, an Isuzu DMax and a Pajero make the half hour trip to the Rangers station and just before the turn off Gordon who was leading told us to watch out for a dead kangaroo in the middle of the road with two magnificent wedge tail eagles feasting on the carcass. Jamie, who was Gordy's passenger for the day, took the opportunity to take some photos of them and at one stage managed to turn the camera to selfie mode so got a lot of great selfies and pictures of Barry behind him. He admitted that this is the reason it's Mel's job to take all the photos. 

Driving to the Rangers Station gave us a small taste of what was to come. The Caernavon track did not disappoint, low range 4 wheel driving with steep ascents and descents, lots of dry creeks and gullies to traverse, fabulous scenery, and spectacular ranges. The rest stops, both with  a toilet and picnic table, were used for morning tea and lunch. We drove to the highest point you can drive in the Flinders Ranges, 921 metres, and were rewarded with more magnificent views. Arriving at the Southern Lookout we found the section of track we had been cautioned about and we all watched each vehicle make the extremely long, steep, bumpy descent from the top of the mount to the bottom. A meandering track took us through the lowlands and between the Bunkers and Little Bunkers ranges back to the Rangers Station to return the keys and collect our Caernavon track stickers. Barry suddenly realised that he had lost his phone and wallet and thought that he may have left them on the picnic table at lunchtime. He was going to need to come back and do the track the next day to look for them. Fortunately, when he got back to camp he discovered that he had actually left them in the caravan but he was disappointed not to get the opportunity to do the track again. Joy and Mel reported that they had been busy during the day managing people's gear and awnings as it had been a windy day.

Gordy set up Starlink to watch the NRL grand final between Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm. Chaos ensued with 4 minutes to the final siren when Gordy’s caravan battery went flat and blacked everything out. There was a mad scramble to bring the game back up on a tablet before the siren went off but we missed the ending. Winners were grinners and Aaron was jubilant, 'Go Broncos' was the call of the evening, even shouted from Aaron's rooftop tent after he went to bed. Eventually we all stumbled off to bed, some with early departures in the morning, others leisurely packing up.

Thanks to Brett and Gordy for running a great weekend. And the Caernavon track, what a great track, possibly one of the best in the Flinders Ranges.

Brett and Lorraine