News & Adventures
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Desert Parks Bulletin
If you are travelling to the South Australian outback be fully prepared and read the Desert Park Bulletin before you travel.
This bulletin covers everything from Lake Eyre to the Simpson Desert as well as a host of other information, like what to do in an emergency, who to contact etc. The bulletin can be downloaded here in PDF format. Always be prepared when travelling in the bush.
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Start to construction of the Jack Bobridge track
On the 16th January 2012 construction of the Jack Bobridge Track, a 27 kilometre long shared cycling/walking path between Tanunda and Gawler, has commenced.
The start to construction of the path was marked today by a first sod-turning and path naming function at Jacob's Creek.
The function was attended be Federal Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion and Mayor of The Barossa Council Brian Hurn, both of whom 'turned the first sod'.
Banksia Adventures was chosen as the official transport provider for the event. Banksia Adventures was responsible for ferrying the various representatives and land owners between Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre and the sod turning ceremony. Of all the vehicles being used at the event the Humvee was the most popular ride on the day.
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An update on Arkaba Stations conservation efforts
The unique flora and fauna of Australia has evolved in isolation over millions of years. Since European settlement there has been some 130 animals introduced.
The most significant of these feral animals include: European rabbit, European fox, feral cat, feral goat, feral pig and cane toad.
Feral animals impact on native species through competition for food, water and shelter, destroying habitat, spreading diseases and predation.In Australia, feral animals typically have few natural predators or fatal diseases and most generally have high reproductive rates. As a result, their populations have threatened the survival of many of our native species. Our team at Arkaba Station are dedicated in their fight against feral animals and have been working hard to eradicate these pests to create a private wilderness sanctuary amongst 40,000 acres of our 60,000 acre property.Arkaba Station is a 60,000 acre working sheep station and whilst it is important to us that we retain our pastoral heritage we have reduced the number of sheep on the property and reduced the grazing area to 20,000 acres of sectioned land. The remaining 40,000 acres is for the development of our own private wilderness sanctuary. Through our own efforts and those in conjunction with ‘Operation Bounceback’ we have eradiated 630+ feral goats on the property in the last 18 months.In addition our team have also removed an estimated 260+ feral foxes (due to inaccuracy of baiting feedback) and 42+ feral cats.Thanks to a wonderful few seasons and through our feral animal control program, we have seen 10 new bird species added to our species check list:• Nankeen Night Heron• Straw Necked Ibis• White Necked Heron• Peregrine Falcon• Black Eared Cuckoo• Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo• Spotted Nightjar• White Eared Honeyeater• Silvereye• Zebra Finch• Welcome SwallowWhilst some of these bird species may have been found in the Flinders area, we had not previously sighted them on our property since we opened in November 2009. The reptile population has also exploded, and we have good numbers of Goanna, Bearded Dragons and Red Barred Dragons across the property.There are also two healthy Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby colonies located on the southern Elder Range. Their habitat crosses both Arkaba Station and the Flinders Ranges National Park.Feral animal control is an ongoing effort we have our next control program starting at the end of this month.The rewards of our hard work are undeniable, and guests staying at Arkaba Station not only enjoy the stunning outback landscape and topography of the station but also an amazing array of native bird and wildlife for which it calls home. -
Humvee Adventures
Our new Humvee is on the road and ready for action.
Enjoy one of our testosterone filled Humvee Adventure tours. Imagine being picked up in our ex-military Humvee, this vehicle can go almost anywhere, then being driven to Parafield Airport for an adrenaline filled joy ride in a Nanchang piston engine fighter/trainer or experience the thrill of an L-39 Albatros jet fighter/trainer....... Experience the G's of aerobatic flight.
Download our latest DL flyer for Humvee Adventures. -
Grey-headed Flying-foxes sighted in the South East
Fruit bats sighted in the South East near Kingston & Naracoorte.
The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) is asking South East residents to report sightings of Grey-headed Flying-foxes, sometimes referred to as fruit bats, to help the department better understand and conserve the species.
Grey-headed Flying-foxes are protected in South Australia, where they are listed as a rare species under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. At the national level they are considered threatened and listed as a vulnerable species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Steve Bourne from DEH’s Mount Gambier office said several Grey-headed Flying-foxes were sighted last week in Kingston and Naracoorte.
“It’s unusual to see Grey-headed Flying-foxes in our region so early in the year, so we’re expecting to see quite a few in the South East over autumn and early winter,” he said.
“Grey-headed Flying-foxes have undergone a substantial population decline over their traditional range in the past 15 years, decreasing by about one-third.
“They were first sighted in the South East of South Australia in 1998.
“We’re not quite sure why the Grey-headed Flying-foxes have been coming to the South East over the past decade or so, but it’s probably because of limited food sources elsewhere across the core range of the species.
“The diet of the Grey-headed Flying-foxes consists mainly of nectar, pollen and fruits, so food availability can be affected by changes in plant flowering patterns as well as climatic changes and habitat clearance and degradation.
“We’d like to find out more about the distribution, movements and food preferences of the species, so if people spot a Flying-fox, we ask them to contact DEH’s Mount Gambier Office on (08) 8735 1177.
“The information we’re asking people to record when they see a Flying-fox is, if possible, the species, the date, time, location, number of individuals observed, what the species was seen feeding on at the time, where it was roosting and the presence of any young.
“Grey-headed Flying-foxes can be distinguished from other Flying-fox species by the leg fur, which extends to the ankle.”
Mr Bourne advised people not to handle Grey-headed Flying-foxes.
“If you find a sick or injured Grey-headed Flying-fox or one trapped in fruit-netting, please do not touch it,” he said. “Instead, call DEH’s Mount Gambier Office and we’ll send someone to pick up the animal.
“If you find a sick or injured Grey-headed Flying-fox or one trapped in fruit-netting, please do not touch it,” he said. “Instead, call DEH’s Mount Gambier Office and we’ll send someone to pick up the animal.
“There’s no need to be frightened of Flying-foxes, but it’s important to avoid physical contact with them.”
A fact sheet about Grey-headed Flying-foxes is available on the DEH website at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/southeast-bcp/pdfs/flying-fox.pdf.
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Innamincka, Coongie Lakes and Lake Eyre status update
Visitors planning a trip to Innamincka, Coongie Lakes or Lake Eyre over the Easter break and school holidays are advised to seek further information before travelling to these areas.
Many parts of Innamincka and Coongie Lakes may be closed due to flooding, and at this stage it is too early to tell if floodwaters will reach and fill Lake Eyre. Below is the current status for these locations.
Innamincka Regional Reserve and Coongie Lakes
• Innamincka and Coongie Lakes visitor sites will not be open over Easter due to flooding in the area.
• Coongie Lakes National Park will be inaccessible until at least July.
• Ongoing rain that has fallen around Innamincka and floods in the upper catchments of Cooper Creek have flooded all visitor sites along the Cooper Creek at Innamincka Regional Reserve.
• At this stage, the Innamincka Causeway will be closed until at least late April.
• All visitor sites along Cullyamurra, 15 Mile (including Policemans, Ski Beach and Minkie campgrounds) and the Innamincka Town Common will be unavailable for use.
• Accommodation will be open within the Innamincka township but access to park visitor sites, including the Burke and Wills sites, will be closed.
• Once floodwaters have receded, sites will only be reopened when they have had a chance to dry out and flood damage is repaired.
For current information, contact DEH’s Innamincka office on (08) 8675 9909 or www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/innamincka/innamincka-status.html. Visitors can check road conditions at www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp or on 1300 361 033.
Lake Eyre National Park
• Rain that fell across central and eastern Australia since the Christmas and New Year period has flowed down a number of creeks and rivers that feed into Lake Eyre.
• It is too early to speculate how much water will reach Lake Eyre as there are many variables to how much water enters and then remains in the lake.
• Lake Eyre will receive some flows, but unless there is considerable follow up rains in March and April it is highly unlikely that Lake Eyre will fill and the migration of birdlife to the lake will be minimal.
• Lake Eyre has only ‘filled’ three times in recorded history – the last time occurred in1974-75.
For up to date information about Lake Eyre, contact the Desert Parks Hotline on 1800 816 078 or www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/lakeeyre/lake-eyre-status.html -
Magpie Geese!
Banksia Adventures recommend getting in quick on a Coorong or Bird Watching experience.
For the first time since 2004, magpie geese are breeding in the state’s south east. Randall Johnson from the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) said magpie geese are returning to Bool and Hacks Lagoon in large numbers as a result of favourable weather conditions. “Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in much needed water reaching Bool and Hacks Lagoon,” he said.
A full run down can be viewed here.
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Barossa Valley & Flinders Ranges
New tour as of the 1st of April 2010. Spend 3 days touring through South Australia's wine producing regions with wildlife and more.
Day 1 - Barossa & Clare Valleys
Visit such wineries as Jacob's Creek, Saltram Wines, Peter Lehmans and Sevenhill Cellars. Overnight at the Clare Country Club, with fine dining and an incredible selection of local wines selected to perfectly compliment your meal.
Day 2 - Flinders Ranges
This morning the legendary lilac haze of the Flinders Ranges looms ever closer in the distance. You are now in the habitat of Australia's famous wildlife, including not only kangaroos and emus in abundance, but also many species of birds and reptiles.
Day 3 - Wilpena Pound to Adelaide
Our journey today takes us through the Bunyeroo, Brachina and Parachilna Gorges, over hills and ridges, along river beds and through gullies. The Prairie Hotel is an historic "outback pub" situated along the original Old Ghan Railway Line at Parachilna. It's well known internationally for the cuisine served.
Price for this 3 day wine, outback and food experience is $1195 pp twin share.
Departs Adelaide Tuesdays and Fridays 8:30am - finishes 6:00pm.
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Innamincka Regional Reserve
Innamincka Regional Reserve reopens after flood
The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) has announced that approximately half of the visitor facilities at Innamincka Regional Reserve have reopened after floods left all sites under water earlier this year.
District Ranger Tony Magor said that even though the flood waters had started to recede, visitors still need to be careful in the area and do their research before travelling.
“Over summer the Cooper Creek flooded to levels not seen in almost 20 years,” he said.
“This resulted in visitor facilities in Innamincka Regional Reserve being under water and the Innamincka Township itself inaccessible by road.
“While most camping areas have reopened, there are still some restrictions in place and we advise people to be extremely cautious when travelling through the area and be mindful of road hazards, closures and speed limits.
“They will also need to do their research before travelling to avoid disappointment as not all campsites are open yet. Some campsites will not be open until late August or September as they are still drying out and will need repair work undertaken before re-opening.
“Coongie Lakes National Park will continue to be closed for the 2010 visitor season due to the floodwaters.”
Mr Magor said that despite the inconvenience, the flood waters had made a significant environmental impact.
“Now that the flood has receded, it’s obvious how beneficial the water has been, such as filling the Coongie Lakes and flowing down the Strzelecki Creek – both incredibly important eco-systems in the area,” he said.
“Coongie Lakes in particular is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International importance due to its significant feeding, resting and breeding site for numerous migratory birds.
“In addition, the water continues to flow downstream towards Lake Eyre, although we are unsure what the long-term impact here will be.”
