undocumented gems please

[zjed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close zjed]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some of those fantasic undocumented places/camp sites that you are sometimes lucky enough to find on your travels.

In a couple of months we're leaving on a trip up through the centre then down the west coast. Including the simpson, east & west macs, cobourg pen, kimberly, pilbara and on down the west coast.

If anyone has found any of these fantastic places, that few people know about and aren't in all the standard literature, could you please drop me a line. Preferably with a small description & gps coordinates.

Thanks in advance,

Zjed 8)

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

If you're doing the East MacDonnells, make sure you do the East MacDonnells 4x4 Route, from memory just east of Gem Tree. It will take you through Arltunga and Ruby Gap.



We did the route in one day, making it back to Alice Springs in the early evening, but Ruby Gap is one place I really want to go back and camp at. Its probably doesnt strictly fit into the undocumented category as its quite well known but well worth seeing.



Another out of the way place that I last camped at 22 years ago is the Fitzroy Barrage near Camballin in the Kimberleys. It was part of the Camballin irrigation project in the 60's and 70's and consists of a barrage dam across the Fitzroy River.

When last there (1986 ops: ) there was lots of shade, and the PWD had a raised workshop with a concrete platform so we used that as the kitchen. Its fallen into disrepair I hear, but its still used by those locals in the know. I was hoping to get back up there this year, but now it looks doubtful. My GPS wasnt working back in 1986 unfortunately. :lol:

South of Exmouth on the coast near Ningaloo Station is a beach/bay called Winderabanda Point. Closest thing to a tropical island I think I've ever come across. No facilities and no shade, but magical place to camp, especially if you have kids.

A huge bay with knee high, warm water for hundreds of metres from the shore. The water teams with all sorts of tropical and sub tropical life, my kids spent hours and hours wading in the water exploring.

We sat under a shelter with munchies and drinks and they were never out of sight. We litterally camped on the waters edge. Friends of ours were there last year and called it heaven.

[zjed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close zjed]

Thanks Rainman,

Nice shots.
I already have ruby gap on my list. I have an 8 and 6 year old, so finding the rubies/garnets sounds like great fun.
I hadn't heard of Winderabanda, the kids (and I) would love it. Is it in the national park? I can't see it on my raster maps.
Whats at Fitzroy Barrage, crocs and bara? I presume its on private property. How do you get there?

Thanks

Zjed

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

My kids spent ages collecting garnets at Ruby Gap, they still have a large pile of them in each of their rooms. 4wdriving has sparked a real interest in gemstones in both of them.

I looked on the Geoscience Australia website and they call it Winderabandi Point (but my map book calls it Winderabanda), latitude and longitude are as follows:
LATITUDE: 22º 29' S
LONGITUDE: 113º 42' E

Its on one of the cattle stations south of the Yardie Creek crossing and is outside of the national park. I know the Dept of Conservation and Environment are trying to take the leases of most of the cattle stations up that way so they can limit camping.

The station owners came out every couple of days and collected $6 for us 4 to camp there, they were hoping it would keep DEC away. I'm not sure how successful they have been.

I have also managed to get a reading for the Fitroy Barrage, 18deg 11 14S 124deg 29 32 E. I will try and post a pic on Monday, the fishing was good the first time I went there in 1978 and again in 1986 and I hear that its still used as a fishing spot by the locals from Derby and Camballin.

I have also heard that there is still some conjecture about there being any salties there. There is definately fresh water crocs. The access road will eventually take you all the way to Noonkanbah station which probably doesnt mean anything to most people these days.

[zjed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close zjed]

Beautiful, thats the stuff I'm looking for.

Thanks rainman.

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Heres a pic of the Fitzroy Barrage taken in the middle of last year. I havent been there since 1986 and I understand it is a bit run down now compared to what it used to be like.



In 1978 I stood on the platform with the hand rails as it was moved out across the water into the middle of the river to raise some of the shutters that had dropped down. In the picture all the shutters look like they have dropped.

And here it is using Google Earth.