Skytrek - Closed

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

I was looking at the possibility of heading up to the Flinders during the school holidasy shortly and was speaking to the very nice people at Rawnsley Park and mentioned Skytrek as one of the things we would like to do and found it it is currently closed. Apparently the track passes into a neighbouring property where sports shooting occurs and the ajoining property and increased the rates that Skeytrek pay for the use of the track to some amazing level. The owners of Willow Springs are refusing to pay this so currently Skytrek is closed.

Had a look elsewhere and found the same story over on ExploreOz. The shut down was late April. Bugger bugger bugger.
ExplorerOz - Skytrek currently closed!

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Bugger - this is/was a great 4wd trek that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone. I'm glad I had the chance to experience it with my family when I did.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Yeah. I wish i had as well. Here's to hoping it is only temporary until they can settle the dispute. I guess I don't mind paying a little more based on how good and fun it is supposed to be.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Bum. Bought the Prado so we could go to the Flinders and Skytrek was high up on the list of places to go.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Yeah skytrek is a good drive, not as difficeult as i was led to believe but fun none the less. Excellent scenery, hopefully they get the dispute sorted and reopen. Plenty of other good drives in the Flinders though.

Cheers Andrew

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

You probably know about the Arkapena Chace Range trek ? We did this last year and it was pretty good - some interesting ascents and descents and some good views.
You can get the gate keys and map from Rawnsley Park - I think it was about $40 and takes a good half day. There's a choice of AWD or 4WD track - do the 4WD
I've never done SkyTrek so can't compare.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

ozwapet2 wrote
I've never done SkyTrek so can't compare

Arkapena is a great drive, not as long as skytrek but certainly steeper and a few tight dry creek beds to negotiate, i reckon we only paid $25 last year, better/ more challenging drive and better value for money than skytrek IMO.

Cheers Andrew

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Just received some great news from the owners of the Bendleby Ranges who are friends with the owners of Skytrek. Skytrek has reopened altough they have had to increase the fees to satisfy the neighbours. The fee increase has not been updated on the site as yet but I've been informed that they fee is now $75.00 per vehicle instead of the old $55.00

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

fee is now $75.00

Sheesh that's getting up there...... my first thought is; it's not that good!. There are cheaper tracks in the Flinders that offer far more of a technical/4wd challenge as well as a few free ones that are a pretty good drive too.

Your basically paying $75 for the view from Caernavon.

Mick

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

As i said above skytrek wasnt the best value for money drive in the flinders and i only paid $50 as we got a discount going as a 4WD club. For $75 i would be checking out the other tracks on offer first.

Cheers Andrew

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

That's a severe hit at $75. I was hoping to do Skytrek in September this year but will think about it now; I suppose 4 in the car isn't too bad to pay for it. Some are saying there are better tracks and at better value. As I'm from Qld, which ones are better and cheaper that I should do and not miss while there?? Thanks.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

That's a severe hit at $75. I was hoping to do Skytrek in September this year but will think about it now; I suppose 4 in the car isn't too bad to pay for it. Some are saying there are better tracks and at better value. As I'm from Qld, which ones are better and cheaper that I should do and not miss while there?? Thanks.

Hi Sunshine, I can't really comment on what Skytrek is like in comparisson to other tracks as the part of Skytrek I did was rather small and is generally not available to the public (know someone who works with the owners daughter). For your $75.00 you get a full day worth of driving but several people have said it is a rather drawn out drive and it is a linear trip around a predefined cirucit. There are spectacular views but it is supposed to be a lot of the same and you are best, especially if you have kids, to break the trip up with numerous stops. The cost isn't really their fault. They just have issues with the property next door which originally (I believe) Willow Springs owned and sold to this sport shooting group.

The Bendleby Ranges track (cost about $55.00 per vehicle) further south is a great trip. There are lots of options for different tracks to suit different skill and expernience levels. I've been there a couple of times now and that is a great fun drive. There are two sections being the Bendleby Ranges and Hungry Ranges. Both offer fun and excitment. Big difference between them is that the Hungry Ranges introduce a lot of rock to the tracks (some tracks) and more steepness altough you can find a few tracks like that in the Bendleby side.

There is also some great free drives but nothing that requires the centre diff to be engaged. A drive through Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges is really a must if you are in the area. There is some spectacular scenery out there but nothing challanging. There are also numerous PARs (public access routes) through properties. Some of these are worth a go as they are a little rougher than the normal family car friendly tracks. From the stuff I've seen I would think that the Bunyeroo Valley track will give you a lot of what Skytrek will offer. Not the same but not $75 either.

I'm heading up that way this week and will be able to comment on the Warraweena track as well but can't as yet.

I guess there are plenty of tracks around and not all of them cost the same as SkyTrek.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Some are saying there are better tracks and at better value. As I'm from Qld, which ones are better and cheaper that I should do and not miss while there??

Take a look in the Trip Report section, there's quite a few from the Flinders with plenty of pictures too.


Mick

[rastabacko Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rastabacko]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

.

I'm heading up that way this week and will be able to comment on the Warraweena track as well but can't as yet.

Hey Schaffer,

Did you end up getting to Warraweena? What were your thoughts?? I do quite a bit of work up there with bounceback, and get to drive some great 4WD tracks (all private or mine lease properties) saving the yellow-footed rock wallabies, and absolutely love that end of the Flinders. I do possibly know of some other 4WD tracks, but am not sure of how many are open to the public, will do some checking.......

I did know the guy that owned Warraweena, but I think he may have moved on.......They are doing a good job with their wallaby recovery


Cheers

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Skytrek - Closed

Hey Schaffer,

Did you end up getting to Warraweena? What were your thoughts?? I do quite a bit of work up there with bounceback, and get to drive some great 4WD tracks (all private or mine lease properties) saving the yellow-footed rock wallabies, and absolutely love that end of the Flinders. I do possibly know of some other 4WD tracks, but am not sure of how many are open to the public, will do some checking.......

I did know the guy that owned Warraweena, but I think he may have moved on.......They are doing a good job with their wallaby recovery


Cheers

Sorry Rast but the trip I did ended up changing a little as we went and split into two groups due to a delay at the Cooper feery due to wind (not mine ). So I ended up comming back with another mate as both our kids (my oldest daughter and his son) had birthdays on the same day. The rest of the group (another three vehicles) went via Birdsville, Innaminka and the Old Strez BUT did not go to Warraweena.