Explore
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Get out and enjoy this great land and support local communities.
There’s plenty going on all around Australia, and Ron Moon has his finger on the pulse regarding track changes and advice, station stays, recommended campsite stays, and much more. Read on for iconic events and unmissable outback destinations to jot down in your itinerary! ?
Explore Australia
JUMP AHEAD
February 2025
John Williamson at Big Red (QLD)
The Big Red Bash won’t be thumping the desert this year but John Williamson will be playing a one-off event on Tuesday 8 July.
The one-night-only concert featuring the legendary John Williamson atop Big Red, is being held exactly 12 years since John played there in 2013. Just 1000 tickets will be up for grabs for this event. Ticket pricing and on-sale date will be announced very soon. A Vehicle Pass will be required for each vehicle. Camping on private land is also possible.
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The Stockmans Camp (VIC)
This excellent camp situated on a property 10 minutes south of Buchan in the far east of Victoria is a top spot to stay a while, or to start or finish a trip through the Victorian High Country or up through the Snowy River region of the state. There’s a large area for camping while a few boutique cabins can be booked for those looking for some luxury. Phone 0492 854 326 or visit www.thestockmanscamp.au for more information or to make a booking.
The Brunette Races (NT)
There’ll be Territory bush racing at its finest when the Brunette Races are run between 19 and 22 June this year. This iconic event is a highlight of the outback social calendar and consists of horse racing, an exciting rodeo, a campdraft, a kids gymkhana and lots more. The races are held at the A.B.C. Amateur Race Club racetrack, located on Brunette Downs Station, which is situated on the Barkly Tablelands.
Desert tracks to reopen in March (SA)
The Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert NP and the Witjira NP, along with the K1-Warburton, Walkers Crossing and Halligan Bay Point Public Access Routes have been closed from December 2024, but they are all due to reopen on 16 March, so start planning your desert escape soon! Make sure you check local conditions before travelling into this area.
Be aware that wood fires are not permitted in Witjira, with the exception that wood fires are still permitted at Mt Dare. Wood can be carried through Witjira to be used in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert NP.
Zipping through the Karri trees (WA)
A short drive from Pemberton in WA’s south west is the famous Gloucester Tree. While its hair-raising climb has been closed for a few years now (will it ever reopen?) there are a few other attractions that make the area worth a visit. The highlight for many are the tree rope courses, aerial challenges and the 750m long zipline amongst the giant trees. These are all run by Aerial Adventure that is based in Pemberton.
Googs Track annual closure (SA)
Googs Track in the Yumbarra Conservation Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve and Wilderness Protection Area will be closed from1 January to 28 February 2025. The track is closed annually due to the extreme summer heat.
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A bridge across the Mitchell River (QLD)
The wide bed of the Mitchell River north of Dunbar station in the Gulf Country of Queensland is now seeing a bridge stretch across the wide sands. This will make it easier for people to travel from near Dunbar Station on the Burke Developmental Road to Musgrave on the main road north to Weipa.
However, we’re not too sure how many will be able to access it in the wet season when dozens of other rivers flood and prevent access to this part of the country. At this stage we don’t know when the bridge across the lower Mitchell will be finished or its cost.
January 2025
Wooden boats and wine (TAS)
With a combination such as wooden boats and fine wine, Hobart is the place to be between February 7 and 10. The biennial wooden boat festival celebrates the rich heritage, craftsmanship and culture associated with wooden boats that can range from beautiful canoes to majestic clippers. And the wine festival? Well, you can indulge your senses while imbibing fine Tassie wines and food.
Rockview Farm (QLD)
Situated just off the Burnett Highway between Goomeri and Ban Ban Springs, the Boonara Creek is the perfect spot to pull up and unwind for a day or two to enjoy the beauty of nature. Enjoy the creek view by day and then watch the sun set to a sky full of stars by night. Campfires and pets are allowed. For more go to Hipcamp and search ‘Rockview Farm’.
Omeo Holiday Park (VIC)
Set beside the picturesque Livingstone Creek, the local Omeo Holiday Park is a short stroll to Omeo’s historic town centre. Omeo is in the heart of the High Country and only 35km, or about a 40-minute drive, to Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. There’s a heap of 4×4 tracks in the local area as well as historic sites well worth visiting.
Spinifex Ridge Camping (NT)
Here’s a safe and pleasant spot to camp just five minutes’ drive west of Tennant Creek. There’s always plenty of space here so there is no need to book ahead. You can find directions to Spinifex Ridge on Google Maps or WikiCamps, or you can contact directly by phoning 0428 418 571 or emailing spinifexridge.nt@gmail.com.
Lucky Bay Delight (WA)
You couldn’t find a more delightful beach than Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand NP on the south coast of WA, east of Esperance. There is a large campground situated nearby but it is popular over the summer months and during holidays. Bookings are essential and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Outside school holidays the maximum stay is 28 nights; during holidays it is 14 nights.
Sand driving at Stockton (NSW)
Stockton Beach and dunes within the Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) remains one of the most popular beach areas you can drive in NSW. The area provides 4×4 access to more than 19km of Stockton beach front and more than 350ha of dune driving in the Recreational Vehicle Area at the southern end of the park.
All vehicles must be registered and display a valid WCL beach vehicle permit. This includes recreational vehicles such as quads and motorcycles, which must hold RMS conditional registration for the recreational vehicle area.
Track access change: Robe (SA)
There have been significant changes to beach and track access south of Robe, especially around Little Dip CP, Nora Creina and Beachport. Some of the tracks that have been accessible in the past were through private property, and now ongoing issues with rubbish and people doing the wrong thing have resulted in the closure of those tracks.
