Googs track 13-18 June
Googs track in South Australia will offer a Simpson Desert like experience, as a failed stock route will be an excellent adventure for us Four Wheel Drivers to conquer 363 sand dunes.
Description:
Bendigo to Ceduna 1400km
Googs track trip will officially start at 11 am 13 Jun 2023 in Ceduna South Australia.
The reason for starting at Ceduna is due to numerous members have said they will make their own way over in their own time to Ceduna. Ceduna is 1400 kms a solid 2 day drive from Bendigo. I will be heading off am on Saturday 10 June and using free camps on the way the plan is to arrive on the afternoon of the 12 Jun and overnight in one of the caravan parks or Motels in Ceduna (as it is a long weekend is recommended to make bookings for Ceduna) if anyone would like to tag along with me please let me know.
Day 1 Tuesday 13 Jun 23. 76km
Meet at the Ceduna foreshore in front of the Ceduna Hotel at 11.00am to head off
Heading west on the Eyre Hwy turn right onto Kalanbi Rd to the start of the Googs Track.
Following the Googs track to Googs Memorial and on to Googs Lake Campground for a late lunch
Explore Googs Lake area
Overnight stop 13/14 Jun 2023
Each vehicle should obtain a camp permit from SA parks cost is $13.50 for Lake Googs Campsite
Day 2 Wednesday 14 Jun 23. 73km
Depart Lake Googs and continuing on the Googs Track turning left into the Mt Finke Campground
Overnight stop 14/15 Jun 2023
Each vehicle should obtain a camp permit from SA parks cost is $13.50 for Mount Finke Campground
Day 3 Thursday 15 Jun 23. 168km
Early morning walk to the top of Mt Fink For the sunrise if you are really keen (not me)
Head back out from the campground turn left and continue following the Googs Track. Once we cross the Transaustralian Railway we turn right and follow the Tarcoola Road to Kingoonya
Overnight stop 15/16 Jun 2023
Refuel and restock at Kingoonya Store they have limited stock
Day 4 Friday 16 Jun 23. 233km
We depart Kingoonya and turn right onto the Gawler Ranges Rd, Skull Camp Tanks Rd, Gawler Ranges Rd, Mount Ive Rd to the St Ive Station. We spend 2 nights 16,17, depart on the 18 Jun 23
I have booked a bush camp cost is $10 per person per night, fuel is also available EFTpos can work sometimes but cash may required.
We have access to the showers, toilets and other facilities. There is also small bar at St Ive Station
Mt Ive have private 4×4 tracks with access to Lake Gairdner and other areas on the station.
If anyone has time commitments they can head home.
Day 5 Saturday 17 Jun 23
Drive the Mt Ives Station private track and explore Lake Gairdner lunch at the lake and return to the Mt Ive bush camp. There is a cost of $45 per vendor Lake Gairdner track or $85 for all the tracks on Mt Ive Station
If anyone has time commitments they can head home.
Day 6 Sunday 18 Jun 23
This is where the trip will officially end and you can head for home at your own leisure.
Trip finish’s this morning and anyone heading home from Mt Ive Station can follow Gawler Range Rd to Iron Knob then Port Augusta etc.
If the tracks are good, I plan to stay on for another day of exploration at Mt Ive Station and stay a further night
Day 7 Monday 19 Jun 23
Leave Mt Ive station Gawler Range Rd to Iron Knob then on to Whyalla camping somewhere
Day 8 Tuesday 20 Jun 23
Heading home to Bendigo could be 2 days or 3 Gawler Range Rd to Iron Knob then
Vehicle Requirements: Must be 4wd with Low Range, needs to be well serviced and roadworthy and prepared for touring. Good ground clearance (2 inch lift), all terrain tyres, UHF Radio, Recovery points front and rear, Recovery Equipment, First aid kit, Air compressor and a Sand flag
Convey limit: 10
Camping style: On the way over will be Bush camping tent or swag. On the Googs track will be various of camps along the way.
Provisions: Plan to be self sufficent on the Googs track. Supplies will be Ceduna with limited supply’s at Kingoonya and Mt Ive Station. Bring enough Food and Water for 6 days until we get back to Whyalla or Port Augusta
Fuel: Will be available at Ceduna, Kingoonya, Mt Ive Station and Whyalla or Port Augusta
