Destinations > Sand Storm

The best time to visit this area of Central Australia is in the cooler months between April and October. In the event of wet weather, do not attempt to travel these tracks, as you will do great damage to the already remote tracks, as well as using far more fuel than you would usually uses. If unsure, then check with the Police at Docker River, Warakurna or Kintore.

PERMITS

The complete area that you are travelling through is entirely Aboriginal Land and permits must be obtained in advance from the Central land Council. There is no charge for the permits and you are required to have them with you when you travel.

The summit of the Sir Frederick Range at 688-metres is only 210-metres lower than the summit of Mount Leisler, which is the highest mountain in that part of Australia. Len knew immediately that when he first visited the range, the establishment of a survey beacon at its highest point would be paramount, to aid future follow up survey parties from the National Mapping Council. The views from the summit can only be described as breathtaking and the effort to reach this point is rewarding.
Back down to the main track and into ever changing scenery, with the burnt out country left behind and back into tall spinifex, tall termite mounds and those great desert oaks. I am never one to make late camps and when we came upon another perfect campsite in the desert oaks and sand dune country, close to the Western Australia/Northern Territory Border, we decided to call it a day, even though it was only 3.30pm. Setting up camp was a very quick and easy affair for us, as with all trips away, you always seem to refine on what you take away and how you set it up and this trip was no exception. Since our last trip away, we decided to replace our homemade awning set up on the side of our vehicle with a Black Widow awning, With its sturdy design and very quick set up timeit was a wise purchase. Just like their draw system that we already had fitted to our vehicle, their reliability and toughness is second to none, and the awnings are no exception. We soon had a great campfire going and unwound at the end of yet another perfect day of driving and our last night of camping in the deserts of Western Australia.

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Crossing the border the next morning was followed by the mandatory photo stop for the Len Beadell State Border Marker, and it was here that we also noted the first signs from both Aboriginal Councils, advising all travellers that they must have the required permits while travelling through this Aboriginal land. Continuing our journey, we knew that our next major landscape feature would be the Davenport Hills, named by William Tietkens after Sir Samuel Davenport, the then President of the South Australian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society. This small group of hills was passed and it was not long before the most prominent feature of this area now came into view, the bluff of Mount Leisler and the track heading straight towards the eastern bluff. The road was guided by this bluff alone, and again we thought of Doug Stoneham, the bulldozer driver for the Gunbarrel Road Construction Party. In country like this, Doug was solely guided by prominent features, such as this bluff as he pushed this road further north. With the Davenport Hills still close by, we came to another of Len's famous road markers. On the side of the track with the Davenport Hills in the background, is a large white painted rock, weighing almost a tonne, with the wording '200 Miles'.

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