Dutchmans Stern Circuit Walk, Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park - December 2022

I was off to an early start this morning to beat the heat.

Climbing towards Dutchmans Stern.

The view north from The Terraces towards Warren Gorge.

The Terraces.

The Terraces made for a good spot for a break on the climb.

The climb to the summit was fairly long, however it was also extremely well graded so the walking was never too hard.

The view south from the summit towards Port Augusta.

I think that flat terrace just below the summit might be a camp for me when I eventually get around to walking the Heysen Trail in a few years.

I'm heading that way next.

The descent was along another great section of track.

In one spot the track contoured along the sides of a fairly substantial gorge.

The view down the gorge and out towards Quorn.

The roof tops in Quorn were glinting in the middle distance.

Dropping down the good track to the trail head.

The Roos were enjoying any shade they could get...

I was ready to climb into the ute and fire up the AC about now.

The Dirt.

According to AllTrails is walked around 10.9 kilometres and climbed about 450 metres on what I'd call a medium grade stroll. Once again I need to throw out all the caveats regarding walking in the desert in summer - go early or late and consider your fitness, ability and the grade of the walk. Walking this walk anti clockwise got the steepest climb out of the way in the cool of the morning and left a fairly long and gentle descent for later in the morning when things were heating up a fair bit. There is a well signposted and benched track for the length of the walk although there are no other facilities - so bring plenty of water. I used an AllTrails map this morning.

Relevant Posts.

Devil's Peak Walk, 2022.

YouTube Video.

https://youtu.be/jC9z4cOz9fs

I'm glad I headed out early on this one.

Terrick Terrick Circuit Walk, Terrick Terrick National Park - February 2023

I was off early again today.

I was happy to be walking under a blue sky this morning - it was pouring with rain back in Melbourne.

A couple of minutes after leaving the ute and I was on the 197 metre summit of Mt Terrick Terrick.

I'm heading this way

Walking the rock slabs around Mt Terrick Terrick.

Once off the rock slabs I was walking through this beautiful dry open woodland.

There are some random rocky outcrops scattered through the forest.

Native Pines - Terrick Terrick National Park.

Towards the north end of the park I picked up this quiet track.

Reigels Rock

Heading for the northern boundary of the park I dropped by this nice over hang.

My off piste walking was almost finished now.

I'm following Rogers Track north-ish now.

Native Pines on Rogers Track.

Centre Track - Terrick Terrick National Park.

I didn't see another person all day.

The Dirt.

According to AllTrails I walked around 20 kilometres and climbed about 278 metres on what I'd call a medium grade stroll. Around the first third of this walk is off piste - the country is very pleasant to walk across however you still need to be able to navigate a bit. Once I joined the tracks up at the north end of the park I was mostly walking 4wd tracks - some were closed to vehicles however most were open although I didn't see anyone else on my walk. This walk would make for a nice overnight walk although I'm not sure what the legality of bush camping in the park is - the camping itself would be very nice though. I used an AllTrails map for this walk although I freelanced quite a bit from their route.

Relevant Posts.

Old Tom Mine Walk, 2022.

YouTube Video.

https://youtu.be/O2vwzoTlyWc

Yellowgums Camp to Kiata Camp, Little Desert National Park - April 2023

Once again I need to credit Joanne for some of these shots.

Time to get up.... I suppose😩

Brekkies demolished...

... and it was time to start heading north on Wallaby Track.

Little Desert National Park track scenes.

Heading north along Wallaby Track.

We stopped for lunch just after swinging west along the Desert Discovery Walk.

Desert Discovery Walk.

Little Desert National Park.

Desert Discovery Walk.

Approaching the Kiata Camp on the Desert Discovery Walk - our two day stroll was almsot over.

Hey... we're still smiling😁

We camped in the Yellowgums just short of the car camp.

It's almost tent o'clock again!

The Dirt.

According to AllTrails we walked around 22.7 kilometres today and climbed about 350 metres on what I'd call a medium grade day's walking. Once again the only potable water today was from tanks at Yellowgums and Kiata Camps. The walking today was all along fairly well signposted and clear walking tracks. Kiata is a drive-in camp, so we camped 50 metres before the walk actually finishes beneath some beautiful Yellowgums. I used my AllTrails app along with the Little Desert topo map from Meridian.

Over the two days we walked around 44 kilometres and climbed about 710 metres on what I'd class as a medium grade walk. This walk is a nice option if you don't have 4 days to walk the full Desert Discovery Walk and it would make for nice introductory overnight walk for new walkers I think. Before walking out here it always pays to touch base with the local rangers to get the latest up dates on the conditions.

Relevant Posts.

Desert Discovery Walk, 2016.

YouTube Video.

https://youtu.be/XU8THb0s6lE