TRAVEL BULLETIN
ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS
Events that were postponed or in doubt are coming back online, so it’s time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. The situation is still fluid and things are changing all the time, so please check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
DRIVE YOURSELF TO AND AROUND FLINDERS ISLAND (TAS)
Flinders Island, that beautifully rugged, indented and smally populated island in Bass Strait, can easily be reached by a roll-on roll-off ferry which departs from Bridport on Tassie’s northern coast. The sea journey may be a bit longer and a little more expensive than you first think, but if planning to spend a week or more exploring the island’s 450km of roads and tracks, it’ll be worth it. There’s a surprising amount of things to do and places to visit; you may even discover a Killiecrankie Diamond, which come in a range of colours and on Flinders are either clear, ice blue or pink gold. See: visitflindersisland.com.au
OUTBACK WAY TO BE SEALED
The Outback Way, which links Winton in central north Queensland with Laverton in distant WA, has recently received another $678 million to seal another 1000km of the route. That’ll make most of the route blacktop. It’ll take a couple of years, so you have time to experience an Outback adventure before the hordes descend on it. Then you’ll be able to drive from Perth to Cooktown on bitumen. For more info, go to: outbackway. org.au/our-story
BOULIA CAMEL RACES (QLD)
One of the great weekends in the Outback is centred around the Boulia Camel Races, which this year runs from July 15 to 17. As the camels come hurtling down the track through the plume of red dust, you’ll have one of those ‘this is epic’ moments. But there’s way more than camel races, with live music on the Friday and Saturday nights, as well as yabby races, camp-oven cooking competitions, market stalls and things for the kids to do. For a full rundown, check out: bouliacamelraces.com.au
OUTBACK WAY OUTDOOR GALLERY (NT)
An innovative deconstructed gallery experience comprising 14 double-sided billboards can now be found along the Plenty Highway. It’s an easy day trip from Alice Springs on the sealed section of the
Plenty Highway, and they’re located in the picturesque desert landscape of the East Macdonnell Ranges along the Outback Way in Central Australia.
The billboards showcase art from regional and remote artists in an outdoor gallery setting. For more, visit: discovercentralaustralia.com/ outback-way-outdoor-gallery
CAMPING GROUND TO OPEN AT POINT NEPEAN (VIC)
Campers will be able to savour the delights of a night under the stars at the Old Quarantine Station in Point Nepean from the middle of this year.
The $4.5 million camping ground will have pre-pitched tents on platforms on the lawn outside the Quarantine Station, which was first established back in 1852. Sadly, camper trailers and caravans will not be allowed.
The campsite is expected to run from spring to autumn each year, and bookings can be made via the Parks Vic website. Point Nepean defence and quarantine station is included on the Victorian Heritage Register for its archaeological, aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific and social significance to Victoria.
For info, go to: parks.vic.gov. au/places-to-see/parks/pointnepean-national-park