![Caernarvon Track.Com]()
Caernarvon Track.Com
For anyone that had driven the original Skytrek self drive four wheel drive in the rugged
Flinders Ranges, will know that it gave you access to the highest 4WD self drive point in the
Flinders Ranges,
Mount Caernarvon and will testify that this true four wheel drive track was brilliant and in sections was not for the faint hearted. For a number of reasons, the track was closed to the public when the Bunkers Reserve was purchased from the Reynolds family by the Yellow Footed
Rock Wallaby Preservation Association.
The new Skytrek Mk 2 in my opinion just does not match its predecessor and it very different to the original drive. To the delight of the public, the Bunkers Reserve is again open to the public, giving access to the highest point accessible in the
Flinders Ranges by vehicle,
Mount Caernarvon, as
well a completely new section of return track that in one section, is the steepest section of track for the complete drive.
Unlike all other paid self drive four wheel drive tracks throughout the Flinders, where money collected goes to the Pastoral Property where the drive is located, all proceeds from the Caernarvon Track support the ongoing conservation programs associated with the Yellow Footed
Rock Wallaby Preservation Association.
Even thought the track is open year round, it is wise to contact the Association first to make sure that a
Ranger will be at the Reserve, where you pay your fee and are given a key to unlock the number of locked gates that will be enchanted along the drive.
![Time to leave the bitumen and head towards the new Caernarvon Track]()
Time to leave the bitumen and head towards the new Caernarvon Track
![The main road heading east is in good condition]()
The main road heading east is in good condition
![The main road out to the Bunkers Reserve]()
The main road out to the Bunkers Reserve
To get to the Bunkers Reserve, and if travelling from Wilpena, head north on the main
Blinman Road and just pass the Oraparinna
Airstrip you turn right onto the
Wirrealpa / Martins
Well Road and then travel around 25 kilometres until you reach the very distinctive Caernarvon Track
sign. Once you leave the main road, just keep following the track to the Rangers Office, which is around 4 kilometres from the main road.
![You will not miss the turn off to the Caernarvon Track]()
You will not miss the turn off to the Caernarvon Track
![Time to head into the Bunkers Reserve]()
Time to head into the Bunkers Reserve
![These old ruins are on the way into the Reserve]()
These old ruins are on the way into the Reserve
![The Rangers Office where you pay your fee and collect a key]()
The Rangers Office where you pay your fee and collect a key
When your fees are paid, you will be given a comprehensive sheet regarding the drive as
well as key for the locked gates. The track remains unchanged from the original Skytrek route until after reaching the highest point of the drive,
Mount Caernarvon, and then as you make you way down, all seems the same until you get to a point where the original track turns and heads uphill, while the new track continues down.
![Caernarvon Track offers unreal views]()
Caernarvon Track offers unreal views
![Caernarvon Track views]()
Caernarvon Track views
![First lookout on the Caernarvon Track]()
First lookout on the Caernarvon Track
![First Rest Area on the Caernarvon Track]()
First Rest Area on the Caernarvon Track
![Caernarvon Track Rest Area]()
Caernarvon Track Rest Area
![The track ahead from the Rest Area]()
The track ahead from the Rest Area
![Driving along one of the Ridges before Mount Caernarvon]()
Driving along one of the Ridges before Mount Caernarvon
![You never get tired of views like this on the Caernarvon Track]()
You never get tired of views like this on the Caernarvon Track
![Another section of Ridge Top driving]()
Another section of Ridge Top driving
![Looking back on the Caernarvon Track, but still a long way from Mount Caernarvon]()
Looking back on the Caernarvon Track, but still a long way from Mount Caernarvon
![One of the last uphill sections before the summit of Mount Caernarvon]()
One of the last uphill sections before the summit of Mount Caernarvon
![Stone Survey Cairn at Mount Caernarvon]()
Stone Survey Cairn at Mount Caernarvon
![Modern Survey Marker at Mount Caernarvon]()
Modern Survey Marker at Mount Caernarvon
![Communications Tower near Mount Caernarvon]()
Communications Tower near Mount Caernarvon
![Looking down towards the next section of track after Mount Caernarvon]()
Looking down towards the next section of track after Mount Caernarvon
![Still on the original track, heading down]()
Still on the original track, heading down
![More great views on the Caernarvon Track]()
More great views on the Caernarvon Track
![We never get sick of views like this]()
We never get sick of views like this
![Leaving Mount Caernarvon on the original track]()
Leaving Mount Caernarvon on the original track
![Start of the new section of track]()
Start of the new section of track
![Still great views]()
Still great views
You will encounter all new tracks from this point and full credit go to the dozer operator,
John Gibson who must have nerves of steel who put this new section of track in. As you approach the last major
lookout, you must decide whether it is wise to tackle the couple of hundred metres of very eroded track, that is on a sharp angle to get to the
lookout, and do it on foot. At the top of the
lookout, you have full panoramic 360°
views. At the
lookout, the new track was going to go down this extremely steep decent.
![New section of track]()
New section of track
![The views are still spectacular]()
The views are still spectacular
![There is now a new second Rest Area]()
There is now a new second Rest Area
![The new track was going to go straight down from the last Lookout]()
The new track was going to go straight down from the last Lookout
![Looking east from the last Lookout, down to the valley below]()
Looking east from the last Lookout, down to the valley below
![The new track snakes its way down to the valley below]()
The new track snakes its way down to the valley below
John had made a starting cut down the
hill, but when he tried to reverse the dozer back up the new section of track,but it was far too steep for traction, so now he had to put in a safer way down to the bottom of the
hill. The decent is strictly 1st low range and is by far the steepest section of track for the whole drive and not for the novice driver.
![Old Windmill and Bore on the new section of track]()
Old Windmill and Bore on the new section of track
There are still a few steep sections, but the worst is over and then it is a matter of following the now easy tracks back to the Rangers Office. On the return of the key, you are then given a small envelope with a “thank you” letter inside for doing the Caernarvon Track and a special sticker for your vehicle.
So if you are passing through the majestic
Flinders Ranges and would like to
test your four wheel drive skills, the Caernarvon Track is a very rewarding drive and will give you access to the highest vehicle drive in the Flinders.
Stephen Langman
November 2019