Gawler Ranges

The Gawler Ranges are a range of mountains in South Australia to the north of Eyre Peninsula. The ranges were named by Edward John Eyre after the Governor of South Australia, George Gawler in 1839. This was on one of Eyre's earlier expeditions before his famous crossing of the Nullarbor Plain further west.

This trek note starts at Port Augusta and heads towards the town of Iron Knob, through the Gawler Ranges to Mount Ive Station. The trek continues west through the heart of the ranges until it heads back down to meet the Eyre Highway at Wirrulla and then finally ending at Ceduna.

This trek is generally fairly reasonable and should take about 2 days with maybe a stop over at Mt Ive Station. This station is one of the few places open to travellers in this region. They have a camping area and access to land bordering Lake Gairdner.

Environment

During spring, the Gawler Ranges offers a pretty trip especially when the wildflowers are in bloom. The area is an interface between the Eyre Peninsula mallee country and the drier arid zone to the north of the ranges. Plants and animals from both zones occur in the Gawler Ranges. There are over 970 flora species and around 162 fauna species, including birds such as Major Mitchell (Pink Cockatoo), Rufous Treecreeper, Malleefowl, Scarlet-breasted Parrot, Gilbert’s Whistler, and mammal species such as Hairy-nosed Wombat, Greater Long-eared Bat and Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Red and Grey Kangaroos and Euros.

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Your vehicle will need to be extensively prepared for remote area travel, with all fuel, water, food and vehicle repair equipment and spare parts. All travellers should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness.

We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about outback communications in the Communications Topic. All drivers should set their UHF radios to scan all stations, but take note that Channel 10 is the offical channel for the Simspon Desert. Anywhere in the Diamantina Shire (comprising the towns of Birdsville, Betoota and Bedourie) you must not used UHF Ch 8 and 38 as these are to be reserved for emergency calls only - these channels are monitored by the Clinics, Police and station operators and must remain clear.

There are areas in the Gawler Ranges which are prone to flash flooding and can be impassable after rain. Please check local conditions with the Department for Environment and Heritage Ceduna on: (08) 8625 3144 or Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safari Office on: (08) 8680 2045

Permits

No permits are needed for this trek note.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 65 litres	4cyl 75 litres	4cyl 92 litres
6cyl 57 litres *	6cyl 84 litres	6cyl 81 litres
8cyl 71 litres	8cyl 77 litres

Best Time To Visit

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

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