New Ningaloo Station camping arrangements
Submitted by Adam Gallash on Wed, 2010-04-07 17:34
Just wondering if anyone has been up and back from Ningaloo station for their holidays yet. Apparently theres a new camping system/arrangement in place and from what I hear its near on ridiculous with each area of the station being locked off by a key and if you don't have that key you can't go to that area (without going back to the station to pay a $100 deposit for the key) I haven't been yet to suss out whats going on, but it sounds like its a mess.
Would like to hear what you thought of it all if you've been already or can fill us in after you get back.
Cheers,
Adam
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scottbec
Posts: 242
Date Joined: 18/01/07
ningaloo
yeah mate I was supposed to be up there over the last few weeks, but cancelled cos our little girl broke her arm... 1 year olds in a full arm length cast camping on the beach arent a good combination....
my inlaws are all up there at the moment and they reckon it has changed quite a bit. There are locked gates everywhere and you have to book in early for your spot. When you get there you have to go past the homestead and get your colour coded key which will only let you into certain areas. It sounds like the camps are all seperated more then they were years ago (last time I was there was 6 or so years ago). It sounds like they are managing it quite well and not letting it be a free for all setup like it used to be. The obviously want to maintain what they have and not get it taken off them by DEC.
Personally I love the place, but with every man and his dog going there now it isnt the same.
The first year i went there were only a few dinghys in the water. The last time we rocked up and it was like a marina, with boats of all sizes parked everywhere...
I imagine that you would still be able to drive through there, if driving between Yardie and Coral Bay, so there must still be some access left open.
i would love to hear any reports from anyone who has stayed up there though.
Cheers,
Scott
wal blenny
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 20/06/08
ningaloo
Got back home last night (minus one trailer mudguard sacrificed to the corrugations
) after spending a few days down there (Sth Lefroy Bay). Yes you can still drive through from Yardie to Coral Bay but the Station has put locked gates on the access ways to the main camping areas. When you check in at the Homestead you are given a key. They also now ask you for a $100 deposit which I think is more of a "dont act like a tool or you wont get your $100 back" sort of thing.
I give the owners credit for trying to implement some measures to manage the place - not that I agree with all their measures but I think they're certainly done with the right intentions - of preserving the place as a long term prospect where my kids can still go camping and enjoy Ningaloo when they're big and ugly enough to fend for themselves.
Gotta say - there was hoardes of people there but it was still good. 99% of people do the right thing and treat the place well and it's still about they best place I know to take the kids for a relaxed break without having to worry about traffic, mobile phones, idiots or much else. A bit of swimming, a bit a skurfing, a bit of diving, a bit of fishing, a bit of kid fishing and plenty of bugger-all. It just sucks to have to come back to work.
Wal
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15661
Date Joined: 29/11/05
excellent
Well that sounds better than what I had heard, good stuff. Cheers Wal.
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wal blenny
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 20/06/08
ningaloo
Adam - there's a fair bit of mixed sentiment about this one. Some of the negative comments have been just because no-one much likes change but some have had genuine reasons to be unhappy. One of the biggest concerns has been locals who use the winderbandi area and now have to go a fair way south to the homestead to get a key. For most of them I reckon they have a legitimate reason to be a bit put out but then there certainly have been those in the past that have done their best to bugger it up for others by their unthinking and at times plain disrespectful (to the environment and other campers) actions.
To be honest, I dont care much for some of the recent changes but then I also dont know the entirety of the thought process behind them. Rather than moan and bitch about them I'd prefer to enjoy what is still my fevourite part of the world.
wal
bod
Posts: 2321
Date Joined: 03/05/06
it's happened
"Early June 2008 DEC informed Ningaloo Station they intended to take over the management of all camping on the station as of 1st July 2008.
Under DEC's proposal all camping fees would be substantially increased and payable to DEC, camping duration restricted, dogs will not be permitted, all camping will be confined to hardened areas and rules enforced as per the CALM Act.
Vehicle access fees would apply to campers and day travellers alike. Campers would be under the control of DEC officers and the Lefroys would still be expected to collect the fees, clean toilets and remove rubbish. "
read more - www.exploroz.com/Customers/54195.125/7/2008/NINGALOO_STATION_FIGHTING_FUND.aspx
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15661
Date Joined: 29/11/05
change
Planned for 2015, but I think you will find with the change of govt that things have changed again... Its not what you know but who you know.....
DEC officers aren't allowed on the station and now FMO's aren't either without prior permission. (don't know how that works as crown land, but ???)
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