Category Archives: Australia

Pungalina-Seven Emu

Australia, coastal, Landscape, NT, Pungalina-Seven Emu

The Doc has just flown in from Pungalina-Seven Emu,  an Australian Wildlife Conservancy property in the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia.

A magnificent place, detailed report to follow. Here is map of the trip the flight from Cairns to Pungalina. It includes a helicopter trip over the coast and a boat ride down the Calvert River.

Pungalina2016

Pungalina-Seven Emu – here comes The Doc

Australia, AWC, NT, Pungalina-Seven Emu

The Doc flies to Cairns tomorrow. On Monday he catches a charter flight to AWC’s Pungalina-Seven Emu (Seven Emu is owned by the Shadforth family) in the Gulf of Carpentaria (Northern Territory). The Doc spends 4 days and 3 nights there.

Having indexed the Pungalina photos he knows what a special place it is. Plus a video of Pungalina-Seven Emu was a key reason for him supporting AWC some 3 years ago.

Then back to Cairns and a few day trips.

The holiday finishes up with a 3 days trip on the Savannalander train. The Doc can be tracked here.

 

Newhaven – revisited

Australia, AWC, bark, desert, lakes, Landscape, landscape, mosses/lichens, Newhaven, NT, plains, Plant, Textures, trees

This time last year The Doc had finished his Kimberley/Pilbara trip and was returning through central Australia using Australia’s longest shortcut – The Great Central Road. After a rest stop at Alice Springs he headed to AWC’s Newhaven Sanctuary for a few days.

This Saturday he heads off to Cairns then onto Pungalina/Seven Emu in Arnham Land.

A few shots from Newhaven. More pictures here.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy Images indexed – huge sigh!!!!!

Australia, AWC, Bowra, Bowra, Charnley River, Charnley River - Artesian Range, Kimberley, Landscape, Mornington, Mornington, Qld, WA

The Doc has finally finished indexing 300,000 odd AWC photographs. The photographs have been sent back to the AWC head office. It will take a week or 2 to copy across the files and get them into the Daminion catalogue. It has been a huge undertaking – The Doc started in late Janaury.

The Doc would love to show you some of the images, but you’ll need to settle for his images, from AWC Sanctuaries. Enjoy.

 

AWC’s Wildlife Matters is out – Winter 2016

Australia, AWC

In this issue:

  • Historic NSW deal introduces new model for conservation
  • Newhaven: the planet’s largest feral cat eradication project
  • Conservation fencing: the difference between survival and extinction
  • Scotia: major research project informs “beyond the fence” strategy
  • Mt Gibson: historic return of regionally extinct mammals
  • Brooklyn: a stronghold for the Buff-breasted Button-quail
  • Spectacular rains transform the desert on Kalamurina

 

Available for download here.

Arkaroola, Northern Flinders Ranges, SA

Arkaroola, Australia, desert, Flinders Ranges, landscape, Landscape, mammals, marsupials, mountains, nightime, SA, sunset, Wildlife

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Ark

Arkaroola is in the northern Flinders Ranges. Millions of years ago a large rift valley was formed. After the rocks were laid down, huge forces beneath the surface pushed the layers up, hundreds of metres into the air. The layers of rock are now visible, often at steep angles and sometimes vertically. It is a unique geological location having sedimentary, metaphoric and volcanic rocks in the one location.

Arkaroola’s unique geological features were recognised by Sir Douglas Mawson, the famous Australian Antarctic explorer. He urged Reg Sprigg to get the pastoral lease of Arkaroola if possible. Reg and his wife Griselda were able to take over the lease in the 1960’s. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is now run by their children Marg and Doug Sprigg. Those names may sound familiar to some readers, as this family did the first motorised crossing of the Simpson Desert in G60 Patrol.

The best parts of Arkaroola are seen on the world famous Ridgetop Tour whose highlight is the spectacular Sillars Lookout. Surprisingly, many visitors don’t go on the Tour. The tracks at Arkaroola were originally built by mining companies exploring Arkaroola.

There are several old copper mines and smelters around the property including Wheal Turner and Bolla Bollana being examples. The Doc also explored properties nearby Arkaroola and visited the Needles, the Yudnamuntana Historic Site (old copper smelter) and Mt Freeling Station.

There is less bird life at Arkaroola than the Gammon Ranges National Park 30 km to the south. But Arkaroola has a healthy population of Yellow-footed Wallabies, arguably Australia’s most beautiful macropod. The Doc managed to get a few shots.

The tracks constructed by the mining companies allow you to drive in many places across the property. He is a selection of photos from a couple of those drives including Titllite Gorge, Mt Jacobs Track and Stubbs Waterhole.

The Doc also took to the air in a helicopter over Arkaroola and Freeling Heights.

A separate Report on the textures of Arkaroola can be viewed here.

A beautiful place to visit but only part of the broader Flinders Ranges.

AWC’s Artesian Range – Charnley River Sanctuary

Artesian Range, Australia, AWC, Charnley River, Charnley River - Artesian Range, Kimberley, Landscape, river/creeks, WA

Still thinking about last years trip to the Kimberley. This time Charnley River which also contains the majestic Artesian Range. Report and photos here.