It was now day 10 (Monday 13th November 2017) of our trip, and our time at Cann River had come to an end.  We had enjoyed ourselves staying here and would recommend the motel.  It is ideally located right next to the hotel, and across the road from the excellent Relics Cafe.  We had planned to activate the Wingan River West Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2231.  The park is located about 475 km east of Melbourne and about 30 km east of Cann River.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wingan River West NCR.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

I have been unable to find a lot of information on the internet with reference to the Wingan River West Nature Conservation Reserve.  Dingo Creek and Beehive Creek flow into the Wingan River.   The Wingan River is just to the east of the park, and rises below Mount Future, near the Wingan Swamp, north of the Alfred National Park between Cann River and Genoa, and flows generally south through the Croajingolong National Park joined by eight minor tributaries before reaching its mouth with Bass Strait over a distance of around 49 km.  The name of the river is derived from the Aboriginal word wangan, meaning “reed bed”

We travelled along Princes Highway until we reached Dingo Creek Track.  It is well signposted from the highway.

We followed the Dingo Creek Track for a while, which was very narrow and quite overgrown.  We soon reached the intersection of Dingo Creek Track and Beehive Track.  And the Beehive Track is even worse.  We drove down there a short distance until the track became impassable due to the scrub.

We unpacked the gear and walked a short distance down the track and set up amongst a little clearing in the scrub.

It was quite early in the morning, around 7.30 a.m. but still quite warm already.  I was in the process of setting up when I noticed a large Red-bellied Black snake just 3 feet in front of me.  The snake initially stayed still and then scuttled off into the scrub.  I must say it was a bit off putting.  Although this snake is less venomous than many other snakes, and a bite is not generally fatal, it will still make you very ill.

Marija and I again decided to share the mic until Marija had 10 contacts in the log.  After setting up we started calling CQ on 7.144, which was answered by Rick VK4RF/VK4hA, followed by Mick VK3GGG/VK3PMG, and then Steve VK3FSPG/VK3MPR.  This was followed by a Park to Park contact with John VK2AWJ/3 who was activating the nearby Coopracambra National Park VKFF-0113.  John was very low down (5/2), and we were 5/1 to him.  But as our noise floors were so low, we were able to comfortably work each other.

Three QSOs later, and we had our 10 contacts in the log, after a QSO with regular park hunter Cliff VK2NP.  Next was another Park to Park contact, this time with Peter VK3TKK/p who was activating the Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627.

I then continued calling CQ and after around 1 hour and 20 minutes in the park, I had contact number 44 in the log.  That being a QSO with Peter VK3GV.  I logged a total of 49 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  Despite it being a weekday, I was very happy with the number of callers who called in to get Wingan River West NCR in the log.

I then tried the 80m band, calling CQ on 3.610.  My call was answered by Peter VK3PF, followed by Brian VK3BBB, Ken VK3UH, Sergio VK3SFG, and finally Ray VK3RW.  All had good 5/8-9 signals.

Marija and I then packed up and continued on our way to Mallacoota where we planned to stay for 2 nights.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK3GGG
4. VK3PMG
5. VK3FSPG
6. VK3MPR
7. VK2AWJ/3 (Coopracambra National Park VKFF-0113)
8. VK2IO
9. VK5MRT
10. VK2NP
11. VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK3GGG
4. VK3PMG
5. VK3FSPG
6. VK3MPR
7. VK2AWJ/p (Coopracambra National Park VKFF-0113)
8. VK2IO
9. VK5MRT
10. VK2NP
11. VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627)
12. VK5BJE
13. VK5KLV
14. VK5MBD
15. VK3FOWL
16. VK3FLCS
17. VK3JP
18. VK3CA
19. VK3PF
20. VK7JON/m
21. VK7FOLK/m
22. VK2HHA
23. VK5DW
24. VK5FMWW
25. VK5YX
26. VK2MTC
27. VK3YSP
28. VK7DX
29. VK3CM
30. VK4TJ
31. VK4/VE6XT
32. VVK4/AC8WN
33. VK2JNG
34. VK3MRH
35. VK3RW
36. VK3MKM
37. VK2SB
38. VK3ANL
39. VK3SQ
40. VK2VW
41. VK3DNH
42. VK3MBW/5
43. VK3KAI
44. VK3GV
45. VK2LEE
46. VK2VKB
47. VK4RZ
48. VK3SFG
49. VK3UH

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3BBB
3. VK3UH
4. VK3SFG
5. VK3RW

References.

Wikipedia, 2017, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingan_River>, viewed 30th November 2017