Our final intended park activation for our 2 days away was the Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve VKFF-1714.  This was the first time that Marija and I had activated the park.

The park is located about 35 km by road north of Bordertown and about 260 km southeast of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

To get to the park we travelled northwest on the Dukes Highway and turned right onto the Ngarkat Highway and headed north towards Pinnaroo.  The Highway takes its name from the Ngarkat (Ngargad) who were an indigenous Australian people of the state of South Australia, now believed to be extinct.

The park is located about 24 km north of the Dukes Highway and Ngarkat Highway junction.  The park is well signposted.

The Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve is 7 hectares in size and is located on the western side of the Ngarkat Highway in the locality of Sherwood.  The park was established on the 24th day of April 1997.  It takes its name from the natural soak or spring located in the park.

The area was originally part of the ‘Tatiara Station’.  The park was named after William Harding (ca.1824-1874), an early pastoralist.  Hardings Springs was first used by surveyors in the late 1800s.  It was then called ‘175 Mile Camp’ referring to its distance from Adelaide.

In about 1909 Fred Lampert took up land around the soak and farmed it until about 1928 when falling wheat prices made is unviable.  Lampert planted the tall sugar gums in 1911 as a narrow gateway to his property for a horse and cart.  The water in the soak provided enough water for domestic use, a modest vegetable garden and for two horses each day, all carried by bucket.  Today the soak is usually dry, the water level probably lowered by the roots of the trees,

Above:- William HARDING.  Image courtesy of Wikitree

The park has an active Friends of the Parks group.  An information board can be found in the park, along with a nature trail to the natural soak located in the park, a picnic table, and also a bird hide.  A brochure can be found in the park pointing out interesting spots along the walking trail.

Numerous native birds can be found in the park including Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Shy Heath-wren, White-browned Babbler, Rufous Whistler, Misstleoebird, Red Wattlebird, Eastern Rosella, and Brown Falcon.  Some of the birds I spotted during our visit can be seen in the photographs below.

We parked in the carpark off the Ngarkat Highway and set up just inside the park boundary.  Again we ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation

Above:- An aerial view of the Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

We had no internet coverage in the park so we were unable to self spot.  I started calling CQ on 7.139 and this was answered by Greg VK2GJC, followed by Kevin VK2HMV.  Matt VK1MA then called in and was kind enough to spot me on parksnpeaks.  As a result, a number of the regular park hunters then called in.

Within ten minutes I had qualified the park, with contact number ten being with Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand.

I logged a total of 16 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK4, VK7, and New Zealand.  This included Rob VK4SYD/p who was activating the Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868.

After logging Rob VK4SYD and bagging the park for VKFF, Marija jumped into the operator’s chair and also spoke with Rob whilst I went for a bit of walk through the park.  Next in the log for Marija was Cliff VK2NP who spotted Marija on parksnpeaks, followed by Robert VK2XXL and then Ray VK4NH.

It only took 7 minutes for Marija to qualify the park for VKFF.  Contact number 10 was a QSO with Greg VK4VXX/p who was activating the Albinia National Park VKFF-0661.

When I came back from my short walk Marija was very quick to point out that she had worked Max IK1GPG in Italy.  This was Marija’s first-ever contact into Italy.

We then moved down to the 80m band and I started calling CQ on 3.615.  First in the log was John VK5BJE, followed by Ian VK5CZ/p who was activating the Mimbara Conservation Park VKFF-1060.  Marija also logged Ian for a Park to Park.

I logged a total of 7 stations on 80m including a further Park to Park, with Brett VK3FLCS/p who was activating the Whroo Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2229.  Marija also jumped in to get the Park to Park with Brett.

I then moved up to the 20m band.  Mark VK4SMA had spotted me on parksnpeaks to advise that I would be on this frequency.  I logged Anthony VK6MAC, Andrei ZL1TM, and Paul VK2HDX/4 who was on Cape York in Far North Queensland.

I now had 29 QSOs in the log and required a few more to get to my 44.  I moved back to 7.144 on 40m and logged a further 19 stations.  Contact number 44 was a QSO with Murray VK4MWB.  I also logged Andrew VK1AD/p who activating SOTA peak Mount Stromlo VK1/ AC-043, looking for some European Summit to Summit contacts.

It was now 4.30 p.m. and we still had more than a 2-hour drive to get home, so we packed up and hit the road.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4SYD/p (Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868)
2. VK2NP
3. VK2XXL
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK4SMA
8. VK2GJC
9. IK1GPG
10. VK4VXX (Albinia National Park VKFF-0661)

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5CZ/p (Mimbara Conservation Park VKFF-1060)
2. VK3FLCS/p (Whroo Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2229)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2GJC
2. VK2HMV
3. VK1MA
4. VK1AT
5. VK2RSB
6. VK7OT
7. VK2RU/4
8. VK2IPK
9. VK7OR
10. ZL1TM
11. VK4NH
12. VK4DXA
13. ZL4TY/VK4
14. VK2NP
15. VK4SMA
16. VK4SYD/p (Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868)
17. VK4VXX/p (Albinia National Park VKFF-0661)
18. VK7KW
19. VK2FABE
20. VK2QM
21. VK2LEE
22. VK2LX
23. VK7TU
24. VK1AD/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-043)
25. VK4CZ
26. VK2YK
27. VK2IO/5
28. Vk2ISO
29. VK2VW
30. VK4PDX
31. VK4TJ
32. VK4/AC8WN
33. VK4/VE6XT
34. VK4MWB
35. VK4RF
36. VK4HA
37. VK4HNS
38. VK3UH

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5CZ/p (Mimbara Conservation Park VKFF-1060)
3. VK3PF
4. VK5PL
5. VK5FANA
6. VK3FLCS/p (Whroo Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2229)
7. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6MAC
2. ZL1TM
3. VK2HDX/4

It soon started to get dark and we enjoyed a magnificent sunset as we headed west along the Dukes Highway.

On the way home, we stopped off at the Riverside Hotel at Tailem Bend.  It is always a great meal here and a regular watering hole for Marija and me.

We arrived home about 45 minutes after leaving Tailem Bend.  It had been a great 2 days away.  We had activated a total of eight (8) parks and made a total of 518 QSOs on 20, 40, & 80m SSB into VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, New Zealand, Italy, & the Canary Islands.  This included 35 Park to Park contacts.  Seven of the eight parks were first time activations.

References.

Bordertown Field Naturalists, ‘Harding Springs Nature Track’ brochure

State Library South Australia, 2019, <http://www.slsa.ha.sa.gov.au/digitalpubs/placenamesofsouthaustralia/H.pdf>, viewed 7th August 2019

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_reserves_of_South_Australia>, viewed 7th August 2019

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngarkat>, viewed 7th August 2019

Our second intended park activation for Sunday 4th August 2019 was the Red Bluff Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2426.  I had researched the park before leaving home and saw that it was quite remote and to get into it there was going to be a fair bit of ‘bushbashing’.  This would be the first time that the park had been activated.

The park is located about 90km by road from the town of Kaniva in western Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Red Bluff Nature Conservation Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet. 

The Red Bluff Nature Conservation Reserve is about 3,900 hectares in size.  The park’s western boundary abuts the Victoria/South Australia State border, while its northern boundary abuts the Big Desert Wilderness Area.  Just over the State border to the north west of the park is the 270,000 hectare Ngarkat Conservation Park located in South Australia.

In 2014, Red Bluff Flora and Fauna Reserve and the Big Desert Wilderness Park were affected by large-scale fires.

To get to the park we travelled north on Taylors Road until we reached Red Bluff Firebreak Track.  We turned right onto the track.  Don’t turn left.  This will not take you to the park, but to the Border Track on the State border.

The track is absolutely 4WD only.  It is sandy and narrow and takes you through spectacular country.  There was a bit of water on the track in parts where we observed emus coming in for a drink.

After travelling some distance along the Red Bluff Firebreak Track we turned left onto the Red Bluff Track and travelled west.  We soon entered the track.  The terrain was starting to get a bit hilly, and as we were travelling on our own I did not want to get bogged.  So I did a 10 point turn and turned the 4WD around to face the way we came in.

Marija and I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  I ran 30 watts output whilst Marija ran 10 watts.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

This was a remote location and as such there was no internet coverage.  We were unable to place a self spot on parksnpeaks.  After setting up we tuned across the band and found Neil VK4HNS/p on 7.144 calling CQ from the Pooh Corner Nature Reserve VKFF-2878 in Queensland.

I then propped on 7.139 and called CQ.  This was answered by Peter VK3PF who informed me that Ian VK5CZ was up the band in a park.  Marija and I quickly tuned up to 7.154 and could hear Ian in there, albeit very light.  But due to the lack of man-made noise in both parks, we were able to work each other quite easily and logged Ian who was in the Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875.

I then moved back down to 7.139 and called CQ, logging Cliff VK2NP and then Gerard VK2IO/5 who was activating the Flinders Rangers National Park VKFF-0176.  Marija also logged Gerard.

I continued calling CQ on 40m and ended up logging a total of 37 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  This included Nigel VK5NIG/p who was activating SOTA peak Mount Gawler VK5/ SE-013.  This almost became an invalid contact as Nigel was very low down to me and somebody came up to relay Nigel’s callsign.  Unfortunately, this makes the contact invalid.  But Nigel persisted and I was able to legitimately copy his callsign and a signal report was also exchanged making the QSO valid.

I was just about to head to the 80m band when I was called by Jonathan VK7JON who was activating the Peggs Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2913 in Tasmania with his wife Helen VK7FOLK/p.  Both Marija and I logged Jonathan and Helen, and then left the frequency with them and we moved down to 80m.

I called CQ on 3.610.  Peter VK3PF had been very kind and had spotted my move to this band.  First in the log was David VK5PL, followed by John VK5BJE, and then Nev VK5WG.  Appropriately contact number 44 was with Peter VK3PF.  Contact number 45 was with Ian VK5CZ/p in the Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875 for a second band.

I had now qualified the park for the global WWFF program and it was time for Marija to pick up her remaining 5 contacts to qualify the park for VKFF.  Marija called CQ on 3.610 and logged Brian VK3BBB mobile, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, Adrian VK5FANA, Andy VK5LA, and then Hans VK5YX.

Marija had now qualified the park and went on to work a further 7 stations from VK2, VK3, and VK5, including Ian VK5CZ/p in the Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875.

I then put out 5 minutes of CQ calls on 14.310 on the 20m band but had no takers.  To conclude the activation I moved back to 7.144 on 40m and called CQ, logging a further 2 stations from VK2.

It was time to pack up and make the journey back along the tracks and back to the Western Highway and our final park for the day, the Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve over the border in South Australia.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4HNS/p (Pooh Corner Nature Reserve VKFF-2878)
2. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)
3. VK2IO/5 (Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-0176)
4. VK7FOLK/p (Peggs Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2913)
5. VK7JON/p (Peggs Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2913)

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3BBB/m
2. VK3SQ
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5LA
5. VK5YX
6. VK5AYL
7. VK5BJE
8. VK3PF
9. VK6MB/3
10. VK3ZNK
11. VK2KJJ
12. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4HNS/p (Pooh Corner Nature Reserve VKFF-2878)
2. VK3PF
3. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)
4. VK2NP
5. VK2IO/5 (Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-0176)
6. VK4CZ
7. VK2LSB
8. VK3UH
9. VK2UH
10. VK4SMA
11. VK2FADV
12. VK1MIC
13. VK1MA
14. VK2LEE
15. VK4NH
16. VK4DXA
17. ZL4TY/VK4
18. VK7OT
19. VK2RSB
20. VK2TMO
21. VK2AB
22. VK1AT
23. VK4RF
24. VK4HA
25. VK1VIC
26. VK4TJ
27. VK4/AC8WN
28. VK4/VE6XT
29. VK2UXO
30. VK7KW
31. VK2ABK
32. VK7KT
33. VK2PBC
34. VK5NIG/p (SOTA Mount Gawler VK5/ SE-013)
35. VK2LX
36. VK7FOLK/p (Peggs Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2913)
37. VK7JON/p (Peggs Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2913)
38. VK2VW
39. VK2KJJ

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5PL
2. VK5BJE
3. VK5WG
4. VK5LA
5. VK3BBB
6. VK5FANA
7. VK3PF
8. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-1875)

References.

Bonzle, 2019, <http://www.bonzle.com>, viewed 7th August 2019

Parks Victoria, 2019, <https://www.facebook.com/ParksVictoria/posts/1199652090094748>, viewed 7th August 2019

Marija and I hit the road on Sunday morning (4th August 2019) at around 8.30 a.m. local time and headed down the main street of Bordertown for a morning coffee.  We then filled up with diesel and had a look at a few of the local attractions.

The first was the childhood home of former Australian Prime Minister (PM) Robert James Lee ‘Bob’ Hawke.  He was the Australian PM from 1983 to 1990.  Hawke was born on the 9th December 1929 in Bordertown and lived in the town until 1935.  The building was built by the National Bank in 1884 and conducted business there until the branch closed in June 1885.  It was purchased by the Congregational Church as a manse in 1897.  Clem A Hawke was the Minister from 1928 to 1935.  It ceased to be a manse in 1976.

Bordertown is also famous for its white kangaroos which can be seen at the Bordertown Wildlife Park.  A mob of White Kangaroos that are a genetic strain of the Western Grey can be seen in the park.

We then left Bordertown and drove over the South Australian/Victorian State border into VK3 for our first park of the day, the Yarrangook Flora and Fauna Reserve VKFF-2497.

The park is located about 58 km north-west of the town of Kaniva.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Yarrangook Flora & Fauna Reserve in western Victoria.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Just after crossing the State border we turned left onto the Serviceton North-Telopea Downs Road and headed north.  This road runs parallel to the State border.  The road is sealed for a number of km but then turns to dirt and becomes Taylors Road.

We continued along Taylors Road and about 44 km after leaving the Wimmera Highway we reached the southwestern corner of the Yarrangook Flora & Fauna Reserve which is well signposted.

The Yarrangook Flora and Fauna Reserve is 1,525 hectares in size and consists of five areas of undisturbed mallee-broom bush scrub.  The westernmost section is located on Taylors Road about 44 km north of the Western Highway.  Two other sections are located on Chappel Road.  While the two eastern sections of the park are located on Murrawong North Road.

Above:- The five sections of the Yarrangook Flora and Fauna Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The name Yarrangook comes from the aboriginal words yarran meaning acacia, and ook meaning water.  Thus acacia growing by water.  The mallee—broom bush vegetation in the park is interspersed with areas of open heath and brown stringybark scrub.

The park provides an important refuge for the Australian Bustard, a large ground bird which is often referred to as the Plains Turkey or Bush Turkey.  The male is up to 1.2 metres tall with a 2.3-metre wingspan.  Unfortunately, we did not see any during our visit to the park.

Above:- the Australian Bustard.  Image courtesy of wikipedia.

The park is surrounded by cleared farming land.

We found a gate to a paddock on the western side of Taylors Road and parked the 4WD there and carried the gear across the road to the park.  We set up in a small clearing in amongst the scrub.

Above:- An aerial shot of the westernmost section of park and our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Google maps

This was quite a remote location and we had internet coverage in the park so we were unable to place a self spot up on parksnpeaks.  The 40m band was busy with the broadcasts from the Wireless Institute of Australia, so we were unable to get onto the frequency of 7.144.  I found 7.130 to be clear and started calling CQ hoping that some of the park regulars would find me and then place a spot up for me.

First in the log was Paul VK7PAL, followed by Matt VK3FORD/2, Haucke VK1HW and then Peter VK3ZPF.  I had been lucky.  Peter VK3ZPF who is a regular park hunter and activator and is the VK3 State rep, placed a spot up for me on parksnpeaks.  This resulted in a steady flow of callers.  Thanks Peter.

A few QSOs later I was called by Gerard VK2IO/5 who was activating the Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692.  Marija also logged Gerard.  This was a new park for both of us as hunters.

I logged 23 stations on 40m before the callers dried up.  I then called CQ on 3.610, unable to self spot.  Fortunately, John VK4TJ had kept listening on 40m and spotted me on parksnpeaks when I announced that I was moving to 80m.  First, in the log, was Adrian VK5FANA, followed by Gerard VK2IO/5 in the Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692 for a second band for both Marija and me.  Conditions were quite good on 80m and I ended up logging a total of 7 stations there from VK3 and VK5.

I had 30 contacts in the log and it was time for Marija to get on the air and qualify the park for VKFF.  We decided to remain on the 80m band.  Marija called CQ and this was answered by David VK5PL, followed by Peter VK3PF, Ken VK2KYO, John VK5BJE, and then Geoff VK3SQ.  But a further 5 minutes of CQ calls went unanswered so we decided to move back to the 40m band, with Marija requiring just 3 more contacts for her 10.

Marija called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Peter VK3PF who spotted Marija on parksnpeaks.  Geoff VK3SQ then called in, followed by contact number ten with Ken VK2KYO.  Marija logged a further 3 station before callers once again dried up.

It was an opportune tune to move to the 20m band.  Peter VK3PF kindly placed a spot up for me to advise that I would soon be on 14.310.  Marija and I lowered the squid pole and removed the links for the 20m and then headed for 14.310.  I called CQ and Ray VK4NH responded, followed by John VK4TJ.  Both Ray and John have other callsigns, so 2 contacts became 6.  I then logged Peter VK6RZ with a strong 5/9 signal from across the other side of Australia in Western Australia.

I now had 37 contacts in the log and needed a further 7 to qualify the park for WWFF.  So it was back to 7.144 on the 40m band.  Rob VK4AAC/2 came back to my CQ call, followed by Peter VK2OQ mobile and then Geoff VK3SQ.  Contact 44 followed soon after with Chris VK1CT.

I ended up logging a total of 54 stations including 2 Park to Park contacts.  Marija logged 13 stations including 2 Park to Park contacts.

THANK YOU to those who took the time to spot us on either parksnpeaks and/or Facebook.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/5 (Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692)
2. VK3PF
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2KYO
5. VK4AAC/2
6. VK2VH
7. VK5FANA

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/5 (Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692)
2. VK5PL
3. VK3PF
4. VK2KYO
5. VK5BJE
6. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7PAL
2. VK3FORD/2
3. VK1HW
4. VK3ZPF
5. VK7OT
6. VK2IO/5 (Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692)
7. VK1NP
8. VK1MA
9. VK4CZ
10. VK4RF
11. VK4HA
12. VK4NH
13. VK4DXA
14. ZL4TY/VK4
15. VK2VW
16. VK3PF
17. VK2PKT
18. VK2EXA
19. VK4TJ
20. VK4/AC8WN
21. VK4/VE6XT
22. VK2ADB
23. VK2LEE
24. VK4AAC/2
25. VK2VH
26. VK2OQ/m
27. VK3SQ
28. VK7KT
29. VK4SMA
30. VK1CT
31. VK3UH
32. VK2TTL
33. VK3BD
34. VK2KNV/m
35. VK2LIS/m
36. VK5KLV
37. VK3ARH
38. VK1AT
39. VK1DI
40. VK7ALH

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK2IO/5 (Bunkers Conservation Reserve VKFF-1692)
3. VK5BJE
4. VK3SQ
5. VK3MCK
6. VK3PF
7. VK2KYO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK4TJ
5. VK4/AC8WN
6. VK4/VE6XT
7. VK6RZ

References.

Land Conservation Council, 1986, Wimmera Area Final Recommendations.

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_bustard>, viewed 6th August 2019

Wimmera Place Names, 2019, <https://swiftconsortium.org.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/243363>, viewed 6th August 2019