Our final park for Boxing Day 2020 was the Eric Bonython Conservation Park 5CP-062 & VKFF-0877. The park is located about 100 km south of the city of Adelaide. Both Marija and I have activated this park previously on a number of occasions.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Eric Bonython Conservation Park. Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
The Eric Bonython Conservation Park is only a small park, consisting of about 6 hectares of native scrub on the northern side of Rymill Road, Tunkalilla, on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Tunkalilla is a Kaurna aboriginal word meaning ‘place of many smells’. This was due to the whale carcasses that washed up on the 7 km sandy shore of Tunkalilla beach.
Above:- The Eric Bonython Conservation Park. Image c/o Location SA Map Viewer.
On the 9th day of November 1967, the park was proclaimed under the National Parks Act 1966 as the Eric Bonython National Parks Reserve. It was re-proclaimed on the 27th April 1972 as the Eric Bonython Conservation Park.
Above:- SA Govt Gazette re the Eric Bonython National Parks Reserve.
The park is named after Eric Glenie Bonython (b. 1910. d. 1971) who was an author, explorer, and conservationist. Bonython’s chief occupation was in landholding and grazing, however he had a very wide interest in history, geography and anthropology. He became a well known explorer of the Lake Eyre Basin, at that time one of the most mysterious geological areas on earth.
Bonython died in 1971, aged just 60 years old. At the time he was living at his 1,600 acre property at Illawong on the Fleurieu Peninsula, close to the park. He is buried at the West terrace cemetery (images below c/o Find a grave).
Access to the park is via Rymill Road which runs off Tunkalilla Road. There are no amenities in the park and limited parking spots.
Above:- An aerial view of the Eric Bonython Conservation Park. Image c/o Google maps.
The park consists of Low Open Forest of Swamp Gum, Pink Gum, Cup Gum, Messmate Stringybark, and Brown Stringybark. The understorey plants include Tea-trees and Hakeas.
Birds SA have recorded a total of 43 native birds in the park including Adelaide Rosella, New Holland Honeyeater, Striated Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Australian Golden Whistler, Grey Shrikethrush, Brush Bronzewing, Pallid Cuckoo, Elegant Parrot, Dusky Woodswallow, and Red-browed Finch.
There are some sensational views to be enjoyed from the park of The Pages Conservation Park, the Southern Ocean, and Kangaroo Island.
Marija and I went to our normal operating spot in the park, a small clearing in amongst the scrub. As it was a very hot afternoon and there was very little shade on offer, we huddled against the side of the 4WD.
Once again we decided to kick off the activation on the 15m band and I am so pleased that I did. First in the log on 15m was Fred VK3DAC & VK4FE/3, followed by Deryck VK4FDJL, and then Ray VK4NH. It only took me 6 minutes and I had qualified the park for VKFF on 15m with 10 contacts.
Band conditions on 15m were excellent, and I ended up making a total of 38 contacts, almost qualifying the park exclusively on the 15m band. Contacts were made into VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK7, and New Zealand.
Marija also qualified the park for VKFF exclusively on 15m with a total of 15 contacts in the log into VK2, VK3, and VK4. This included Park to Park contacts with Gerard VK2IO/p in two different parks: Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049 and Cockle Bay Nature Reserve VKFF-1908.
To finish off the activation I called CQ on 7.144 on 40m and logged a total of 22 stations. Contact number 44 was with Robbie VK5MRS at Echunga in the Adelaide Hills.
We were getting tired and hot and hungry, so we decided to call if quits. I suspect if we had kept going, we would have had a lot more callers on 40m. That band was in great shape. Unfortunately we did not get to try 80m or 20m. We will save that for another day.
Marija worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
VK2BDS
VK4CZ
VK4FDJL
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK3DAC
VK4FE/3
VK3CU
VK2LX
VK2DWP
VK4SMA
VK4MGL
VK2IO/p (Cockle Bay Nature Reserve VKFF-1908)
I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-
VK3DAC
VK4FE/3
VK4FDJL
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK2HRX
VK3ZPF
VK3MCK
ZL1TM
VK4KC
VK4SMA
VK3PI
VK3ANL
VK3BCM/p (SOTA VK3/ VC-037)
VK2LX
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
VK4CZ
VK2JCC
VK2PKT
VK2HHS
VK4MGL
VK3MDC
VK1XP/m
VK2IO/p (Cockle Bay Nature Reserve VKFF-1908)
VK2TEV
VK2CRF
VK4DX
VK3XXY
VK7RG
VK1CT
VK7DY
VK5MWW
VK3NBP
VK3MCO
VK2GOD
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK5CZ
VK5AYL
VK5GY
VK5EMI
VK5HYZ
VK5MRS
VK5KLV
VK2FPAR
VK2YK/5
VK5GA
VK2HHA
VK5FANA
VK5MRD
VK4FDJL
VK3YV
VK3FIMD
VK3ZPF
VK5VST
VK3HJJ
VK5DW
VK5MWW
VK2XB/m
After packing up we stopped off briefly at Parawa on Range Road to enjoy the views.
We then headed into Victor Harbor, detouring slightly up to the Crows Nest Lookout where we enjoyed some beautiful views of Middleton, Goolwa, Currency Creek, the Murray Mouth, and the Coorong.
Our second park for Boxing Day 2020 (26th December) was the Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895 which is located about 100 km south of the city of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Springs Road Native Forest Reserve. Map courtesy of Google maps.
Springs Road Native Forest Reserve is part of the Second Valley Forest Reserve and is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The reserve adjoins a pine planation and there is also a large area of privately owned scrub (Heritage Agreement) to the north and west of the Reserve.
Above:- An aerial view of the Springs Road Native Forest Reserve. Image courtesy of Google maps.
The land on which the Reserve is located was originally land granted to Edward Stephens in July 1854. In April 1912 the land was transferred to the Crown. On the 29th day of May 1975 it was transferred to the Woods and Forests Department as a Forest reserve.
The Reserve is about 89.6 hectares in size and is located about 2 km north-west of the Range Road and Springs Road intersection. The Reserve consists of native vegetation which once covered the Fleurieu Peninsula. Just 15% of that now remains.
The Springs Road Native Forest Reserve forms one of the headwaters of the Anacotilla River which flows to the north-west into the Gulf St Vincent.
In 1904 an early survey by the Department of Lands described the area as:-
“hilly country heavily timbered with large stringybark and thick undergrowth of yaccas and ferns. The gullies were low tea tree swamp with light, sandy soils”.
The nationally endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot has been recorded in the park, as has the endangered Southern Emu-Wren.
Above:- Cleared farming land alongside of the Reserve.
The park is well signposted. We parked at the gate on Springs Road and walked a shot distance into the park to the shade of some gum trees. It was particularly warm afternoon, with the temperature now reaching 32 deg C. We ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 15m dipole & 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.
Marija and I decided to kick off the activation on the 15m band. Marija spotted me on parksnpeaks and I called CQ on 21.244. First in the log was Peter VK3ZPF, followed by Fred VK3DAC and then Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand. I logged a total of 12 stations on 15m including Gerard VK2IO/p who was in the Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049.
I had qualified the park for VKFF with 10 contacts, so I swapped the mic with Marija who very quickly qualified the park on 15m.
We then lowered the squid pole and took down the 15m dipole and placed up the 20/40/80m linked dipole. I then called CQ on 7.144 with Geoff VK3SQ being the first caller. Band conditions on 40m were still poor, and I logged just 12 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5. The South Australian (VK5) stations from the Riverland, Port Augusta, the Yorke Peninsula, and the Clare Valley were very strong.
I then moved to the 20m band and much to my surprise, my first caller was Ivan VK5HS in the Riverland with a 5/9 signal. This was followed by Ian VK5CZ in the Clare Valley who was also 5/9, and then Les VK5KLV at Port Augusta who was also 5/9. I then logged Peter VK3PF/p who was on SOTA peak VK3/ VE-113.
I logged a total of 16 stations on 20m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and New Zealand. I now had 40 contacts in the log and needed just 4 more QSOs to qualify the park for the global WWFF program with 44 QSOs. I moved down to the 80m band where I logged 4 stations, with Mike VK4MWW being the 44th contact.
Marija worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
VK7RG
VK3SQ
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK4SMA
VK3DAC
VK4MAP
VK4KC
VK3ZPF
I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-
VK3ZPF
VK3DAC
ZL1TM
VK4CZ
VK4KC
VK3DET
VK3PI
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK4SMA
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3SQ
VK2JDS
VK4FDJL
VK3BBB
VK2CCP
VK5CZ
VK5FANA
VK5DW
VK5KLV
VK5HS
VK3VET
VK3CU
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
VK5HS
VK5CZ
VK5KLV
VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-113)
VK3SQ
VK3VET
VK3GH
VK5DW
VK2LX
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK3DAC
VK4FE/3
VK4KC
ZL1TM
I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-
VK5CZ
VK5HS
VK5FILL
VK5MWW
References.
Forestry SA, 2016, ‘Second Valley Forest Reserve Management Plan’.
On Boxing Day (26th December 2020) I headed down to the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide to activate some parks. They were all to be parks that I had activated previously, but would go towards my 2020 VKFF Activator tally.
My first park was the Congeratinga Native Forest Reserve (NFR) VKFF-2896 which is located about 100 km south of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Springs Road Native Forest Reserve. Map courtesy of Google maps.
The Congeratinga, Kalmunda, and Springs Road Native Forest Reserves form part of the Second Valley Forest Reserve in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges which are managed by Forestry SA. The Reserves, including Congeratinga are located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide. In 1802 French explorer Nicolas Baudin named the peninsula after Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu who was a French explorer and hydrographer.
Above:- An aerial shot of the Congeratinga Native Forest Reserve, looking south towards Kangaroo Island. Image c/o Google maps.
The Congeratinga NFR is about 77.3 hectares in size and is located about 2km south-west of the Range Road and Springs Road intersection. Commercial pine plantations can be located on the western boundary of the reserve. All other boundaries of the reserve are adjacent private property.
Congeratinga NFR conserves remnant native vegetation which was once found widely across the Fleurieu Peninsula. It is estimated that just 15% of the original vegetation remains today. The reserve also conserves areas of Fleurieu Peninsula Swamp which is a Threatened Ecological Community. It is also suspected that the nationally endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot can be found in the reserve. Also found in the reserve is the endangered Southern Emu-Wren.
The reserve is located at the headwaters of the Congeratinga River which flows to the north towards Gulf St Vincent. The mouth of the Congeratinga, known in the 19th century as ‘Cutter Flat’ is now the site of the Marina St Vincent.
Congeratinga comes from the aboriginal Kaurna language. It is believed to mean ‘place of human birthing blood’. The first European record of the word Congeratinga was the River Congeratinga marked on the first maps of the surveyors of the district. In June and August 1840 the first survey of the area was carried out under the leadership of Nathaniel Kentish, James Poole, and G. Bryan. The European surveyors used aboriginal guides who no doubt gave the name.
I travelled south from home along Bull Creek Road and then onto Deep Creek Road, then south on the Goolwa Road and onto Flagstaff Hill Road. I stopped briefly to enjoy the superb views of the Finniss River, Currency Creek, Goolwa, and down to the Coorong.
I continued on to the beautiful seaside town of Victor Harbor, stopping briefly at the George Fisher Lookout on Waitpinga Road to enjoy the view of Victor Harbor, Granite Island, and The Bluff.
I then headed west along Range Road where there are brilliant views of Back Valley, Torrens Vale, and the Southern Ocean. As I headed to the park I logged John VK5BJE/p who was activating the Mount Billy Conservation Park VKFF-0912. We were able to make contact despite my VSWR being high as I was unable to tune the Codan 9350 antenna due to an issue with the interface.
I soon reached the park which is well signposted. I have activated Congeratinga once before back in 2019. This time I parked my 4WD at the gate near the south-eastern corner of the reserve and walked a short distance along the fire track and set up my station.
I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and a 20/40/80m linked dipole, and a 15m dipole for this activation. Unfortunately I had forgotten by clock, so I made a phone call to my wife Marija VK5MAZ, who made the decision to come down and join me for the activations.
First in the log was John VK5BJE in Mount Billy VKFF-0912. John had a very nice 5/7 signal and was kind enough to hand over the frequency 7.150 to me. Next in the log was Adrian VK5FANA who was a strong 5/9, followed by Brian VK3BBB.
Contact number 6 was with Peter VK3PF/p who was activating SOTA summit VK3/ VE-097. Two QSOs later and I had another Park to Park contact in the log with a QSO with Gerard VK2IO/p who was activating the Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049. Contact number 10, qualifying the park for the VKFF program, was a QSO with Allen VK3ARH.
Band conditions on 40m were very poor and I struggled to get any further contacts with Allen, so I lowered down the squid pole and inserted the links on the dipole for the 80m band, hoping to get some contacts on that band. Sadly I was very disappointed, with just 2 contacts logged there with Adrian VK5FANA and Grant VK5GR. Both Adrian and Grant were struggling to hear me. This was not a good sign. I strongly suspected that I wouldn’t make the 44 QSO mark to qualify the park for the global WWFF program.
I then moved to the 20m band and started calling CQ on 14.310. First in the log on that band was Scott VK4CZ with a big 5/9 signal. He reciprocated with a 5/9 for me. This was followed by Hans VK6XN who was 5/8 (5/7 received). This was promising. The 20m band seemed to be in good shape.
I ended up logging a total of 21 stations on 20m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and New Zealand. This included another Park to Park with Gerard in the Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049 and a contact with Peter VK3PF/p on SOTA summit VK3/ VE-104.
I now had 33 contacts in the log and Marija had arrived at the park. Marija was keen to qualify the park for VKFF, so she jumped into the operators seat and started calling CQ on 7.144. First in the log was Ian VK5CZ from the Clare Valley with a big 5/9 signal. This was followed by David VK5PL in the southern Barossa Valley who was also 5/9, and then Allen VK3ARH.
Marija logged a total of 14 stations from VK1, VK3, and VK5. This included a Park to Park contact with Ian VK1DI/p who was activating the Undoo Nature Reserve VKFF-2751.
I had just 11 contacts to get to reach my target of 44. I also logged Ian VK1DI/p for a Park to Park contact and then called CQ on 7.144. Unfortunately there were no takers, so Marija and I took down the linked dipole and put up a 15m dipole. Marija spotted me on parksnpeaks and I called CQ on 21.244.
First in the log on 15m was Rod VK7RG, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, and then Scott VK4CZ. Contact number 44 was a QSO with Grant VK2LX.
I logged a total of 15 stations on 15m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK7, and New Zealand.
It was time to pack up and head off to our next park, the Springs Road Native Forest Reserve.
I was really pleased to see the 15m band open again. I had used 15m with quite a bit of success during the 2020 VKFF Activation Weekend.
Above:- Graph showing my QSOs per band.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK5CZ
VK5PL
VK3ARH
VK5TR
VK5KLV
VK5KKT
VK3DAC
VK3CU
VK5YL
VK1DI/p (Undoo Nature Reserve VKFF-2751)
VK3ZPF
VK5FANA
VK5LB
VK5NFT/m
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK5BJE/p (Mount Billy Conservation Park VKFF-0912)
VK5FANA
VK3BBB
VK2CCP
VK5OHR
VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-097)
VK5AYL
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
VK5JOB
VK3ARH
VK1DI/p (Undoo Nature Reserve VKFF-2751)
I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-
VK5FANA
VK5GR
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
VK4CZ
VK6XN
VK3DAC
VK4KC
VK4HNS
VK5AYL
VK2MG
VK3MCK
VK3TKK
VK4SMA
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK6GLX
VK3CU
VK5CZ
VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
VK3SQ
VK2TER
ZL1TM
VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-104)
I logged the following stations on 15m SSB:-
VK7RG
VK3SQ
VK4CZ
VK3CWF
VK7RV
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK4HNS
VK2LX
VK3DAC
ZL1TM
VK4KC
VK4SMA
VK3ARH
References.
Foresty SA, 2016, ‘Second Valley Forest Reserve Management Plan’
Our fourth and final park for the 2020 VKFF Activation Weekend was the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park 5CP-165 & VKFF-0923, which is located about 60 km south of Adelaide and about 4 km south of the town of Myponga.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park. Map courtesy of Protected Planet.
Nixon Skinner Conservation Park is a small park comprising just 8 hectares, but it is a very picturesque park. The park backs onto the Myponga Reservoir and is located adjacent to Main South Road (the main road between Myponga and Yankalilla). There are no signs from the road to indicate the park. There is a small area to park your car, but be careful turning in as Main South Road can be quite busy with the speed limit being 100kph.
Above:- An aerial view of the Nixon Skinner CP looking north towards the city of Adelaide. Image c/o Google maps.
The land which became the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park was donated in 1948 by Mrs. Lucy Page of Wattle Flat, to the Field Naturalists Society of South Australia, for use as a natural history reserve.
Above:- from The Advertiser, Sat 16th October 1948. c/o Trove
Mrs. Lucy Eleanor Page nee Nixon (b. 1870. d. 1960) was a long standing and active member of the Field Naturalists Society of South Australia. Mrs. Page lived in the locality for about 60 years.
The land was subsequently bestowed to the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves Commission as the Nixon Skinner Reserve. However the actual land transfer did not occur until the 12th day of April 1961 following the death of Mrs. Page on the 22nd June 1960.
Above:- Article from the Victor Harbour Times, Fri 12 Aug 1960. c/o Trove
On the 9th day of November 1967 the park was declared the Nixon Skinner National Parks Reserve. On the 27th day of April 1972 it was re-proclaimed as the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park
Above:- from The South Australian Government Gazette, 9th November 1967.
The park was named in honour of the grandfathers of Mrs. Page; Thomas Skinner (b. 1814. d. 1902) and William Millington Nixon (b. 1814. d. 1893).
Thomas William Skinner was born on 2nd September 1822 in Robertsbridge, Sussex, England. Thomas emigrated to Australia in 1854 aboard the ‘Ostrich’. He died on the 2nd April 1902 in Yankalilla.
William Millington Nixon was born on 1st August 1814 in Birmingham, England. He arrived in Melbourne in 1855 aboard the ‘Champion of the Seas’. He then transferred to the ship ‘Havilah‘ and sailed to Adelaide. He lived in the Yankalilla area in 1866.
Above:- William Millington Nixon. Image c/o State Library of South Australia [B 64201/13].
The land was the first privately donated reserve to be established in South Australia for the preservation in peerpetuity of native plants and animals and for the enjoyment of nature lovers.
In 1980 a plaque was erected in the park by the Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Incorporated. The plaque was unveiled on the 24th day of February 1980, by the Hon. David Wotton, Esq, M.P. Minister of Environment. About 60 people were in attendance, including Mrs. Page’s three surviving daughters.
Above:- The plaque in the park.
At the official unveiling of the plaque, Mr. Wotton said:
“this beautiful Myponga area showed that she (Lucy Page) had a far sighted and truly conservationist attitude’.
Above:- Newspaper article from the Victor Harbour Times, Wed 27th Feb 1980
There is a very easy, but enjoyable walk in the park. It is a distance of about 1.3 km and is about 30 minutes return. The walk concludes at Gate 26 of the reservoir. More information can be found on the Walking SA website at…..
The park consists of Messmate Stringybark, Pink Gum, River Red Gum, Erect Guinea-flower, Heath Tea-tree, Myrtle Wattle, Golden Wattle, South Australian Blue Gum, Silver Banksia, Cross-leaved Honey-myrtle, and Silky Tea-tree.
There are some spectacular views to be enjoyed in the park of the adjoining Myponga Reservoir.
The video below shows the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park and the Myponga Reservoir from the air (via drone).
Birds SA have recorded a total of 81 species of bird in the park including :auhing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairywren, Crescent Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Grey Shrikethrush, Scarlet Robin, Musk Lorikeet, Willie Wagtail, Restless Flycatcher, Rufous Whistler, and Black-capped Sittella.
Below you can see some photos I took during my time in the park.
The park is home to a number of native mammals, including numerous Western Grey kangaroos. We certainly saw a lot in the park during our visit.
The park was also alive with butterflies.
Marija and I kicked off the activation by calling CQ on 7.144. Mike VK3ZMD was first in my log, followed by Joseph VK3HJJ, and then Joe VK3YSP. I logged a total of 22 stations before callers slowed down. This included 8 Park to Park contacts who Marija also logged.
Tony VK3YV/p – Bull Beef Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2055
Peter VK3PF/p – Traralgon South Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2464
Adam VK2YK/5 – Little Mount Crawford Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2884
Gerard VK2IO/p – Birds Rock Flora Reserve VKFF-3045
I then swapped the mic with Marija who logged a total of 29 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5. There was a little bit of close in propagation with VK5 stations logged at nearby Willunga, up to Port Augusta about 300 km to the north of us, and down to Millicent about 350 km to the south-east. We were also very pleased to log Adam VK2YK/5 who was activating the Little Mount Crawford Native Forest Reserve.
I then got back into the mic to hopefully get my 44 QSOs to qualify the park for the global WWFF program. I logged a further 19 stations and now had 41 contacts in the log, just 3 short of my 44. I then moved to the 20m band where I logged a total of 8 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, and New Zealand. I was very pleased to log Peter ZL1PWM and Andrei ZL1TM. I also logged Tony VK3YV/p who was in the Bull Beef Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2055. Contact number 44 for me was a QSO with Geoff VK3SQ at Beechworth in north-east Victoria.
We then took down the linked dipole and put up the 15m dipole. We were hoping for some contacts on that band, which had performed well at our last activation. We were not disappointed, logging a total of 14 stations on 15m from VK2, VK3, VK4. This included another Park to Park contact with Tony VK3YV/p in the Bull Beef Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2055.
We headed back to the 40m band to pick up another Park to Park contact, this time with Peter VK3ZPF/p who was in the Kurth Kiln Regional Park VKFF-0971.
We then saw some spots pop up on parksnpeaks for some of the Western Australian park activators, so it was back to that band where I logged the following Park to Park contacts:-
Mike VK6MB/p – Wills Nature Reserve VKFF-2852
Hans VK6XN/p – Kings Park Botanic Garden VKFF-2980
I had well and truly qualified the park for both WWFF and VKFF, while Marija had 43 contacts in the log. So we moved back to 40m where Marija logged 8 further stations including the following Park to Park contacts:-
Chris VK1CT/p – Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-0841
Joseph VK3HJJ/p – Warby Ovens National Park VKFF-0742
Mike VK6MB/p -Wills Nature Reserve VKFF-2852
Hans VK6XN/p – Kings Park Botanic Garden VKFF-2980
We decided to have a quick listen on 80m and then pack up and go for a walk through the park. We logged 6 stations on 80m including another Park to Park with Peter VK3TKK/p in the Kurth Kiln Regional Park VKFF-0971.
We were about to pack up when Marija saw a spot on parksnpeaks to advise that Gerard VK2IO would soon be on a SOTA summit. So we decided to wait around for a while with the hope of logging Gerard, which we did, from the top of SOTA VK2/ CT-043.
We then packed up and went for a walk through the park. Between the two of us, we had 117 contacts in our log. Marija had 52 QSOs in the log. I had 65 QSOs in the log. This included 32 Park to Park contacts.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3YV/p (Bull Beef Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2055)
VK3PF/p (Traralgon South Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2464)
Our first park for day two of the 2020 VKFF Activation Weekend was the Myponga Conservation Park 5CP-157 & VKFF-0921. The park is located about 60 km south of Adelaide, and about 10 km south of the town of Myponga on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Myponga Conservation Park. Map courtesy of Protected Planet.
Myponga Conservation Park is 167 hectares in size. It was formerly known as the Myponga National Park and was proclaimed on the 24th February 1972. On the 27th April 1972, the national park was reconstituted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 as the Myponga Conservation Park.
The park is situated in hilly terrain and is substantially undisturbed. It is one of my favourite parks. The famous Heysen Trail passes through the park. The Heysen Trail is a 1,200 km long hiking trail which extends from Cape Jervis on the southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, up to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.
Above:- An aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park. Image courtesy of Protected Planet.
Myponga Conservation Park is located in close proximity to the little town of Myponga which has a small population of about 750 people. The area surrounding Myponga is rich grazing and dairy country. The town of Myponga was officially laid out in 1939, fairly recent times. However, European settlement in the area dates back to the 1850s.
The Kaurna aboriginal name for the area is ‘Miapungga’ meaning high cliffs. The town of Myponga backs onto the Myponga Reservoir which has a capacity of 27.6 gigalitres.
Above:- An aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park, looking north back towards Adelaide. Image courtesy of Google maps
There are several vegetation habitats in the park. Plant species include Messmate Stringybark, Cup Gum, Prickly tea-tree, Heath tea-tree, Pink Gum, Cranberry heath, and Common fringe-myrtle.
Various native mammals can be found in the park including the locally endangered Short-nosed bandicoot.
Birds SA have recorded a total of 68 species of bird in the park including Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Australian Golden Whistler, Scarlet Robin, Grey Shrikethrush, Red Wattlebird, Magpielark, Jacky Winter, and Hooded Robin.
The only way to access the park (by vehicle) is via James Track. Keep an eye out for the gate which has the name of the park next to it. This track takes you to the park. Please remember to shut the gate. This is a shared track for pedestrians and is part of the Heysen Trail, so please drive carefully.
The track is okay to get you to the park. If however you want to get to the end of the track and enjoy some of the views, I would recommend a 4WD.
There are some magnificent views to be enjoyed of the surrounding countryside as you travel along the track.
And some equally beautiful views of the park itself and its deep gorges.
We set up in close proximity to the park sign. We made sure that we were set up off the track. There was plenty of room to stretch out the 20/40/80m linked dipole. We ran the Yaesu FT-857d for this activation.
I kicked off the activation, calling CQ on 7.120. We could not get a frequency higher up the band as the Sunday morning broadcasts for the Wireless Institute of Australia were in full swing. It took about 5 minutes of CQ calls before my first taker, Rex VK3OF.
This was followed by a Park to Park with Gerard VK2IO/p in the Snow Gum Flora Reserve VKFF-3096. This was followed by Rob VK2VH/VK4AAC, and then Brian VK2CCP.
But we then had a gap of about 5 minutes without any callers. The 40m band appeared to be in very poor condition.
I had just 5 contacts in the log and decided to get Marija on the mic. Marija’s first taker to her CQ call was Rob VK2VH/VK4AAC, followed by Peter VK3PF/p who was activating the Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465.
It was really slow going and Marija and I had doubts that we would get 10 contacts, yet alone 44 to qualify the park for the global World Wide Flora Fauna program. We decided that we would get our 10 contacts and qualify the park for VKFF and then move on to another park.
But fortunately for us we were called by a number of other stations to get us both over the line with 10 QSOs. The UTC rollover helped us, with some stations calling back for a contact with us for a new UTC day. We logged a total of 30 stations on 40m including a further three Park to Park contacts…..
Peter VK3PF/p – Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465
Marija and saw a spot on parksnpeaks for Ian VK5CZ/p in a park on 80m. So we lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m band. We logged Ian VK5CZ/p, Gordon VK5GY/p, Hugh VK5NHG/p, John VK5MJC/p, and Ian VK5IS/p who were all in the Wirrabara Range Conservation Park VKFF-2252 with a big signal.
After working Ian and the crew, we moved down the band to 3.610 where we logged a total of 6 further stations including 2 further Park to Park contacts with…..
Things were starting to look up and we decided to stay and try to press on and get our 44 contacts. We quickly moved back to 40m to get another Park to Park contact in the log, this time with Peter VK3TKK/p who was activating the Mount Fyans Wildlife Reserve VKFF-2398. We then moved back to 80m and logged a further 2 stations, Sue VK5AYL and John VK5BJE.
I then tried the 20m band and had some success there with 12 contacts into VK2, VK3, VK4, including the following Park to Park contacts…..
Peter VK3PF/p – Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465
Gerard VK2IO/p – Snow Gum Flora Reserve VKFF-3096
Adam VK2YK/5 – Cromer Conservation Park VKFF-0779
The 20m band was open to Victoria (VK3) with four VK3 stations logged, which made me think that the 15m band may be open.
We then moved back to 40m where we logged a further including the following Park to Park contacts……
Bryan VK3LF/p -Sweetwater Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2200
Adam VK2YK/5 – Cromer Conservation Park VKFF-0779
Mike VK6MB/p – Bartram Nature Reserve VKFF-2788
Brett VK3MCA/p – Walmer South Nature Conservation ReserveVKFF-2221
We then took down the linked dipole and put up the 15m dipole and we are so pleased that we did. The 15m band was fantastic with 27 contacts made there into VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 VK6, and VK8. This included a contact with Stuart VK8NSB in Darwin and the following Park to Park contacts……
Mike VK6MB/p – Bartram Nature Reserve VKFF-2788
Allen VK3ARH/p – Murray Valley Regional Park VKFF-1785
Tony VK3YV/p – Bull Beef Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2055
To finish off the activation we moved back to the 40m band and logged a further 21 stations including the following Park to Park contacts……
Allen VK3ARH/p – Murray Valley Regional Park VKFF-1785
Allen VK3HRA/p – Murray Valley Regional Park VKFF-1785
Peter VK3TKK/p – Cobra Killuc Wildlife Reserve VKFF-2294
Gerard VK2IO/p – Birds Rock Flora Reserve VKFF-3045
Peter VK3PF/p – Traralgon South Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2464
Adam VK2YK/5 – Wiljani Conservation Park VKFF-1159
It was now just past 1.30 p.m. local time and we decided to pack up and head to our next park, the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park.
We had both qualified the park for VKFF and WWFF, with a total of126 contacts in the log including 53 Park to Park contacts.
I had made a total of 77 contacts and Marija hd made 49 contacts.
This activation proved to us that patience and perseverance in park activating in crucial. And it also pays to be band agile. Don’t call it quits if the band isn’t great for 10 minutes and give as many bands a go as possible. You might be pleasantly surprised. We certainly were.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover……
VK2IO/p (Snow Gum Flora Reserve VKFF-3096)
VK2VH
VK4AAC
VK3PF/p (Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465)
VK2DG
Marija worked the following stations on 40m after the UTC rollover……
VK4FDJL
VK2VH
VK4AAC
VK2EXA
VK2IO/p (Snow Gum Flora Reserve VKFF-3096)
VK2LX
VK3OAK/p (Kulwin Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2353)
VK3PF
VK3PT
VK3TKK/p (Mount Fyans Wildlife Reserve VKFF-2398)
VK3LF/p (Sweetwater Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2200)
VK2YK/5 (Cromer Conservation Park VKFF-0779)
VK6MB/p (Bartram Nature Reserve VKFF-2788)
VK3MCA/p (Walmer South Nature Conservation ReserveVKFF-2221)
VK5PAS 