Relax in a National Park this Christmas - lower Eyre Peninsula

Enjoy your Christmas holidays relaxing and unwinding with family and friends in a National Park.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula welcomes locals and visitors back into the great outdoors and the beautiful National Parks of Lower Eyre Peninsula.

Come for a day visit, pack a picnic and bring the camera. Stay longer, set up a tent and enjoy the stars.

Ranger in Charge, Ron Saers said parks on lower Eyre Peninsula are within easy reach of Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay townships.

“There’s so much for people to see and do in the region. Take in the view from Templetonia Lookout in Coffin Bay National Park or Stamford Hill in Lincoln National Park,” Mr Saers said.

“Enjoy the four-wheel drive adventure out to the Point Sir Isaac’s or through the Sleaford to Wanna Sand Dunes. Alternatively relax in the tranquility of the Memory Cove Wilderness Area. Permits to Memory Cove are available from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre. Do a bit of wildlife spotting as you trek along the walking trails. Get your kids outdoors and together tick off some activities in the awesome Nature Play SA ‘20 things to do lists’, available online.”

To help you enjoy you visit, there are a few simple things to remember:

Access and four wheel driving Traveling through parks can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. In can also be hazardous on unfamiliar tracks. It is essential to plan your drive carefully, and have a well maintained and equipped vehicle that can cope with extreme track conditions. Here are a few tips that may assist you.

• Tell people where you are travelling – Inform family or friends of your intentions and how many days you are travelling.
• Fuel – Plan ahead to ensure you carry enough fuel between fuel stops.
• Road and Track Conditions – Contact regional offices for information on track closures.
• Sand Flags – If travelling over sand dunes, flags will improve visibility of your vehicle to oncoming traffic.
• Food and Water – Carry a reserve of food and water enough for 3-4 days.
• Tyres – Ensure your tyres are in good condition and fit for the trip. Lower tyre pressure to suit track conditions (sand).
• Communication - UHF radios are a useful tool to communicate with other vehicles using the same track or with group members travelling to the same destination.
• Four-wheel drive tracks have areas of soft sand. Please remember to reduce tyre pressures to aid traction and to minimise track damage. The four-wheel drive tracks are for two-way access. Remember to take care on crests and bends.
• Drivers are reminded to exercise caution and check tides as soft sand and changing coastal conditions may create challenges.
• Normal road rules apply on all National Park roads and tracks including beaches.

Fires

• Only gas/liquid fires are permitted within designated campsites during the fire ban period unless it’s a day of Total Fire Ban, in which case all fires are prohibited.
• Park visitors can find out about fire ban notifications by listening to broadcasts on 891 AM ABC, 1485 AM ABC, 5LM, 765 AM 5CC, and 89.9 MAGIC FM or ring the Natural Resources Centre on 8688 3111 (weekdays). It is the responsibility of park users to be aware of fire bans.
• On days of elevated fire danger parks may be closed.

Nesting birds

• Summer is the breeding time for many coastal and migratory shorebirds such as the hooded plover, pied oystercatcher and threatened fairy tern.
• Drivers travelling on Long Beach and Seven Mile Beach should be on the lookout for shore birds (some can be as tiny as a match box) and ensure that they minimise the impacts to potential nesting sites or chicks that may seek refuge within the wheel tracks in the sand.
• Remain vigilant and observe all signs and fenced off areas which are in place to protect known sensitive breeding sites.

Accessing parks

• Self-registration stations for National Park entry and camping fees are located at the entrance to both Coffin Bay and Lincoln National Parks.
• Camping and entry permits must be purchased prior to entering the park. Online booking will be available for Eyre Peninsula National Parks from 27 February 2017. Information about the online booking system visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks

Pets

• Pets are not permitted in national parks, people who bring pets into the parks will be requested to leave, and will be fined.

Boat Access

• Access from the sea by boat is permitted in National Parks, no entry fee is required. Campers are required to camp in designated campgrounds, a camping fee does apply.

New Year celebrations

• It is illegal to carry or use flares or fireworks in a reserve, they create a significant fire risk.

Rangers will be patrolling the park throughout this period, monitoring visitor behavior and checking public safety.

For more information on our local parks visit the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre in Adelaide Place or the Natural Resources Centre (weekdays only) at 86 Tasman Terrace or visit: www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Eyre_Peninsula

Port Lincoln Natural Resources Centre will be open until 5pm Friday 23 Dec, closed over the Christmas / New Year’s period and reopening 9am Tuesday 3 January 2016.