Relax in a national park this Christmas - southern Eyre Peninsula

Senior Ranger Sam Everingham said with the warmer summer weather, the number of people visiting national parks is on the rise.

“It’s great to see people out enjoying the parks, there is so much to see and do in the region, ranging from a trip out to the iconic Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park to the views from the top of Stamford Hill in Lincoln National Park,” Mr Everingham said.

“Parks on the lower Eyre Peninsula are within easy reach of Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay townships. Enjoy the four-wheel drive adventure out to the remote Point Sir Isaac’s or alternatively relax in the newly upgraded Yangie Bay Campground or day visit area. Come for a day visit, pack a picnic and bring the camera. Stay longer, set up a tent and enjoy the stars.”

Park visitors are reminded to book online before they visit or stay in two of the state’s favourite holiday destinations, Coffin Bay National Park and Lincoln National Park, by visiting: www.parks.sa.gov.au

Booking campsites ahead at this busy time of the year also gives travellers the ability to know how full remote campsites are in the park before making the long trip down the peninsulas.

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

Taking a 4WD 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.
• The majority of 4WD tracks in parks on the Eyre Peninsula are one lane with two way traffic. Please be constantly aware of oncoming traffic and note pull in spots for passing vehicles.

* Note: National Parks Staff do not recover vehicles

Accessing parks/Online Booking

• To book online for entry and camping in Coffin Bay National Park and Lincoln National Park visit www.parks.sa.gov.au
• Alternatively you can purchase entry and camping permits from the natural resource centre Port Lincoln or from one of our agents.

Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre - 3 Adelaide Place Port Lincoln SA 5606

Beachcomber Coffin Bay - 113 Esplanade Coffin Bay SA 5607

Coffin Bay Post Office - 2 Flinders Ave Coffin Bay 5607

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 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, Gunyah 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.

Pets

• Pets are not permitted in national parks, people who bring pets into the parks will be requested to leave, and will be fined.
• Bringing pets into the national park puts wildlife and the pet’s life at risk.

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 parks throughout this period, monitoring visitor behaviour and checking public safety.

For more information on 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.parks.sa.gov.au

Port Lincoln Natural Resources Centre will be open until 5:00pm Friday 22 Dec, and then closed over the Christmas / New Year’s period.

The office will reopen 9:00am on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

For enquiries relates to an online parks booking during the closure period, please emailDEWNR.OnlineBookings@sa.gov.auand one of our friendly staff members will respond to you as soon as possible.