With reference to Cindy's article on the fee being charged to travellers on the road from the highway accross lease-hold land to the Bungle Bungle National Park, we were there at the end of June before this charge was instigated.
The road in is about 50 km's and it took us a little over 2 hours in the Prado. There is actually quite a bit of traffic using it, including campers like us, those towing camper-trailers, and tourist buses, who need to stick to a deadline and travel much faster. I counted 29 water crossings going in, and the next afternoon coming out, there were 25 only. This is because graders and several trucks were working full-time fixing the most dangerous spots.
Somebody has to pay for all that, and we assumed it was a Government job... obviously not. That road could be quite dangerous if no maintenance was done, and very few people would experience the wonderful scenery of the Bungles. I cant imagine that flying over it in a helicopter would give the same thrill as walking into Echidna Chasm at noon. Its a pity the fee is so high when travellers already have to pay plenty to get there, but you cant expect the station lease-holders to spend so much voluntarily.
It did say in that article there are two fees, the first being charged for a govt agent and supposed to be for repairs on the road. I've never been there so have no idea. Did you have to pay that first fee Gerty?
That is the only fee you should pay to the CALM. It's designated national park, and the state government does take responsibility for that road. However I believe it deteriorates fairly quickly. The station owner doesn't own the land. It's leasehold, and is not entitled to charge for the use of the road. Stations are responsible for managing their own roads for their own use, and sometimes it leaves a lot to be desired. It's a full time job for the station's grader driver, especially after the wet season. I wouldn't pay a cent to the station owner if he's not the one responsible for that road. I am aware of the high volume of traffic which uses that road, but I don't know if the station uses it for access or for cattle trucks.
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
