vk5pas

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Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park 5CP-085 and VKFF-0888

Posted: 18 Jun 2018 07:14 PM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/19/hacks-...and-vkff-0888/


We left Bool Lagoon and drove about 10 km to Bournes Bird Museum, which
contains an amazing collection of around 600 birds.Â* The bird specimens are
generally from road kills or birds that have flown into power lines.Â*
Marija and I met with Marion, the owner of the property.Â* She had kindly
opened up the museum for us and explained in detail the history of the
museum and her father Jack Bournes passion.Â* Not only are there birds, but
there are reptiles, mammals, and a bird egg collection.Â* We highly
recommend a visit here.









Marija and I then headed to the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park 5CP-085 &
VKFF-0888 for a quick activation, as the weather was turning nasty.Â* The
park is about 25 km south of the town of Narracoorte, and 359 km south east
of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park.Â*
Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park is 202 hectares in size and was proclaimed
as a Fauna Reserve on 8th June 1967.Â* Further land was added on the 27th
April 1972 and the area was proclaimed as the Hacks Lagoon Conservation
Park.Â* Additional land was again added on 4th November 1993.

In 1985, the area covered by both the conservation park and the
adjoiningÂ*Bool Lagoon Game ReserveÂ*was added under the name Bool and Hacks
Lagoons to theÂ*List of Wetlands of International ImportanceÂ*maintained by
theÂ*Ramsar Convention.

Birds SA have recorded a total ofÂ*111 native birds at the park
includingÂ*Pacific Black Duck, Australian White Ibis, Swamp Harrier, Superb
Fairywren, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail,Â*Buff-banded Rail, Spotted
Harrier, Red Wattlebird, Southern Emuwren, Striated Fieldwren, and Restless
Flycatcher.

Some of the birds we observed are shown below












We drove back into the park via Bool Lagoon and soon reached the park,
which is located to the northeast of Bool Lagoon.Â* The park is well
signposted.



There is a niced lawned area here with picnic tables which would have made
an ideal operating spot on a sunny day.Â* But we had very average weather
and pulled up the Toyota Hi Lux close to one of the benches, to provide a
bit of a windbreak.
Above:- Map of the park showing our operating spot.Â* Map courtesy of
Location SA Map Viewer

I started off the activation, and again used the special call of
VI50IARU3.Â* I called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Geoff VK3SQ,
followed by Brenton VK3YB, and then Eric VK7EV.Â* Band conditions were quite
good and it didnt take long for a little pile up to commence.Â* I logged a
total of 23 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and Vk7, before the weather
closed in and it started to rain.Â* But more concerning was the thunder and
lighting.Â* It was a quick retreat to the vehicle and a break in operating
until the weather had cleared.

During our activation we had some interested onlookers.



Once the weather had cleared, Marija and I set up again and removed the
links for the dipole, and headed to 14.310 on the 20m band.Â* First in the
log there was Gerard VK2IO/p in theÂ*Queens Lake State Conservation Area
VKFF-1771.Â* I logged a further 6 stations from VK2, VK3 and VK4, until
callers dried up.

So I headed to the ANZA DX Net on 14.182 and checked in.Â* I worked 11
stations on the net from VK1, VK2, VK4, VK8 and New Zealand.



I now had 41 contacts in the log and was just 3 short of qualifying the
park for the global WWFF program.Â* Marija and I again lowered the squid
pole and inserted the links so we could operate on the 80m band.

Marija called CQ on 3.610 and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA with a
very strong signal.Â* Within 10 minutes Marija had her 10th contact in the
log, qualifying the park for VKFF.Â* Contact number 10 was with Geoff VK3SQ.

I then put out some CQ calls on 80m and it wasnt long before I had contact
number 44 in the log, with a QSO with John VK5BJE.





Marija and I had 59 contacts in the log between the two of us and it was
time to pack up and hit the road, as we still had a substantial drive home
ahead of us.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK3SQ
VK3YB
VK7EV
VK3ZPF
Vk2RP/m
VK2BDR/m
VK2VW
VK5IS
VK2JNG/p
VK2KJJ
VK5KLV
VK5VC
VK4TJ
VK3AWG
VK3PF
VK7FRJG
VK7RM
VK2PKT
VK4FDJL
VK4FARR
VK2AHF
VK7FMAC
VK2QK


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK2IO/p (Queens Lake State Conservation Area VKFF-1771)
VK2LEE
VK3SQ
VK4ME
VK2NP
VK2HPN
VK4FE
ZL2GLG
VK2RI
VK4NBP
VK4LMB
VK1TX
VK2HOT
VK4XCS
VK8KMD
VK7XX
ZL4QJ
VK4SWE


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5FANA
VK5VC
VK5BJE
VK3PF
VK3SQ
VK3GGG
VK3PMG
VK3UCD


On the way home we stopped off at one of our favourite hotels, the
Riverside Hotel at Tailem Bend, and enjoyed a great meal (as always).





References.

Birds SA, 2018,
https://birdssa.asn.au/location/hacks-lagoon-conservation-park/, viewed
19th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacks_Lagoon_Conservation_Park, viewed 19th
June 2018


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Bool Lagoon Game Reserve VKFF-1687

Posted: 18 Jun 2018 06:03 PM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/19/bool-l...rve-vkff-1687/


It was now Monday 11th June 2018, and time for Marija and I to head back
home after 3 very enjoyable nights in Mount Gambier.Â* We had hoped to
activate a park or two on the way home, but hadnt really decided on which
one, as the weather was looking quite threatening.Â* So after another stop
at Subway for breakfast we hit the road and headed north along the Riddoch
Highway out of Mount Gambier.

As we approached Penola we decided upon turning off at Narracoorte and
activating some parks between there and Bordertown, on the South
Australian/Victorian border.Â* But as we continued northwards, the weather
became more threatening and we decided to activate a closer park, the Bool
Lagoon Game Reserve VKFF-1687.

Bool Lagoon is located about 26 km (by road) south of Narracoorte and about
359 km south east of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.Â* Map
courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

This was to be another unique park for both Marija and I in the World Wide
Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The Bool Lagoon Game Reserve is about 3,103 hectaresÂ*in size and was
established on 8th June 1967.Â* It is one of the largest and most diverse
freshwater lagoon systems in southern Australia.Â*Â*In 1985, the area covered
by both the game reserve and the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park was added
under the name Bool and Hacks Lagoons to theÂ*List of Wetlands of
International ImportanceÂ*maintained by theÂ*Ramsar Convention.
Above:- Aerial view of the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.Â* Image courtesy of
google mapsÂ*

Prior to its proclamation, Bool and Hacks Lagoons were subject to private
pastoral leases.Â* In 1940 the Flora and Fauna Committee and the South
Australian Ornithological Association (now Birds SA) proposed that all or
part of the wetland be declared a Bird Sanctuary.Â* Â* On the 8th June 1967,
Sections 223 and 224 were proclaimed as a Game Reserve.Â* On Section 323 was
added on the 29th August 1974, with Section 380 being added on 27th August
1992.Â* Section 330 and other land was added on 4th November 1993.

At certain times of the year there is no water at Bool Lagoon.Â* The park
contains various habitat types including Tall Shrubland, Sedgeland,
Grassland, Floating waterplants Herbland, and Open Water.








Bool Lagoon provides critical habitat for the nationally vulnerable
Southern Bell Frog. Several hundred, perhaps thousands of these frogs live
at Bool Lagoon.Â* The endangered Striped Legless Lizard also calls the park
home.

Birds SA have recordedÂ*183 native species of bird at Bool Lagoon.Â* This
includes Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal,
Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Eastern Great Egret, Swamp
Harrier,Â*Plumed Whistling Duck, Glossy Ibis, Black-backed Bittern, Cattle
Egret, Spotted Harrier, Australian Pratincole, and Sacred Kingfisher.

Below are some photos of some of the birds we observed during our visit to
Bool Lagoon.








We entered the park via the main entrance which runs off Bool Lagoon Road.Â*
The reserve is well signposted.



There is an information board as you enter the park, with lots of
interesting information about the reserve and its inhabitants.






We followed the track on the southern side of the lagoon and travelled to
an area which is called Big Hill.Â* It was slow going along the track as
there was lots of birdlife.



We set up in a clearing near Big Hill.Â* There was plenty of room to stretch
out the dipole and not interfere with other users of the reserve.Â* We
initially set up outside of the vehicle, but the rain struck during our
activation so we retreated inside the vehicle for the remainder of the
activation.
Above:- Our operating spot in the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.Â* Map courtesy
of Location SA Map Viewer.

I kicked off the activation, using the special call of VI50IARU3.Â* I had
been allocated the call for a week, to help celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the International Amateur Radio Union in Region 3.

So what is the call about?

On the 12th April 1968, 50 years ago, a regional arm of the International
Amateur Radio Union, IARU Region 3, was established in Sydney.Â* The IARU
had been established a number of years earlier, in Paris, in 1925.Â*Â*is an
international confederation of nationalÂ*amateur radioÂ*organisations that
allows a forum for common matters of concern and collectively represents
matters to theÂ*International Telecommunication UnionÂ*(ITU).



First in the log from Bool Lagoon was Rob VK4AAC/5 at the Dingley Dell
Conservation Park VKFF-1025, followed by Andrew VK7DW, and then Gerard
VK2JNG.Â* Despite this being a rarely activated park and a special call, the
number of callers was far less than expected.Â* And after 15 minutes,
callers had completely dried up on 40m.Â* I had 17 QSOs in the log,
including another Park to Park contact, with Gerard VK2IO/p in the
Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958.

I headed off to the 80m band where I called CQ on 3.610.Â* This was answered
by Peter VK3PF, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, and then Peter VK3ZPF.Â* I logged a
further 5 stations, including another Park to Park, with Rob VK4AAC/5 at
Dingley Dell.



Marija then called CQ on 80m and logged 5 contacts from VK3 and VK5.Â* This
included a Park to Park with Rob VK4AAC/5 at Dingley Dell.Â* Despite band
conditions being quite good on the 80m band, callers soon stalled, so we
headed back to 40m.Â* We put a call out on 7.144 to see if the frequency was
in use and didnt hear anything.Â* Ivan VK5HS/m then responded to our CQ call
with a strong 5/9 signal.Â* But we then heard people tell us that the
frequency was in use by a QRP station.Â* Rob VK4AAC then came up to let us
know he was on the frequency but had been stomped on by VK5HS.Â* So after
logging Rob, we moved down the band to 7.139.



I logged a total of 20 stations on 7.139, swapping the mic every now and
again with Marija so she could log particular stations.Â* Marijas 10th
contact, qualifying the park for VKFF, was a QSO with Rob VK4AAC/5 at
Dingley Dell.Â* Contact number 44 for me was with Kevin VK7KEV in Tasmania.Â*
We also logged some more Park to Park contacts, with Alan VK2MG/p in
theÂ*Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550, and Gerard VK2IO/p in theÂ*Lake
Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955.Â* Other good contacts were with Bob VK6POP
over in Western Australia, Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand, and Ivan VK5HS
maritime mobile on the Cadell ferry.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m where I logged
3 stations; Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand, Cliff VK2NP in Sydney, and Alan
VK2MG/p in the Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550 VKFF-0550.



Marija and I packed up, with another park under our belt, and took a walk
along the boardwalk in the park.Â* Whilst doing so Marija put a call into
Bournes Birds, a nearby tourist attracation, which we hoped to visit.Â*
Unfortunately we reached their answering machine.Â* But 15 minutes later we
received a call to advise they would open up for us, so it was off to
Bournes Birds for us.Â* Just a short drive from the park.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK5HS/m
VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
VK5FANA
VK5UV
VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
VK2IO/p (Lake Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955)


Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5BJE
VK5FANA
VK5UV
VK3ZPF
VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
VK7DW
VK2JNG
VK2AB
VK5KLV
VK4TJ
VK2VW
VK3PF
VK1MIC
VK2NP
VK4YLU
VK3UH
VK7JOn/m
VK2AMF
VK7FOLK/m
VK2YK
VK2IO/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)
VK5HS/m
VK4FFAB
VK3SQ
VK7DW/p
VK2NEO
VK5UV
VK2MG/p (VKFF-0550)
VK7GN
VK4PDX
ZL1TM
VK7QP
VK5HS/mm
VK2MCG
VK5LG
VK5FANA
VK6POP
VK2IO/p (Lake Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955 VKFF-1955)
VK2PKT
VK7KEV
VK2CPC
VK2MT/p
VK3ZZS/7


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK3PF
VK3SQ
VK3ZPF
VK3ANL
VK5BJE
VK4AAC/5Â*(Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
VK5FANA
VK5UV


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

ZL1TM
VK2NP
VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550 VKFF-0550)






References.

Birds SA, 2018,
https://birdssa.asn.au/location/bool-lagoon-game-reserve/, viewed 18th
June 2018

Wireless Instittue of Australia, 2018,
https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2018/20180411-1/index.php, viewed
19th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bool_Lagoon_Game_Reserve,
viewed 18th June 2018


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Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park 5CP-178 and VKFF-0927

Posted: 18 Jun 2018 05:05 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/18/piccan...and-vkff-0927/


After packing up at Mumbunnar Conservation Park, Marija and I headed to our
second park activation for the day, the Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park
5CP-178 & VKFF-0927.Â* The park is located about 30 km south east of Mount
Gambier.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park
in the lower south east of South Australia.Â* Map courtesy of Location SA
Map Viewer.

The Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park isÂ* 862 hectares (2,130 acres) in
size and was established on the 16th October 1969.Â* It is located in the
locality of Wye and overlooks Discovery Bay, which was named by
explorerÂ*Thomas MitchellÂ*in August 1836.

The park isÂ*located in close proximity to the State border
withÂ*VictoriaÂ*and is part of theÂ*Discovery Bay to Piccaninnie Ponds
Important Bird Area, identified byÂ*BirdLife InternationalÂ*as being of
global significance for several bird species.Â*Â*It is a listedÂ*Ramsar
site.Â*Â*TheÂ*Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
especially as Waterfowl HabitatÂ*is an internationalÂ*treatyÂ*for the
conservation and sustainable use ofÂ*wetlands.
Above:- An aerial view of the Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park.Â* Image
courtesy of google maps.

Piccanninie Ponds is a very popular site for snorkelling and cave
diving.Â*Â*In 1964–1965, prior to its proclamation as a conservation park,
underwater explorerÂ*Valerie TaylorÂ*described the ponds as one of the most
beautiful sights in Australia.

The park contains three main features of interest to cave divers. The
‘First Pond’ is an open depression about 10 metres (33Â*ft) deep with a silt
floor and vegetated fringe supporting much aquatic life. The ‘Chasm’ is
aÂ*sinkholeÂ*with a depth of over 100 metres (330Â*ft), and the ‘Cathedral’ is
an enclosed area withÂ*limestoneÂ*formations and a depth of about 35 metres
(115Â*ft).Â*Â*Underwater visibility is excellent and may exceed 40 metres
(130Â*ft). Snorkelling and cave diving at Piccaninnie Ponds is by permit
only.Â* Several divers have died whilst exploring the caves.





After leaving Mumbannar we travelled back into South Australia via the
Princes Highway and then travelled south along Dry Creek Road following the
State border.Â* We soon reached the town of Donovans, where there are some
nice views (through the trees) of the Glenelg River.






We then crossed the State border and continued along the Glenelg River Road
and then on to the Piccanninie Ponds Road.



It wasnt long before we reached the park, which is clearly signposted, and
has a number of information boards.





Before setting up, Marija and I stopped off to have a look at the ponds
themselves.Â* They were absolutely crystal clear and were very inviting.Â*
There was a young couple in the carpark putting on their wetsuits, getting
ready for a dive.







We drove further along Piccanninie Ponds Road until we reached the section
which takes you down onto the beach.Â* As we were running short a little of
time, we decided not to lower our tyre pressure and drive down onto the
sand.






Instead, we parked the vehicle and set up along a walking trail which cut
its way through the scrub.Â* There was plenty of room to string out the
20/40/80m linked dipole.
Above:- Aerial view of the Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park, showing our
operating spot.Â* Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

We were set up a little after 0500 UTC and had around 1 hour of the VK
Shires Contest remaining.Â* I kicked off the activation, calling CQ on
7.133.Â* This was answered by Ian VK5IS in the Mid North of South Australia,
followed by Andrew VK3AB/p, and then Andrew VK3MUD/p.Â* Contact number ten,
qualifying the park for me for VKFF, was with Sam VK5ASK/m.
Above:- Our operating spot down along the walking track.

After I had qualified the park for VKFF, Marija jumped on the mic and
called CQ on 7.133.Â* This was answered by Adrian VK5FANA, followed by Cliff
VK2NP, and then Adam VK2YK.Â* Marijas 10th contact was with Geoff VK3SQ in
Beechworth.Â* Marija was very pleased to log Greg VK8GM in Alice Springs,
and Greg VK4VXX/8 near the South Australian/Northern Territory border.






With Marija having qualified the park for VKFF, I jumped back on the mic.Â*
I logged a total of 34 stations before the VK Shires Contest concluded at
0600 UTC, and a further 11 stations after the contest.Â* This included a
Park to Park contact with Marc VK3OHM/p in theÂ*Greater Bendigo National
Park VKFF-0623.

I then moved to 3.610 on the 80m band where I logged 6 stations from VK3,
VK5, and VK7.Â* This included a Park to Park with Duncan VK3XBC/p in the
Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549.Â* Whilst I was on 80m two park rangers
arrived on the scene.Â* One of the rangers I had met earlier in the year
during an activation at the Little Dip Conservation Park.






Time was marching on and Marija and I needed to pack up and head back into
Mount Gambier.Â* That evening we were to attend the SERG Convention dinner.Â*
Between us we had 63 contacts in the log.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK1DI/2 (Livingstone National Park VKFF-0292)
VK5FANA
VK2NO
VK2YK
VK3VCE/4
VK2LEE
VK4VXX/8
VK8GM/p
VK2VW
VK3SQ
VK3ABP
VK4TJ


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK5IS
VK3AB/p
VK3MUD/p
VK7QP
VK4VXX/8
VK6QM
VK2HPN
VK2DEK
VK1DI/2 (Livingstone National Park VKFF-0292)
VK5ASK/m
VK5FANA
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2NP
ZL2AYZ
VK3SQ
VK2VW
VK8GM/p
VK3GK
ZL1TM
VK2YK
VK7KR
VK3PF
VK2HHA
VK5KLV
VK2NEO
VK2TTL
VK2KTG
VK2JDR
VK3ELH
VK7FMAC
VK4FDJL
VK2WA
VK2ZVG
VK2FJMM
VK7AN
VK2QM
VK5NAW
VK5MK
VK2QK
VK2QE
VK6MN
VK5PL
VK3OHM/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK7AN
VK3XBC/p (Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549)
VK5BJE
VK3AWG
VK3PF
VK5RM


We returned to Mount Gambier and freshened up and headed to the Scout Hall
where we listened to Joe VK3YSP and Julie VK3FOWL deliver a presentation on
youth in our hobby.Â* This was followed by a presentation on aerial
photography and drones.





We then enjoyed a great evening at the SERG Dinner.















References.

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsar_Convention, viewed
18th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccaninnie_Ponds_Conservation_Park, viewed
18th June 2018


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Mumbannar Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2161

Posted: 18 Jun 2018 03:58 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/18/mumban...rve-vkff-2161/


It was now day three (Sunday 10th June 2018) of our trip.Â* We had one
planned park activation for the day, over the border in Victoria.Â* After a
warm shower Marija and I headed to Subway again for breakfast, comprising a
coffee and an egg & bacon roll.Â* We then drove around the Valley Lake in
Mount Gambier.Â* It was a sunny but very chilly morning, with lots of mist
still hovering around the surface of the lake.
Above:- Valley Lake

We then decided to take a walk up to the top of the Centennary Tower which
commemorates the naming and the European discovery of Mount Gambier by
Lieutenant James Grant in December 1800.Â* The tower sits 190 metres above
sea level.



This is not an easy walk.Â* It is a very steep walk.Â* However, I need the
exercise, and the walk would burn off some of the red wine consumed the
night before.Â* Along the way, the track was alive with Superb Fairy Wrens.



And once you have got to the top, and have taken a number of breaths and
regained your composure, you are rewarded with the best views of Mount
Gambier and the surrounding countryside.









We had read on the internet that the tower was open at times, selling
refreshments and souvenirs.Â* However it was not open during our visit.





We then walked back to the vehicle and took a drive around the famous Blue
Lake at Mount Gambier.Â* The Blue Lake is a crater lake which between
December to March turns to a vibrant cobalt blue colour.






Marija and I then attended the scout hall in Mount Gambier, the venue for
the South East Radio Groups annual convention.Â* We caught up with Col
VK5HCF and a number of other SERG members.Â* We also said gday to Joe VK3YSP
and Julie VK3FOWL who were busy with some students , undertaking some
activities including soldering.Â* Joe and Julie do magnificent work with
children through the School Amateur Radio Club Network.






Marija and I then headed to our first park activation for the day, the
Mumbannar Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2161.Â* The park is located about
40 km east of Mount Gambier, and 12 km (by road) west of the town of
Mumbannar in south western Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of Mumbannar Nature Conservation Reserve.Â*
Map courtesy of google maps

We headed out of Mount Gambier on the Princes Highway and soon reached the
State border of South Australia and Victoria.Â* We stopped briefly for a
photograph and then continued on to the park.
Above:- Marija at the State border.

We turned off the Princes Highway onto Faheys Settlement Road.Â* We soon
reached the park on the eastern side of the road.Â* The park was well
signposted.Â* There were no gates into the park, so we pulled over to the
side of the road and then climbed the fence with our gear and set up.
Above:- Aerial view of the park showing our operating spot.Â* Image courtesy
of google maps

I have not been able to find out information on this park on the internet.Â*
It is recorded on the Parks Victoria website, but there is no associated
information.






The park is a piece of remnant scrub which is surrounded by cleared land
for farming, and also pine plantations.
Above:- Aerial shot of the Mumbannar NRC, looking west back towards the
SA/Vic border.Â* Image courtesy of google maps

This was the weekend of the VK Shires Contest, so Marija and I intended on
handing out some exchanges for the contest, as well as activating the
park.Â*Â*The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to
contact as many VK shires as possible in the contest period.Â* Our shire for
this park was Glenelg Shire (GL3).

Mumbannar was to be a unique park for both Marija and I in the World Wide
Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

After setting up we headed to 7.144 and found Tony VK3XV/p activating the
Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629 in western Victoria.Â* After logging Tony
we tuned across the band and found Marc VK3OHM/p in theÂ*Terrrick Terrick
National Park VKFF-0630.Â* Next was another Park to Park contact, this time
with Gerard VK2JNG/p in theÂ*Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277.

I then propped on 7.160 and called CQ.Â* First in the log following my CQ
call was Les VK5KLV, followed by Garry VK7JGD and then Mark VK7ME.Â* I
logged a total of 33 stations on 40m including some more Park to Park
contacts as follows.

Ian VK1DI/2 The Rock Nature Reserve VKFF-2002
Rob VK4AAC/5 Telford Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0805
VK4HNS/p Archer National Park VKFF-0336
Brian VK3BCM/p Alpine National Park VKFF-0619


With 33 contacts in the log I headed off to 3.610 on the 80m band.Â* John
VK5BJE was first in the log, followed by Rob VK4AAC/5, and then Sue, both
in the Telford Scrub Conservation Park.Â* Adrian VK5FANA then gave me a
shout, followed by Peter VK3PF.Â* Despite band conditions on 80m being quite
good, they were my only 5 contacts on that band.

I then moved back to 40m and called CQ on 7.140.Â* This was answered by Ivan
VK5HS mobile.Â* My 44th contact, qualifying the log for the global WWFF
program was with Nick VK3ANL/p in theÂ*Gresswell Forest part b Nature
Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103.Â* I logged a further 2 stations, and with 46
contacts in the log, it was time to swap the mic with Marija.





Marija then called CQ on 7.140 and logged Nick VK3ANL/p in theÂ*Gresswell
Forest part b Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103, followed by John
VK2YW/p, and then Greg VK4VXX/8.Â* Marijas 10th contact, qualifying the park
for VKFF was a QSO with Bill ZL2AYZ in New Zealand.Â* Bill was a strong 5/8
and gave Marija a 5/6 signal report.

Marija logged a further 6 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, & VK8.Â*
This included a contact with our friend Greg VK8GM in Alice Springs.Â*
Marija and I decided to give 80m a go again.Â* Marija called CQ on 3.610 and
logged Ivan VK5HS/m, Adrian VK5FANA, and then Nick VK3ANL/p in
theÂ*Gresswell Forest part b Nature Conservation Reserve.

To complete the activation we moved back to 40m where we logged another
Park to Park contact, with Gerard VK2JNG/p in theÂ*Sappa Bulga National Park
VKFF-1180.






Marija had qualified the park, with a total of 19 contacts.Â* I had
qualified the park for both VKFF and WWFF with 48 conatcts.Â* Between us we
had 16 Park to Park contacts.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK3XV/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
VK3OHM/p (Terrrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
VK2JNG/p (Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277)
VK3ANL/p (Gresswell Forest part b Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103)
VK2YW/p
VK4VXX/8
VK5LA/m
VK7QP/p
VK5HS
ZL2AYZ
VK5KLV
VK3AHR
VK2KJJ
VK2MT
VK8GM/p
VK4FDJL


Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5HS/m
VK5FANA
VK3ANL


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK3XV/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
VK3OHM/p (Terrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
VK2JNG/p (Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277)
VK5KLV
VK7JGD
VK7ME
VK1DI/2 (The Rock Nature Reserve VKFF-2002)
ZL2AYZ
VK3AHR
VK2AB
VK5LA/p
VK5FANA/m
VK2VEX
VK2MTM
VK4AAC/5 (Telford Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0805)
VK3ZD/p
VK2FSAV
VK4HNS/p (Archer National Park VKFF-0336)
VK3BCM/p (Alpine National Park VKFF-0619)
VK6MN
VK2LKW
VK3FXBR
VK2KJJ
VK2YE
VK2VW
VK5FANA
VK2NP
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2AZ
VK3SG
VK5KFB
VK5HS/m
VK2BBQ
VK2MT
VK7EK
VK8GM
VK3ANL/p (Gresswell Forest part b Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103)
VK2YW/p
VK4VXX/8
VK2JNG/p (Sappa Bulga National Park VKFF-1180)


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5BJE
VK4AAC/5 (Telford Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0805)
VK5AYL/p (Telford Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0805)
VK5FANA
VK3PF
VK3ANL/p (Gresswell Forest part b Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103)




References.

Monument Australia, 2018,
http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/exploration/display/51260-centenary-tower,
viewed 18th June 2018

Wireless Institute of Australia, 2018,
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/, viewed 18th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lake_(South_Australia), viewed 18th
June 2018


///////////////////////////////////////////
Canunda National Park 5NP-002 and VKFF-0075; and the Lower South East
Marine Park VKFF-1725

Posted: 18 Jun 2018 12:19 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/18/canund...ark-vkff-1725/


After leaving the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park we headed to the
nearby town of Tantanoola, intending to visit the historic Tantanoola Pub.Â*
But we were a little too early for lunch as it was only 11.30 a.m.Â* In fact
as we pulled up in Tantanoola, they were only just opening up the hotel.Â*
So we decided to do the Woakwine Range WInd Farm tourist drive.

We travelled out of town along the Poonada Road and then onto the Canunda
Frontage Road.Â* We were soon amongst the wind turbines in the largest wind
farm in the Southern Hemisphere.Â*Â*When fully operational, the 123
spectacular turbines at Canunda and Lake Bonney wind farm development will
generate almost 300 megawatts which represents the equivalent of one eighth
of South Australias energy needs.Â* The turbines are about 100 metres tall.
Above:- Marija standing in front of the wind turbines, giving you a good
idea of just how big they are.

As we headed out along the Canunda Frontage Road we encountered some other
road users (see below).
Above:- Some of the other road users

A little further along we spotted a flock of Yellow Tailed Black
Cockatoos.Â* They are a large cockatoo which has a yellow cheek patch and
yellow panels on the tail.Â* In South Australia they are listed as being
vulnerable.





As we drove along Canunda Frontage Road we enjoyed some great views of Lake
Bonney S.E.Â* This is not to be confused with Lake Bonney in the Riverland
region of South Australia.Â* Lake Bonney S.E. is a coastal freshwater
lake.Â*With a surface area of 5,056 square kilometres, Lake Bonney S.E. is
one of the largest freshwater lakes in Australia.





As we drove along the Canunda Frontage Road we decided to activate the
Canunda National Park 5NP-002 & VKFF-0075.Â* I had activated and qualified
this park previously, so our intention was to get the park qualified for
Marija and then head back into Tantanoola to the hotel.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Canunda National Park.Â* Map
courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

We turned off the Canunda Frontage Road and onto the Canunda Causeway and
soon reached the park boundary.Â* We continued through the park along the
Oil Rig Square Road.Â* A short distance later we reached the coastline.









It was here that we made the decision to head down onto the beach as it was
quite a nice afternoon.Â* We lowered the tyre pressure down to around 12 psi
and then drove through the dunes down onto the beach.





We drove about 1km along the beach and pulled off the trail made by other
4WDers and rolled out the awning of the Toyota Hi Lux.Â* Once down on the
beach I realised that we were also within the Lower South East Marine Park.
Above:- Our operating spot.Â* A beautiful view.

Unfortunately I had no internet coverage so I was unable to self spot on
parksnpeaks and/or Facebook, and I was unable to look up the VKFF number
for the Marine Park.Â* So Marija put out some CQ calls on 7.135 and these
were answered by Adrian VK5FANA.Â* Adrian kindly looked up the VKFF
reference for us for the Marine Park and also spotted us.Â* I cannot
encourage enough, that hunters spot activators.Â* Not only does it greatly
assist the activators, but it also helps your fellow park hunters.

As a result of Adrians spot, Marija soon had a number of amateurs giving
her a shout.Â* Within 9 minutes Marija had qualified the park for the VKFF
program, with 10 contacts in the log.Â* QSO number 10 was with Charlie
VK3FCIA.

Marija logged a total of 23 stations including three Park to Park QSOS:

Stef VK5HSX/3 Â*Croajingolong National Park VKFF-0119
Andrew VK7DW/p Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1156
Mark Vk4SMA/p Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639






It was an amazing day for this time of the year down in the South East.Â* It
is normally cold and raining.Â* But today we were blessed with quite a bit
of sunshine.Â* It was a beautiful spot, with the sound of the waves rolling
in.Â* Occasionally we had some trailbikes and other 4WDers travelling passed
us.





Other than that the only onlookers were some of the local birds (of the
feathered variety).





Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK5FANA
VK3AZN
VK4VXX/5
VK3HOT
VK2HHA
VK3MIJ
VK3SQ
VK3ER
VK5HSX/3 (Croajingolong National Park VKFF-0119)
VK7FCIA
Vk2RP/m
VK2BDR/m
VK5TT
VK3ELH
VK2NP
VK3UH
VK3ANL
VK2VW
VK3PF
VK3IRS
VK2LEE
VK7DW/p (Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1156)
VK4SMA/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)


After Marija had qualified Canunda for the VKFF program, I jumped on the
mic to activate the Lower South East Marine Park VKFF-1725.Â*Â*The Lower
South East Marine Park is divided into two sections: the first adjacent to
Canunda National Park and the second from MacDonnell Bay just west of
French Point to the Victorian border.Â*Â*At 360 km2, it represents 1% of
South Australia’s marine parks network.
Above:- Map showing the two sections of the Lower South East Marine Park.Â*
Image courtesy of DEWNR.

First in the log for me were two Park to Park contacts, with Mark VK4SMA/p
and Ade VK4SOE/p who were activating theÂ*Samford Conservation Park
VKFF-1639.Â* As this was a new park there was quite a flurry of activity at
the commencement of the activation.Â* But this slowed down quite quickly,
and with 37 contacts in the log on 40m, callers dried up.Â* I was 7 short of
qualifying the park for the global WWFF program.

The 37 contacts were spread across VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7.Â* Other than
the Park to Park contacts with Mark and Ade, I had made the following Park
to Park QSOS.

Alan VK2MG/p -Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550
Andrew VK7DW/p Â*Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1156


I also logged Graham VK3SOL/p operating portable at the Echuca Moama Steam
Rally.



I then headed to 3.610 on the 80m band where I called CQ.Â* This was
answered by Adrian VK5FANA, followed by Ivan VK5HS/mobile and then Andy
VK5LA/mobile.Â* I logged a further 5 stations, all from Victoria.Â* Peter
VK3ZPF was contact number 44.

To complete the activation I QSYd to the 20m band where I found Mike
VK6MB/8 in theÂ*Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park VKFF-0505.Â* Mike had a
brilliant 5/9 signal down to the beach from his iconic location in the
Northern Territory.Â* I then moved up to 14.315 and worked Hans VK6XN.Â*
Sadly Hans was my only caller.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4SMA/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
VK4SOE/pÂ*(Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
VK5FANA
VK2RP/m
VK2BDR/m
VK5LA/m
VK5HS/m
VK2HPN/1
VK3ELH
VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
VK3SOL/p
VK2LEE
VK3NXT
VK2NP
VK2HHA
VK3SQ
VK3PF
VK3ZPF
VK4TJ
VK4CPS
VK2IO/m
VK3TKK/m
VK7DW/p (Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1156)
VK7FGRA
VK3MAB
VK5TT
VK4VXX/5
VK3ER
VK2QK
VK5PL
VK3ARH
VK3AHR
VK7CC
VK3ANL
VK2VW
VK7ME
VK3KAI


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5FANA
VK5HS/m
VK5LA/m
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK3ARH
VK3ZPF
VK3SQ


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK6MB/8 (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park VKFF-0505)
VK6XN


It was now coming up to 2.15 p.m. and time for us to pack up.Â* Marija had
qualified Canunda for VKFF and I had qualified the Marine park for VKFF and
WWFF.Â* We drove back down the beach and up the sand dunes, where we got the
air pressure generator out and put the tyres back up to their correct psi.



We drove back into Tantanoola and called into the Tantanoola Pub for a few
drinks.Â* The hotel is well known for having the Tantanoola Tiger on
display.Â* During the late 1800s it is reported that a Bengal tiger escaped
from a travelling circus.Â* Soon after, locals started reporting missing
sheep and cattle, but despite extensive searches, no animal was found.Â* And
then in August 1895, a local man, Thomas Donovan shot an animal believed to
the the tiger.Â* However it appears that it was not the tiger, but most
likely a Eurasian wolf.







We drove back to Mount Gambier and had a shower and then headed to Jens
Hotel for dinner.Â* We had an arranged dinner with a group incuding Rob
VK4AAC and his wife Doris, John VK5NJ and his wife Tanina, Joe VK3YSP and
his wife Julie VK3FOWL, Ross from Strictly Ham and his son.Â* This was a
great night with lots of laughs.












References.

Attractions online directory, 2018,
http://www.attractions.net.au/attractions/sa/tantanoola/woakwine-range-wind-farm-tourist-drive/21341/,
viewed 18th June 2018

Govt of South Australia, Marine Park 19 Lower South East Marine Park

Mount Gambier Point, 2018,
https://www.mountgambierpoint.com.au/attractions/tantanoola-tiger/,
viewed 18th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bonney_SE, viewed
18th June 2018


///////////////////////////////////////////
Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park 5CP-225 and VKFF-0804

Posted: 17 Jun 2018 08:34 PM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2018/06/18/tantan...and-vkff-0804/


It was now day two (Saturday 9th June 2018) of our trip to the south east
of South Australia.Â* Despite it being a very chilly morning, Marija and I
were very pleased to see some blue sky outside.Â* The weather forecasters
had predicted some wet weather, but there appeared to be no sign of that at
Mount Gambier.

We hit the road quite early and headed Subway in Mount Gambier for a coffee
and an egg and bacon roll.Â* We then headed out to the historic Glencoe
Woolshed, about 25 km north west of Mount Gambier.

We picked up the key and paid a small fee at the local Glencoe General
Store.

The Glencoe district was first settled in 1844, just 8 years after the
colonisation of South Australia.Â* Edward and Robert Leake established a
sheep shearing station and had named the property after Glen Coe in
Scotland.Â* The Leake holdings comprised about 90,000 acres stretching from
Mount Muirhead near Millicent encompassing the Mount Gambier region to the
Penola Road.







The Leake brothers were originally from Rosedale in Tasmania and then moved
to South Australia, bringing with them Saxon Merino sheep.Â* In around 1857
they built a two storey home, calling it Frontier House.Â* Sadly this
building has now been demolished.Â* However the two storied coach house,
stables, and grooms quarters are still standing.

One of the brothers, Robert, died in 1860.Â* This left Edward to manage the
property on his own.Â* When his flock of sheep reached 50,000, he decided
that a good shearing shed was required.Â* In 1863 the Glencoe Woolshed was
constructed.





The shearing shed has hand adzed, cathedral like arched blackwood beams
with supporting posts of pit sawn blackwood.Â* The roof timbers were laid on
the ground and marked with Roman numerals to assist in their assembly.Â* The
roman numerals are still clearly visible today.








Glencoe is unique in that it was never converted to a mechanised shearing.Â*
At its peak there were about 38 shearers at Glencoe, as well as
roust-a-bouts, wool classers and shed hands.Â* The most sheep shorn in one
year at Glencoe is 53,000.Â* A total of 2,000 sheep were shorn in that year,
with an extra 100 men employed.








We then left Glencoe and headed to the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park
5CP-225 & VKFF-0804.Â* The park is situated about 36 km north west of Mount
Gambier and about 434 km south east of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Tantanoola Caves Conservation
Park.Â* Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park is about 14 hectares in size and
features the Tantanoola Cave, a dolomite cavern which contains spectacular
stalactites and helictites.Â* The park is one of South Australias oldest
reserves.Â* It was first dedicated in 1930 and was the first in Australia to
provide wheelchair access to a show cave.Â* The park also contains the
Up-and-Down Rocks, a stranded marine cliff which towers over the Princes
Highway which runs passed the park.

The park was discovered in 1930 by Boyce Lane, a 16 year old boy who was
out rabbit hunting with his pet ferret in an area known as Hanging Rocks.Â*
Boyces ferret disappeared down a small hole in the cliffs whilst chasing a
rabbit and would not come back out of the hole.Â* Boyce returned to his
nearby home to collect a torch and notify his brother.Â* They returned and
climbed through the small hole and then shined their torches around to
discover the cave.
Above:- Boyce Lane, aged 21.Â* Image courtesy of ABC

The two boys shared their discovery with their father George Lane, and
later that day a group of men returned later that day to investigate.Â* It
did not take long for news of the discovery of the cabe to spread
throughout the local community.Â* The Lane family then opened up the cave to
the public.Â* The entrance to the cave was only.Â* The Lane family later
increased the size of the opening and hand rails and electric lighting were
used to make the cave more accessible for visitors.
Above:- Article from The Mail, Adelaide, Sat 12 April 1930.Â* Courtesy of
Trove

Sadly, by the 1980s, Occupational Health and Safety had taken hold and due
to safety issues the cave was declared as unsafe and was closed.Â* The cave
was subsequently taken over by Parks Australia and was reopened in 1983.
Above:- Aerial view of the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park and the
surrounding countryside.Â* Image courtesy of google maps

The name Tantanoola is derived from the aboriginal word tentunola which
means boxwood/brushwood hill of camp.Â* The town of Tantanoola is situated a
few kms to the north west of the park.Â* TantanoolaÂ*was originally named
Lucieton byÂ*Governor JervoisÂ*after his daughter Lucy Caroline, on 10th July
1879.Â* It was changed byÂ*Governor RobinsonÂ*to Tantanoola on 4th October
1888.
Above:- Aerial view showing the location of the park to the east of the
town of Tantanoola.Â* Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.



We had arrived at the caves just at the start of a tour, so we had a look
through the small but very interesting visitor centre.






We then did the Clifftop Look walk which offers some terrific views of the
surrounding countryside, including the nearby Lake Bonney and Woakwine
Range wind farms.







The original entrance to cave is visible above the current day entrance.





After our walk we joined the tour guide who explained the history of the
park and then took us inside the cave which is truly quite spectacular.Â*
The cave measures 25 metres by 18 metres and is 8 metres in height.Â* It is
believed the age of the cave is more than 300,000 years.







Numerous fossil remains have been located in the park including bryozoa,
brachopods,Â* molluscs, shark teeth and extinct megafauna Zygomaturus
trilobus and sthenurine kangaroos, and fossils of an unidentified seal.





Once we completed the tour we returned back to the vehicle where Marija
quickly activated the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.Â*
As we were activating from the car, the activation would not count for the
VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.

I spotted Marija on parksnpeaks whilst she called CQ on 7.139.Â* First in
the log was Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula.Â* Within 10 minutes
Marija had contact number 10 in the log, with a QSO with Rod VK7FRJG in
Tasmania.Â* Marija had qualified the park for VKFF and it was time for us to
hit the road for our next stop for the day.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK5FANA
VK2IO/p (Dooragan National Park VKFF-0143)
VK5NJ
VK2VW
VK5KX/3
VK4VXX/5
VK3PF
VK2MKE
VK4TJ
VK7FRJG


I worked the following station on 40m SSB:-

VK2IO/p (Dooragan National Park VKFF-0143)




References.

ABC, 2018,
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-27/boy-loses-ferret-finds-tantanoola-caves/6979856,
viewed 18th June 2018

Department for Environment and Heritage, 2008, Tantanoola Caves
Conservation Park Management Plan.

National Trust, 2018,
https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/glencoe-woolshed/, viewed 18th
June 2018

National Trust South Australia, Visitor Guide to the Glencoe Woolshed

Wikipedia, 2018,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantanoola,_South_Australia, viewed 18th
June 2018