Day: April 26, 2014

Errinundra National Park, 26th April 2014, VKFF158

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The Welcome sign for Errinundra NP

The Welcome sign for Errinundra NP

Fourteen contacts from Errinundra National Park was a good indication that this park was on the wanted list for a number of amateurs. I was on the air at 02:55 and my last contact was at 04:04. Getting to Errinundra was a long drive and I wanted to get out of the park and arrive at our accommodation before darkness. The Park was badly damaged in the recent fires and I was doubtful I would find a reasonable activation spot.

Fire damage at Errinundra NP JCD photo

Fire damage at Errinundra NP JCD photo

Eventually we came to a sign indicating a walk through old growth forest. It was a small circular car park with some picnic spots. For most of the time we were the only people present. My first contact was with VK3MTB, Tim; VK3ZPF, Peter; VK3ANL, Nick at the Alpine National Park; VK3HRA, Allen; VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3PF/P3, Peter who needed this Park to complete 45 as a chaser; VK5HCF, Col; VK3UH, Ken;  VK5HCF, Col; VK5AV, Tim; VK2HRX, Compton on VK2 CT 003; VK2UH, Andrew; VK3MRH, Ron and finally, VK1RAN, Rob in Canberra.

Old Growth Forest Walk

Old Growth Forest Walk

Lind National Park, 25th April 2014, VKFF-287

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I activated Lind National Park early in the morning of the 26th April 2014 (UTC 25th April). I was able to catch up with my South Australian mates on 7.073 at 22:40. I exchanged signal reports with VK5ADL, David; VK5TW, Trevor; VK5ZK, Gary; VK5KGP, Graham, VK5TH/P5, Trevor (I gave Trevor 5 and 8 and he gave me 2 and 1: I reckon he should trade in his radio!) and finally, VK5ZTJ/P5, who was camping on the Yorke Peninsula. The worst report I received was 4 and 5 and my best was 5 and 9 (except from VK5TH/P5).

I then checked 7.100 and had the following contacts: VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3HRA, Allen; VK2NNN, Darren; VK2CCJ, Cliff with a magnetic loop: his signal was 5 and 9 and he gave me 5 and 8); VK5AV, Tim; VK2LAX, Rod; VK5HOS, Owen; VK1DI, Ian; VK2KP, Ken, VK5ICP, Col and VK5ZPF, Peter, making 17 contacts.

Lind National Park, one of Victoria’s oldest is small, a mere 1,370 hectares.  The Parks Victoria brochure suggests this park has no facilities for visitors and the recommended way of seeing the park is to drive around the perimeter: Princes Highway – Combienbar Road and then Euchre Valley Scenic Drive. Unfortunately the Euchre Valley Scenic Drive is closed due to the failure of two bridges in the February 2014 fires.  However, great views of the dense rainforest can be seen on the left hand side of the Princes Highway driving towards Cann River,  but there are no places to stop on the Highway and it is very busy. I activated from a spot on the Combienbar Road almost as far as the turn at Club Terrace. There was a small clearing on the edge of the Park. It was not entirely satisfactory because there were logging trucks on the road. A line drawing of the park can be found in the Parks Victoria brochure available for download.