Hay River Track Permit Price

[RippinRutman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RippinRutman]

G'day all.

5 of us are heading off on Friday for our Simpson Desert trip and there is strong depate about the cost of the Hay River permit. Its $200 to traverse the track and $20 a night to stay! Seems bloody excessive to me and I object to paying that sort of money to camp in the bush.

Any idea why it is so expensive and its is worth paying the coin to drive it? I know one bloke is talking about just doing it an avoiding paying.

Cheers

RR

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

That track was really established simply for the tourist trade, everyone is entitled to make a dollar, if you don't like what they charge then don't go.

My understanding is that the camp fee is only for Batton Hill, which has facilities, so completely justified.

Driving it without paying will just ruin it for everyone else, there are endless other places to go for free, so go there instead. Driving without paying is really just theft, a pretty low act.

Cheers Andrew

[RippinRutman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RippinRutman]

I never said I was going to do it without paying. Each to their own. I am more interested in seeing what I really get for $200. Happy to pay for camping - thats fine if there are facilities - of which there are. We have plenty of other options.....

Ive paid for the ferry accross the Jardine everytime I have done the Cape.

From what I can see its similart to the rest of the Desert.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

The small part of the track I drove when doing Madigans was as you say, much like the rest of the desert, but you will get a lot fewer people on the Hay River, which in my book is a huge bonus. It's actually easier as well due to the more north south nature meaning fewer dune crossings.

Obviously you have the opportunity to visit Goyders Pillar from Batton Hill, and Lake Caroline can be of interest to some.

Have a search of the forum and you will find a good trip report from JeffH, that might help you.

Cheers Andrew

[RippinRutman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RippinRutman]

Ok, thanks for that Andrew. Ill look into it.

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Compared to the standard crossing across the QAA/French line the Hay River Track certainly is more interesting with it fauna/flora, slow going in spots and some great camping spots along the way.

Sneaking through Batton Hill (track takes you through the camping grounds) and not paying would be interesting as you would therefore be a trespasser on the native land that covers most of the track before you are in the national park. Each permit lists the rego on their check sheets at Batton Hill

Look at it a different way, you are willing to drive nearly 700Km at $2.00 (or so ($2.40 at GemTree)) per litre of diesel, the permit is nothing much in the overall costs of doing the trip. Same consideration for the Jardine Ferry and its included camping/access permit when taken in context of the costs to get there and back

[NatSX Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close NatSX]

Hay river track was excellent. Northern half quite different to the Simpson proper. Facilities at batton Hill camp were good, I'd happily pay the $20 for water, shower and a toilet again. Respect to the late Lindsay Bookie for opening up the camp and the track. He gave a warm welcome and ran a great tour from the camp. There are many other areas in Australia that have been closed entirely where I'd happily pay a fee to be allowed to have a look..... preferably less $$ but better that than not at all.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

The land at the top is privately owned and the owners are entitled to charge what they like to give you access to their facilities and their tracks on their property. If your mate is unhappy with that tell him not to go. It is common to be charged for access to private land eg. Skytrek in the Flinders. I am with NatSX above.

[OlsensToursandTraining Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OlsensToursandTraining]

The owners of the land deserve to profit from those travelling the track which was created especially for the purpose of providing an income for the extended family. The price is VERY reasonable