EASTER CAMPOUT – Cantara Homestead, Coorong National Park

FIELD TRIP: Birds SA

EXCURSION TERRAIN DIFFICULTY: Easy

Cantara Homestead is in the Coorong National Park (230km or about 3hours travel time from Adelaide). Meningie is the nearest place for fuel/supplies etc. (The Salt Creek Roadhouse is permanently closed.) To get there from Adelaide take the south eastern freeway to Murray Bridge and onto Tailem Bend then take the Princess Hwy through Meningie, past Salt Creek and after passing 42 Mile Crossing there will be a road on your left (Cantara Road which links to Keith) continue on the highway for about 1km and look for a dirt road on your right (Old Coorong Road) with a Birds SA sign that will lead you to a locked gate on your right (about another 500m). Once through the gate, follow the track to the Homestead (refer attached Map). All main access roads to the park are suitable for 2WD vehicles, however some of the tracks within the park are 4WD accessible only.

* There will be three padlocks – access for us is via the centre combination lock (9876).  It is important that the gate be locked each time we use it and the combination lock is secured through the other two keyed locks.

We have secured the Cantara Homestead for this camp, which consists of a kitchen and dormitory accommodation of 8 bedrooms that can sleep up to 15 people (please make your dormitory bookings through the camp leader ASAP).  There are three showers and two toilets a very short walk outside.  Camp sites for those wishing to rough it in tents, caravans or motorhomes are available around these quarters.  There is a combustion heater inside, but you must bring your own wood. If the fire ban season has finished, you can use the campfire spot outside.

Camp access for Birds SA will be from 12noon on Thursday 17 April till 12 noon on Wednesday 22 April 2025 (refer to notes below).

NOTES:

1. Please top up your fuel tank before you leave either Tailem Bend or Meningie;
2. The Homestead operates on rainwater catchment only. Water from the filtered tap in the kitchen is fit for drinking and cooking. It is recommended that you bring your own bottled water for drinking;
3. Kitchen: has a gas stove and two fridges for our use. Some utensils are provided, but to be certain, bring any cooking utensils you may need.  There is also a gas barbeque available;
4. Bedrooms: there are 8 share rooms which can be used as bedrooms. One double bunk and 13 single beds are provided. You will need to bring all of your own bedding;
5. Bathroom: three showers and two toilets are available.
6. The fee for a Dormitory bed will be $10 a night (bring your own pillow, sheets and blankets). The fee for those camping (tent/ caravan) will be $10 per person for the duration of the campout. The Camp Organiser will collect all campout fees and issue a receipt;
7. Mobile phone coverage in this area is patchy so assume that you may off the grid;
8. If possible, please bring a handheld UHF radio or vehicle mounted unit.  We will use UHF Channel 14 for our Birds SA communication; 
9. We will be undertaking various birding surveys for anyone interested;
10. We will have the traditional Sunday gas barbeque lunch (bacon and eggs and/or pancakes – you will need to provide the ingredients for the Committee Members present to do the cooking!).

TRIP LEADER: Lynton Huxley (0498466092)

BIRD LIST: Not available