Where To Stay ...
Heading south-west from the South Australian town of
Port Augusta, you’ll reach Iron Knob, just 73 kilometres
down National Highway A1 (Eyre Highway). Turn right
onto Nonning Road and head roughly north-west for
around 125 kilometres, in a couple of hours you’ll come
across a submarine emerging from the red earth. Yes! A
submarine.
The strange sight of a submarine in the desert marks the
entrance to Mount Ive Station (homestead), a perfect place
to base your-
self while at
Lake Gaird-
ner.
No n n i n g
Road is dirt,
typical of most South Australian outback roads, reason-
ably well made, often a little chopped up, lined with beau-
tiful scenery. It’s well worth taking your time, enjoy the
views, enjoy the ride.
Mount Ive Station is perfectly located within the Gawler
Ranges, home to one of Australia’s most beautiful salt (or
dry) lakes; Lake Gairdner. The station was established in
1867 and has been opened to public for accommodation,
fuel and basic supplies since around 2002.
Accommodation ranges from old stones buildings (with
full bedding), shearers quarters (with separate rooms and
shared bathrooms), to camping (powered and unpow-
ered). Rates are extremely competitive, as are the prices
for fuel and supplies, including a well-equipped bar.
Mount Ive offers a great experience of the Australian
outback, natural and human history abound, with plenty
of tracks to explore the area.
The station is just 32 kilometres from the banks of Lake
Gairdner which, forms the northern boundary of the
900 square
kilometre
property. A
private road
provides ac-
cess to the
pristine white salt of the lake however, depending on
the time of year the privately-owned track can be quite a
handful, toward the end of Speed Week it can be quite a
challenge, but is well worth the effort.
Mount Ive Station
When travelling the Australian outback make Mount
Ive and Lake Gairdner a must stop, it won’t disappoint and
shares a greater authenticity than some of the much more
commercial tourist spots.
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