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Author Topic: Painted Hills - Australia  (Read 10211 times)

dreed

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Painted Hills - Australia
« on: March 28, 2012, 10:05:55 am »

Whilst watching the "Lake Eyre" show on the ABC earlier this month, I became aware of a region in the Australia that's called "The Painted Hills". Unfortunately it's on private land and currently the only way to see it is via plane flights over the top (with permission of the land owners). There are no helicopter flights over or in/out or other means of easy access (I've asked).

In terms of access at ground level, my estimates from current research are that it is approximately an 8km trek (3 to 4 hr walk) over the outback from the nearest "road" to the boarder of an area that's about 20km x 10km. But that's just it - I'm guesstimating because the exact location is secret. But now that it's a known feature, the secret will only last until someone uploads the flight path from a GPS and/or GPS coordinates from a GPS enabled phone/camera when they go "snap".

In terms of photographic potential it's an unknown. As far as I can tell, all of the photographs I can find on the Internet are from planes. Similarly I have no idea about which regions inside that 200km2 area are good/bad.

I'm wondering if there are others, either local or abroad, who would be interested in writing to the owners and seeking permission to travel and shoot there. I'm hoping that if I can find a group of interested people then I've got a better chance of success than trying to do it solo.

Update: further research shows the area in question to be within the Woomera Protected Area (weapons testing) zoned "Infrequent Use". It is thus necessary to contact the relevant government offices to see what the protocol is for people looking to venture in and take photographs. The current paperwork is focused on supporting companies doing mineral exploration, which is not exactly a good fit.
« Last Edit: March 29, 2012, 12:24:39 am by dreed »
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Tony Jay

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2012, 07:27:47 pm »

You have caught my interest here.

Sadly as you are already hinting at fighting through the levels of bureaucracy to get to where one wants to be, both literally and metaphorically, in Australia is not for the faint hearted.
It seems that any areas once restricted for any reason, a good example recently is road closures in remote areas and National Parks due to flood damage, are subsequently followed by extreme reluctance to grant access again.
I must stress that the above statement is not mean't to be a blanket statement but I am personally aware of many examples.

I will do some research into the issue posed.
As a thought - would there be any advantage in getting Ken Duncan involved to investigate access issues.

Regards

Tony Jay
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Tony Jay

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2012, 07:09:57 am »

http://www.smh.com.au/news/south-australia/discovery-of-the-painted-hills/2006/10/12/1160246265152.html?page=1

This link details some information about the Painted Hills.
Although I made a sort of rant about government limitation in general it appears in this case that individual landowners limit access to the area.
As the article indicates, as you allude to, one can overfly the place and photograph it but not approach the area from the ground.
The information above is dated, 2006 to be precise.

I will keep digging.

Regards

Tony Jay
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dreed

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2012, 12:06:44 pm »

http://www.smh.com.au/news/south-australia/discovery-of-the-painted-hills/2006/10/12/1160246265152.html?page=1

This link details some information about the Painted Hills.
Although I made a sort of rant about government limitation in general it appears in this case that individual landowners limit access to the area.

In this case, if the region does fall within the Woomera Protected Area, there will be some sort of arrangement (lease for 99 years or similar) with the Australian Government and those that run Anna Creek Station that allows pastoral use of the land and thus strictly speaking, it isn't privately owned.

However courtesy requires that all stakeholders be consulted.
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dreed

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2012, 01:07:04 am »

The reply from the Department of Defence, which manages this land under the Woomera Weapons Testing area responded thusly:

Due to the sensitive cultural significance of the area for the indigenous peoples, there is no ground access to the Painted Hills area, only air charter sight seeing.
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dreed

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2012, 11:00:19 am »

You have caught my interest here.
...
As a thought - would there be any advantage in getting Ken Duncan involved to investigate access issues.

As he is doing a book signing at his Melbourne store this weekend, I popped in and asked him what approach he'd take and unfortunately he thinks I've painted myself into a corner through trying to do it the right way (nobody will actually want to give permission.) Sigh, sometimes it sucks trying to do the right thing.
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Tony Jay

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2012, 05:24:05 am »

Well I would keep it under the radar for a while and see if anything changes in the next couple of years.

Regards

Tony Jay
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2012, 02:08:50 am »

As he is doing a book signing at his Melbourne store this weekend, I popped in and asked him what approach he'd take and unfortunately he thinks I've painted myself into a corner through trying to do it the right way (nobody will actually want to give permission.) Sigh, sometimes it sucks trying to do the right thing.
I made some enquiries a few years ago and came up against the same obstacles. I did find out however that I would have painted myself into a much littler corner with not very nice consequences had I not done the right thing - and went there and was seen and apprehended.

Then there is also the issue of the photographs.... and providing documentation that you went there by land legally.... and if you couldn't everyone would know that you tresspassed.

I had to find different locations and sadly just put that one down to a 'no-go' area.

Julie
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dreed

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2012, 09:45:56 pm »

I made some enquiries a few years ago and came up against the same obstacles. I did find out however that I would have painted myself into a much littler corner with not very nice consequences had I not done the right thing - and went there and was seen and apprehended.

Then there is also the issue of the photographs.... and providing documentation that you went there by land legally.... and if you couldn't everyone would know that you tresspassed.

I had to find different locations and sadly just put that one down to a 'no-go' area.

Julie

I'm not sure if you're aware, but a large section of South Australia close around and including Lake Eyre was recently awarded to the aborigines under native title. See: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2012/519.html

I don't know if that means talking with and getting the thumbs up from the Arabana people would be worthwhile or not.
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2012, 06:20:40 am »

I'm not sure if you're aware, but a large section of South Australia close around and including Lake Eyre was recently awarded to the aborigines under native title. See: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2012/519.html

I don't know if that means talking with and getting the thumbs up from the Arabana people would be worthwhile or not.
Thankyou for this information. It's a pretty hefty document!! But I will have a look and see what possibilities there may be in the future.

Julie
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OnyimBob

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2012, 07:38:38 pm »

Just out of interest thought people might enjoy this on topic link - http://thesentimentalbloke.com/
BTW Glad to see you "up and about again" Julie.
Bob.
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Tony Jay

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2012, 07:56:53 pm »

Just out of interest thought people might enjoy this on topic link - http://thesentimentalbloke.com/

Those images do no good for my blood pressure.
All I want to do is get out there.
Those images are definately too good for my mental health.

Regards

Tony Jay
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2012, 09:01:24 pm »

Just out of interest thought people might enjoy this on topic link - http://thesentimentalbloke.com/
BTW Glad to see you "up and about again" Julie.
Bob.

Thanks Bob. Yep..up and about again...and travelling around Australia and being creative! Just had a 7 week, 15,000km drive to Karijini in Western Australia. Amazing! Just started to look at my files..although happy snaps and offerings of poetry on my Blog along the way... but SOOO good to be travelling and expressing myself through my photography again !!!  (hope you are keeping warm and dry in that hideous Victorian weather! )

Julie
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Tony Jay

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2012, 09:54:03 pm »

...travelling around Australia and being creative! Just had a 7 week, 15,000km drive to Karijini in Western Australia ... but SOOO good to be travelling and expressing myself through my photography again !!!  

Just had a mozy around your website Julie - really nice pics in there.
Spent some time grinding my teeth in frustration though - I have to wait until late August to start my travels to the Kimberley - only five weeks though, sob, but better than nothing.
Yet to get around to Karijini sadly, so many places to visit and so little time!

Look forward to seeing more offerings from your recent trip though.

Regards

Tony Jay
« Last Edit: June 12, 2012, 09:56:05 pm by Tony Jay »
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2012, 10:07:31 pm »

Just had a mozy around your website Julie - really nice pics in there.
Spent some time grinding my teeth in frustration though - I have to wait until late August to start my travels to the Kimberley - only five weeks though, sob, but better than nothing.
Yet to get around to Karijini sadly, so many places to visit and so little time!

Look forward to seeing more offerings from your recent trip though.

Regards

Tony Jay

Thank you for your kind words about my images.   and ahhh yes... so many places to visit and so little time!!!

Julie
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OnyimBob

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2012, 10:15:26 pm »

Watching the water recede - warm and snug. The flood peaked about 3 metres below our buildings.
The outback (wherever you are - I was recently in WA north of Kalgoorlie and a year or two ago the Flinders Ranges) is always spectacular - perhaps "thrilling" is a better word - isn't it?
Happy travels to you. My wife & I are off to Turkey in 10 days. I'm doing a weeklong workshop with Peter Turnley in Istanbul while we're there. Also going to give my Nex 7 a good try out (I'm already thrilled with it). I've bought a Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 lens for the streets.
Following Turkey we're going to Vienna for 2 weeks. If I sound excited, it's because I am.
Cheers, Bob.
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2012, 10:23:47 pm »

Watching the water recede - warm and snug. The flood peaked about 3 metres below our buildings.
The outback (wherever you are - I was recently in WA north of Kalgoorlie and a year or two ago the Flinders Ranges) is always spectacular - perhaps "thrilling" is a better word - isn't it?
Happy travels to you. My wife & I are off to Turkey in 10 days. I'm doing a weeklong workshop with Peter Turnley in Istanbul while we're there. Also going to give my Nex 7 a good try out (I'm already thrilled with it). I've bought a Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 lens for the streets.
Following Turkey we're going to Vienna for 2 weeks. If I sound excited, it's because I am.
Cheers, Bob.
Glad you are warm and snug. Happy travels to you too Bob and I look forward to seeing your images when you return. ...yes you do sound excited! ;D ;D

Julie
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mediumcool

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #17 on: July 15, 2012, 12:44:35 pm »

I'm not sure if you're aware, but a large section of South Australia close around and including Lake Eyre was recently awarded to the aborigines under native title. See: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2012/519.html

I don't know if that means talking with and getting the thumbs up from the Arabana people would be worthwhile or not.

If the new indigenous managers have any entrepreneurial sense at all, coupled with support from governments to get it going, they will encourage guided photographic and environmental trips into the region and offer value-added things like high-quality camping facilities. This is done elsewhere, providing income and employment for indigenous groups in many parts of the world.

But there’s always the Painted Desert, or the much more beautiful (to my mind)—and more accessible—Flinders Ranges.
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jule

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Re: Painted Hills - Australia
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2012, 06:38:19 am »

If the new indigenous managers have any entrepreneurial sense at all, coupled with support from governments to get it going, they will encourage guided photographic and environmental trips into the region and offer value-added things like high-quality camping facilities. This is done elsewhere, providing income and employment for indigenous groups in many parts of the world.

But there’s always the Painted Desert, or the much more beautiful (to my mind)—and more accessible—Flinders Ranges.
Second vote for the Painted desert. I lvoe there. Last year the road was closed for many months due to the rain. We were there the day after it opened only for a few days we found out later... because we had to high tail it our of there due to an oncoming rain front. Sad about not being able to stop and take photos, but glad we decided to keep driving because the road ended up being closed for another 2 months!!! and although we could possibly have driven out it certainly wrencks the road and can be quite a hairy experience driving in those conditions. We were caught in a storm once.... and I didn't particularly like slipping all over the road towing our camper.. just trying to get to higher ground.

Julie
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