History sought for Bucks Camp, Box Flat campgrounds

The Box Flat campground is located about 30 kilometres from Lameroo with Bucks Camp about 30km from Keith.

NPWS Ranger Ryan Hamood said they were looking to collate further information on the sites, from pre-1980.

“We know that both of the campgrounds have been popular destinations in years past for visitors from local towns, including Lameroo, Keith, Tintinara and Bordertown,” he said.

“But there’s not many photos or stories that we have on file.

“We’re looking to develop further information and signage for these areas and are asking if anyone knows of stories, or photos, to please send them in to us.

“Whether it’s farming information, what people used to do, bits and pieces or photos of picnics, we’d love to see it all, as long as it relates to these areas.”

Ryan said Bucks Camp had a tumbled-down, two-room hut with a nearby soak and old well, while Box Flat had an old three-room hut.

Both areas were also important sites for local First Nations, as the location of several soaks.

Ngarkat Conservation Park includes 270,000 hectares of vegetated sand dunes, mallee and heath.

Many wildlife are found throughout the park, including the rarely spotted malleefowl, western grey kangaroos, emus and more than 120 species of birds.

A number of walking trails give you the opportunity to see the wildlife and get a better appreciation of the vast mallee landscape. Enjoy the magnificent views from Tyms Lookout along a 2 to 3 hour hike. Early attempts to farm this country failed as seen by the ruins of early European pioneering settlements at Box Flat.

Send in your photos and stories by 30 June to ryan.hamood@sa.gov.au