When it comes to the access status of a popular tourist track to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, confusion abounds.
Level Post Bay marks the deepest point of the lake when it fills, and has become a prime destination for outback adventurers to witness such occasions.
However the public access route — known as a PAR in government documentation — that bears its name has been closed throughout much of the latest flooding event to the dismay of locals and tourists alike.
For seasoned outback travellers Andrew and Robyn Hall, it was a long trip to make from Canberra only to have to turn back.
His great uncle, Elliot Price, was the original owner of Muloorina Station with a conservation park bearing his name.
"Taking three kids on a month-long trip is always an ordeal, needing a lot of planning," Mr Hall said.
"There are travel websites, some I think were state tourism, that talk about that being the best road to access Lake Eyre.
"We were travelling with another family, we'd prepped and packed all our food and made it out there, only to find it was closed."
Bob Backway is commodore of the Lake Eyre Yacht Club, founded in homage to the sailing events that were held on the lake in the 1970s.
He said the closure of the track had caused distress for the access town of Marree.
"The road that we want open, because it means a lot economically to Marree, has had a chain across it with a lock since about September 2019," Mr Backway said.
"Marree, in order to attract visitors, has to have attractions basically."
One track, three departments
The open status of PARs are listed on the website of the Department of Infrastructure, or rather, they are open if they are not listed.
Travellers are advised to refer to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) for more information.
However, the Pastoral Board, responsible for the opening and closing of PARs, has reverted to operating within the Department of Environment and Water since July 1, having spent the last four years in PIRSA.
It is for this reason that the track remains closed, according to Lisa Edwards, the pastoralist at Muloorina Station where the entrance to the Level Post Bay PAR is located.
"We have been chasing PIRSA for years and years. For months now they won't return our calls," Ms Edwards said.
"We've [fixed] parts of the road on our own dime, and a couple of years ago offered to do the most dangerous section with a scraper and clay at only the cost of diesel as payment.
"To be honest we are tired of chasing this.
"We have no issue with people coming to enjoy Lake Eyre but we want it to be safe.
"Until someone from PIRSA contacts us or comes to remove the signs we are at a standstill."
Bumpy road ahead
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Water said the department is "looking into the matter".
In the meantime, the road will remain officially open but carry signage that it is closed.
For travellers like the Hall family, clear communication would be all that is needed to make a return trip to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
"If that road was open and well advertised it's a real destination," Mr Hall said.
"I'd definitely go back out there because from everything we've heard it is the best viewing spot that is readily accessible."
