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Beauty of living in the bush

Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 09:20

Member - Duncs

Just posted a couple of pics from our "long weekend" trip last weekend.

Camped in Chambers Gorge, and Sturt National Park, visited Yunta, Blinman, Angorichina, Balcanoona, Montecolina Bore, Cameron's Corner & Tibooburra.

Saw mountains, gorges, ruins, sand dunes, cliffs, outback stations, birds, animals, reptiles and masses of wildflowers.

Had a great laugh at the Corner Store and donated a little cash to the RFDS in the process. A great investment, everyone's a winner.

The only thing we didn't see was tourists. You guys keep believing it is too hot to camp out here this time of year. Please.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
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Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
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AnswerID: 142102   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 09:52

Member - Duncs replied:

Should have said just click on my Rig/Profile. The pics are in my gallery.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
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Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
Reply 1 of 4
FollowupID: 395716   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 10:53

Coyote posted:

lucky bastard..
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 395717   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 10:56

Coyote posted:

am soo jealous.. have abrand new GU and haven't been able to get away from work to even get it dirty.. in fact the bloody crying shame of it all is the closest it's come to getting dirty s a 5 minute drive on the beach South of Adleaide.. You're photo's make me envious.. good on ya..
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 142147   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 15:35

Smitty replied:

Duncs - mate that looks like a top trip!

Can I ask - how heavy is your trak shak camper and have you ever had any trouble dragging it into certain places? My mate is looking at one. Also, how long does is take to set up?

Cheers
Smithy
Reply 2 of 4
FollowupID: 395764   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 18:42

Member - Duncs posted:

Smithy,

The Trak Shak is the best investment I have made as far as touring goes.

The Trak Shak empty is 660kg. On this trip we carried 60l of water, 20kg of LPG, clothing for 5 for 4 days plus a bit extra in case of accidents or changes in weather, camping gear, cooking gear, tables & chairs and food for 5 people for 4 days (always carry a little extra) although most of the food was in the fridge in the car.

It's a guess but I'd say about 800kg max for the trailer, on this trip.

All spares, tools and recovery gear are carried in the car.

When we did Cape York it was obviously a lot heavier, probably around 1100kg. It was longer trip so we carried more of everything.

While touring I have never stopped on a track and thought I could get there if I did not have the trailer. It tows beautifully. Whether you are crawling along in low range or scooting down the highway the Trak Shak behaves very well, and requires little extra thought. Mine has doen about 36,000km off road. Simpson Desert, Lake Eyre, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Northern Tablelands and Vic High Country to name a few. The only repairs I have doen were to replace the overide brake cable, shockie bushes were done once about 4 or 5 years ago and then earlier this year I replace the shokies along with the mounting bolts and bushes.

I don't generally take it out on the "boys weekend testosterone track" but it has been to places others would not take the solo 4wd. The old GQ had some fancy suspension and 2 diff locks. It took a lot of stopping.

It takes about 10 mins to set up but when the kids were younger I have had them in bed before the first peg was in the ground about 2 mins. My best effort was to pull up at 11:30pm and be in bed by 11:45pm. That was a quick stop on a very still night. When I think about it I have come pretty close to that a few times.

In case you haven't guessed I love it. It has taken my Missus out of the caravan park and made her very comfortable in the bush, where I want to be.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
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Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142171   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 18:49

Wayne (NSW) replied:

Duncs,

Now the secret is out.
Did you walk into the gorge? Some good examples of rock art. We stay there on our first night of the Simpson trip, and the other places you went to we do on our Flinders trip.

This time of year there wouldn't be any body about except the flies.

Wayne
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Reply 3 of 4
FollowupID: 395788   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 21:59

Member - Duncs posted:

We have stayed there a couple of times now. We camp just before the sign that says "no vehicles past this point".

This time we did a bit of exploring on the other side of the river, just before you cross it for the last time before our camp. Some driving and a little bit of walking. Found a few good specimens of Sturts Desert Pea. Had not seen them growing in the wild before so that was nice.

The family travelling with us have never been west of Broken Hill before, it was a real eye opener for them. We walked down the gorge a checked out the rock art and then went a bit further down the main gorge.

We really did have the place to ourselves. It was so windy tha not even the flies were out.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
Click Image to Enlarge
Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142187   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 21:13

GREENDOG replied:

Hi Duncs sounds like you had a good trip mate,yeah i agree mate does'nt matter what time of the year it is if you can get away up north for a coule of days why not i reckon,and there's nothin like a top camp sight like chamber's gorge cheer's GREENDOG
Reply 4 of 4
FollowupID: 395790   Submitted: Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 22:03

Member - Duncs posted:

Yeah Greendog,

It was great to get away. I really needed it too, work has been a pain recently. I normally love going to work but a couple of management decisions have added a little stress.

Nothing like a little drive in the country to restore that happy, carefree demenor that I am famous for.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
Click Image to Enlarge
Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
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