Lance & Marion's 2013 Trip
Only 5 days before we head north for the vast desert spaces of Australia's outback via the Oodnadatta track, East and West MacDonnells around Alice, then out west for 1000kms or so along the Gary Junction track to meet the Canning Stock Route. From here we'll travel north to the Tanami and Halls Creek and then further on up to the Kimberley and Kakadu. We've booked Koolpin Gorge (hope the wet has receded enough for it to open) and also the 5 day Jatbula walk from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls.
2012 Mount Moffatt Section Carnarvon National Park
Sunday 23rd December – Wednesday 26th December
We had previously visited all three other sections of the Carnarvon National Park but never the Mount Moffatt section. We had spent the night at the Injune Race Course (with fresh water and toilets) but with storms hanging around the gorge we thought Mount Moffatt would elude us again. However, after speaking with the ranger, we decided to set off and check out the track.
Simpson Desert Day 1
It is always an exiting day when we depart Alice Springs for our 8 day tour of the Simpson. Today was twice as exciting because my Nissan decided to give some slight trouble, requiring a new brake caliper. Despite the mechanical issue, we departed on time and headed for the Old South Road.
When we started on the gravel, everybody was instructed about the footprint method of tyre management.
DougOutOnTheRiver 04
This leg involved a long trip up to the Centre much of it on tar, to get around the floods on the Birdsville. I dropped in (like an A-bomb!) on Woomera, went underground at Coober Pedy, spent a night with fire-crazed tourists at the Oodnadatta Pink Roadhouse, dipped into Dalhousie Springs, Journeyed to the Centre of the Australia, and followed the red dirt (rail)road to Chambers Pillar.
Then back on the tar to the Rock (wet and dry), along the dirt road to the West Macdonalds,
The Binns Track and into the Kimberley
We are setting off from Newcastle on 7 June to the National 4x4 clubs gathering in Pomona Qld. From there we will have six vehicles heading West to Innamincka, down the Streszlecki Track, up the Oodnadatta Track and out to Dalhousie Springs. Deviating from the formal Binns Track we intend to travel via Mt Dare to Finke, Lambert Centre, Chambers Pillar, Rainbow Valley to Alice Springs. Then out to Arltunga and follow the Binns Track to Halls Creek. We will then spend about 3 weeks in various parts of the Kimberley.
First trip to the Red Centre (via Strzelecki, Birdsville & Oodnadatta Tracks)
A report to let you know that I have returned safely from my Great Red Centre Adventure! I had a great time even though some things didn't go quite as planned. I saw so much and realised how much more there is to see!! I can't wait for the next trip now. Anyway, here's a description of what I did and where I went:
Day 1 – Sat 9/4: Canberra to Narrandera
With the Howling Moon rooftop tent installed the night before,
2009 Trip - William Creek to Alice Springs
Back to previous chapter Lake Eyre and the Painted Hills
Leaving William Creek we headed towards Coober Pedy on roads that some of us had not previously travelled. The road goes first through sand dunes then through stark gibber country, made more desolate by the drought. From Coober Pedy and its opal mines we turned north towards Oodnadatta. Although at least some of this land is in cattle stations we saw very few stock and marvelled that anything could survive in this dry desolate country.
Trip to Central Australia - May to June 2006
4/5/06 Thursday – West Wyalong – West Wyalong Caravan Park ($19)
Travelled via Harden and Temora to West Wyalong. A beautiful day. Had dinner in Service and Citizens Club within easy walking distance from c’van park. Our drive through site backs onto the oval – feels like home. This place is called ‘The Quiet One’ – I’d hate to stay in ‘The Noisy One’. The trip was without event, through dry country with little traffic.
South of Alice Springs
South of Alice Springs, including Chambers Pillar, Rainbow Valley, Owen Springs and Henbury Meteor Craters.
Leaving Alice Springs via the Old South Road (Finke Road), we followed the alignment of the now disused Old Ghan Railway. A section of the line has been retained to MacDonnell Siding; the site of the National Road Transport Hall of Fame and Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum - see a previous blog about these. A tourist train takes visitors along this eight kilometre stretch of line.
Down the Ghan Heritage Trail to Charlotte Waters.
Tuesday 29th July, 2008
A few km west of Charlotte Waters NT
025 51 8.49 134 51 33.64
Cattle country indeed and believe me it has been nearly entirely denuded of all grass and vegetation. The ground is a sea of loose dust just waiting to be blown asunder. Thank god for droughts and overgrazing…NOT!.
The day began early with the game plan being an 8.30 pick up of Drew at the Alice Springs Resort. I left the park at 8.10 a.m. and headed for town.
Finke River to Boggy Hole
After our walk we decided it would be a nice time of day to be driving along the Finke River to Boggy Hole so it was about 4.30pm when we went through Hermansburg and just on sunset when we made it to the waterhole at Boggy Hole. It was a sensational drive, extremely scenic and varied. Sometimes we were driving along a rocky section of the creekbed, other times it was soft and sandy. At time the cliffs glowed red with the afternoon light and there were many good spots we could have stopped to camp.
