Hi
Explorers
We have just returned home after 14 weeks on the road. We travelled 18000klms, only problems were a puncture (when stop for Lunch Camoorweel) one exhaust bracket. Fuel cost $3250 ranging in cost from $1.09 to $1.59 per litre.
Our journey started in May when we went to
Broken Hill for the Outback Challenge. From there our travels took us to
Yunta then up to
Lake Frome and through the Northern
Flinders Ranges. Travelled up the Oodnaddatta Track including a trip into
Peake Hill OLT station,
well worth the 16klms drive in. Camped at Beresford Station. Went out to
the Painted Desert to
camp and watch the sunrise.
Went out to
Dalhousie springs for a swim and
camp the night, then another swim before heading for Mt Dare, the
Lambert Centre and then up the Ghan track to Maryvale station and then to Chamber's Pillar. From there back to the Ghan to Alice. We had the fun of trying out the Finke Desert Race Track. We took 1 1/2 days, the best of the 4WD's in the race took less that 2 hours.
We had a week in the West McDonald Rangers, followed by a week in the East. The gorges were fantastic,
Palm Valley,
Boggy Hole, 4WD track
Plenty Highway to Artlunga were fun to explore thanks to Exploroz notes.
Depart via the Plenty to
Brisbane, got as far as
Jervois Station and the skies opened and 5 inches of rain fell, waited two days but were forced to turn back. Just as
well as SWMBO decided that Alice was the ideal spot to have an emergency and have her appendix removed. Another week in Alice checking the sights before the all clear to travel.
Very quick run up to Three Ways then
Mount Isa to
Tweed Heads. Too quick, we had 12inches of rain in one day on our arrival, stuck on
hill top for two days waiting for
water to receed. From there we travelled up to
Cairns via Charters Towers. A trip up the skyrail and back by train after a great meal at the
Kuranda Pub.
Time to head out across to the Gulf taking in the sights of
Atherton,
Ravenshoe, Lava caves
Georgetown,
Croydon (would have loved being their in it hey day, the court house ran 24hrs per day just to handle the cases) on to
Normanton and the Gulflander rattler. Up to Kurumba for the Barra on
the beach meal. Finally to
Burketown. CDMA in every town across the top.
Time to head south to
Gregory Downs and then
Lawn Hill, worth every corrugation on the road in. Do not believe you cannot stay there, plenty of space and the
ranger invited us to stay for extra days, you need two days minimum, three or more better. With the weather south of us too cold we headed north to Kingfisher, Hells
Gate to Borrolola before heading south through
Cape Crawford and on to
Mount Isa.
What a cultured town. A Mid Summers night Dream was played in the dry river bed, complete with dancing bobcats and excavtors and top local talent. Not very politically correct, but free and great fun.
The road report said we could head south, but a slight detour took us to have a look at the old Mary Kathleen
mine,
Cloncurry,
Duchess,
Boulia,
Bedourie (ensuite at the caravan
park for $4PP/PN) then onto
Birdsville for Ruth's famous cuppacino and the
Birdsville Bakery with it assortment of pies, plus a drink at the pub. Next day a trip to big Red, which has moved 3klms south since my last crossing of the Simpson.
Then south to
Adelaide via
Farina,
Mulgaria Station,
Andamooka,
Woomera,
Port Augusta and home to
Melbourne.
The trip was great and we got to travel alot of 4WD tracks that I had wanted to do for the last time as sadly my 4WDing days are ended. Time for the GU and the Taj Mahut to be replaced with a motorhome which will curtail some of our adventures.
Thanks to the Exploroz team which kept the road conditions upto date,for the notes from the journals and trek notes which made the trip easier and thanks to the many contributors to the
Forum for their ideas that made the trip fantastic.
Regards Ray and Sue