Hi all
A large post but those not interested can turn off.
We have just returned from our first big trip following retirement and purchase of our Aussie Swag camper. Had a great trip, no problems to speak of and both the Paj and the camper performed fantastically.
Here is a brief summary of where we travelled, if anyone is interested in more detail of particular aspects just let me know and I more than willing to expand.
Melbourne to
Broken Hill—rain, rain and more rain the further north we went—most unusual
BH to Tibboburra—road wet and slippery. Tibbo an interesting community with lots happening. National Parks office a
mine of information.
Tibbo to Camerons Corner via
The Loop and Middle Road through Sturt Nat
Park. Great trip and road in excellent condition. We were to stay at
Fort Grey but the flies chased us away so lunch at CC and then—
CC to Cullyamulla
Waterhole via Bollards
Lagoon and
Bore Track.
Well that was after I found that we had to actually go into the station to start the trek. Why didn’t someone tell me that before??? Bollards was good,
Bore Track hard going, particularly as it was getting late when we hit it. Camped at Cullyamulla and it was great. Dig Tree,
Cooper Creek cruise and Innaminka were all interesting.
Inna to
Birdsville via Track 15 and
Walkers Crossing. Had intended
Cordillo Downs but there were some horror stories on condition and the Inna locals advised the way we went. Another great trip, just need to concentrate on the track at times as turns etc were sometimes difficult to spot, particularly across the gas fields.
Birdsville—yep caught up with Ruth at the caravan
park and did Big Red.
Birdsville to Mt Isa, road about 60% bitumen now and shortly to be all bitumen so good trip and Mt Isa was great.
Then straight to
Darwin via highway and stayed in
Darwin for 2 weeks catching up with our son and his family for the birth of our grandson—naturally a great time.
Darwin to
Borroloola via
Carpentaria Highway. Had intended via
Roper Bar but caravans are banned on the road from Roper to
Cape Crawford and not sure how a camper would be assessed. Glad we did after we did the “good” part of the
Savannah Way.
Borroloola to
Lawn Hill, had intended via
Burketown but gave up on the road at
Doomadgee and went through
Lawn Hill Station. Good trip on that part but the
Savannah Way is (in our opinion) not a place to drive anything you value, at least this late in the season I guess. Stayed at Adels Grove and it was fantastic.
Lawn Hill camp area sparse and further from the
water so given that it was 40 degrees by now we were glad of the shade and proximity to
water at Adels.
Adels to
Winton via
Gregory Downs and Burke and Wills roadhouse, then
Longreach,
Roma (both worth the time to get there). Had intended from here to go down central NSW to home but the temps were 6 to 9 above average so we were hitting 38/40 most days and the lure of the coast saw us head to
Brisbane then down the NSW coast (taking a few days at a couple of spots) to home.
Distance travelled : 11783 kms
Time taken : 43 days
Fuel used : 1997 litres
Average price paid (Unleaded) : $1.307, highest $1.56 at Innaminka and
Daly Waters
Fuel consumption (average) : 16.95 L/100kms ( which I am pleased with given some of the conditions we drove in).
We had a fantastic time, cannot pick the highlight but the lowlight was definite dsappointment with
Savannah Way given all the promotion being done for it.
Rusty