Canning Stock Route Feedback

Lee,

Yes and Yes.

Great Divide Tours, www.4wd.net.au and I have not had a spinifex fire but have seen what they can do.




Wayne

Some cars are more likely to catch spinifex than others. Regular inspection is the main way to prevent fires although some remove underbody bash plates that can gather the grass. Spinifex is not always an issue on the Canning particually if you stick to the main tracks. When the grass does catch fire a regular powder extinguisher wont always put out the flames for long as they tend to reignite. Water in a spray bottle seems to be the recognised way to cool it down enough to put it out properly.
We had a low slung petrol Suzuki start smoking and needed a bent piece of wire to hook the grass out. It was caught in behind an exhaust bracket.
Cheers Craig......

Lee,
Google "Global Gypsies" here in WA.
They've been in business for a long time and have a reputation for quality tours. (Crap firms don't last long)

No personal experience but word of mouth reports are good.

"No connection....... etc"

Disco

If you're travelling a little later in the season, it's not too much of a worry as the streams of vehicles that have travelled the track knock the spinifex down. If early, you'll have to watch it and also put some form of protection screen across the front of the radiator to prevent it filling with grass seeds. The 5 litre pump spray that you would spray weeds in the garden with ($8 at Bunnings) does the job for additional peace of mind but regularly cleaning out is the only sure method.

Cheers. Mick.

I did a tag along with Russel Guest down the CSR in the early 90,s and they were very good ,
also the 5lt pump bottle is the best option ,and a piece of fencing wire to pick out the build up . also a blind made up of shade cloth that hangs down far enough to stop the spinafex from being sucked up in the radiator from under the engine.
mechpete

Check direct4wd at Alice Springs - Joel Flemming is a regular on that run - takes ct,s if it is a good set up .
CheersJohn

Lee T

It's unlikely that anyone is going to agree with this response.

I've travelled a few miles through raw Spinifex over the years, getting around and shooting. Never had an issue.

Where I have had problems, is immature Ant hills hidden in the Spinifex. No problems if there's only a few of them, but if the buggars are within a couple of metres of each other it really starts to knock the car around.

I take the point that some cars are pretty busy at the bottom end, and care should be exercised, but don't let concerns about Spinifex stop your trip.

I'll drop you a line tomorrow about a fella and his missus from SA who take tours up the Canning.

This particular fella got his arse into gear and restored a number of Wells along the Canning. Far as I know no other operater has done the same.

Regards

Kim

Lee T

Here are the contact details:

Treks across Australia.
Ken and Sue Maidment.
53931273 or 0419032418.
www.treksacrossaustralia.

I think he my have a tour in June 2008, but you better check that.

Regards

Kim

doesn,t matter to much , aslo put a piece of fly wire over the grill to stop the same in the core of the radiator ,once it has got in to the core its near on impoosible to get out .
cheers mechpete.