The most corrugated track travelled?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 21:40
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Member - Kim M (VIC)
Back around 1999-2000 for some reason that I can't remember, we had to travel from
Alice Springs to Maree to meet up with one of the locals.
After having a look at the map we headed off to Maryvale, but turned off about 12 klms to the left before arriving at the station
shop.
Few eroded gullies but not a problem, and soon came upon the Finke Rail line.
Few up's and down's until we got past the
water tank (whatever it's called), then hit the corrugations at the southern end.
I've travelled a fair bit in the bush during my life, but never came across corrugations like that. The damn things were more like gullies.
Try a we might there was no comfortable speed. 5Kms, 20Kms, 60Kms or 80Kms made no difference. Neither did changing tyre pressures.
By the time we reached the
Finke River I was extracting teeth out of the roof lining. LOL
We pulled into the pump at Finke, and as usual it was closed. Took a bit of time to look under the car expecting the worst.
The standard shocks were as hot as hell, but no apparent damage.
By comparison the rest of the trip to Mt Dare,
Oodnadatta and Maree was akin to driving on bitumen.
Regards
Kim
Reply By: Scubaroo - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 21:51
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 21:51
Cape Leveque Rd (
Broome to
Beagle Bay) is the worst we've encountered on this trip - made the Gibb look like a millpond. Not only are there mega corrugations, but there's what can only be described as a "swell" - it's like driving over rolling waves, with corrugations on top. First time in my life I've felt like I was going to be carsick, and I was driving!
The Windjana to
Tunnel Creek road was crap too - very heavy corrugations - anything over 60kmh and you would start dancing sideways.
AnswerID:
310647
Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:05
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:05
LOL...We call the swells whoops and the
water tank is at Bundooma on the old Ghan Railway line. Now Part of the Finke desert race track. Why it is so corrugated.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:08
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:08
I found that "swell" on the
Cape Leveque road pretty hard to see coming when I travelled that road last year. Makes it interesting.
The worst road I used was the
Balladonia Rd from down near
Cape Le Grand to in WA. Not real deep corrugations but just rough.
It's funny because the last quarter has a 3T weight limit, but there's no warning at the start. I can't imagine anyone turning back once they've got that far along.
AnswerID:
310654
Reply By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:14
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:14
Quizzy
And here's me thinking they were Ferret tracks.
LOL
Regards
Kim
AnswerID:
310656
Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:25
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:25
LOL... I have raced it in late 80's and early 90's bike first and then buggy and the whoops even back then were a lot of fun....not...kinda wish they were ferret tracks. grin
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:28
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:28
Anyway gotta go to bed have the tedious task of having to drive up to
Cape Domett tomorrow and spending a few days chasing crabs and Barra. Oh woe is me but someone has to do it I spose.
FollowupID:
576667
Reply By: Vivid Adventures - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:30
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:30
Anne Beadell "Highway" has some of the worst I've seen... and I've travelled both the Balladonia Road and Finke Road
AnswerID:
310666
Follow Up By: Member - Bentaxle - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:42
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:42
Connie Sue makes Ann Beadell like a gentle bush track
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FollowupID:
576671
Follow Up By: Dasher Des - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:20
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:20
I used to think the Finke Road was my worst then went to the Cape and then recon the Development road to be roughest. A couple of years ago we did the Anne Beadell and the Connie Sue but in my opinion the section of the Gunbarrel from near Warbuton to the maintained section to the west takes the cake in my opinion. Might be as I'm getting older LOL
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:38
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:38
Camerons Corner to Merty Merty Station what a car wrecker, mind youi so was the
Menindee road from
Wentworth at the top end, I reckon the doors were moving in and out about 6 inches on some corrugations
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Dasher Des - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:22
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:22
Hey Bonz, your a scream. You wreck cars on the bitumen. Mind you when the doors were moving in and out about 6 inches, you were in the Handgrenade.
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:49
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:49
Gday Kim,
Hahahahaha....The track is known as the fence line or boundry.
And as Oldsquizzy said ...Bundooma then the woops.
You reckon your shocks were hot? LMAO
We dont usually stop until something falls off! (
wheels, Tire rods, back windows.
Only a couple a years ago it took us 30 pieces of KFC, 30 beers and 8 Hrs to get to Finke. Thats not mentioning 3 flat tyres ( one was on the front left and It wasnt still attached to the car when it happened)...LOL
Cheers
Hairy
AnswerID:
310672
Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:59
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 22:59
Was that extra spicy or plain KFC....Used to be Wishbone Chicken when I lived there.
FollowupID:
576676
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 23:18
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 23:18
Hairy
Pussy Cat stuff. At least you did'nt loose your teeth!
As for you Quizzy.....
LOL
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Royce- Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 23:50
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 23:50
I've found that travelling on the right hand side of the road sometimes is easier.... deadly on the corners but.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Ron O (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 00:08
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 00:08
We just came of the Pt Keats rd 182kms and we are still shaking
but we had a good trip.
AnswerID:
310681
Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:50
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:50
The worst one I have travelled is the fully sealed road from Liverpool Private hospital to the Army hospital in Holsworthy. 5 Days after I had my back fusion. I reckon the driver hit every pot hole he could find.
It was not a pleasant trip.
Cheers Sir Kev
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AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:14
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:14
Sitting back here in a cold Victorian winter, I can't think of one bone shaking, teeth rattling, car destroying, corrugated road that I don't wish I was enduring right now!! 51 days to go and we're off again!!
Viv
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:18
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:18
Always reckoned the development road on
Cape York the worst, especially up near
Bamaga. (Try them late in the year.)
Got out and measured them, 80mm high and 4m apart.
Sitting on 80 didn't work, and 60 was no use at all.
The OT was a relief, only small corrugations, bit of sand and the occasional
creek crossing. Gunshot was fun.
Wife reckons she won't do the trip again unless it is a hovercraft.
But then I havn't been to WA :o)
Didn't think the Finke road was so bad when we were there a few years ago :o0
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:13
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:13
Kim
CSR. Try
Georgia Bore to Cotton
Creek turn-off..the
Talawana Track. About 65km of pure hell at any speed. This section of the track isn't graded and it is where the fuel drums used to be carted to
Well 23.
Cheers
AnswerID:
310718
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:09
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:09
Gidday Willem
Never been accross it, but heard it's a bit of a chore in some parts.
I read your latest trip report with some interest. Almost mirrored the trip we took on from Turee
Creek down south.
One of the things I like to hear from you (via the
forum) is how you keep a team together during cross country trips.
Can't say I'm good at it.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:34
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:34
G'day Kim
On many of my trips I am dealing with people I have never met before or with friends who are coming with me for the first time. A bit of training is involved and a lot of patience. But hey, I make mistakes too and have to rely on those with me to help out so I am forgiving to say the least. Some crazy ideas are sometimes brought up around the
camp fire. Just go with the flow and stay away from arguments.
I find that if dissent about this or that comes to the fore I appoint those complaining as trip leaders for the next day. By the end of that day they have been sorted....LOL
I don't charge any fees and all participants have to look after themselves with the understanding they they are responsible for themselves from A-Z. I can only encourage people to come with the right tyres for the job but invariably they come with what they think suits them and then they have to wear the consequences.
Normally, as trip leader, I try to make the trip as interesting as possible.
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:56
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 21:56
Thanks Willem
Good advice.
I get a bit cranky at times and probably need to put a bit of time into people, rather than the task ahead.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:31
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:31
Innaminka to Coongie Lakes in '01-
although it may have been 'cleaned up' since then...
AnswerID:
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Reply By: VH-GU4 - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:19
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:19
Isn't this why we buy 4WD's, to get out and see the outback. Its all part of the adventure.
AnswerID:
310731
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 17:07
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 17:07
Based on tracks I've done in the past 3 years in this vehicle, starting with the worst
#1 Heather "Horror" Highway
#2 Emu end of Anne Beadell Hwy
#3 Gunbarrell Hwy (all 5 of them)
#4
Connie Sue Hwy north of
Neale Junction
#5
Talawana track
#6 some parts of the Canning
#7 Balladonia- Cape Arid is a bit rough, but not that corrugated
In the old days, the road from
Erldunda to Ayers Rock was pretty bad. I love the way that most of them are called highways!
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 17:25
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 17:25
If you live as we do in the
Lake Macquarie area (
Newcastle) our local roads would make all of the above look like express ways. LOL
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Follow Up By: Steve - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 18:02
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 18:02
i take it you get the courtesy bus up to the "Doylo"?
;-)
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Reply By: GREENDOG - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 20:17
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 20:17
The old Ghan track between the Finke and the Alice,just shook the crap out of every thing,no wounder i've lost teeth since that trip.and the other one that cames to mind would be the track that runs down from the Q.L.D border S.A side into Innamicka.cheer's GREENDOG
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:01
Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:01
Roper Bar to Booraloola, NT.
Max speed 40kph. Lasted 10KM. When rwe realised we had 450 km of the same we decided to head back to the Stuart Hwy at
Mataranka. Yes, we're wimps,but better to retreat and fight another day than "die" on that road.
A Landcruiser passed us, blew his first tyre at the 8 km mark and ended up doing 3 by the time they got to Booraloola.
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