Giles/Sandy Blight, and points West.Advice please.
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 13:32
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Member - Jeff H (QLD)
Leaving Bundy on 19.9.08, to be in Bunbury by 12.10.08.
Have permits for GCR, but seeing that Sandy Blight and
Gary Junction roads are open, am keen to reconsider route.
I have never been much W of King Canyon, so would appreciate any comments as to the more scenic of the
routes to the west coast.
Thanks eh.
Jeff H.
Reply By: Member - Footloose - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:24
Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:24
Hi Jeff. The easiest is of course the GCR, less adventurous and less hassle. But as you have plenty of time, the Gary Highway through to
Well 33 and back out through either the Kidson or the Talawanna are options.
It might be hot in
places in Sept.
You might also get some rain.
Fuel is more exe.
The babies will have to be looked after
well because of the widespread use of baits.
Plenty of different scenery on both tracks.
If it were me I'd do the GCR. Unless you are prepared to do some major remote travel at that time of the year, of course. There's always next time.
Good luck with it, and have a great trip whatever route you choose.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 17:08
Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 17:08
Hi Jeff
We recently travelled all that country, and with permits again being issued, I would not miss the opportunity to travel that great country. We tried to get permits 10 years ago when we were last out that way and it was closed. The Sandy Blight
Junction Track will give you every type of driving conditions that you want. From a hard packed gravel road, deep sand to corrugations, yes the SBJ Track has it all. Those Desert Oaks, they make the best
places for camps. If you have a high clearance 4X4, make the effort to get to the Top of the
Sir Frederick Range, the
highest vehicle access point on the SBJ Track.
When in Giles, make sure that you check out the
Giles Weather Station, Australia's most remote weather station. Check opening times at
Warakurna Roadhouse. The morning launch has the larger weather balloons.
Enjoy you trip and enjoy
camping in those great Desert Oaks.
Cheers StephenImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 00:25
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 00:25
Stephen Hi
You didn't get to see this did you? sorry about the poor hand writing doing it with a mouse is haed LOL
we are planing to do the SBJ road in next years trip.
cheers
Richard
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 01:37
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 01:37
Hi Richard,
You will enjoy the trip, lots to see. What section of the SBJ Track is that located? If I had to guess, I would say the
Sir Frederick Range? Does not look that bad from the sky view.
Cheers
StephenImage Could Not Be Found
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 01:45
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 01:45
Stephen, I'm (we) are looking forward to it, it's only in the imagine stage so far but thats good enough.
Yes it is around
Sir Frederick Range, I was Goggling it when I saw the shiny thing will have to keep an eye out next year.
that photo is no doubt the one out of one of Len's books the one with the dozer driving up ..
Regards
Richard
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:31
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:31
Hi Richard
That photo is one that I took from the top of the
Sir Frederick Range, looking back down
the ridge top track that you must take to reach
the summit. That is not a dozer, but a beached Mazda BT 50. The track is low range first, with lots of football size rocks that form part of the track. The Mazda and a Nissan Navara could not make it to the top, purely for lack of ground clearance.
When you turn off at Len Beadells marker, you can see
the summit and it does not look that far, until you start the bottom of the range. The below picture is at the start, just after turning off the SBJ Track. We had to get approval from this camel to proceed, who was insisting in standing his ground, with no way around him through the thick, burnt out scrub. You can see the stone cairn at the top of
the summit in the background.
Cheers
StephenImage Could Not Be Found
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Follow Up By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:29
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:29
It's a very bumpy ride tho Richard. The corrugations out there on the SBJ are legendary. Beautiful country none the less. It's a tribute to vehicles (and a bus) of the 60's and 70's.
Oh and the half way
bore is Salty so don't mix it with your good
drinking water.
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Cheers. Mick
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:39
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:39
Hi Mick
When were you on the track and how many vehicles in your group? we were heading north and only passed another group heading south. Their group was split, with the front 2 vehicles hours in front of the rest of their party.
Yes it is truely unreal country.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:38
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 at 13:38
Jeff,
have you considered heading down the GCR (after you've done the SBJT) and doing either the
Hunt Oil Road or the David Carnegie up to the Gunbarrel. You could then head out on the gunbarrel to
Wiluna or....if you don't mind a few extra km, go up the Hunt, along the Gunbarrel and down the DCR to the GCR again. Both great tracks in good condition. You'd get three iconic tracks for the price of one.
Cheers Mick
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Monday, Aug 25, 2008 at 14:30
Monday, Aug 25, 2008 at 14:30
Thank you all for your advice. Magic.
Safe travels you mob.
Jeff H.
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Reply By: Member - Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 20:54
Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 20:54
Jeff
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we were on the SBJT last Friday.
The northern section is badly corrugated. The rest is good.
SFR track is worth the trouble - I swear you can see the coast in four directions from up there.
Best
camping is in
the Desert Oaks section just north of Mu Hills
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