Monday, May 02, 2011 at 21:34
Hi Tony
If you are experienced in true remote travel, you are in for one hell of a trip. For us the Connie Sue is one the top tracks that Len put in with great contrasting scenery.
From the
Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, go straight across the road and start the
Rawlinna Track. When we asked at the R/H about the condition of this track (We also were travelling solo) you could read the minds of the two men there - more bloody tourist with no idea. We were told of this horror track that will cut your tyres to pieces. Fiona then said to one of the men that we are
well equipped and experienced travellers and you could see their eyes role back in their heads.
The track up until Arubiddy
Homestead was in first class condition, and it was possible at times to reach 80 kph. The moment that you are past the
Homestead, it is a true slow 2 wheel,
rock covered track. If you will be camping up on this track, make sure that you have timber with you for a campfire, as there will be no wood what so ever for that warming fire.
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If you are running Ozi - which I would recommend, you will have no problems at all. There are lots of gates to open, so make sure that you are your official
gate opener with you. The track is slow, but for us, no problems at all. When you get to this important
gate, go straight through. Image Could Not Be Found
You will find that track conditions will improved once you are into
Rawlinna Station (The Dog fence is the boundary). Still a lot more gates, but you will now see signs like this more than often. Image Could Not Be Found
When you get out onto the main Trans Access Road, turn right and it will take you straight into
Rawlinna Siding, when believe it or not, you will have full NextG phone service.Image Could Not Be Found
Once leaving
Rawlinna, make sure that you are travelling in a north-easterly direction and the goat track will continue past Premier Downs and the further north, track conditions will greatly improve. When you get to
Shed Tank, veer to your left and head straight ahead.Image Could Not Be Found
From
Shed Tank north, the track will still be in very good condition, but back to a two wheel track, and wide. You will also note the change in vegetation and the end of the northern section of the
Nullarbor Plain, from the Bluebush, back into Mallee type vegetation.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
The next important turn off to take, but not signposted (The reason why you need Ozi) is to your right and out to
Neale Breakaways.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
Not long after leaving
the Breakaways, you will then come to the next most important landmark,
Neale Junction, the
crossroads of the Anne Beadell and the Connie Sue Highways. Image Could Not Be Found
North of
the junction, back into a sandy 2 wheel track, that is ever changing.Image Could Not Be Found Point Lillian is also
well worth the detour and walk, just to see these alone - Image Could Not Be Found
North of Point Lillian and I hope still in good working order is this solar pump and
water tank, with good quality
drinking water, which was very sweet.Image Could Not Be Found Make the most of the reasonable track conditions.Image Could Not Be Found as once yet head north of Parallel No 2 Road, you will have around 40 kilometres of some fairly good corrugations.
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Once free of those charming corrugation, the track greatly improves to conditions like this,
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and also the more closer to the top you will get this type of country, Image Could Not Be Found and next thing you know, you will hit the Great Central and only a short few kilometres drive north to
Warburton.
I hope this helps you out, because after wring this and adding the pictures, I now want to do it all again myself....bugger.
Cheers
Stephen
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