Redback Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 OUR INLAND ADVENTURE Part 1/2 Thought i'd share our outback holiday, our first in the Disco And to show how wonderfull Australia is B) After packing the car the night before we settled in for a anxious night with not much sleep nervios with excitement to the 3 weeks away, we woke up around 7.00am and had breakfast showered put the last things in the car and headed off, our first spot was Mendooren a free camp spot behind the police station right on the river and apart from the moron running his genny all night a brilliant spot ( we were far enough away for it not to bother us too much) Next morning another casual start, some breaky then off again leaving around 8.30am for Bourke, we found another free camp at Mays bend about 13k north of Bourke right on the Darling river and right under a huge river gum, it was a beautiful spot, with all the rain it was a bit muddy so picking a dry line was critical aspecially with the camper attached butgot in OK, after setting up we sat down by the fire and just soaked up the atmosphere with a beer of coarse had dinner then off to bed. Next morning i woke to a beautiful sunrise so i had to share it with Nessie with some effort i finally got her up to wittness it, we then had breaky, then packed up, reluctently i might add, and headed off again, we had no probs getting out even with the track being chopped up from others coming in during the night. Next place was Cunnamulla for lunch and supplies then Eulo to have a look at the Date farm and mud springs bought some date wine, Liqueur, Port and Dates then headed for our camp for the night, Lake Bindingooly another lovely spot just past the Paroo river which was flooded and the Lake had no water, only twice in whitemans history that it didn't have water in it just our luck oh well still a great spot, tomorrow we will be camping at the Dig tree our first camp we pay for, $11 for the night, and worth every penny, it is right on the Cooper creek and just plain beautiful, our first and thankfully only real problem in the trip was the reset switch, which i fixed while crossing the Simpson, as it was an intimitant fault and only because of where we mounted this switch after installing my dual battery system, it's a fuel cut off which is activated after a large inpact or rollover, it went off after we hit a very large trench across the road caused by water errosion, this hole was about 2' wide and 1 foot deep and we hit it around 70kph, after we came to a stand still i asumed the worst and thought our trip was over, some guys working the gas rigs tried to help but as the mechanic said, geez maaate don't know much about these Land Rovers, anyway after much swearing and panic i remembered why it had stopped pressed the reset switch and we were back on the road again and off to the Dig Tree much to everyones relief, it happened a few more time till i stuffed something in the switch to solve the problem for good, all that techknoledgy stopped by an old rag . After having a look around we then headed for Innaminka to fuel up and fix our pole carrier which had the end cap come off, after much searching i found something to use but it had taken such a beating from the gibbers in the Stoney desert it was behond repair so we transfered the poles to the one on the roofrack and inside the camper then headed for Birdsville via Cordillo Downs, Coongie Lakes and Cadelga ruins staying the night at Cadelga ruins, next to a creek, this was one of many homesteads that didn't survive this area due to drought and and harsh weather conditions, Cordillo Downs being the exception. It's now a great free camp spot for travellers with a hot bore that you can have a shower at if you choose and nice flat grass area for camping, all right by a creek, just brilliant. We got up about 7.00am packed up and next stop Birdsville arriving at 10.30am as we drove into town we saw Willems GQ a friend from ExplorOz, parked outside Karstens Big Red Cafe, so we stopped in to chat and have one of Karstens famous cappuccinos, i have to say after meeting Karsten i was urprised that SHE is actually a HE and a top bloke too, very friendly and entertaining aspecilly with fire sticks we then booked into the caravan park for our 3 night stay for the ExplorOz gathering and a place to leave our camper while we crossed the Simpson Desert, for me this was the main reason for the trip, the gathering was seconary really but still a great way to meet old and new friends. After booking in and meeting Ruth and Ian (EO members) we setup, then Willem came over, he was already there on day 85 of his big trip he had booked into a cabin for some luxury as he put it for the gathering. After much talking and catching up over a few drinks we decided we would look around Birdsville, 5 minutes later we were back at the caravan park to see what sights there were to see around Birdsville, it was decided that we would have dinner at the pub then a few night caps and look around tomorrow while we waited for others to arrive for the gathering. The Desert in bloom; While waiting for the others to arrive for the EO gathering the rain came friday morning about 2.00am and didn't stop till saturday as a concerquence all roads in and out of Birdsville were closed, as well as Innaminka and all surrounding towns, the only people aloud on the closed roads were those who were already on that road when it was closed. Because of this i missed out on that beer with John (Big Ted} from AULRO. JohnR & Ruth, Wim & Judy were the first to arrive then later Howard & Margret, John & Edel & Ava and last of all Mike & Ruth, they made it in on the closed roads but were on them when they were closed so were aloud to carry on. The gathering was good we had it at Karstens Big Red Cafe, we sat around the fire at the cafe talked and drank and eat the night away with in house entertainment from Karstens fire juggling show with Karsten as the star, there was Karsten from the cafe, Ruth from the van park and me, Kerry, Venesser and the above people, a great night, thanks to Karsten for his hostpitality and everyone else that came, it was a shame the others couldn't make it but thats the bush and besides they need the rain. The next day, sunday we went to big red for a play and a camp cook up at the foot of Big Red another good day to finish the gathering, monday was the day all were leaving for home or more adventures to come, ours being the crosing of the Simpson with a slight change of plans from our original one of the car only, it was decided that towing the camper across was a better option as there was more rain predicted and we didn't want to be in the situation of being stuck somewhere and not be able to get back to Birdsville to pick it up, so the decision was made to take the camper. Part 2 Monday morning was a casual start as we meet some people from the Subaru recreational 4WD club and John(Big Ted)and his lovely wife Linda from AULRO, we were supposed to meet up on friday but like many others the rain put paid to that, still we got to go to Poeppel with him, but they were only going to Poeppel corner and coming back, but asked if we could tag along and they said OK and we were off on our crossing, so to Big Red, air down and off we went a good crossing with only one car getting stuck in a really rutted muddy section, it was a combination of no ground clearence and not enough right pedal, other than that no dramas except that bloody reset switch going off a few times but i fixed that and it was clear sailing from then on to Poeppel. The last salt pan before Poeppel really soft and muddy but no prob. After the night at Poeppel the hard stuff started lots of dunes, some steep ones as well, corrigations rut, holes and bumps, still all good and the Landy handle it with ease. The first clay pan after Poeppel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redback Posted September 6, 2005 Author Share Posted September 6, 2005 Part3/4 We left Poeppel Corner about 8.45am passing a Range Rover parked on a side track, they were talking on the Sat phone to the pub at Mt Dare trying to find out if the desert was open from Poeppel on, (so we found out later) so off we went into the Simpson. While crossing the salt pan i noticed the Rangie coming over the dune behind us, Kerry asked me if the Rangie was behind us and i said yep just coming now, i said he must think we know what we're doing Well down the track we noticed camel tracks on the trail and wondered whether we would come across them which we did, 3 of them thats when we decided to stop take some photos and meet the couple in the rangie. After introductions over a cuppa we decided to travel together and so we pushed on to our second camp, after 90ks in 8hrs we camped in between the dunes, had dinner around the fire and got to know Frank & Georgie in their $175,000, 2001 model Rangie. Next morning it was the last leg of the Simpson to Purnie Bore then Dalhousie, about an hour in trouble on a dune, approaching the dune there was a choice, left or right of a sand hump well you guessed it i went the wrong way left and drove straight into a hole, tried to back out but no way i was stuck. Just a small hicup and we were on our way again after being pulled out by Frank. Purnie Bore was a welcome change from the desert with a toilet and a hot shower, it was decided that i have a shower i couldn't smell anything and push on with the advice of a fellow traveller in a Defender if i ever come across this person again i'll throttle him, not good when you can't trust a fellow Landie driver, yeah only 2 hrs to Mt Dare he said, well it was 2hrs to the detour then 1 1/2hrs to Dalhousie and another 2hrs to Mt Dare how wrong could he have been Anyway enough said about him this is what lay ahead after Purnie Bore a 4k section of water as far as the eye could see in almost all directions The Rangie got stuck in this, sliding into the gutter and loosing momentum, coupled with the auto traction control not letting the wheels spin and road tyres she ground to a halt, i unhooked the camper and went back to get him out when he said he would reverse back and have another go, after a couple of goes he managed to get going in reverse and going back about 300mtrs he tried again successfully this time keeping away from the side of the track and out Part 4 After spring creek delta on the bypass road to Dalhousie we came across this beautiful crossing. So off again and our stop for the night Dalhousie Springs and the end of our journey together with Frank and Georgie a sad occasion as we have built up a good friendship over the last 3 days, Nessie was crook and we decided to stay a bit longer and Frank and Georgie wanted to push on to Marree for the night, so we exchanged numbers and off they went. What a lovely place Dalhousie is a natural hot spring in the middle of nowhere, the temp of the water is 37 degrees and just heaven, we spent nearly 4hrs in there until Nessie was well enough to travel. Dalhousie springs; Oodnadatta was our next place to visit, then Marree, Peterborough, then home cutting our trip short because our dog was hit by a car and the girls wanted to rush home to see them. A great trip. Baz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardK Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Great report Redback, magnificent photos, just seeing them makes me want to get in the Disco and go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reads90 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Redback Seems a great place And a great trip report. Quick question. How much feul do you need for that trip. I will be able to have enough feul for 1100 K , in the tanks, but don't know if this will be enough Cheers Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoV8 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Thats a fantastic report redback, nice way to make me jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cols110 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Now thats what I call a trip report. Very nice mate, looking forward to doing the same myself one day. Right looks like the bench mark has been set for trip reports, the rest of us have some catching up to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redback Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 Redback Seems a great place And a great trip report. Quick question. How much feul do you need for that trip. I will be able to have enough feul for 1100 K , in the tanks, but don't know if this will be enough Cheers Ali The longest distance between fuel stops is 520ks approx, we only have the standard 95lt tank and we carried 3 10lt jerrys on the roof and after arriving a Dalhousie still had enough in the tank to get to either Mt Dare or Oodnadatta which is the fuel stops after the desert. Birdsville to Mt Dare is 520Ks approx, the Simpson is only 330ks across but takes 3 days to do, you average about 80 to 100ks a day at an average speed of 15kph approx we averaged 17kph according to the GPS. You'll have no problems with that range, just plan your next day and ask the locals they know more than most. Our best economy on our trip was 13lt/100k and the worst was 17lt/100k we travelled almost 5,000ks, what killed our economy was the roof rack with gear in it, (our normal average is 11.5lt/100k) and we had alot more gear in the back than we would normally carry, this was because our original plan was to leave the camper in Birdsville cross the desert without the camper and return via the desert but using a differant route coming out on the Birdsville track and back to Birdsville for our camper. Weather plays a big part in outback touring. Here's a link to some info; ExplorOz Trek notes Look around in there it's a good sourse of fuel data, and everything even other destinations around OZ Baz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redback Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 Just thought i'd through in a few more photos of trips i've done around our neck of the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardK Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I've got video clips of the first two of your added pics. I'd love to have a go at that track............unfortunately I wouldn't be home for tea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redback Posted September 16, 2005 Author Share Posted September 16, 2005 I've got video clips of the first two of your added pics. I'd love to have a go at that track............unfortunately I wouldn't be home for tea! It's a difficult track without lockers although i did without them and with no assisstance, this is the first part of the track. Oh and the 100s Cruiser had to winch B) Dial up warning Watagans video Watagans video 2 Watagans video 3 Baz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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