Getting to the GTG from SEQ

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

LiveFreeAndRoam, Richoson, Hutch.... I still haven't received registration forms from you guys...

http://www.surveymonkey.com/pradopoint

get on it.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

More serious trip planning has begun and this might help with planning for others too. I've bought the maps, spoken to quite a few folks, visited too many websites. The route attempts to visit several iconic highlights along the way.

This is all still quite early planning, so anything can change. Also keep in mind that weather will play a big part in trip plans and timing. The plan below is the fine-weather plan .

Checkout the Bing Map: http://binged.it/IKilXG for a quick overview.

1. 21-Sep: Starting point - Nindigully
2. 22-Sep: Nindigully - Thargomindah
3. 23-Sep: Thargomindah - Dig Tree - Innamincka - Coongie Lakes
4. 24-Sep: Explore Coongie Lakes (rest day)
5. 25-Sep: Coongie Lakes - Innamincka - Cameron Corner (via Bore Track) - Arkaroola Village (via Strzelecki Track)
6. 26-Sep: Arkaroola Village (spend the day doing the low-range 4WD loop or rest day)
7. 27-Sep: Arkaroola Village - Bendleby Ranges [GTG begins the next day]
8. 28-Sep: Official Start of SA GTG

Thoughts and feedback?

LFaR.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Thoughts and feedback.

Very Envious

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

Looks good Matt, but it's more than likely that I won't be able to depart Townsville until Sat 22nd.

I'll have to look at my options as to whether we meet you on the way, or...... make my own way to the GTG

Cheers
Lawrie

[Trevc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Trevc]

Hi Matt

We're doing stages 1, 2, 3, 5 + 6 in June/July - then returning via the Birdsville Track.

Trev

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Hey Lawrie,

Not to worry, this is just the straw draft to help get some discussion going around exactly the topic of departure dates and what suits everyone else.

With that in mind, a couple of questions:

1) Who would like to travel in convoy?
2) By what date can you arrive at Innamincka?

Thanks,
LFaR.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Hey Trev,

We're doing stages 1, 2, 3, 5 + 6 in June/July - then returning via the Birdsville Track.

Now that's dedication... doing a recce for us ahead of time; gee thanks .

Actually, as I was putting this plan together, I came across your trip plan and was encouraged it was so similar. Then I realised there's not too many options either. About the only variable is whether we can make it to Noccundra, which I believe is prettier than Thargomindah.

You're skipping Coongie Lakes or just doing a day trip? I've read great things about that place and it's so close to Innamincka.

I will be eagerly tracking your trip. Will you have a GPS track log to share?

LFaR.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

We would love to travel in convoy, I reckon that getting there, will be as much fun as the GTG itself, or at least a very good appetizer.

I will have to study the map and work it out but we should be able to meet you in Innamincka. I will let you know in the next week or so.

Cheers
Lawrie

[Trevc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Trevc]

Hey Trev,


You're skipping Coongie Lakes or just doing a day trip? I've read great things about that place and it's so close to Innamincka.

I will be eagerly tracking your trip. Will you have a GPS track log to share?

LFaR.

Yeah there seems to be really one way out there.
As our first night out is at the Nindy pub there's a fair chance there will be a bit of 'first night frenzy' and so I expect the Nindi - Thargo leg is going to be a pretty long day.
I'm actually expecting we'll be ready to call it stumps at Eulo and make up the balance the next day.

We're probably going to spend 2 nights in Innamincka and at this stage we're open to either the town common or Coongie Lakes.
As you know with these trips although you would love to see everything with time constraints it's just not possible - besides it will give us something to look forward next time we head out (I'm certain this trip won't be our last).

I wouldn't know how to track a trip on my GPS - I'm sure it will probably do it I will just have to work out how.

Finally, your day 5 looks pretty full if I read it correctly. The Bore Track is reportedly closed (we've sort permission to travel it but as yet havent heard back) - my understanding is you can enter from the northern end and after a while you cut East into QLD and head south through Omicron Station and come into the corner from the QLD side.
Anyway I'm sure you're all over it like stink on a monkey - PM me if you want to talk more.


Trev

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

Sounds like fun! Can I drive all the way up there just to join you guys on the way back down

[braddo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close braddo]

Sounds like fun! Can I drive all the way up there just to join you guys on the way back down

Yeah I was thinking of doing the same and visiting my family as they have all migrated to QLD!

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

As you know with these trips although you would love to see everything with time constraints it's just not possible - besides it will give us something to look forward next time we head out (I'm certain this trip won't be our last).

Right on! Started planning with everything in there, until I started putting dates and travel times down. Looks like I need to take next year off work, if I'm going to see it all .

I wouldn't know how to track a trip on my GPS - I'm sure it will probably do it I will just have to work out how.

Aha. In that case, we had better give that a trial-run on one of our local outings.

Finally, your day 5 looks pretty full if I read it correctly.

Yep, I studied that and am still a bit concerned. In fine-weather it appears the Bore Track is 2-3 hrs (up to 4hrs at a dawdle). So this would add about 1-2hrs compared with heading directly down the Strzelecki.

The Bore Track is reportedly closed (we've sort permission to travel it but as yet havent heard back)

As time approaches, I'll be watching this closely on the 2012 Desert Parks Bulletin. If Bore Track is closed, then I'm thinking the less interesting but quicker Strzelecki.

And to the SA & NSW crew who want to join us ... You bet! Of course we will have to make you an honorary Queenslander after only a slightly painful initiation ceremony.

LFaR.

[Trevc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Trevc]

Aha. In that case, we had better give that a trial-run on one of our local outings.


LFaR.

Yeah I was just saying to a couple of the other boys I'm getting Low Range withdrawals - it would be good to catch-up again soon.

Trev

[BobsSLED Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BobsSLED]

Won't be leaving Brisvegas until Saturday 22 September, so that rules out catching you at the early stops LFAR. Be very careful about getting to Coongie Lakes this year. Currently not opening until August(possibly!!). See the latest desertparksbulletin.pdf $125 for a Desert Parks pass is quite expensive for 1 or 2 nights too.That's why I proposed going down the Darling via Nindigully and Lightning Ridge. Then through Mungo NP to Lake Victoria, Barmera and then up to Bendelby Ranges. An alternative for others to consider.

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

Not to worry, this is just the straw draft to help get some discussion going around exactly the topic of departure dates and what suits everyone else.

With that in mind, a couple of questions:

1) Who would like to travel in convoy?
2) By what date can you arrive at Innamincka?

Thanks,
LFaR.

G'day Matt,

I've been considering ways of getting to the get together and I'd be keen to travel along in convoy with you guys to the GTG if you're happy to have someone from south o' the border tag along

Cheers,
Jeff