2017 get together general chat

[Mrs Whitey1]

Hi Stuart

Rough camping cost for one is $260 and as for generators....we only operate on solar but if you have a nice quiet little Honda i or such, we probably won't make too much fuss, just put you on the edge of the group. Now if you have a Chinese cheapy....could be a different story as I haven't met one of them yet that's not noisy.

[PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

Another question. - Generators allowed or must be Solar only?

Please advise

Stuart

[PradoGXL08]

Hi Stuart,

Ok, some details - we will be starting at Lake Argyle Resort on the 28th May 2017, staying for 2 nights. We will then be travelling to Kununurra (all figures approx) 70km staying 1 night. Then to El Questro - 100km direct but they may be side options or different routes available. 3 nights at ELQ. Then to Ellenbrae Station - 150km with sight seeing along the way, stay 1 night. Then to Manning Gorge Campground - 210km with sight seeing along the way. Stay 2 nights. Mt Barnett Roadhouse is adjacent to Manning Gorge so fuel and food etc available. Then to Bell Gorge (Silent Grove camp) - 116km Lots of sight seeing and easy walks. Stay 2 nights. Then to Windjana Gorge - 105km, scenic driving. Stay 2 nights to take in Tunnel Creek as well. Then to Derby - 135km. Stay 1 night. Then to Broome - 225km. Stay final night the 11th June.
Fuel can be purchased at Lake Argyle, Kununurra, Wyndham, ELQ, Mt Barnett, not sure about Imintji at this stage, Derby and between Derby & Broome but budget on $2 per litre plus in the more out of the way places.
As you can see, we won't be doing long Km each day as there is quite a bit to see and we would like to have the time to stop and explore. We have provided at least 2 nights camping where there is other attractions to see, walking Bell Gorge for example. Plenty of time to do as much or as little as you like.

Rough costs for camping - 2 Adults includes all camping & 1 meal ea on the first night approx $500. 2 adults & 2 kids under 15 $650 approx. Kid prices vary depending on age. This doesn't include WA National Park entry fees (Bell Gorge & Windjana Gorge) you can pay this at entry or organise to get a parks pass beforehand. See Department of Parks and Wildlife for details on types of passes available. Each entry (1 vehicle) is $12.
I am still negotiating with a few places for costs and these will be finalised after registrations close.

As you can see, many are taking the opportunity to extend their stays and see other things in the Kimberley and beyond.

Hope this helps you decide to join us!!

FYI, Pricing for 1 Adult only, please.

Stuart

[Mrs Whitey1]

Howdy, wife and I are doing a lap of the island Apr-Sept, so the dates might just fit.

Only thing is we are travelling with the fur child, will the GTG be pet friendly?

In general, we don't include fur babies on our trips, not to say that it has/will never happen...

We will be spending 4 nights in National Parks (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) which are most definitely not pet friendly. The parks in Kununurra and Broome are not pet friendly and there may not be an option in Kununurra due to the show grounds undergoing redevelopment. The others seem ok but at El Questro you have to leave poochy at camp. You would want to confirm this. We may have an option near Bell Gorge but I'd have to check on that. PM me if your still interested and I'll look into it for you.

[Mrs Whitey1]

Hi Stuart,

Ok, some details - we will be starting at Lake Argyle Resort on the 28th May 2017, staying for 2 nights. We will then be travelling to Kununurra (all figures approx) 70km staying 1 night. Then to El Questro - 100km direct but they may be side options or different routes available. 3 nights at ELQ. Then to Ellenbrae Station - 150km with sight seeing along the way, stay 1 night. Then to Manning Gorge Campground - 210km with sight seeing along the way. Stay 2 nights. Mt Barnett Roadhouse is adjacent to Manning Gorge so fuel and food etc available. Then to Bell Gorge (Silent Grove camp) - 116km Lots of sight seeing and easy walks. Stay 2 nights. Then to Windjana Gorge - 105km, scenic driving. Stay 2 nights to take in Tunnel Creek as well. Then to Derby - 135km. Stay 1 night. Then to Broome - 225km. Stay final night the 11th June.
Fuel can be purchased at Lake Argyle, Kununurra, Wyndham, ELQ, Mt Barnett, not sure about Imintji at this stage, Derby and between Derby & Broome but budget on $2 per litre plus in the more out of the way places.
As you can see, we won't be doing long Km each day as there is quite a bit to see and we would like to have the time to stop and explore. We have provided at least 2 nights camping where there is other attractions to see, walking Bell Gorge for example. Plenty of time to do as much or as little as you like.

Rough costs for camping - 2 Adults includes all camping & 1 meal ea on the first night approx $500. 2 adults & 2 kids under 15 $650 approx. Kid prices vary depending on age. This doesn't include WA National Park entry fees (Bell Gorge & Windjana Gorge) you can pay this at entry or organise to get a parks pass beforehand. See Department of Parks and Wildlife for details on types of passes available. Each entry (1 vehicle) is $12.
I am still negotiating with a few places for costs and these will be finalised after registrations close.

As you can see, many are taking the opportunity to extend their stays and see other things in the Kimberley and beyond.

Hope this helps you decide to join us!!

[PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

I am maybe interested in attending buy need more info.

Without climbing over 130+ comments, is there a summary of approx. Daily kms available for each section.
Also, do we have as a guide only - the costs of the various camp sites?

I have also requested joining the FB page.

Stuart

[TOURER777]

Howdy, wife and I are doing a lap of the island Apr-Sept, so the dates might just fit.

Only thing is we are travelling with the fur child, will the GTG be pet friendly?

[Mrs Whitey1]

Count down to end of registration period - 30 days left!! I would hope that there might be a few more folks out there wanting to join in on this fun trip!

[Mrs Whitey1]

Well I have purchased the new wheels and went for a 200 series Still own the Prado until the daughter buys it Now at your mercy if we can still come along to the GTG or not Either way doing the Tanami before the GTG and staying at Halls Creek. Would like to still tag along though Sounds like a great trip

I can't see a problem with that at this stage. Only if we get a full subscription of Prado's will we reconsider all the options. As you still own the Prado, you are still a member!

[Trickyd]

change of vehicle

No chance of buying a Jeep. Need to cover the 3 tonne range for an off roader van we like. dont want to part with the prado it is too good to do that but need that extra weight and cant afford to go up to a 200 series (even though I would like to) Checking out the Rangers at the moment to see if there is anything wrong with them other than being ford

Well I have purchased the new wheels and went for a 200 series Still own the Prado until the daughter buys it Now at your mercy if we can still come along to the GTG or not Either way doing the Tanami before the GTG and staying at Halls Creek. Would like to still tag along though Sounds like a great trip

[r4ndll]

We have had our kids out of school for 2 of the last 3 GTG's and it has really been a great learning experience for them. What they have gained both in learning's and personal development has been a life skill well worth the time away from school.
Are we worried about having our kids out of school for 6 weeks this time? Yes we are but have plans in place to take some proper school work and also ensure we take the time while away to give them the experiences that they are able to learn from. Even on the days when we need to cover some distance they will be using the map to plot the route and calculate the distance required. All skills they will need for life.
If you can have the time off work, then bundle the kids into the Prado and join the GTG ass they will pick up so many life skills by just being with such a diverse range of other kids.
The 2015 GTG had 26 kids and the comment was made on the final night that there had not been any issues with any of the kids and that they had played and helped each other for the whole week.

6 weeks-2 weeks of school holidays - 1 week at the end Of term where they don't do any work - 1 week back at the start of term where they don't do any work... That leaves only 2 weeks of school that they're missing. ;p

But couldn't agree more. Would you rather they read about the geography of the Kimberley or actually see it and experience it? Read a dry old text book on Aboriginal history or actually have them visit and touch the Prison tree?

My two are missing 3 weeks for our Simpson trip. The teacher just looked at us as if we were mad to be even asking her about it.

And our boys are quite sad that they won't be meeting up with the other kids again

[talk2tiny]

We are doing 9 weeks - if we don't kill each other.

But as the saying goes, it is a once in a lifetime trip.

Funny, that's the line I keep feeding my boss for the time off and he said the other day "How many of these once in a lifetime trips are you going to take?". Obviously as many as humanly possible but that's not what I told him.

[cfryback]

Are we worried about having our kids out of school for 6 weeks this time?

We are doing 9 weeks - if we don't kill each other.

But as the saying goes, it is a once in a lifetime trip.

[VKPrado]

We have had our kids out of school for 2 of the last 3 GTG's and it has really been a great learning experience for them. What they have gained both in learning's and personal development has been a life skill well worth the time away from school.
Are we worried about having our kids out of school for 6 weeks this time? Yes we are but have plans in place to take some proper school work and also ensure we take the time while away to give them the experiences that they are able to learn from. Even on the days when we need to cover some distance they will be using the map to plot the route and calculate the distance required. All skills they will need for life.
If you can have the time off work, then bundle the kids into the Prado and join the GTG ass they will pick up so many life skills by just being with such a diverse range of other kids.
The 2015 GTG had 26 kids and the comment was made on the final night that there had not been any issues with any of the kids and that they had played and helped each other for the whole week.

[Mrs Whitey1]

Hi All,

Thanks for those that have registered so far. For those still thinking about it, you have 40 days left to make your plans. This is a big commitment but a great opportunity. If your worried about kids missing school, have a chat with some of those already committed with kids, VKPrado, talktotiny,cfryback and lucas15 and see how they will manage it. Personally I think it's a fantastic learning opportunity for them. So much to see and do and not just for the kids!!
Come one come all...