Trip report (with photo's) from my Flinders, Lake Eyre, Simpson, Corner Country trip

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Thanks guys.....sorry you missed it last year but well worth a trip back......obviously the Simpson Crossing was the real highlight for me BUT other than that Cooper Creek was breathtaking.....one of the most serene places I have ever been!!

Including the Pelicans



But as I said...serene



And a superb spot for a camp oven Roast Pork (that's me on the left with my camp oven buddy Leon)

[Melbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Melbo]

Fantastic. Love the report.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

Hi Mark,

Great report, thanks very much for sharing your experiences and photos.
It really is good to get out isn't it?

Cheers
Lawrie

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Thanks guys, just recieved some Big Red photo's from one of the others on my trip so will add these now....the first one was in high range 2 (and I didn't quite make it)....I am stopped about 2 metres from the top, arm hanging out the window saying "damn" (or something worse)



And whilst I don't have a photo of actually going over the top, this is the second one.....in low range (and rather than selecting a gear I just left it in Drive)....and this time when I got to the top I had enough traction to get right up (as you can see from an earlier photo).



You can see how soft the sand was at the top, and why high range just didn't cut the mustard...as it is (in this shot) I am starting to lose traction on the left hand side but luckily the right hand side was gripping and pulled me up and over.

It was all good fun and a great end to the Desert crossing!!

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

Yes Mark, that desert sand gets in your blood, the colour, the memories never go away, it will never leave you now and you will have to go back.
The Roo.

You're right Roo. The memories never go away, i can't believe it's been 12 years since i drove that part of the country. Certainly doesn't seem that long though
We have spent 3 of the last 8 years in and out of the APY Lands and hopefully heading out again soon

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Crazy but been back a week and I happily (if I had the time and the money) would turn around and do the same trip again in a weeks time. You are right guys the red dirt does get in your blood...here I am today in my air conditioned office looking out over the Brisbane CBD and dreaming about the next trip!!

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

Great report Mark, looks like you had a fantastic trip. I'm jealous again that we weren't able to cross the Simpson but it just means we have to do another trip!

[150gxl Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150gxl]

Great photos Mark!
Great story - very motivating.

(I just need the vehicle....... )

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

It's coming mate (by the look of it).

As to sponsorship, at Farina Bush Camping ground (near Marree) we pulled up and set up camp. Around 7.00pm (and pitch black of course) in comes two Fourbys with a mass of lights and pulled up beside us....I walked over and said "you guys looking for a place to camp...there's some space just past us".....the guys said "big enough for 7 vehicles".....it turns out that it was a "photo shoot"...the first two were the MSA 4 X 4 vehicles (great paint job outside...as were the rest) and they were tricked up (inside) with Hema Navigators, Sat Phones, HF Radio, UHF Radio, Lap Tops (remember it was dark and I was just looking inside). Anyway they radio the others and 20 mins later along came the Hema Landcruiser, Rhino Rack vehicle, Recaro Seats vehicle, a TJM Prado and a Troopie loaded with photo gear and computers)....these guys had everything that opens and shuts as far as 4WDing goes...OMG the money it would take to set this up. They then set up (15 people I think), pulled out the biggest T-Bones in history and away they went. I say this as you can bet that every one of them would be being paid to do this...unlike us who had to save our hard earned to set up out rigs, and then spend thousands more doing the trip.

I thought to myself....this IS the life (any one know where I can get a job like that????)

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Thanks Mark - excellent reoprt and photos!

How long ago were you in the Lake Eyre/Birdsville Track/Innamincka area?

As I am recently redundant to my old workplaces requirements, we're heading off Sunday week on a trip to the same areas, but via the Great Ocean Road. Expect to be up Marree way around Sept 2, so hoping there is still plenty of water to make the most of the flight from William Creek that we have already booked! Is the ferry still going on the Birdsville Track, or can most vehicles get across without it? (I note they recently extended the length allowances on the ferry to 9.8m, so the 120 and the camper will fit if needed).

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

It's coming mate (by the look of it).

As to sponsorship, at Farina Bush Camping ground (near Marree) we pulled up and set up camp. Around 7.00pm (and pitch black of course) in comes two Fourbys with a mass of lights and pulled up beside us....I walked over and said "you guys looking for a place to camp...there's some space just past us".....the guys said "big enough for 7 vehicles".....it turns out that it was a "photo shoot"...the first two were the MSA 4 X 4 vehicles (great paint job outside...as were the rest) and they were tricked up (inside) with Hema Navigators, Sat Phones, HF Radio, UHF Radio, Lap Tops (remember it was dark and I was just looking inside). Anyway they radio the others and 20 mins later along came the Hema Landcruiser, Rhino Rack vehicle, Recaro Seats vehicle, a TJM Prado and a Troopie loaded with photo gear and computers)....these guys had everything that opens and shuts as far as 4WDing goes...OMG the money it would take to set this up. They then set up (15 people I think), pulled out the biggest T-Bones in history and away they went. I say this as you can bet that every one of them would be being paid to do this...unlike us who had to save our hard earned to set up out rigs, and then spend thousands more doing the trip.

I thought to myself....this IS the life (any one know where I can get a job like that????)

Actually I do know where you can get a job like that. I was offered a 6 figure salary and as part of the deal had to go on 4 trips of at 1 week per year 4x4ing around Australia. The rest of the year I would be running the internet side of the business and meeting with 4x4 suppliers, talking to enthusiasts etc. The hardest decision of my life was to say no because at my age I didn't want to through in the towel on so much study and my qualifications.... I have a little cry over it most days.....

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

I'd love a job like that.

Just made redundant from an IT job held for the last 15 years, and looking for something new. That would be just the ticket! Oh well, dreaming doesn't cost anything......

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Way2go

No problems at ALL....in fact the Cooper Crek water hadn't even arrived when we were there in mid July.....the pilot on the fight we did (kim and a pretty young girl to boot) actually said that the Lake is about 80% at present but the addition of the Cooper Creek Water (due in August some time) would add a further 15% by mid September (making it 95% full at that point). She also said it will take about 18 months to dry out, so in fact they expected a further Lake Eyre "season" next year.

Sorry we didn't do the Birdsville Track, went up the Oodnadatta, across the Simmo, from Birdsville down to Innamincka and then only a short trip in the Strez Track before going to Cameron Corner and then for me back home via Wanaaring / Bourke.

Also we did meet a lot of people in Birdsville that had come up and yes the ferry is still running.

You'll have a ball, wish I was back there right now!!

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

BUGGER.

Oh well it's possible (probable) that it wouldn't be a life long job anyway so you have to look at it this way. I must say the crew we ran into (mixture of guys and some quite attractive girls......maybe models or the like) were all young.....I guess apart from Roothy in 4WD Action everyone wants to see young, fit looking people in magazines...rather than balding old farts like me.....or is it that they think the oldies don't have the stamina???