Tweet
Well, since we are currently couped up in our old stomping of Perth WA, experiencing absolutely crap weather, I thought I should start doing a report of our adventures to date of our trip.
As I only had 9 weeks off work, we had to cram a fair bit in, but I must say to date it has been a wonderful experience. The sheer beauty of our country easily gives way to the many kilometres on the road.
This was our intended route plan and we have pretty much sticked to it.
So here go's
WEEK ONE
With the Prado and camper all packed up we departed home south of Hobart and headed for Launceston. I was really suprised to find how much space we had left available. I deliberately did not want to much in the back of the car for good vision. We had the young bloke sitting in the very back with the two teenage girls on the back seat. I was a bit worried we were not taking enough stuff, but with the biggest part of the trip over, we have not missed anything.
Girls have an overhead DVD player and the young bloke has his PSP and portable DVD in the back with his own power source there to keep things charged. We bought the girls the complete series of 'McLeods Daughters' - well over 300 hours of viewing.
Due to the high cost of the ferry, I actually flew the wife and two kids to Melbourne(Frequent Flyer points) while myself and one daughter went on the ferry. Dropped the wife of at my sisters who would bring them to the airport in the morning and headed to the ferry.
Uneventfull trip across Bass Strait and was off the ferry very quickly only to be greeted by a huge Melbourne fog at 7.30am. Quickly rang the missus to see if she actually flew out due to the fog. No problems so off to find Melbourne airport in the fog and peak hour. Good fun I must say!
Got in the wrong lane in Melbourne Airport and had to do a complete circiut of the multi storey carpark with the camper. #$@% head!!!
Anyway picked the missus and remaining kids up and we were off heading for Swan Hill via Kilmore, Heathcote,Euchea and Kerang. We had travelled in the area previously, but I always get enjoyment out of the Murray region.
Setup the camper in the Big 4 Caravan park in Swan Hill and enjoyed a good first up nights sleep as the next few days were long drives.
We were on the road by 9am and arrived in Broken Hill around 4pm. First real taste of the outback today. This is where I wanted to be. After another good night in the Broken Hill City Caravan Park we headed for the Flinders Ranges with Wilpena Pound being our target.
Stopped and experienced Magnetic Hill half way between Petersborough and Orroroo. This has a slight incline and if you put you car in neutral, turn off the engine and take your foot off the brake your car actually rolls up the slight incline. Worked a treat with the Prado and Camper trailer - thought they might be a bit heavy. Kids were fascinated.
Arrived at Wilpena Pound around 4.30pm and setup in an awesome camping spot. We we going to camp here for two days to get a bit of a taste of the Flinders.
Overnight it bucketed with rain. Lucky we were staying here for two days. Enjoyed a hearty breakfast each morning from the campfire as well as a couple of great camp oven dinners in the evenings.
Did a number of drives during the day - what can I say. The Flinders Ranges is something else. Just spectacular country. Thorougly enjoyed and we will be back to explore a lot more. The where actually filming a film in Wilpena Pound while we were there. Think it called 'Road Train'. Believe it goes along the theme of Wolfe Creek for those that have watch that film. To be released early next year I think.
So after two great days in the Flinders we headed for Marree and the Oodnadatta Track.
Eyre Yacht Club House in Marree.
Let the tyre pressure down to 30 psi allround and headed up the track ( a wide gravel road really) for Coward Springs. Road conditions between Marree and Cowards Springs were very good - constantly had to check the speed.
Arriving at Coward Springs we set up camp and I went for a drive to collect some firewood. The camp ranger used to offer the firewood but said it was getting to much for him so he told us just to head 5 k's north up the track and collect some old sleeper remains. Excellent firewood I must say.
Sunset here was awesome. Note the jet flying overhead.
After tea we all enjoyed a dip in the springs.
Sunrise in the deserts - always spectacular
Today we headed for William Creek. Only 75 K's up the road. We had intended to head to Oodanatta but had heard some crap reports about staying there. Boy was that the right decision.
We set up camp in the camp ground across the road from the pub and then headed off for Haligans Bay on Lake Eyre. Boy was this a rough track- 60 odd k's of sheer corrugation. Anyway we made it to Lake Eyre and walked to the water and enjoyed the experience. The kids can now say they have been to Lake Eyre with water in it.
Returned to camp and enjoyed a great meal at the pub as well as the local atmosphere. What a great place - a must stay overnight place.
So that's the end of week one.
johnv
As I only had 9 weeks off work, we had to cram a fair bit in, but I must say to date it has been a wonderful experience. The sheer beauty of our country easily gives way to the many kilometres on the road.
This was our intended route plan and we have pretty much sticked to it.
So here go's
WEEK ONE
With the Prado and camper all packed up we departed home south of Hobart and headed for Launceston. I was really suprised to find how much space we had left available. I deliberately did not want to much in the back of the car for good vision. We had the young bloke sitting in the very back with the two teenage girls on the back seat. I was a bit worried we were not taking enough stuff, but with the biggest part of the trip over, we have not missed anything.
Girls have an overhead DVD player and the young bloke has his PSP and portable DVD in the back with his own power source there to keep things charged. We bought the girls the complete series of 'McLeods Daughters' - well over 300 hours of viewing.
Due to the high cost of the ferry, I actually flew the wife and two kids to Melbourne(Frequent Flyer points) while myself and one daughter went on the ferry. Dropped the wife of at my sisters who would bring them to the airport in the morning and headed to the ferry.
Uneventfull trip across Bass Strait and was off the ferry very quickly only to be greeted by a huge Melbourne fog at 7.30am. Quickly rang the missus to see if she actually flew out due to the fog. No problems so off to find Melbourne airport in the fog and peak hour. Good fun I must say!
Got in the wrong lane in Melbourne Airport and had to do a complete circiut of the multi storey carpark with the camper. #$@% head!!!
Anyway picked the missus and remaining kids up and we were off heading for Swan Hill via Kilmore, Heathcote,Euchea and Kerang. We had travelled in the area previously, but I always get enjoyment out of the Murray region.
Setup the camper in the Big 4 Caravan park in Swan Hill and enjoyed a good first up nights sleep as the next few days were long drives.
We were on the road by 9am and arrived in Broken Hill around 4pm. First real taste of the outback today. This is where I wanted to be. After another good night in the Broken Hill City Caravan Park we headed for the Flinders Ranges with Wilpena Pound being our target.
Stopped and experienced Magnetic Hill half way between Petersborough and Orroroo. This has a slight incline and if you put you car in neutral, turn off the engine and take your foot off the brake your car actually rolls up the slight incline. Worked a treat with the Prado and Camper trailer - thought they might be a bit heavy. Kids were fascinated.
Arrived at Wilpena Pound around 4.30pm and setup in an awesome camping spot. We we going to camp here for two days to get a bit of a taste of the Flinders.
Overnight it bucketed with rain. Lucky we were staying here for two days. Enjoyed a hearty breakfast each morning from the campfire as well as a couple of great camp oven dinners in the evenings.
Did a number of drives during the day - what can I say. The Flinders Ranges is something else. Just spectacular country. Thorougly enjoyed and we will be back to explore a lot more. The where actually filming a film in Wilpena Pound while we were there. Think it called 'Road Train'. Believe it goes along the theme of Wolfe Creek for those that have watch that film. To be released early next year I think.
So after two great days in the Flinders we headed for Marree and the Oodnadatta Track.
Eyre Yacht Club House in Marree.
Let the tyre pressure down to 30 psi allround and headed up the track ( a wide gravel road really) for Coward Springs. Road conditions between Marree and Cowards Springs were very good - constantly had to check the speed.
Arriving at Coward Springs we set up camp and I went for a drive to collect some firewood. The camp ranger used to offer the firewood but said it was getting to much for him so he told us just to head 5 k's north up the track and collect some old sleeper remains. Excellent firewood I must say.
Sunset here was awesome. Note the jet flying overhead.
After tea we all enjoyed a dip in the springs.
Sunrise in the deserts - always spectacular
Today we headed for William Creek. Only 75 K's up the road. We had intended to head to Oodanatta but had heard some crap reports about staying there. Boy was that the right decision.
We set up camp in the camp ground across the road from the pub and then headed off for Haligans Bay on Lake Eyre. Boy was this a rough track- 60 odd k's of sheer corrugation. Anyway we made it to Lake Eyre and walked to the water and enjoyed the experience. The kids can now say they have been to Lake Eyre with water in it.
Returned to camp and enjoyed a great meal at the pub as well as the local atmosphere. What a great place - a must stay overnight place.
So that's the end of week one.
johnv
Comment