The Munja Track...who's done it, towing a camper trailer?

[GregMilner]

Getting itchy feet. Having driven up and down the Gibb every which way, Mitchell Falls, Mornington etc, we're keen to get off the damn thing and go further, off the well beaten tourist track. Bachsten Camp looks to be worth a look, but not sure about towing a heavy camper trailer in, particularly early in the season.
Who's done it? Any thoughts?

[rocket rod]

Hi Greg

I did the Munja 2 years ago with GOE and it wasn't too difficult at all, BUT we had good conditions. There were 2 trailers in the convoy, an Ultimate and another std off road one (can't remember brand). The issue with the trailers were the jump ups (about 4 of them from memory) where clearance is king. The creek crossing also present approach and departure angle problems for anything but a short trailer. The dirt up that way is black soil and if it rains it will make towing very difficult and recovery very hard in my opinion. We had it dry and the creek levels were very low and so presented no problems at all.

Bachsten camp is a small camp ground and is not really suited to trailers but they do fit. Make sure you go to Bachsten gorge. The camp hosts will tell you the way. Mt Elizabeth station, where you need to register and pick a key up from, is a large camp ground for your trailer. If at all possible you could leave your trailer there and swag it the rest of the way which would make the going a lot easier. Although it's about 125km from Mt Elizabeth to Bachsten, it's a 2 day journey unless you thrash it and then you break things. Also if time allows, make it all the way to Walcott Inlet (check your tide charts for the king tides to make it really spectacular). We didn't go there and it was a big regret of mine but you gotta go were the convoy needs to go. It's also a lot slower going from Backsten to Walcott.

Go with a mate too as there is safety in numbers. If you need to call and discuss this further, PM me to arrange.

Rod.

[roamer]

We did the Munja last year towing an Ultimate Camper. with a 76 series cruiser

No real problems to Bachsten camp and there are a couple of areas to set up campers there.

We took 4 days to get to Bachsten, there are some great camps along the way
and fair bit of rock art, look around some of the rocky outcrops (go for a climb and a good look around Jamiesons Arch)

After Bachstens on the way to Walcott Inlet there is a difficult jump up just past Wrens Gorge (but doable with camper).
And a section where you drive along the creek, but rock base,

We never had to be recovered at any spot, guys tow boats out there.

There are some magic camp spots on lagoons on the way out to Walcott (barra if you fish)

Do not swim after you cross the Calder River, should b OK till then.

[trout1105]

I have been told that the last 8K's or so into Walcot inlet is a bit "Sketchy" for towing larger boats and trailers, Is this the case?

[GregMilner]

Thanks for that Rod, good intel. Our trailer is a Pioneer Longreach, it's quite long, 5.4 metres overall. We'd certainly be going in convoy, and the idea of leaving the campers at Mt Elizabeth is pretty appealing to me but I think we'll have a battle to convince the wives to swag it to Bachsten and back:-) Its actually about 145km each way, not 125km, according to Rick and Ann the camp hosts. And yes, it'd be at least a two day drive each way.
We've been into Walcott Inlet by boat but never overland, so that would be the aim. Again, not sure if the wives are with us on that though.




Hi Greg

I did the Munja 2 years ago with GOE and it wasn't too difficult at all, BUT we had good conditions. There were 2 trailers in the convoy, an Ultimate and another std off road one (can't remember brand). The issue with the trailers were the jump ups (about 4 of them from memory) where clearance is king. The creek crossing also present approach and departure angle problems for anything but a short trailer. The dirt up that way is black soil and if it rains it will make towing very difficult and recovery very hard in my opinion. We had it dry and the creek levels were very low and so presented no problems at all.

Bachsten camp is a small camp ground and is not really suited to trailers but they do fit. Make sure you go to Bachsten gorge. The camp hosts will tell you the way. Mt Elizabeth station, where you need to register and pick a key up from, is a large camp ground for your trailer. If at all possible you could leave your trailer there and swag it the rest of the way which would make the going a lot easier. Although it's about 125km from Mt Elizabeth to Bachsten, it's a 2 day journey unless you thrash it and then you break things. Also if time allows, make it all the way to Walcott Inlet (check your tide charts for the king tides to make it really spectacular). We didn't go there and it was a big regret of mine but you gotta go were the convoy needs to go. It's also a lot slower going from Backsten to Walcott.

Go with a mate too as there is safety in numbers. If you need to call and discuss this further, PM me to arrange.

Rod.

[GregMilner]

I have been told that the last 8K's or so into Walcot inlet is a bit "Sketchy" for towing larger boats and trailers, Is this the case?

People do tow boats in there I believe - like those madmen Jase and Simon in their tricked up Land Cruisers - but those guys have some pretty serious gear, and sponsors are picking up the tab for damage. I'd be less than confident taking my shiny Disco in there without breaking something.

[roamer]

I have been told that the last 8K's or so into Walcot inlet is a bit "Sketchy" for towing larger boats and trailers, Is this the case?


No, the track is not nearly as bad as what you guys seem think it is.

[trout1105]

People do tow boats in there I believe - like those madmen Jase and Simon in their tricked up Land Cruisers - but those guys have some pretty serious gear, and sponsors are picking up the tab for damage. I'd be less than confident taking my shiny Disco in there without breaking something.

I would think that going to Walcot via boat from Derby would be easier and much faster than going there via the Munja track.

[GregMilner]

Yes true, I’ve been in there by boat a couple of times.

[discomatt69]

Getting itchy feet. Having driven up and down the Gibb every which way, Mitchell Falls, Mornington etc, we're keen to get off the damn thing and go further, off the well beaten tourist track. Bachsten Camp looks to be worth a look, but not sure about towing a heavy camper trailer in, particularly early in the season.
Who's done it? Any thoughts?

We are heading up that way in a few weeks, D4 with off road camper, I am hoping to take the camper to Mitchell falls but friends are leaving there van behind and tenting that bit. Is it doable with a camper or am I asking for trouble?

[GregMilner]

I'd be leaving your trailer at King Edward River crossing campground. It's a much nicer place to camp than Mitchell Falls anyway, and the track to the falls is a shocker (depending on when the grader's been through, but even then, it's only good for a couple of days.) I've done catastrophic damage on that track trying to tow a camper in, so last time we just camped at King Edward and drove up to the falls for a day trip. Leave early, two hour trip (80km) and you'll be back having a beer by the river by 5pm. Much easier. Camping at Mitchell Falls is okay if you don't mind a lot of dust and choppers in and out all day every day.



We are heading up that way in a few weeks, D4 with off road camper, I am hoping to take the camper to Mitchell falls but friends are leaving there van behind and tenting that bit. Is it doable with a camper or am I asking for trouble?

[ATH]

If you hadn't mentioned the never ending noise and dust from the choppers Greg, I was going to. Spoilt the whole place I thought. One on the ground picking up, one in the air and one at the falls so they provide plenty of revenue to those requiring it for access rights.....
As my legs won't allow me to walk as far as the falls I won't bother doing the track again but agree with leaving the camper at King Edward. Plenty of others do. Quite funny when we were there a couple or three years ago, there was a rigid truck there and a mob of people all being bossed about by a very "sergeant majorish built like a brick outhouse" woman you could hear everywhere. :o
Not sure what was worse, her mouth or the copters noise but at least she didn't kick up dust. :)
AlanH.

[Arapiles]

Jealous.

[Outback Jack]

We drove to Walcott a few years back in 2 GQ Patrols with no problem. However we went very early in the season and there were areas of tall grass where you couldnt see the car in front and needed to run via GPS as the track became completely lost. this was before they took the dozer out there which they normally do before every season. If you go early as we did be very aware of the build up of grass stalks and seeds in the radiators and in every nook under the cars. constant checking and cleaning was required otherwise combustion could be a very real concern. use a grass sheild in front of the grill to stop your radiator becoming totally blocked. also found a few scrub bulls to keep an eye on as they tend to think they own the track.
cheers.