We are on our way to the Kimberleys [Archive] - Australian Land Rover Owners

PhilipA

9th June 2009, 05:27 PM

After a couple of months of preparation we are on our way.

I am typing this in a cabin in Gilgandra.$40 a double with linen, ensuite, tea making HEATING etc. ( Akropolis Cafe and accommodation.Siiiick mate)

I would pick the worst day of the year to leave Sydney.11 degrees and blowing and raining ain't fun in a camper.

We planned to free camp in Mendooran, and buy dinner, but everything in the town was closed! LOL.

Tomorrow to Macquarie Marsh, then to Queensland to Hungerford, Boulia,Plenty to Alice and Tanami.

The old RRC seems to be happy with my work. So far so good and what looks like good fuel economy up the hilly Golden Highway into a raging gale.
Regards Philip A

cucinadio

9th June 2009, 05:42 PM

wow... so you will keep us posted 'live" then ...:D

im so jel

cheers

Bundalene

9th June 2009, 06:55 PM

Good on you. Please take heaps of photos and share them when you return.

The Kimberleys are a most magnificent place of Australia.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip - the weather will get warmer once you head north out of the Alice.

Cheers, Erich & Sheila

catch-22

9th June 2009, 07:13 PM

I was once reprimanded for calling it the Kimberleys....but I won't unleash that treatment here...:D:D

Wife friend has just come back and I am pretty jealous. I am told it is the most amazing place. Have a great time and yeah, plenty of pics.

Cap

9th June 2009, 07:25 PM

Pics please. Have a safe and enjoyable trip :D

RichardK

9th June 2009, 09:31 PM

Have a good trip Phillip, you are going to one of the best areas in Australia

LandyAndy

9th June 2009, 09:37 PM

dmdigital

9th June 2009, 09:40 PM

Have a good trip, post lots of pic's and information!!!!!!

We'll be up in the Kimberleys in September:)

Disco_owner

9th June 2009, 11:37 PM

Have a Safe Trip and Don't forget , Plenty of Pics :mad: ok ? I'll reserve a spot at the AGM for you and the wife.:D:D

JamesH

10th June 2009, 09:59 AM

ENJOY!!!!
Pics and stories PLEASE!!!
Im getting closer to my goal,get up to Derby and catch a Barra or 3 with my good mate "Derby Dan"
Ive ordered my top for my camper trailer:cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

PhillipA, you're in for a great trip. The Kimberley saved me heaps of money on overseas holidays over the years.

Hi Andy.

I don't know how familiar you are with the drive up to Derby but I really enjoy the inland route on the way up, Cue, Paynes Find, Newman, Marble Bar and the short cut over the De Gray(?) past the old Goldsworthy site and back on the main road south of Pardoo.

I have collected some GPS points of quiet out of the way unofficial (free) campsites. Some of them aren't too flash, just little tracks off the road to a clump of trees etc. I'll get you a list of them because when you're at a about 4pm and you are starting to look for a place to stop, these at least will give you something to check out and you can make up your own mind.

mike 90 RR

10th June 2009, 10:10 AM

Safe travels Phillip

My folks are up that way in a group of 3 4x4's towing caravans ... They part of the grey army that escape the cold winters for the warm top end // currently they are heading for the back of the Queensland

Pics would be great

Mike
:)

PhilipA

10th June 2009, 06:24 PM

OK progress report and thanks for the good wishes.

We didn't stop at the Macquarie Marsh because there was no Marsh and no birds from the specially built lookout.

Ironically we saw 2 Brolgas in a lagoon nearly to the Mitchell Highway.

We skipped Willie Resort and continued to Bourke, Mitchell caravan park, close to tranport, about 5 metres from the highway.

Its bloody freezing, with about 15C in the sun during the day and now about 10C.

Only prob so far is with my old Campomatic, where the kitchen catches decided not to. A bit of filing with the rat tail and looks OK.

Tomorrow we plan somewhere near Quilpie,so maybe no next G.
Not many photos so far butr we have it on board.
Regards Philip A
BTW first tank was 17.2 L per 100 up the Golden highway into the gale.

Second looks better.

PhilipA

11th June 2009, 05:36 PM

Well here we are at Toompine Pub about 90Kmsouth of Quilpie and I have signal without the car antenna. We have had signal virtually all the way from Bourke and then on short cuts from Cunnamulla to Toompine, which is ONLY a pub.
I will soon have to believe Telstra's propaganda.

Had about my worst camping night at Bourke in Mitchell Caravan park. I didn't know that the Kamileroi Hwy is a MAJOR road train route from Queensland and a truck passed about every 10 minutes all night.

The temp was 1.6C at 8AM with several degrees of frost on the car.
Luckily we had power and ran the fan heater all night.

Lots of wildlife on the way Emus by the dozen, kangas by the score, piggies running everywhere, and evidence of floods at every channel, but only a couple of water crossings.

Tomorrow we are aiming for Bedourie.

Its not really practical to bush camp as the gidgee has been eaten up to cow level everywhere and you would have to get a kilometer from the road not to be seen. And there are lots of burned stumps.
So here we are, along with 38 goats, 5 alpacas, 2 donkeys, 1 camel, about 5 kelpies,blueies, and a Tenterfield terrier who was left by a traveller!

Its a great place. Not much to look at but a donation requested for the RFDS , power and a shower/toilet.
Regards Philip A

mike 90 RR

11th June 2009, 08:16 PM

Tomorrow we are aiming for Bedourie.

Your crackin some kays ... You must really hate the cold :p

The ho har's

11th June 2009, 09:00 PM

I can tell you Bedourie is nothing special...........

Mrs ho har:angel:

colrospeake

11th June 2009, 09:10 PM

PhilipA
Good to see you are doing the Plenty--- NOW
I am leaving south East Qld in 3 weeks time for the Alice. Please keep us posted --- Call into a cafe in Alice and do a post about the road conditions
I think it will be a grerat drive
Colrospeake

Xtreme

11th June 2009, 09:44 PM

Next time you're looking for somewhere to stay in the Bourke area, try Byrock Pub - 80km east of Bourke (less than an hour), has a range of accommodation at reasonable rates and great tucker.

TheLowRanger

13th June 2009, 01:57 PM

I'll be leaving with the family within the next few days to head back up to Derby. Been back in Perth for just on 12 months now and still can't seem to get the place out of the system, so we're off again for another 3 months (which will quite possibly turn into 12 once again) Keep an eye out for the silver V8 D1 on LPG when you get there and say g'day if you see me. Cheers, Glen.

PhilipA

13th June 2009, 06:00 PM

Thanks all.
Well here we are in Boulia at the cravan park which is good. bush camped last night 1/2 way between Windorah and Bedourie by driving off road at Carbine creek. Only one truck went past all night at about 7.30PM.

The old blind bloke still owns the servo in Windorah and asks customers how much on the pump. He is a wizz with the credit card machine.
The road between Windorah and Bedourie is dirt most of the way but excellent.

Bedourie impressed us as a tidy little town though we were regaled about the stupidity of trying to break wild camels by a somewhat inebriated dusky gentleman. greta public toilets and bbq area, but the camp ground didn't look too crash hot.

The road from Bedourie to Boulia was not so good although the map suggested otherwise.

I have spoken top a couple of people who have done the Plenty in the last couple of days and they say the Donahue is good having just been graded , but the next 100K of the Plenty are bad, then OK.

One guy did the GRR last week and said it was really good and the graders still on it, and the Tanami is reported good.

Next report will be Alice.

All going well so far although I was stoopid and left the storage box on the camper open.Filled it with stones/dust and lost my sponge . The LH rear wheel of the camper had about 2inches of dust inside when I got to Bedourie, because the wind was in that direction.

I wonder who the stupid pom was that put the channel on top of the tailgate. Wonderful in England I suppose for channeling the water away , but neatly dumps a cup of dust inside every time the tailgate is opened.

Regards Philip A

Panda

13th June 2009, 07:07 PM

Don't forget lots of pics Phillip! :D:D

PhilipA

15th June 2009, 06:05 PM

OK here we are in Alice at the Top 4 at $41 per night Gulp! But it is a great place to clean up after the 700 or so dirt and bulldust Km from Boulia.

Camped last night at Jervois Station which is 460Km from Boulia. Very basic but had fireplaces so cooked some steaks on my 20 plus year old Car B Que. They had unleaded fuel at 189.9 but I was able to last to Alice with 2 jerries. Alice is 132.9 after 4 cents at Woolies.

The trip was uneventful. the Donahue and Plenty are like a curates egg, good in parts. The places where no clay cap has been put on ie red dirt were pretty chopped up in places and there were lots of corrugations in places.It rained a few weeks ago so less bulldust but more loose damp sand.
It was 100Km cruise in places and 70 Km dodgems in others.
Someone posted on Explore Oz That the Donahue was smooth all the way. Hmm, IMHO the last 50-100 Km was as bad as the Plenty.

I guess the only other comment is to bitch about the lack of manners of some drivers like the Challenger driver I pulled over for so he could overtake, and he passes at 100Km on my side of the road. Lucky no stones on the screen.

I am still trying to figure out how to stop the channel over the tailgate from filling with dust and dumping it all inside when I open it. I tried tape over the gap but it gets wiped off by the rubber when you open it.
You cannot get a brush into the space either. Maybe I should fill the channel with silastic. All ideas appreciated as 1000Km of dirt day after tomorrow on the Tanami.
So far no probs and I am very happy with my BFG Long Trail T/As. Thye have better directional stability than A/T KOs on the sand .
We have taken quite a few photos so far . the best is the old girl pulling the camper through a creek bed when we camped off road.( the RRC that is)
Regards Philip A

Pierre

15th June 2009, 06:16 PM

Phillip, obviously happy travels! When you get to Broome, and IF you have any dramas, pm me for a family contact with LR connections in Broome.

Cheers, safe trip.

Pete

PhilipA

16th June 2009, 06:04 PM

Well , I bought some Craven door seal tape and put a seal between the top of the taigate and the door frame lip. If you have a RRC you will see what I mean. It is the lip in which the wiper pivot and washer nozzle are mounted and it makes an extra seal against the tailgate above the normal seal.

I also once again ran tape across the channel on the top of the tailgate, but made sure it did not touch the area that is wiped by what is laughably called "the seal". You cannot cut/alter the channel as the front side is what contacts the seal.

I added some seal tape to the top of the bottom tailgate just inside the normal seal and down the outsides of the upper tailgate.I also added some to the tailgate down the sides .

Oh and I also bought a battery vacuum cleaner! LOL

I travel as much as possible with the fan on and vent "up" and do not get a lot in while travelling, but it's bloody annoying to open the tailgate and have a shower of bulldust. Especially since you cannot take any avoiding action as you cannot see/get to the channel until it is open.

Had a bloke in town weld about 3-4 MM onto my old Campomatic Kitchen turn locks to ensure they stayed closed on the Tanami.Cost me a fortune.($10).

Regard sPhilip A

PhilipA

19th June 2009, 08:11 PM

OK, here we are in Hall's Creek.

Did the Tanami in two days and stayed at Rabbit Flat Road House (580KM from Alice) last night bush camping. Very atmospheric place. The old german lady seemed nice and the local customers were well mannered.

The Tanami is good (100Kmh)until about 10Km out of Rabbit Flat where the road is chopped up by rain and tyre lines. After rabbit Flat it is good in some parts but gets progressively worse towards the WA border and pretty ****ty from there on. The WORST bit is only about 60 Km out of Halls Creek. The road goes through a range and is covered by big rocks and severe corrugations.60Kmh was too fast.

NO punctures . The only problems have been dust and old age related. the washing up bucket got a hole neatly through it from a high velocity rock, and the top tailgate locks have given up the ghost . AND WHAT A PAIN IN THE ARSE THAT IS. I have new ones on order with Gary from CLR for pick up in Kununarra. They popped open about every 10Km from the border and the car is a dust bowl. That dissuaded me from going to wolf Creek crater.

Passing Road Trains was easy as they responded to Channel 40 call up and stopped allowing a pass. Great guys.

Saw some wild camels on the road today, and of all things about 50Km out of Halls Creek there is a Jabiru wandering along the road. Must have lost his way from Kakadu, as it was bone dry where he was.

So next stop is 4 or 5 days in the Bungle Bungles so will be off the air until Kununurra.
Regards Philip A

lardy

19th June 2009, 08:43 PM

isuzurover

22nd June 2009, 05:04 PM

Passing Road Trains was easy as they responded to Channel 40 call up and stopped allowing a pass. Great guys.

Wow - that is surprising!

PhilipA

24th June 2009, 01:38 PM

OK, here I am sitting in a coffee shop in Kunanurra as we are camped at Ord dam Lake Argyll where there is no signal.

We spent 3 nights in the Bungle Bungles campping. It is a great place with really awe inspiring chasms. We took a helo ride yesterday and went through some of the gorges. It was a robinson R44 with no doors, so was very stimulating.

Horrific 50KM road in where many seem to be able to wipe out by going too fast . Last week a guy flipped his Ultimate in the one reasonable bulldust patch.

And the day before yesterday someone speared into a tree when he came round a corner too fast and locked up to avoid a bus who was stopped waiting for him, then abused the bus driver. The tractor tyre dragging guy ( wannabe grader) reckoned he had made the road too good.LOL.

The old RRC is still going strong, but having a few age related tantrums.
All tyres OK so far.

I am waiting on new upper tailgate catches. Gary from CLR organised Rovercraft to send them, and I opened the (too large) package to find 2 Disco2 rear air springs. Yikes!
So It looks like I am here another couple of days waiting for the correct parts. Poor Gary is "malcolm in the middle" and rovercraft also have a pd off customer in Victoria. However Simon from Rovercraft is working hard to fix it.(I hope)
So stocking up now for the GRR which is supposed to be OK.

Regards Philip A

mike 90 RR

24th June 2009, 01:56 PM

I am waiting on new upper tailgate catches. .... organised Rovercraft to send them, and I opened the (too large) package to find 2 Disco2 rear air springs. Yikes!

I can imagine the comments when the "other customer" opens up their "Tooo small package" and sees your catches .... :p :p :p ..... Hope their not stuck up / beyond "Cape York"

JamesH

24th June 2009, 04:14 PM

OK, here I am sitting in a coffee shop in Kunanurra as we are camped at Ord dam Lake Argyll where there is no signal.

We spent 3 nights in the Bungle Bungles campping. It is a great place with really awe inspiring chasms. We took a helo ride yesterday and went through some of the gorges. It was a robinson R44 with no doors, so was very stimulating.

Horrific 50KM road in where many seem to be able to wipe out by going too fast . Last week a guy flipped his Ultimate in the one reasonable bulldust patch.

And the day before yesterday someone speared into a tree when he came round a corner too fast and locked up to avoid a bus who was stopped waiting for him, then abused the bus driver. The tractor tyre dragging guy ( wannabe grader) reckoned he had made the road too good.LOL.

If you have time in Kunnie go to one of the cavan parks there on the river and rent an outboard to go up to the dam. it's a loveley little trip.

I hate the road into the Bungles probably more than any other Ive been on. Ive been on worse quality roads (not many) but none with hilly blind corners that have so many tourist types who don't know what they're doing coming flying around. Having said that, I remember once after about an hour of it losing concentration and taking a couple of bends too fast myself and being grateful some other innocent wasn't coming the other way.

It's a shocker and it detracts from the whole Bungles experience which in my view is over-rated - sacreligious as it is to say so.

Xtreme

24th June 2009, 04:35 PM

I've been into the Bungles twice, once in the Defender and once in the S1 Disco with Camper trailer and I can't understand what people find so horrific about the access road. Driven at a speed to suit the conditions we covered the 50 odd K's in about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs without a problem.

Part of the trouble though is that many people camp out near the Northern Hwy and 'Do' the Bungles as a day trip, which is not long enough to do the area justice. Hence, they drive too fast on the one and only access/egress road.

I just wish that there was another access from the eastern side (Duncan Rd) - I just don't like backtracking and think it would make it a far more interesting trip.

PhilipA

26th June 2009, 10:53 PM

Well we are STILL at Lake Argyll.

It is now one week since I ordered 2 lousy tailgate catches and they still have not arrived. Today is one of the most frustrating days I have experienced as we went to Kununurra to pick up the parts at 2PM.

We did the few sights and went to the Coles supermarket to do a final stock up. Coles had installed a new system yesterday and it did not work.

Anyway, 2pm arrives and no parts. So I ring Rovercraft and Toll had a problem. Hang around in 33.5 in the shade for 3/4 hour waiting for call back.

So went back to Lake Argyll and called Rovercraft from Phone box. Still no word from Toll. Simon was to call back to the caravan park when something known. No call.

I had noticed that my aircon, though cold had not been cycling as usual.
NO condensor fans.

So did a troubleshoot , relays, fuses etc only to find that BOTH FANS HAVE DIED!!!! I do not believe it! tried to hot wire and dead as doornail.

To top it off then had a shower and there was a blackout in the middle as all the vans with aircon overloaded the circuit.

All in all a day to forget.

So what should I do? Get new aftermarket fans , buy a drill and fit em, IF they are available in K.? Or just continue on without fans and only using aircon over 60Kmh? All entries considered.
One day I MAY get to the GRR,
Regards Philip A

DeanoH

27th June 2009, 02:12 PM

Get em fixed in Kununurra, you don't want to start your Gibb trip with a sub-par cooling system. It's easy to be tempted to use the air-con when sub 60 K's and its hot and sticky. There aren't a lot of opportunities to safely travel at this speed between El Questro and when you hit the bitumen near Winjana Gorge. Try a local auto elec., might be something simple, crook bushes say.

Sunset at Ivanho Crossing is a good gig if your'e running out of things to do. Bottle of wine, cheese and biccies...........................aah what are the poor people doing ? (sitting in Kununurra waiting for spare parts). Very relaxing and great photo opp.

Did the Gibb this time last year from West to East and loved it. Don't lose heart with the glitches, it'll all come together in the end. Liked it so much am going back in August going East to West same as you, but will cut down past Winjana and Tunnel Creek and back to Old Halls Creek. Miss Broome this way which with Kalumburu have to have the worst run camping ground/caravan parks in the country. Nice venues but managed poorly.

Deano

BigJon

27th June 2009, 06:23 PM

I've been into the Bungles twice, once in the Defender and once in the S1 Disco with Camper trailer and I can't understand what people find so horrific about the access road..

I took my old 1975 Kingswood Ute in there.

PhilipA

29th June 2009, 05:54 PM

Well i see we have a debate about the road to the Bungle Bungles. I have to say that everyone I have met here has nominated it as the worst road in the Kimberley.
Still in Kununurra. The latches arrived this morning and I fitted them in 1/2 hour or so.

Go to the GRR tomorrow and everyone reckons it is like a highway at the moment , so I hope so.
Went to Wyndham yesterday. What a hole but has some interesting history.
Climbed the 5 Rivers lookout in 35C and no overheating.

I will leave the leccy fans until I get home as the local shop only sells 12inch Davies Craigs and the mountings are about 150MM spacing while my bars are 100MM, so a lot of stuffing about.

Old bloke here asked for my help yesterday as his alternator belt in a new model 04 Prado 3.0 L diesel was slipping. I said that it would have multi ribbed belt and had to go to the dealer. BUT I had a look and lo and behold V belts with a simple screw and jam adjuster. Ya gotta love Toyota for their conservative design. Lots of room for a second battery too. AND no bloody fans on the aircon with an enormous condenser cooled only by the viscous.
Ok Onward to El Questro with a rear hatch that stays shut, I hope.
Regards Philip A

Xtreme

29th June 2009, 06:07 PM

Well i see we have a debate about the road to the Bungle Bungles. I have to say that everyone I have met here has nominated it as the worst road in the Kimberley.

Had the same comments more than 10 years ago - I don't think the locals realise that you need to drive a bit slower on the Bungles Rd than on the black ribbon.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of it Philip.

PhilipA

29th June 2009, 06:21 PM

I have been there and done that, and used the term horrific, which someone disagreed with. It was not locals complaing but tourists in well set up 4WDs. The point being that at prsent it is a stinker and worse than the GRR . of course it could change overnight with some tractor tyres dragged over it.LOL.

The road is very corrugated with large widely spaced and deep corrugations typically from tour buses right through Mabel Downs. I had tyres down to 24PSI front and 35 back and it was not possible in most places to exceed 40-50Kmh without setting up the dreaded resonance.

Then the corrugations diminish closer to the park to be replaced by numerous blind corners, several shallow but cut up river crossings and steep hills.

Once in the park the roads are fine as a worker drags 3 tractor tyres behind a tractor every couple of days.

I have no real problem with it but I must say it is the worst road I have encountered recently except for the William Creek to Halligans Bay road at Lake Eyre.

Pedro_The_Swift

2nd July 2009, 06:44 PM

*bump*

anyone heard from Phillip??

dmdigital

2nd July 2009, 07:33 PM

No, but if he's still in the Kimberley's in September we'll see him. We are on our way there but taking the scenic route.

mike 90 RR

2nd July 2009, 07:47 PM

anyone heard from Phillip??

Still in Kununurra. The latches arrived this morning and I fitted them in 1/2 hour or so.

Ok Onward to El Questro with a rear hatch that stays shut, I hope.
Regards Philip A

He might be driving South, at furious pace, determined to stick a product up where the sun don't shine

:p
:p

DeanoH

4th July 2009, 11:19 PM

Once PhilipA leaves Kununurra and heads off down the GRR he won't be in mobile (internet) range until he gets to Derby. Not too many internet cafe's along the way.

Deano

PhilipA

7th July 2009, 10:51 PM

OK I cannot resist.
Here I am sitting in the car outside the cop station in Kalumburu hearing techno from a house up the road. A cop just told me to move into the car park.

So we have driven down trhe GRR staying at El Questro and then Home valley Station, then Drysdale River Station, then King Edward river camping Ground , now Karumburu.
The GRR itself was really quite good, but the track into Mitchell River Falls was the worst road I have ever been on, taking 3.5 hours for 70 Km.

The toll on cars has been enormous. I personally spoke to 4 100 Cruiser owners who blew up one or both front shocks. There was an ironical one where a guy in a Navara ute came up beside us saying he was going slow to protect the car. One Km on there he was minus one rear wheel.

The cruisers all want to go 80Kmh on the road to drift over the corrugations, but these corrugations are doozys with a frequency of say 30-40CM and height of say 15CM. I stopped on one to take a photo and the car rolled into the valley .

The old girl is going well with no problems other than the fans. The tailgate now stays shut.
I have convinced myself that the 7 hour drive and 3 hour walk to see the falls was worth it.LOL.

Lots of people with tyre problems, often old tyres . Touch wood the BFG Long Trails are so far undamaged. I run them at about 22 front and 28 rear with the trailer at 20PSI. Dust is the biggest problem and we get a shower in every time the tailgate is opened. I have perfected a bit of tube and duct tape to seal the button assembly as this was sticking so badly it would not unlock. I bought a dust buster, and have a b rush which I use every time the tailgate is opened.

The Kalumburu road is a good in parts but terrible in others. Many river crossings that have to be taken at walking pace as you do not know what is down there. Sometimes smooth for 80 , then 200 mtres on degenerating to killer corrugations or protruding rocks.

Anyway I had better go as we are staying in the Catrholic Mission camping ground. Visited the two locally owned ones today and will give em a miss. One is honeymoon Bay, but unlike any Honeymoon I have seen. BUT a couple of those Nissan Patrol 6 wheelers in trhere with caravans!

Regards Philip A

JamesH

8th July 2009, 10:59 AM

I remember that road into Mitchell Falls, it was a horror. We were about four days in front of the grader. I met some people a year later and it turned out they did the road oafter the grader a week after we did - smooth as a baby's bottom :twisted:

The mechanic at Drysdale River said he makes his living replacing shockies and other suspension bits in Prados and Nissans. He had nothing against the vehicles but the drivers insist on going fast over the corrugations, it might be smoother in the cabin but the driving gear is getting a high speed thrashing..

This might start a debate but the theory he espoused is when you are going over corrugations - go slow and suffer - you'll eventually get there.

We eventully got to Mitchell Falls, at an average speed of about 22km/h - strewth it was awful but the Falls were beautiful, and the walk in tooks us past lot of rock art.

The bad roads were enough to put us off going all the way up to Kalumbaru. It was disturbing to see most of Drysdale River burnt out with skinny cattle looking for food.

The trip back down was bad but not as bad.

LandyAndy

8th July 2009, 09:15 PM

Was chatting to my mate Derby Dan last nite.
He works in the area for an earthmoving company.
He would DEARLY love to buy a grader as they cant get them up there when they need them.
Bank says no contracts no $$$$,contractors say no grader no contract.
My dearly departed mate FatBaz(who also was great mates with Derby Dan) always had a goal of buying a grader too.Im afraid after steering one for a few years MEE TOO:eek::eek::eek::eek:
I wouldnt mind being my own boss smoothing them roads out up there to keep the terrorists happy:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

TheLowRanger

10th July 2009, 12:58 AM

Just got back from dragging the van in to Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge (or should I say camping ground as the $600+/night at the lodge is certainly out of the budget) and must say we enjoyed a nice and relaxed time. The GRR at this (Derby) end is very good ATM. The section up to the Windjana turnoff is like a highway, with much of it now bitumen. They must have been busy last year as there wasn't any bitumen past the first 60ish k's the previous year. The next section through to the turnoff to Mt Hart is like a Victorian highway, a bit dodgy and in need of some maintenance, but overall still able to travel at some speed. They are also redoing quite a long section of road through past Lennard River which looks like it could become bitumen also. So much for this road being one of the iconic off road touring destinations of the future. The Fairfield Leopold Downs Rd deteriorates once you get past Windjana Gorge and continues to worsen the further you go. The last 40-50 k's before you get to the Great Northern Highway being the worst of the corrugations. Made the whole trek through with the van unscathed although a might bit dusty. If you do go in to Mt Hart make sure you wet a line because we pulled a few reasonable Sooty Grunters out of Barker River right at the camp ground. My 4 year old managed to pull a 42cm specimen from off the pontoon right at the camp ground itself. Enjoy yourself and will keep an eye out for you in the next bit as you come in to Derby.

PhilipA

16th July 2009, 10:49 PM

OK update.
Here I am at the van park in Derby . Stayed at Bell Gorge for two nights, and before that at Manning gorge for 2 days, after driving through from Kalumburu.

Derby is a crowd scene because of school hols I guess. We came here to get some supplies including grog as a it was a bit galling at Manning Gorge to see 4 young locals come in with a slab of VB, with one of them drunk at 2PM.

We have had no car trouble except my water pump is now leaking a bit from old age. I have a spare so tomorrows job is to switch it in. Otherwise the car , me, our camper and clothes are just full of red dust.

We then plan to go out to Fitzroy crossing and go to Geike, Tunnel creek, Winjana etc. After that to Cape Leveque and the horizontal waterfalls ride.

I agree that the Gibb is currently a pussy with BITUMEN on the steep climbs and the road gangs completely rebuilding the road and bitumising about 100KM or so out oif Derby , just past the Winjana turnoff.

So there you go. We have done the Gibb and I am now getting a bit sick of red rocks.
Onward to Leveque and then down the coast.

Regards Philip A

TheLowRanger

17th July 2009, 11:51 AM

Welcome to Derby! Not much of a town but the people are great. From what I hear, the road through to Cape Leveque is pretty good ATM aswell.

PhilipA

17th July 2009, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the welcome Low Ranger.

I am currently staying in the big van park, and an old couple approached us tonight to see if we are actually going tomorrow as ours is the ONLY powered site available and their campervans batteries are flat.

Going to Fitzroy tomorrow then Tunnel Creek and Wyndjana and back but we will stay in the small park on Monday Night.

Derby is a great little place but who decided not to put any trees in the main street for shaded parking, and who decided to rebuild the pool NOW???? Although I suppose one could wade out a few kilos in the mud for a swim. Saw the local sight and drove out on the wharf.

The bloke at the Mitre Ten was great and gave me some hose to siphon the radiator for the water pump change. All done plus oil change in 3 hours. Old Landie owner. The shell servo was OUT OF OIL.

Great joke at Woolies when asked about where is the Servo. BROOME Tish Boom.
So back monday.
Regards Philip A

TheLowRanger

18th July 2009, 02:07 AM

Depending on what oil you want try Derby Auto Parts - orange building on the corner of Clarendon street diagonally opposite the Hospital, next street down from the Shell. Otherwise Derby 4x4 and Marine - in the industrial estate on your way out of town. May see you on your way back in to town on Monday.

Cheers

Glen

PhilipA

18th July 2009, 07:41 PM

Thanks mate. I had 5 litrs of Shell Helix plus and wanted the same but settled for some Valvoline semi synth from woolies.
I later found derby Auto parts and bought a bit of stuff.
Regard sPhilip A

LandyAndy

18th July 2009, 08:14 PM

Hey Glen
Do you know Dan Brandis???
Good mate of mine in Derby.Works for the Earthmoving mob with an Aboriginal sounding name,cant recall exactly how its pronounced/spelt.
Andrew

TheLowRanger

19th July 2009, 02:09 PM

Gungalla Mackay will probably be the mob you are talking about. I don't know Dan personally, but may have met him last time we were up as I did some work out there extending one of their sheds.

LandyAndy

19th July 2009, 06:55 PM

Thats the mob.
Thanks
Andrew

PhilipA

20th July 2009, 11:24 PM

OK went to Fitzroy Crossing 2 days ago then back via Tunnel creek and Wynjana Gorge and camped there.

After seeing Wynjana, Geikie was a bit of an anticlimax in retrospect.Wynjana was filled with freshwater crocs, eleven on one sandbank alone, and you could walk right up within say 3 metres without them diving. They only moved when I insulted them by calling them handbags.

Tunnel creek is also a magic place even without the history.

The Wynjana camp ground was good except for 2 things which I luckily anticipated. First I had cut 2 large logs and burned them for 6 hours to get perfect coals for my barbie. 2 lots of people came along and asked could they share the fire and I said fine as long as you let me cook my steaks on the coals first,as I made a great show of stirring the coals as they pulled up. So i managed to have my coals at 6:30 before they turned it into a conflagation.
Second after dark about 15 backpackers turned up and camped 7 metres from me and then started singing around the fire.At 10Pm I walked over and asked that they cool it as this was the quiet camping area. As usual I am pretty sure they did not pay.

This is the second National park camping area we have been hijacked at.
At bell gorge we went for a swim to return to find 2 lots of campers in what would be considered space for one, and they pitched their tent so close to the car that I could not open the passenger side doors.!!! GRRR. And exactly the same happened to another bloke who has been shadowing us down the GRR.
Anyway, tomorrow Broome and then Cape Leveque.

Regards Philip A

JamesH

21st July 2009, 03:35 PM

Ah yes that's so annoying and it is always a good reason to avoid normal camping areas where possible.

The strange thing I think with European tourists is their idea of personal space is not quite like ours. Ive seen people come and camp near us when there is plenty of room for them to set up elsewhere.

I am not proud to say my mates and I are the direct opposite, we like our own company pretending nobody else exists and can be aloof when on the road. If we see a another Land Roverof course we go up for a chat but will always withdraw and assume everybody feels the same way about privacy as we do.

PhilipA

21st July 2009, 06:25 PM

Wow, my wife's "hail Mary full of grace help us find a camping space " WORKED.
We are in Cable Beach Caravan park for 2 nights. What a top place though enormous.

Noosa oops sorry Broome is like all other plastic resort towns to me, though my loved one loves looking in the shops. We are going to the open air theatre tonight to see "Sampson and Delilah"

We went over to the beach to have a swim only to find it closed while the lifeguards and cops tried to chase away a crocodile!!! Well its different anyway. The cops had rifles to shoot it if it came on the beach, and they were trying to keep an army of sightseers away so that they could get a clear shot.
My LED torch had its central LED die on the corrugations on the Tunnel creek Road. It looks like the bulb is replaceable as it has a flashlight flange type fitting. Anyone know where to get a 4.4 volt LED flange type bulb??? I think JAYCAR have them for maglites but they cost a bomb.

Regards Philip A

mike 90 RR

21st July 2009, 06:46 PM

The strange thing I think with European tourists is their idea of personal space is not quite like ours. Ive seen people come and camp near us when there is plenty of room for them to set up elsewhere.

Amazes me too ... Ya drive a 1000k's to get away from everyone ....only to find someone else drove a 1000k's ...just to camp next door to you ;)

Anyone know where to get a 4.4 volt LED flange type bulb???

Your in "Broome Time" now.... your getting nothing, quick, for a while :p

Glad your OK and taking in the sights

Pierre

21st July 2009, 08:28 PM

Philip, make sure you get to down to Matsos and enjoy a beer with your crew. And don't be frightened to drive North up Cable Beach for some flattering sights!!

Cheers and glad to hear all is well. If you have any mechanical dramas to solve while you are there, #3 son may be be able to help with contacts. Look for Disco 1 Rioja Red with BM plates and front bar/bash plate.

Pete

Craig

21st July 2009, 08:32 PM

Anyone know where to get a 4.4 volt LED flange type bulb??? I think JAYCAR have them for maglites but they cost a bomb.

Regards Philip A

Yeah, the nearest JAYCAR is in Darwin, and I dont think Dick Smith will have one. I think I had one of those led globes as a spare for my 4D Maglite, but it wasnt very bright.

You might want to try All Volts on Blackman St.

And if you see me driving around town my Black Puma dont forget to wave.

Craig

JamesH

21st July 2009, 08:57 PM

I really like the camping store in Broome on the way to Cable Beach. It had everything and it seemed reasonably priced too. It would not surprise me if they had LED globes for torches.

PhilipA

25th July 2009, 10:41 PM

Ok went up to Cape Leveque on 23/7 to get the Kimberley Eco tours boat to the horizontal falls. They are a new company that operates a 30 seat boat with 4 x 300BHP Yamahas!!!! It leaves from the resort but there was no room at the inn so we camped at at the Gambanan camping ground 10Km away at One Arm Point.
This was a cultural experience

It was great going through the falls twice and swimming at Bucaneer Beach and Hidden island.

The road is about 80 or so Km dirt now and is not too bad compared to some roads, and I could maintain 80-90Kmh for long stretches with some baddies thrown in every now and then.. Good whoop de doos too.

It was very hot and humid at One Arm point ( and no good beach) and my wallet is lighter after Charmaine decided polished Trochus shells are great gifts, from Barry.
Barry runs the Barra hatchery at One Arm point except that is just a hobby. He makes his money from breeding Anenome and selling to aquariums.
Barry also has the licence for collection of Trochus.
The young man at Gambanan told me that his father used to see the bay full of indonesian Trochus boats.
Back at Broome again, and again lucked it in at Cable Beach caravan park for 4 nights.
Regards Philip A

olbod

26th July 2009, 11:47 AM

Philip, its a pity that you missed out on the boat tour.
I believe its very interesting and educational at times.

Oops.

Pierre

26th July 2009, 06:24 PM

LandyAndy

26th July 2009, 09:42 PM

Im with Pierre on Matsos.
Have had several awsome meals there,and the chef went out of his way to get squid rings for my boy,despite not having any squid on the premesis:cool::cool::cool::cool: WELL DONE,the boy loved them.
Im a passionate Home Brewer,they have some EXCELLENT brewed on site beers.
ENJOY!!!
Andrew

PhilipA

26th July 2009, 10:43 PM

Yumps on the Cape Leveque Rd have caused many accidents and several deaths. Too easy to get complacent... some sand yumps and the vehicle's airborne, lands on one or two wheels, the suspension collapses, it digs in and flips.....

I am a pretty experienced yump man, having driven cross country in Saudi where you cannot see the differences in gradient because of the sand glare. I reckon you could be in trouble on those bits of the Leveque road that have about a 15 degree angle on it if you hit some yumps. It must be a mess afte rthe wet as the water would be 2 metres deep in the middle.

I remember once being 10 abreast over a seemingly flat sand surface and all ten cars yumping in unison. Rangies land awkwardly usually kicking up the back after the first landing but interestingly the camper flattens out the landing.

I misread a dip on the Kalumburu road and made air and the car and trailer landed unbelievably smoothly.

We made it back safely from Cape leveque, however today I noticed that the camper water tank has finally given up and is leaking. 12 years is not bad for a plastic tank. Of course none in stock in Broome.
Regards Philip A

PhilipA

5th August 2009, 08:44 PM

well, here we are at Exmouth ,after visiting 80 mile beach, Millstream Chichester national park, and Karijini.

We couldn't get into Dampier or Karratha so arrived at Millstream right into the setting sun. The wildflowers on the railway support road were amazing with Sturt's desert peas everywhere on the side of the road.

No probs with the RRC but my water tank in the camper has died.

Amazing what 100Kgs less on the camper (60 L water/40l fuel) does to fuel economy as I got about 15.7 L per100 from Tom Price to Exmouth.

I am writing this on the tailgate of the Rangie in the carpark of the lighthouse at Cape Viamingh Head Lighthouse as there is no signal down in the Lighthouse Caravan park. We have just seen the sunset. All the oil rigs off the coast have lights on them and it looks like a gas flare on one.
We are here for a few days then down to Coral bay for 2 days then back here for another few days. This was predicated by the availability of accommodation as everywhere is full. people line up at the National park at 5.30 AM hoping for a spot.
Thats all now.
Regards Philip A

TheLowRanger

7th August 2009, 02:27 AM

Try Ningaloo Station for accomodation if you are completely self sufficient. Although I do recall that CALM or DEC (or whatever they call themselves now - National Parks) had taken over the lease on the waterfront from the owners, so I'm not sure how this has affected the camping scenario. You could also try Warroora Station south of Coral Bay. Also, come to think of it, there is a couple of sites in the National Park a couple of k's south of the Yardi Creek crossing that don't see too many campers as most people don't like to cross Yardi Ck. If you do cross, make sure it is low tide as I have had to help a stranded tourist that was stuck in the creek once as he deviated from the main wheel ruts and got stuck on an incoming tide. None of the grey nomads on the other side of the creek were willing to help him out as it would have meant getting their tyres wet!! He had a winch and just wanted someone to anchor off to help recovery. He finally convinced one guy to help him, and after he hooked up the winch cable, the other guy decided to try and use it as a snatch strap and consequently snapped his winch cable. After we got to him it was too late and the passenger side was already under water to half way up the doors, and had stuffed his ECU behind the passenger side kick panel.

PhilipA

7th August 2009, 07:49 PM

Thanks for that.
We have obtained 3 days at Yardi Creek Station, just outside the national park. We are a little over no showers etc at the moment!
Went snorkelling at Lakeside , Turquoise bay and Oyster Stacks today.
What a place!
Each has its own character, with Lakeside with the most fish, including a Sting ray with a tail that is about 2-3 metres long. I definitely did not want to snorkel right over him.
I have done over 4K since changing the oil in Derby , so will need another change in a few KK.

Regard s Philip A from the Exmouth Shopping centre car park. Fish and Chips tonight.

PhilipA

15th August 2009, 02:42 PM

After Yardie Creek Station we went to Quobba . There was and is a howling westerly and the waves at the Blowhole and surroundings were awesome.

While we were parked up at the lighthouse we watched some of the wave breaks on the rocks. Some were 5 times or more the size of a car parked on the road adjacent.

First day there there were a number of whales playing just off the rocks. One plyful fellow would rise to the surface and bang his tail on the water 4 or 5 times , only about 200metres off the rocks.

Last night the wind and waves were so loud it was hard to sleep. The campomatic does not usually flap, but last night it flapped a lot. We were behind a big group of bushes but the vortices still moved the camper about.
The Sydney 11 Memorial is there as many of the German survivors landed on the beaches at Quobba Station. I get angry every time I think of the actions and negligence of the Sydney's captain.

So now we are in Carnarvon waiting for friends from Perth. Rain is expected Monday, which is somewhat of an event. I managed to wash the old RRC at Yardie during a short but heavy shower a few days ago but it is dirty again and covered in salt.
The old girl is going well and economy seems better as I have upped the tyres and went to the extreme of removing antennas and folding back the mirrors. last few tanks have been around 15.7 to 16.5 or so mostly with trailer on.
I will change oil here for the dash home.
Regards Philip A

PhilipA

23rd August 2009, 10:26 PM

My wife just reminded me that I haven't posted for some time.
We are currently in Kununurra on the way home after visting Quobba then Carnarvon., to meet afriend from Perth.
Carnarvon was a bit ho hum, but we saw the sight and took the train on the remains of the jetty.

We then decided to go north home instead of over the Nullabor so then went to Dampier. Both I and wife found the Burrup gas trains very interesting and hiked up deep Gorge to see the aboriginal art, which unlike most seemed genuine.
From Dampier to Barn Hill Station which was a little disappointing, then to Fitzroy crossing Lodge and then today to Kununurra which is 645KM.

Tomorrow to Katherine.

I met a young lady at the servo today who made me feel better. She just drove from Katherine in a 3.5 Rodeo at 120Kmh(probably 115), about 500Km and filled with 77litres. about 15.4 or so' Temp is about 36C.

I took 103litres for 642 Km from Fitzroy towing the camper at about a GPS 105KMH. 16.1!!!

I am going to absurd lengths of course, by removing the antennas, tyres up to 32 front, 42 rear, 30 on trailer, folding back the mirrors.

In addition I have changed to 40 weight oil. Now here is the strange bit.
I was afraid my oil consumption would increase dramatically But so far at 1800Kms, it has reduced!! I am using Valvoline 15-40semi Synthetic and the engine seems to Love it.
But the last three or so tanks have mostly been better than 17 and one with a tailwind from Tom Price was 15.7. This is mostly with aircon on in 34-36 C.
I will keep reporting the oil consumption which is usually about 1Litre to 5000KM using shell Helix Ultra Plus 15-50. Maybe the valvoline is more stable at the high temps around the guides?? I do not know yet but so far it is good.

Regard s Philip A