Thread: Sundown NP June 09 Trip Report

As has been said already a great trip and I look foward to the next one with the club. I had a great time driving, relaxing and laughing around the camp fire of a night. Some of the stories that were told are classics. Also the camp oven battle Saturday night was a great end to a day with some beautiful food being made. These are just some of the photos that Hendrik took with my camera and if anyone would like a copy let me know and I will try and get them to you.

Convoy on the road into the main gate and the national park. Even here has some amazing scenery and the graded road was more then welcomed on the return trip.



Camo doing it easy down the wombat holes on the Rats Castle loop.



Stevo breaking his water crossing virginity. We did this crossing in the morning no problems but on the way back I smacked into a big rock that wasn't there on the way in and didn't have enough time to warn Stevo of it so we both smacked it.



Richard cocking the D2's wheel.



Louie doing it easy.



Gary nearly embarising the gallery of Hoon Toyota drivers by doing this hill 1 wheel drive.



The falls for everyone else that didn't make it to see them. This was partly our fault as we thought it was around 7km to the falls from where we were and it turned out to be about 1km.



Hendrik and myself came home the scenic route via Condamine Gorge. This is one of the last crossings which wasn't overly deep but there was 1 early on that was over the bonnet and a couple of others that were lapping at the bonnet. I don't have any of the really deep crossing as Hendrik wanted me to drive accross drop him off and then go back and do the crossing again to take a pic. I don't blame him myself as it was freezing at the time.



When we got to Ipswich I slowed down for the lights and noticed the car seemed to be wobbling quite a lot. We pulled over and had a look around the car and tested the wheels. The front drivers side wheel has a bit of play in it so I am thinking my wheel bearing has had it. I did hear a clunk on the way out of Rats Castle but didn't notice any change to the handling so thought nothing more of it. Other then this I lost one of the screws in the window wind deflectors and one of the suspension bushes squeeks a bit now after all the bumps. Nothing major though so I am happy.

Righty ho...where was I...feeling a little refreshed now and can finish my report. Now as many of you know, this was my inaugral first trip as Trip Leader. Having been with the club for over 3 years...thought time to pick a destination and take a group there. Any trip I go on tends to have a few Stevo "Mr Bean" moments....and I didnt disappoint . Though one will cost me a few $$$$...so stay tuned.

Up and early on Friday morning to meet at Nerang was myself, Richard/Maggie, Louis/Denise, Gary and me and 3 bratskies.



Then we headed off in convoy to meet up with Scallops/Kat and Dan and Hendrik ( note the and in between so as to make it not like they were a couple as per the "/" for the others ). We came across thick pea soup fog for most of the way, till we met up at the Caltex just before coming into Warwick.....Mr Bean moment number 1. Was in the "loos" and it struck me I had forgotten loo paper. As I came out and dried my hands....also realised....no towels.....duh....thats what happens when you pack and drink Stella .

So a quick trip into Warwick....where a few other travellers also picked up some items....and away we went. We had a quick stop in Ballendean for a "bite" to eat and I use the term loosely.



Then onto Sundown Rd to get to main entrance, where we pulled over and aired down.

Whose a sexy Disco


Note: the enemy is in the very back of the picture....note this for later in the report

.

We then started out on what did turn out to be around 2 hrs to travel 20kms. Top speed would have been around 15kms/hr...average between 6-12kms/ hr dependant on the stretch of "road" you were doing. Very rocky, bumpy....but what an adventure to get to camp and the scenery......breath taking......

Typical of the surface floor



Random Scenery Shots







After an exciting track to get into camp site....we arrived around 2ish....and had pick off the area. We took a beautiful spot down by the river and commenced set up.











That night...after an exhausting day....much laughter and cheer was held around the campfire. I think Camo and I got to one stage where it just got plain hard to decipher what the other was saying .

Next morning woke up and being a chillaxing trip...most had a good sleep in.....making hearty breakfasts...slamming down panadols to then head off around 11 for a day drive and picnic on the road. The group headed of minus Scallops and Kat as they headed off for what was a very long bush walk.

The rest of us headed down Rats Castle and onwards to the Severn River for a picnic lunch. One word....AWESOME. As I was unfamilair with the territory...the reins were handed over to Dan and Hendrik. Top work...lads.....they did an excellent job ( quite surprised considering they are Gen Y ). As per Dans picture...I broke my "virginity" doing my first proper water crossing. Kids loved it..wanted to go back and do again.

There was some interesting tracks we had to tackle.....and all vehicles came through unscathed. I think others may have more 4WDing pics to post up. Personally, I continue to be impressed as to how well Smokey tackles these harder tracks.

Picnic at the Severn River







Someones brats



Louis hoping to catch lunch



After a great day...was time to head back for the camp oven cook off....and to make a fire so we werent eating at midnight. Smokey and the gang showed the toymota mob how it was done coming back up some of the tracks we had come down.

Even though we had a fair whack of wood...it was decided perhaps to go get some more....as you can never have enough wood...



Random Scenery/ Animal Pics







Love this pic



Getting the fire wood was worth it....





Having not used a camp oven before...with mine and Camo's efforts....the meal was a cracker......superb.....was really quite impressed.

Of course there is always some silly goose, hammered...who wants to take a self portrait for their Facebook page



Sadly the next day, was time to pack up and go home. Great trip, great destination, great people and no injuries or mishaps....until we get to the entrance to head back out. Oh yes...Mr Bean and his roof rack decided to go head to head in a contest with the awning type structure that has the park information..........and **** it.....the park awning won......



So if anyone is up for a "lets see if we can fix the guttering on Smokey" day....please let me know. After a few internal tears and a bit of "suck it up Stevo" inside my head....we aired up and headed off.

Thats my version of the trip....look forward to everyone else adding a bit along with pics and so forth. Huge thanks for coming along on my first trip...really appreciate the support.....feel a little bummed for Trav as he was coming on the first one ( there'll be another mate ). Gary, hope you had a good time and great to have first camp with Scallops and Kat, plus always good to catch up with good friends around a campfire again. Myself and the kids will take away great memories of the trip....really was a special place to share with great people,

Regards

Stevo

Good stuff Stevo,

It is an addicting place and glad you enjoyed yourself.

CC

PS. It is "Ballendean"

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

Good stuff Stevo,

It is an addicting place and glad you enjoyed yourself.

CC

PS. It is "Ballendean"

Thanks mate...it sure is an "addictive" place ....will be going back for sure....but will make it a 3 nighter next time,

Regards

Stevo

What a great way to spend a long weekend - really enjoyed the entire thing. Camping out with the GCLRO - it's brilliant - how is it that every club member is just a bloody good bloke?

Was good to meet a few new faces too - Hendrik, Dan (The Fish) and Gary - looking forward to getting together on future trips - how good was that fire on Saturday night????

Anyhow - here's my contribution....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9YCL1dtKR4"]YouTube - GCLRO SUNDOWN Medium 2[/ame]

Originally Posted by Scallops

What a great way to spend a long weekend - really enjoyed the entire thing. Camping out with the GCLRO - it's brilliant - how is it that every club member is just a bloody good bloke?

Was good to meet a few new faces too - Hendrik, Dan (The Fish) and Gary - looking forward to getting together on future trips - how good was that fire on Saturday night????

Anyhow - here's my contribution....

YouTube - GCLRO SUNDOWN Medium 2

Mate...that is bloody excellent...wish I knew how to do stuff like that......catch you and Kat soon. Back to unpacking and taking of roof rack,

Regards

Stevo

Love that video Dan, great stuff.
Couldn't agree with you more, what a great bunch of people. Everyone is so friendly and always keen to have a good chat and offer some advice, I'm proud to be part of this club.
Was great to meet new people like Dan and Kat, Camo, Gary and Richard and Maggie. I had an unforgettable time, thanks again for a great trip Stevo. Really looking forward to the next outing.

Cheers
Hendrik

Well I have taken off the luggage carrier and crossbar and legs and inspected damage.....not asssss bad as I thought. Will need a new crossbar...around $80.00 and a new screw for the leg as that seems salvagable. I can also probably get away without trying to repair the gutter...unless someone tells me otherwise....Pics..

Crushed cross bar



Close up



Bent screw which seem to take the brunt of it



Plastic gutter whacked back into place



Naked Smokey without luggage carrier



So considering...not to bad after all...thank god,

Regards

Stevo