Took the wife and two kids and camped on a friends cattle property that backs onto Lake Maroon which is near Boonah thats Southwest of Brisbane 1- 1 1/2 hours drive. This is the third year in a row. We have a good camp site next to a spring fed creek. Two mates arrived at differant times during the day, 'Toyota Drivers a 100 series and a 75 Tray back'. Great spot as we can take the dogs five in total, no camping fees, heaps of fire wood and 1500 acres to our selfs.
Fri - set up camp, cut fire wood, dug the toilet (wish it had been raining), setup the 12V pump up for showers and washing up water and a few beers around the camp fire while the others arrived.
Sat - Climbed Mt. Tarwoonin 700+ meters above sea level, bloody tough climb, found a bottle on top with a message from a guy that climb the mountain in 1948 and another group in 1970. Added to the permenant seating around the camp fire followed by more beers around the camp fire.
Sun - Finally get to test the defender (six weeks in the waiting), previous trips I had a 79RR. The owner had purchased some adjoining land since last visit and pointed out a new track called High Knob. The toyota driver were not impressed with the sticker (got the idead from this site, thanks) I had on the back of the defender;
Toyota Recovery Vehical
Attach Here
There one tough little climb that the owner thought we would not get up. The 100 was leading and indicated that when he got to the top he would help us out, well after 4 attemps with no luck he left it up to me. I didn't want to let land Rover down so i engage the diff locks 2nd gear low and cruised to the top no worries, I had to take it easy as I had a 16ft canoe on top I should have went back down and had a go with no Diff Locks. Stew was not impressed and let us all know that he was not going to be recovered up the hill by a land rover. He gave it to the 100, followed my wheel tracks and made it. Simon it the 75 nearly made didn't quite make it over the last bump (if only Toyota made a good LSD). He would not let me snatch him the last couple of last meters so I left it to the 100. The next hour or so was clearing the rest of the track back to the camp site as it had not be driven on for years. The 75 slide into a rut on the final Descent, once again he requested the 100 to snatch him out. We found out later he either put his whell alignment out or bent someting, a bit disappointing. We than headed to the dam, had lunch, launched the canoe, grabbed some orchids, alcorns and crows nests for the gardens and back to the camp site for a few beers.
Mon - We did the ridge track upto a great viewing point on some cliffs looking out over lake maroon. There was a Wedge Tailed Eagle enjoying some warm termals, than back along the sunset track, clearing some Lantarna along the way, couldn't go scratching the 100, than back to the campsite. The others pack up and headed back to Brisbane while we headed back to Lake maroon for another couple of hours canoeing. Drove over to the owner house on the dairy farm for dinner.
Tues - Pack up camp headed home.
All the trackes are low range needing some whell placement to avoid some ruts, al in all a top weekend.
Simon is selling his 75 and was impressed with the defender. maybe I have turned him away from Toyota.
Will hopefully be back out there in July for a Xmas in July.
