Thread: We are on our way to the Kimberleys

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.....

Philiip, I'm sure you'll stay careful..

Pete

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 WELL DONE,the boy loved them.
Im a passionate Home Brewer,they have some EXCELLENT brewed on site beers.
ENJOY!!!
Andrew

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

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

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.

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.

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

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