Bundalenes Daughters 130 repair job

Thanks for the track info. Derek. If it's correct it looks like the vehicle and trailer will get a good workout.

We met a couple of roadtrains on our way out last August and you are right about them.

Seems like the amount of truck traffic has increased over the past couple of years, surely the horrendous conditions must do some serious damage to the trucks?

There was a Police road block near Maranboy as well, doing vehicle/licence checks, and I've heard they're often there checking. Pity they can't stop the big trucks there.

Anyhow, just had a call from Andy and all is going well.

Sheila

I believe they locked down all roads into Arnhem Land the other week and checked vehicles for drugs, alcohol and other contraband as well as vehicle and licence checks. There's a news brief herehttp://www.nt.gov.au/pfes/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewMediaRelease&pID=10257&y= 2009&mo=11

The trucks are actually being given permission to travel, Rio TInto is partially responsible as are some others (including Perkins) and of course the NLC is allowing it. The track isn't built to take heavy vehicles and it makes me also wonder how good the causeway at the Wilton will remain.

[QUOTE=dm_td5;1119492]I believe they locked down all roads into Arnhem Land the other week and checked vehicles for drugs, alcohol and other contraband as well as vehicle and licence checks.

Yes, I saw that story in the NT News the other day. They were at every road entry into Arnhem Land. Nabbed quite a few, so the story says.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Redback

Wish them safe travels from us Sheila.

Baz.

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Thanks Baz. Wish I was going along:(

Erich rang just over an hour ago and they are heading out of Mitchell (Qld). All is good...though he said it was very hot.

Just got a call from the boys (1.30pm) and they have just left Winton (Qld).

All is going well with the 130, although Erich said the fuel consumption wasn't as good as he had hoped. Maybe they're driving into a headwind.

He also said the weather is VERY warm up there.

They will call again from Mt. Isa.

They are certainly making progress. Which way were they heading from Winton - Straight up (the really bad) Kennedy Development Road to Hughendon and turning left?

Warm weather won't help. Intercoolers work better in colder weather:mad: So that will be part of the fuel economy.

Thanks for the reply Derek.

They will stay on the Landsborough Highway to Cloncurry then across to the Isa.

We always try to avoid driving west of Mt. Isa in the late afternoon, for obvious reasons (Sun glare), so maybe they'll find somewhere to camp overnight before Commoweal. In any case, so far they're on track for a Tuesday arrival in Darwin.

Hope you're right about the heat/fuel economy thing (Erich reckoned it's about 45 degrees up there at present). We got about 12l/100k on a short test trip down the south coast a few days ago. That's about the same economy we get towing our boat with our Defender when we go up north in July/August (when the weather is cooler).

Lucky they're taking our Woolies Fuel Discount card with them:p

BTW. Temp here right now is 40C...very windy with a strong smell of smoke:eek:

Good cheap camp spot is the caravan park behind the Shell on the western end of Camooweal. Driving into the sun is great, that's one of the joys of driving in and out of Gove:(

9.30am Monday (Sydney time) the boys were filling fuel at Three Ways, NT.

They rang from Mt. Isa about 6pm yesterday and it had started raining, so they decided to drive on a bit more.

They bush camped not far from the Barkly Homestead and were awoken at 5am by more rain, so they packed up their swags and drove on.

Erich said they will have a tail wind heading north, so that should help with the fuel consumption.

The vehicle is going really well:D

I am sure Erich will do a proper Trip Report when he gets home.

2.00pm and they are in Mataranka already:eek:

Must have been doing a bit of low flying in the Territory...the car MUST be doing well:D:D They will arrive in Darwin a day ahead of schedule (ie. tonight) and head out to Gapuwiyak tomorrow.

I did suggest they have a rest day before driving into Arnhem Land....but who takes any notice of me:angel: