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Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 3
Day 15 We left our camp and crossed Eyre Creek and set off to Big Red. There were 4 Hilux’s with campers on the back in front of us. We decided to Tag-a-long. It was a slow journey with lots of bumpy dunes, a bit bigger & further apart. We finally arrived at Big Red. Mark was first to go up, quickly followed by me & Jen. Mark opted to try a higher side dune, but got bogged. We quickly snatched the big V8 out from the very top of Big Red. I really enjoyed doing my third recovery of the trip. We went up & down a few times, blasting sand out behind us. I took one of the other dunes but close to the top wasn’t close enough, so I backed down for a go at another one. Everyone posed up the top for some epic pics, then when we were at the bottom on the other side we aired up and headed for Birdsville, and back on the black top. We stopped at the iconic Birdsville Hotel for a drink. Then we made our way to the Birdsville Park & a much-appreciated shower.
Read more: Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 3
Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 2
Day 8 After packing up, we had one last look around & saw Molly Clarke’s grave. Then I got to be trip leader from Old Andado back to Mt Dare, back through the dusty Binns Track. Myles was Tail-End-Charlie so the 60 Series could take a steady pace over the corrugations. With our camp set up, we enjoyed a lovely meal at Mt Dare Hotel.
Day 9 Rest day. Pretty cruisy trying to stay away from the annoying flies, Mum did the wash, another Fisherman’s Basket at the Mt Dare Pub and that was that.
Read more: Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 2
Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 1
This was a long touring trip:-
3 weeks - 5 vehicles - 8 participants.
The youngest participant was aged 17 and this is an extract from his report.
Day 1 The starting crew, being Jeff & Kez, Marie, Jen & Alec left Wodonga at 9 am and travelled to Yarrawonga. We then continued through Cobram, crossing into NSW at Echuca Moama through to Balranald, checking out the Silo Art at Lake Boga. We met up with Myles, Mark & Yvonne at Balranald, and dined at an Irish Pub with Chinese Cuisine.
Day 2 We woke up to a chilly morning in Balranald. We set off to Mildura to get a few items as our key fob ceased to function and Mum forgot the cutlery. New battery in fob, new cutlery set, fuelled up body and car, and it was off to Renmark in South Australia. We stopped at the quarantine station where our car was inspected for fruit and veg. After that we drove to Burra in the Flinders Ranges, while travelling through a beautiful sunset. We set up camp at night by using our headlamps and lantern in the Burra Showground.
Read more: Flinders Ranges, Painted & Simpson Deserts PART 1
Mt Murray & Buckland Valley
A fun autumn trip exploring tracks from Wandiligong to Mount Murray, returning to camp in the Buckland valley.
6 vehicles with 9 participants met at the Bandiana Theatre at 8:30 am on a glorious Saturday morning. A quick driver briefing (including making sure those without a winch were sandwiched between those that did have one) and a reminder on convoy procedures set the way forward.
We headed toward Yackandandah & Myrtleford, then stopped at Porepunkah for morning tea. Continuing on through Bright, we turned off to Wandiligong & continued on Morse’s Creek Road. After a short “sightseeing detour” up Growlers Road, we continued out to Mongrel Creek Road, then turned off to Nolan’s Creek Road. For someone who has not been out 4WD’ing for about 10 years, it was lovely to be back in the gumtrees and tracks!
Recent Trip Highlights.
Recently there has been a very healthy trip calendar with a variety of trips being run to many and varied destinations. Trip types have been varied, so there has been something to suit everyone’s taste. Day trips, weekend camping trips, extended touring trips & base camp trips as well as our two catered weekend social functions held at the Wymah Reserve. These trips have been well attended with some having a waiting list to participate. These are some of the highlights & lowlights.
Geehi 4 Day Camping Weekend
Some travelled in convoy, having met at Bandiana on Friday morning, while other made their way independently to the campsite and some whimps looked at the weather forecast and decided to give the weekend a miss.
Our Trip Leader had a big map of the area on a tarp and showed us what our plans were for Saturday. We were all looking forward to the drive. Many of the group either hadn’t been there before or hadn’t visited the area for a while. We were impressed with the new pit toilets, close to the camping sites.
Buckland to Buffalo - Day Trip
Nine vehicles left the Bandiana Area Theatre at 8.15am and headed to Myrtleford & then on to Porepunkah for morning tea at the beautiful Riverside Park. From here we continued up the Buckland Valley Road to Buckland Bridge, where we turned left on to Goldie Spur Track and aired down. The drive over Goldie Spur presented us with some spectacular views of the Lower Buckland Valley and the southern face of Mt Buffalo.
Eustace Creek/Staceys Bridge/Wheelers Hut Camping Weekend
7 vehicles headed off from Bandiana to meet up with one further vehicle at Tallangatta for morning tea and a look at ‘Sandy the war horse’. Off the black top and onto Cravensville Road, kicking up plenty of dust, and we were up into the bush. 3 kms in we aired down ready to get serious. Well, no, not really serious, too many funny buggers in the crew, pointing out the feral cat beside the road, which was of course a massive piece of CAT machinery surrounded by some bushes. You never know what you’re going to see up here.
Read more: Eustace Creek/Staceys Bridge/Wheelers Hut Camping Weekend