Hey all,
Been working on the GU Patrol getting it ready for a 6500km drive. Starting from Sydney out to the centre (Simpson Desert) then to Broken hill, Melbourne to collect the new G60 and home to Sydney.
This week I have modifed my rear cargo drawers by installing a 50L water bladder plumbed back to a tap and a filler at the rear doors, made mounts for the fuel jerry's on the old back seat area, taking 200L fuel, 65L water.
Just had new 285/75/16 BFG tyres put on, next week my U bolts should be ready from Dobinsons and I will also collect some new shocks for teh GU. That then means the news brake pads and shocks will go on.
Also installed a rollout tarp on the old ladder roller, shovel on the roof, tent poles on the roof, I'm sleeping in the back of the patrol. also run new 12v cabling down to the rear cargo area and also installed a air compressor, 12v fluro,
Also installed a 240v inverter and still to conect up GPS as well. Hpefully borrowing a mates Engel fridge otherwisw may have to buy one on fleabay. 2nd spare wheel will go on the roof as well.
Eddy,
Depending on my time I may drop intpo your place after broken hill when I leave the mates as I'm going to Melbourne.
6th to 21st Oct
3 cars so far
GU Patrol ME
GQ Patrol
Rodeo
Others welcome
Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:59 pm
Saturday 6th October 2007
Distance – 848km (Sydney to 41km west of Bourke)
Campsite – Lat 30-0.3691S, Long 145-35.2265E
----------------------------------------------------------------
Well left Sydney at the ripe hour of 5am and headed west. It was also Bathurst weekend so the local V8 hoon’s were also on the road to Bathurst.
Drove all day and had a late pub lunch at Nyngan. From here it was a 200km dead straight stretch to Bourke into a roaring headwind. This boring as watching grass grow or paint dry. You get the gist.
Got into Bourke at around 4pm only to find a ghost town and w headed west onto dirt to find privacy and a camp 41km west at 4:45pm. That evening a huge wind storm came in so it was to windy to contemplate a campfire. Had dinner and then found out that Ed (Holden Rodeo) had forgotten his campchair.
All went to bed and all agreed we had a great but long first day
Sunday 7th October 2007
Distance – 588km (41km west of Bourke to 40km west of Cameron Corner)
Campsite – Lat 28-59.7596S, Long 140-34.7889
----------------------------------------------------------------
Well we all woke up early and packed up camp as we had a long day on dirt to get to our campsite.
Jumped on the road at and made first stop at Wanaaring around 10am and straight to the pub for a beer..
On the road to Wanaaring
Ended up having a few beers and chatting with the publican and a local shearer. Heard some excellent jokes
Question - “What does the left tit say to the right tit ?”
Answer - “If we don’t get some support around here soon well turn into nuts !!!!!”
Back onto dirt roads and made our way into Tiboburra, had planned to go through Milparinka but the road was closed and had to go direct to Tibbaburra. This worked out ok as we were running out of time to get to camp. On this road to Tibbaburra I had the first roadkill of the trip and duck took off infront and kinghit the spare tyre on the roof as 100km/hr. Filled the tanks and off to the pub for a late lunch of meat pies as the kitchen was closed. After watching a few laps of Bathurst we were on our way.
The road to Cameron Corner was boring but interesting with a few corners to drift on. Well as much as you can in a 3.4tonne Patrol. Arrived at Cameron Corner the meeting points of three states (NSW, QLD, SA). Quick beer from the fridge, photos and off to camp.
Me standing in NSW, QLD and SA at the same time
Made camp and again it was to windy for a fire. So I got the laptop out and we all watched the movie “Blacksheep” and the guys loved it. http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/
Monday 8th October 2007
Distance – 219km (40km west of Cameron Corner to Innamincka)
Campsite – Cullymurra Waterhole
----------------------------------------------------------------
We all woke up early knowing we hard a short day to Innamincka. We also had to tackle the steep sandune crests and wanted to beat the midday rush and avoid a collision.
So on the road at 7am with little chance of seeing anyone. Stopped at the Yellow double decker bus and took some photos. Havent seen it for 15 years and still looks the same.
Stopped and took some photos of the oil wells and then some fun on the Old Strezlecki Track into Innamincka as it was windy and fast. Arrived in town at 10:30am and promptly had a beer at the pub and looked around.
Then looked through the NP Office and all the old stuff about town, bought our deserts passes and headed of to camp. Looked at Burkes grave and set up camp. The plan was to do the loop circuit around town but after Burkes grave the boys opted for a few beers.
So all afternoon we drank, swam across the river, drank, got told off as our quiet music was to loud in the wind. (Really it was quiet and easy listening).
Went for a walk at sunset and met out neighbors and some time in the early hours of the morning went to bed.
Tuesday 9th October 2007
Distance – 376km (Innamincka to Birdsville via Walkers Crossing)
Campsite – Birdsville Caravan Park
-----------------------------------------------
Got up with a hangover and packed up camp. Morning staple was weetbix which does wonders for your bowels. (God bless it)
We had all filled up with fuel from our jerrys as talking benefit from cheap fuel in Birdsville, (cheaper the NSW )
Went past the rubbish tip and into town. Didn’t stop and of via Walkers Crossing. 100km in there was some roadwork netting across the track which we drove around. The track was marked as open, but we proceeded with caution. Track was fine but a little confusing.
Road signs on this track were good and quite weird as a junction in the middle of nowhere has a sign saying Birdsville. Thought it was cool. Kept going and then the Eastern side of the Stony Desert appears. This is such a cool sight as it is flat for ages and just stone. At this stage we all agreed we would hate to be a early explorer.
Walked up the sand dune to take a better picture and from a small tree about 200 small finches flew out, such a cool thing to see.
Not far from here onto the Birdsville Track (HWY) and shot ourselves into town. As always direct to the pub for a coldie. Little disappointed as all pubs to date were friendly but in Birdsville just didn’t get the same feel.. Plus it was 42 degrees outside at 20% humidity. Just plain sticking hot.
Set up camp and tried our best to stay cool as it was 2:30pm when we arrived. That night we all sweated in our sleep. But the thought of another morning shower was nice.
Photos in Birdsville of rolled car and some padock bashers
Wednesday 10th October 2007
Distance – 301km (Birdsville to 10km west of Colson track)
Campsite – Simpson Desert
----------------------------------
As normal packed up camp and headed off. We had filled all water and fuel the previous afternoon and had noticed that Ed had a leak in his Auto Transmission fluid bottle and headed of to the servo to find a oil bottle.
Whilst here we had a chat with a Newie bloke in a sweet Daihatsu Terrios who had just done the Simpson (Took a photo of his ride at the pub the previous day) He to was surprised how easy it was. Whilst doing all this Ed then realized his towbar tongue had been stolen overnight at the park and went back to check the campsite. Not there ? Photos confirm it was there the previous day.
Meanwhile the lady at the Shell servo reckon the Rodeo would break it’s back on the 1000 sand dunes as they are low at the rear and drag. We had great pleasure in ribbing Ed about this !
On the way out checked out the power and water station as Birdsville setup was quite unique and Ed’s work for a power company so understands it all. Interesting as they use the hot spring water to run a power generator and then for drinking water.
On the road finally at 9:30am and heading towards Big Red. Yes we went North and found the real Big Red, let our tyres down to 15psi and just cruised up, wasn’t hard or tricky just a easy Stockton beach sand dune (Boring). Beside that took a heap of photos on Big Red. And started our adventure.
More to come !!!!
Rest of my photos and quick updates
Start on the Eastern side of the Simpson Desert, 30km west from Birdsvill.e, starting with Big Red
About half way across
Just some Bones near some bore on the western side
Mt Dare Roadhouse, The most remote pub in South Australia
Finke, This place was a $hithole
Aussie Roadtrain
These were the owners at Curtain Springs, near Ayres Rock, I struck a deal that night to go through there private 300 odd cars wrecking yard, next day they turned us down, from this point in time they are called REDNECK springs. The bugger is sticking his finger up at me Stuff YOU
Ayres Rock and the Olgas
Lunch at REDNECK Springs before going to Kings Creek Canyon
Kings Creek Station
Kings Creek Canyon
Cool old HEEP on transport
Easy maintenance livestock
Eagles eating roadkill
Cool Bumper sticker at Maree SA
Bus wreck
Coober Pedy, Opal Mining Town
Our Underground Digs in Coober
Joke for another mate Ian
Lunch on the road from Coober to Woomera
Just Outside Woomera, Our only Rocket range and Nuclear Test site
Salt Lake Icebergs, COOL
Woomera SA,
These are the best PHOTOS, DEATH TO YOTA
On the road
Charlie killed a Galah (Aussie bird) with my Aerial that Ian finished off
Coming into Eddy’s town Waikerie
Eddy’s G61
Photos from Charles Camera.
Up Near Bourke Day 1
Automatic Fuel pumps at Bourke
1st Night camp 30km west of Bourke
Beers at 9:30am Day 2, Little town call Wanarring
FINKE, This is the bad town I mentioned, Everyhouse has trashed cars in the yard, arghhh
