Day 4, Sunday 24/06/2012 Mt Ive Station

I went for a walk around the farm with Michael this morning.  There weren’t any puppies this time, but we did find an emu in the chook pen! I took a photo of Michael using his camera, on the old farm cart, using his magic panoramic function.

It was just a partial pack up this morning. We’re camping here tonight, but have to pack up our rooftop tents to go for a drive.

The Flight Path was a 32km 4wd track that takes you touring around the expansive sheep station. I wouldn’t rate it as the moderate to difficult written on the mud map. I would say easy with a few tricky spots that would rate moderate crossing some of the steeper banked creek beds. If you’re up for some real excitement though, drive the multiple creek crossings in the wet! Maybe this would be the difficult rating.

It was fun to head off in a convoy, 4wding in some absolutely amazing scenery. We all let our tyres down a bit to 30psi to reduce the chance of punctures on the rocky track. It was a fun day had by all exploring the 900km2 property. There were sheep, goats and kangaroos galore. The Williams family had a lamb that decided to adopt them. Jess cried when they had to leave it there and drive on with it screaming after them.

Amazing contrast of green shrubs with the orange rocks. Little pillars everywhere, but the most impressive being the Pete’s Pillars. They are rhyolite rock formations formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.

It is so much more exciting when you have a turn driving and Jordan agrees. She’ll be better at 4wding than most by the time she gets her ‘Ps’.

It took most of the day with lunch at a rocky creek bed near Pete’s Pillars.

Back at camp and out came the nibblies for ‘happy hour’. A bit of exploration and photography around the property. The baby goats were so cute. One was stuck, so Jess convinced Col to go and save it.

Thank goodness Lisa and Stuart stopped for firewood. It was beautiful sitting around a warm fire. Bruce decided to get out the old bottle of Port.

Day 3, Saturday 23/06/2012, Olary Creek to Mt Ive Station

True to form, Olary Creek was a freezing  -2°C last night! Everything had a white coating of ice and poor Jamie was crying with aching, frozen fingers while having brekkie.  Finally I had a decent sleep last night. The first one for 3 nights. Thank goodness I’m on the mend!  It was lovely to enjoy a walk along the creek bed at sunrise with Fiona and the kids.

 

After stopping at Oodla Wirra to throw out our vegetable scraps at the quarantine station, we stopped at Peterborough for morning tea. It is a lovely old railway town from the 19^th century. The kids had fun playing on the old steam engine, the women photographing old buildings. I managed to update my blog, and received a text message off Leah about her photo not winning, but voted popular choice! Well done Leah.

Jordan is now driving us into the Flinders Ranges. We left earlier than the others as her speed limit is lower.

We took our third photo of Jordan and Jack at the Flinders Ranges lookout. The first one being 10 years ago and one 2 years ago.

We had to go grocery shopping at Port Augusta, especially for fruit and vegetables. The park in the town square made a great place to have some lunch while the kids, large and small let loose in the playground.

Fiona and I found some Sturt Desert Peas to practice photographing. Unfortunately we didn’t get away from here until 3pm, making for a late arrival at Mt. Ive Station.

Woohoo, nothing but sightseeing tomorrow, 4WDing and great scenery!

It was a fast 80km/hr drive along the dirt road to the station. It’s an extremely well maintained dirt road. The biggest challenge was avoiding the plethora of animals at dusk. Sheep, goats, kangaroos, emus and a fox. The Gawler Ranges were bathed in an orange glow from the sunset.

There was only one other person in the campsite, in a caravan, but several Asian students were staying in the shearers quarters.

It cost us around $140 for 2 nights plus all sightseeing. It gets you mud maps of the 4WDing and a key to the gate for Lake Gairdner.

We set up around a beautiful group gazebo with light, table, chairs and BBQ. We enjoyed hot showers from the “donkey” heater and found out Peter’s battery was dead again!
Bruce and Col did a bit of a check, and all we can say is “Great Job boys from Tamworth”.  The correct sized cable sudden stopped short and went to ¼ size and wasn’t even soldered, only taped.

A repair job coming on in Ceduna.  How handy to have jumper leads and an electrician on board.

Day 2, Friday 22/06/2012, Boppy Hill to Olary Creek

I’m still not well. I slept until 1.30am, then lay awake with a temperature and sinus pain until 4am when I was unable to stand it any longer. I got up, had panadol and water and sat in the car writing my journal.

A train came through at 4am. There were a few drops of rain over night, and I watched Bruce get up to close their car which had been left open to the elements. I downloaded my photos and resized them for the blog, then Chelsea our 11 month old outback trouper woke at 5am.

Everyone was packed up and ready to leave at 8am. A bit more of a play on the railway tracks then off we headed for Olary Creek SA. Another long drive day.

Peter filled up at Cobar. We’re worried about his poor fuel economy. I guess towing the T Van is quite a strain. Yesterday his fuel economy was 25L/100km, but hopefully that will improve with a comfy speed of 90km/hr. He’ll need an extra jerry can or 2 at this rate.

There are goats everywhere, even on the tracks. Jordan and Jack were doing homework, now asleep. Michael and Madison playing “I spy..”.

Another long day on the black top.

Wilcannia is a great place to stop for lunch as it is situated on the Darling River. There were birds galore. A creek just prior to this was choccas with pelicans but sadly Col wouldn’t stop for a photo shoot.

All filled up at Broken Hill. Our economy was worse from driving into the wind, at 14.8L/100km but thankfully Peter’s had improved despite the wind at 21L/100km. Quite a bit of reminiscing with Fiona from our clinical placement here (20.5 years ago OMG)! Emus galore... The scenery changes past Broken Hill with a vista over the wide flat plains. Storm clouds were raining on the horizon and the grass was beautiful, soft, fluffy, straw colour, golden in the lowering sun.

Our car was lucky to be entertained by Jordan singing her Aspire songs.

We’re all certainly looking forward to shorter driving days, and getting into the 4WDing and sightseeing.

It was sunset as we set up camp at Olary Creek. I love it here. Such a pretty little spot on a dry creek bed, orange sand, gum trees, old railway pylons and birds at sunset. It was such a quick and easy meal preparation of sausages on the Bidgey Barby, mashed potatoes and veges, and finally a lovely big campfire.

I was feeling a bit crappy and tired and was going to bed, but couldn’t resist the amazing starry sky. Tripods and shutter release cables out for some photography lessons and play with everyone getting some amazing shots!  

Day 1, Thursday 21/06/2012, Valentine to Boppy Hill

We’ve had word from Katerina and Daniel that they won’t be joining us in the Outback, so it is a definite 4 families.

It was a great start to the trip for me (not). I was delirious with fevers all night and up first thing vomiting. I have a chest, sinus and ear infection. Hope the antibiotics work quickly. After filling up at Valentine, Williams and Parkes met at Pockrans, ready to leave at 6am.

It was such a gorgeous drive through the vineyards at sunrise with steaming ponds and white frost. It’s lovely that Michael appreciates the sunrise and pink mountains, excitedly chatting on the walkie talkie. He suddenly became quiet after attempting to colour in though. Luckily we stopped at Broke for the Williams to get brekkie as Michael had a good vomit.

We arrived at Dunedoo, our morning tea stop at 10am. Got a message from Anthea that they are only just leaving now! At Dunedoo the little kids played in the park, the teenagers played on the railway track, the women took photos of the silo and the men boiled billies.

I just had word from the magazine editor that they don’t want any more photos of a Delica. Poor Bruce!

Fuelled up at Naramine. 56L diesel for $87 with our fuel economy currently at 12.5L per 100km. Again it looks like snow on the side of the road near Trangie from all of the wayward cotton.

The Macquarie River at Trangie was extremely full, bursting the inner banks and flooding surrounding trees. Michael had a great time here at our lunch stop as he told the local policeman that he was going to be a policeman. He then proceeded to take Michael for a spin in the police car and plans to post him a patch.

From Trangie to Nyngan was Jordan’s first drive out here. 1hr.  She was very brave with all the trucks flying past and doing a hill start over a railway crossing.

Tonight we’re staying at a rest stop “Florida” near Boppy Hill. The little ones are excited that the dirt is orange. The first setup went without a hitch and pretty fast, followed by sunset and railway photography. Lisa learnt the fun way that it’s best to get changed on the other side of the car after getting plenty of cheers from the crowd.

Peter and Anthea arrived at 5.15pm and have had a shocking start to their trip. Last April their Foxwing awning broke on its 2nd use (eventually replaced by Foxwing, just prior to this trip). 3 weeks ago Peter broke his foot. 2 days ago they picked up the T Van they’re hiring to find a flat battery the next day. Then on their way back to Tamworth they ran out of petrol.

So the power for the trailer is now wired to the auxiliary battery and the pump for the second fuel tank is replaced.

This morning they had terrible trouble getting the T Van hooked back up to the car as the jockey wheel wouldn’t wind low enough and it was too heavy for them. Then their jack broke. Having replaced their jack and getting the T Van hooked up, they arrived here for Peter to find out just how wide a turning circle you need when towing a trailer.

So in fact this was a perfect start. It is wonderful to have this all happen now and get sorted out, rather than in the desert.

After reheating our spag bol we sat around for a bit with a drink or 2 spinning a few yarns. Everyone seemed a bit too knackered to bother with a fire with everyone in bed by 9pm.

Outback Trip 2012!!

Well I couldn't be happier! This is the first day of 5 weeks Long Service Leave. Yay!!
Even better, it is time for another Outback 4WD trip. I have 4 days for last minute organising, grocery shopping and packing. Then off for another trip of a lifetime. The icing on the cake is that we'll have the wonderful company of friends and family this time, with a total of 4 vehicles and possibly a 5th for 1 section. We plan to show them why we love the Outback so much. I know that they will also become addicted.
There have been a few minor mods to the car such as improved storage in the rear (Col made drawers!), a tap (hand and electric pump) for our water tank, extra LED lighting strips and a switch panel. Col is so clever.
This is the planned trip...

This is my 3rd trip out there but I haven't been to Lake Eyre yet. It is about half full.
I can't believe how excited I am!!

Lisa also has a blog for this trip...

Lisa's Blog

Thursday 5/8/2010 Tamworth to Lake Macquarie...The End.

(Tamworth to Lake Macquarie)
Busy morning, everyone off to work and school.

Bye Peter, Anthea, Madison and Haley. So wonderful to see you all. Miss you guys!

We left at 0900hrs for the last leg of our trip. Driving east through our beautiful mountain ranges.

Jack's excited that he didn't miss his Wednesday night soccer game as he found out it was washed out.

Poor Phoebs will lose a house. Thanks for house sitting Phoebe.

Lisa and Stuart will be pleased to lose a dog. Thanks for minding Jet for us.

I spoke with mum and apparently she has even more photos than me! ie 1600 to 1200!!

So sad. 5 weeks absolutely flew by.

Stopped at Singleton Maccas, saw acouple of kangaroos at Branxton and were home by1330hrs.

Home sweet home...

Started the unloading and washing, all had a shower and checked the mail.
Jordan and Jack were desperate as their school reports weren't there.
Apparently Bob next door had collected the mail until Phoebe arrived.
We were visited by Larissa only 2 hours after getting home, giving us the social update.
Then we were off to Lisa and Stuart's to pick up Jet, buying them some wine and beer on the way as a thank you.
Jamie and Michael were pretty happy to have their big cousins back.

Jet was also pretty excited to see us!

I have such a huge job ahead of me, sorting the photos, making a book and hopefully a travel documenary once Jordan gives me a lesson on video editing.

I hope you enjoyed our trip, and hope to see you on our next big adventure!

Total kms:                     10,891km

Total fuel:                      1,410L

Total fuel cost:              $2,220

Average Fuel Economy 13.5L / 100km or 7.4km / L

For itinerary, planning and stats, see the "pages" contents in the sidebar index. I have also added many photos to earlier entries.

If you are interested in any of the photos, they are for sale (in their original size) as framed photos, posters, canvases, cards or calanders at www.redbubble.com/people/parkes for very reasonable prices, delivered to your door. Cheers, Cheryl