'Back of Burra' on October long weekend

[WILKAT]

Hi Millsy,
Sorry haven't gotten back to you earlier,have been busy in my new job as a Theatre Orderly,
while Kathy has been studying for her Diploma.
We are not 100% sure at this stage if we can come along,but depending on my work, if work permits then we will surely come along.
We had also thought that if we do come, that we will just use our tent (weather permiting!).

Also have you had any trips to Coorong National Park,between Kingston S.E going north towards Tea Tree Crossing areas? We had seen a few tracks leading from the Princes Hwy into the National Park.
Also we spent 1 night at Kingston S.E the other 'day', & had a quick tour of Robe,no 4wding,just site seeing & not enough time to 4wd,
but we had a tourist drive on a dirt rd,east of Little Dip Con Park,not having enough time to do any of the other sandy beachside tracks,also most where shut because of the storm erosion anyway.
Have you done them & is it better to have 2 cars in there?
We are thinking maybe in summer at going down to either places,where there will be a sea breeze on those warm days,better surf at that time of year,good for 4wding beach/dunes,fishing.
So just an idea at the moment.
Anyway it would be good to catch up again.Wilkat.

 

[millsy]

Good to hear from you. Wondering where you were 'hiding'! I have had a few experiences down the south east beaches. First one was about 15 or 20 years ago when I got caught out at the Granites, about 20km north of Kingsoton. Drove the family UC Torana onto the beach, fully laden with roof rack and holiday gear. Could not get back up the slippery boat ramp and so had to drive all the way back to Kingston on the beach! No dramas luckily.

I did the Robe 'beach run' about 18 months ago. A lot of fun. A lot of the route is behind, and in and over, the first set of dunes behind the beach. Some soft sandy climbs, often with a turn halfway up/down a hill, making it a bit 'interesting' on the steering. Gave myself a few frights I must admit, as the front of the car wanted to keep going straight ahead, sometimes towards a cliff face, sometimes away from one. I was using about 15 psi pressures, but maybe going a bit fast at times trying to 'keep up momentum' as they say.

Make sure you stop in at the Tourist Information Centre in Robe and ask for their 4x4 info pack. It warns you to stay clear of at least two of the beaches that are notorious for 'swallowing' fourbies because the sand is so soft. And then the tide come in and 'the rest is history'.

The day I was there, there were plenty of other vehicles around, and I joined in with two others for a while just in case I needed a snatch. But as I said, there were fourbies going back and forward all morning, so as long as you have a snatch strap there should be someone to help you out.

Make sure you have a sand flag.

The other spot for a look at the Southern Ocean, and a nice little 2 km drive through some sandy tracks, is at the 42 mile crossing, which is I think about 20km south of Salt Creek. I dropped in there a few weeks ago on the way to Millicent. A lot of fisherman along the beach with their fourbies. But again, be careful. I decided to leave the Patrol just off the beach at the end of the track and hust go for a walk.

I asked a group of fisherman about swimming on that beach. They told me it would be too dangerous. Lots of viscious rips and a very quick droop off near the beach. Also they told me about the many sharks they had seen pulled up onto the beach by fellow fisherman. I asked them about swimming down near Robe. He suggested that might be safer down their, as far as sharks go. But I don't think anyone really knows. I would think the 'big fish' are probably right around that coast as they are right around Oz!

If you are around the Mount Gambier area and have the time, camping in the Glenelg State Forest just over the Victorian Border is magic. The Glenelg river runs through the middle of it. I spent a night in their last year and really enjoyed the peace and tranquility. Hug trees, kangaroos everywhere. Beautiful!

As far as the trip up past Burra is concerned, I am happy to just wait and see who wants to come. Not any real starters/confirmations as yet, so I will just wait till it gets a bit closer. If no confirmations by say the Sunday before I will call it off and maybe head over to Geelong instead to catch up with the daughter and grand kids. Have not seen them since last Xmas. Or maybe just do a trip myself somewhere a bit closer. Or maybe just stay at home and save a few petrol dollars for my annual sortie at Xmas. Plenty of jobs to do around the house and garden. The have been neglected over the last two years with all this treking I have been doing.

All the best till I catch up with you all again.

 

[shane 45]

Hey Millsy I wont be able to do the trip mate I will be going to Darwin early next month for work so I could be on my way up there on the long weekend and could be away for all of oct. Will have computer with me up there so I will be able to see how the trip went have fun

 

[millsy]

Thanks Shane. Well done on finding some work. Hope it all goes well for you.

Not sure whether it is going to happen as yet. Still waiting for some-one to say they are coming! I am still keen, but at the same time thinking of alternatives. As I said, just waiting to see what unfolds.

 

[shane 45]

I will be with the same company still working on the roads mate it just that the weather has put a hold on work here for the last 5 weeks so I havent worked when the weather warms up again I will be flat out till easter next year

 

[The stink]

Hey Millsy
We have to pull out on this one for my engine just died, Rear main seal gone due to water leak some where in motor and over presureising oil system.
not bad for a recon motor 13months ago and guess what ? 1 month out of warranty and API dont want to know anything about it,
not bad for custamer service hey ?.
only been back on the road for 2 weeks after the broken diff incident that cost close to $ 2000.00 to repair thats including all new rear suspention again and bushes which were only 6 months old .
starting to think i kicked a black cat that broke the mirror that was under the ladder...................

The Stink

 

[The stink]

Hi Millsy,
Sorry haven't gotten back to you earlier,have been busy in my new job as a Theatre Orderly,
while Kathy has been studying for her Diploma.
We are not 100% sure at this stage if we can come along,but depending on my work, if work permits then we will surely come along.
We had also thought that if we do come, that we will just use our tent (weather permiting!).

Also have you had any trips to Coorong National Park,between Kingston S.E going north towards Tea Tree Crossing areas? We had seen a few tracks leading from the Princes Hwy into the National Park.
Also we spent 1 night at Kingston S.E the other 'day', & had a quick tour of Robe,no 4wding,just site seeing & not enough time to 4wd,
but we had a tourist drive on a dirt rd,east of Little Dip Con Park,not having enough time to do any of the other sandy beachside tracks,also most where shut because of the storm erosion anyway.
Have you done them & is it better to have 2 cars in there?
We are thinking maybe in summer at going down to either places,where there will be a sea breeze on those warm days,better surf at that time of year,good for 4wding beach/dunes,fishing.
So just an idea at the moment.
Anyway it would be good to catch up again.Wilkat.

Hi Guys
went down that way a few years ago in the Kombi camping and was thinking of going down that way around x mas time with the kids to find some tracks and camp also do a bit of fishing and surfing . also take the girls to the caves at Naracourt and i heard of a camp ground not far from there that is suposed to have a bit of a 4wd park but unsure of the name

The Stink

 

[millsy]

Hey Millsy
We have to pull out on this one for my engine just died, Rear main seal gone due to water leak some where in motor and over presureising oil system.
not bad for a recon motor 13months ago and guess what ? 1 month out of warranty and API dont want to know anything about it,
not bad for custamer service hey ?.
only been back on the road for 2 weeks after the broken diff incident that cost close to $ 2000.00 to repair thats including all new rear suspention again and bushes which were only 6 months old .
starting to think i kicked a black cat that broke the mirror that was under the ladder...................

The Stink

What a rotten run you have had mate! The sort of thing we all fear. Hopefully when you get it fixed the gremlins will give you a rest for a while!

Look forward to catching up on some other trip. Until then, good luck with the repairs. Hope it does not spoil your Xmas trip down south.

 

[jus1979]

Gday Millsy and peoples,
So how many people have you got going at the moment?
Where your going do you think the little plastic mitsubishi outlander would be able to tackle it?
My wife and i are thinking about doing your manoora to yunta track on the october long weekend, not sure yet.
Justin

 

[millsy]

Hi jus1979. The Outlander would do that trip easily, provided of course the rains have not slushed up the tracks. They are just public roads, some sections being one lane, others wider.

Some sections have not been graded for a few years, especially between Ketchowla and Braemar, and so you will need to keep your speed below 70 km/hr max. Often around 60, just so you can avoid the erosion gullies that were creeping in from the side of the road at places.

With all the rain the state has had I think these damaged areas will be more frequent and deeper. So keep a good eye out or they can catch you by surprise. Will make for an interesting drive. I enjoy that area just for the tranquility and isolation, and distant views. The hill scapes are great also.

So tell some-one you can trust to call for help ( police ) if they do not hear from you for a couple of days. And of course tell them your exact route and stick to it! This would be just in case you have a break down, or get bogged, especially between Ketchowla and Braemar. That is a track very rarely travelled by any would be rescuers! And of course make sure you have 5 or 6 days worth of food rations and water just in case. Chances of something going wrong in this 40 - 50km section would be very slim. But you need to be prepared!

And don't bother playing in the mud unless you have experience in mud and have mud terrain tyres with the big chunky tread pattern! Or a proper hand winch and ground anchor system to pull yourself out!

As far as the advertised trip is concerned, at this stage it might not be happening. Have not had any confirmations as yet, other than people confirming that they cannot go!

If it were not for the fact that I have a day surgery at the hospital on the Tuesday after the long weekend I would have been happy to come along with you to Yunta, and then I would have continued up to Menindie Lakes to have a look at that area, before heading down to Geelong.

So unless anyone says they are still keen to do the advertised trip by the Monday before the long weekend, I might do the Menindie trip, via the back-roads north-east of Burra and north of Danggali Conservation Park, starting on the Tuesday. Then as I said, down to Geelong, and back home on the Monday.

Another great drive, or you could make it part of the Yunta trip if you have 2 more days to spare, are the roads north west of Yunta up through Martin's Well, up to Blinman, and then back down through the middle of the Flinders to Port Augusta and back to Adelaide. The great thing about those areas is the isolation. You will have it all to yourself. Maybe just see one or maybe two other cars, or none at all, between Burra and Yunta, and between Yunta and Blinman.

So have fun if you decide to have a look up north. Hope you enjoy it all. I love it up there.

 

[jus1979]

I really appreciate all the info in your messages.... its either going to be a trip to flinders rangers, or the manoora to yunta back tracks, or build the pergola that has been sitting there for 4 months. not sure yet.

 

[jus1979]

Gday Millsy,
Yesterday we ended up going for a drive to Waterloo, around to Worlds End, to Redbanks conservation park, then to the other conversation park where you exit driving up and over mount bryan. Going through Mount Bryan was great fun, with fantastic views.

 

[millsy]

Looks like you had a great day out! Hope you enjoyed those tracks.

I have not been up to the top of Mount Bryan yet. Did not even know there was a track up there. But by the look of those pics it's one I look forward to doing one day! Maybe if I do that trip out to Menindie Lakes in a couple of weeks I will take time out for it.

Have flown over those hills in the glider quite a few times, back in the seventies and eighties, and have fond memories of the wedge tailed eagles coming up from below to join me in the thermals. Did you see any 'wedgies' up there? Its quite a thrill to have them flying along right next to you. They usually sit just off the end of the higher wing tip as you are banked in the thermal, but one day I had one sitting right behind my head, about a metre behind the canopy, having a good gander at me and the instument panel! There were often at least ten of them at a time. Two or three in 'my' thermal, and the others soaring not far away in other thermals. Quite a sight, with the hills and valleys as a back-drop sweeping away to the north and south!

One day the sea breeze came in when I was there, quite early at about 4pm, and swept me over the hills to the east, as I slowly climbed up in a very week thermal. I ended up over the 'bad lands' drifting over the unlandable rough terrain to the east as I climbed. I finally 'escaped' back to the landable, wheat paddock country, about 20 to 30km furhter to the south east. In the end I outlanded in a howling dust storm about 10km north east of the gliding club at Stonefield. I remember walking the last 10km along the tracks with a big wombat trotting along in front of me for quite a distance before he finally ducked off to the side into the scrub.

I also want to have a look through the various conservation parks around that area. I think I have seen one off to one side of the road through Mongolata sheep station, but have never had the time to go in and have a look. And started the drive into another one a bit further north, maybe the same one but just a different entrance. But turned around and did not actually get into the park. Had my mate with me and was wanting to make a bit of distance that day, further north.

Thanks for the pics. Very nice looking new car you have there. Must be a real pleasure to tour around in it. If you drive mine for 5 minutes, if you last that long, I think you will appreciate the Outlander even more!

 

[jus1979]

yeah Millsy there was around 7 eagles feeding off a dead sheep, massive birds! i have attached a photo of the map of the park, which shows how to get to the mountain.

 

[Jacked Surf]

Hey millsy,

Unfortunately i have to pull out of this one.

Still prepping /modding / repairing the surf.

She wont be back on the road in time for this one.

But will be for the next high country trip in november.

 

[millsy]

Thanks Simon. Well I think I will call this one off now!

Good luck with all the work on the Surf. Hope it all goes well, and all the best for the Vic trip in November. I am planning a trip through the back roads from Burra to Meindie instead, then down to Wentworth and down to Geelong. So I am doing a few little preps myself, ready to 'blast off' next Monday probably.

So far the weather has been nice and dry over the last week or so, and if it stays like that for another 10 days or so it should be OK out that way.

 

[Jacked Surf]

That trip sounds like a blast, hope all goes well and you have some clear weather all the way through.

Surf is in peices. purchased a complete front chassis cut to get the front diff and cv's to replace the broken ones. which i have freshened up with new boots and grease, Fitted manual hubs and Getting an ARB airlocker fitted in the front diff before i refit the replacement diff. also gives me a few spares to toy with.

Then the tube bending will start, to build the roof rack cage off the chassis with help of course.

 

[millsy]

As usual Simon, you leave me exhausted just thinking about what you are planning! I am at the opposite end of the spectrum. Buy an old bomb. Try to keep it ticking over smoothly. There's enough work there for me, without worrying about making it better than factory specs!

Just little things keep me happy. Like discovering that the rough idle was not a timing problem, not an LPG mixture problem, but a worn out condenser. The old girl is purring now that I have fitted a new condenser!

I was fiddling back and forward with the two gas mixture valves, trying to solve the 'kangaroo hops' and stalling on take off. Then I learned a bit more about the THREE adjuster valves ( I thought there were only two ), and how they affected the air/fuel ratios, from a link given to me on the Patrol forum. So I think I have it set pretty well now. Plus I bought a new timing light, a good one with a really bright strobe light. So instead of mucking around I can set the timing at exactly 10 degrees BTDC ( for LPG ).

 

[Jacked Surf]

That sounds promising Millsy,
Who would of thought it was the condenser.

I am Glad the Old Troll is running sweet now.

Mine have been more out of necessity than anything else, and i just like building / playing with metal. Plus it is all getting it ready for the big trip up to the cape mid next year.

But as i have said Millsy, Nothing wrong with your old Girl,
she is built Niss#% - Niss#% Nissan Tough back when they built "real 4x4s"
-- "Cough Cough" thats coming from a die hard Toyota boy....

And Its not about what we drive, its the way we use it mate. I know that we all enjoyed seeing Lake Eyre full of water, and if i had the chance of knowing in advance what was going to break and pulling out of the trip, I still would of gone as its those memorys of working on it with friends in the bush that will stick with me for the rest of my life. And looking around for a petrol cap in the middle of nowhere.

Back on Topic,
I would like to see a trip report with plenty of photos Millsy when you get back..

 

[millsy]

Wow, that was an amazing effort! Or was there a bit of sarcasm there mate! You remind me of BEK - driving a Toyata and praising Nissan's. BEK's opposite.

As far as the trip is concerned I am not expecting anything dramatic scenery wise. Just looking forward to getting away from the rat race and soaking up the atmosphere of some (hopefully) less travelled tracks. I really enjoyed cruising down between Blinman and Yunta for its peace and quiet, and should be the same out there. I will pop into Danggali again and this time remember to take a few pics. I was amazed at the thick vegetation and good sized trees way up north, where I would have expected just thin mallee cover.

Must find the time to put a few pics up from our Gawler Ranges trip. Have a couple of nice ones from the evening and morning next to Lake Eyre.