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View Full Version : (VIC,NSW,QLD,SA) Outback Trip, 9 days 4200km, 4 states, dust storm and PLENTY OF PICS


utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:53 PM
I have just returned from an awesome outback trip with Shonky!!
We covered 4200km approx in 9 days of Dirt, Dust and wild wind dust storms.....We were in the heart of the dust storm for hundreds of kms but more on that later!!
We kicked off from home and headed up the Calder freeway to Mildura and out through Wentworth to Pooncarie. This is where the black top ran out as we headed for Minindee for our 1st campsite for the trip.. There were threatening clouds ahead but we were saved from any rain which was good. We camped out out "Main Camp at Minindee weir.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0099Custom.jpg
End of the Black Top

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0122Custom.jpg
Campsite

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0123Custom.jpg
Early morning over the weir

We went back out through Minindee and up the Darling towards Tilpa
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0142Custom.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0150Custom.jpg
Big Sky Country!!

The road was in great condition with plenty of cattle grids.

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:53 PM
Here are a few more pics from along the Darling River Run.
There are great spots all along the river like this bridge below.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0161Custom.jpg
5t limit on this crossing..

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0144Custom.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0167Custom.jpg
Tilpa Pub, Are great spot to wash the dust out. We pulled up back out of town and had lunch by the Tipla Weir.

After Lunch we decided to head to Louth then onto Hungerford which is 50m over the QLD border which was our stop for the night.
This is the intersection where a right turn was done. Whilst doing this sandy/dirt run the black skies were again threatening and once again we mangaged to miss any rain which saved turing the roads into an ice skating rink!!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0172Custom.jpg
The Turn off

Stopping to take this pic I noticed about 30 oil spots on the back of the GU. Looking underneath I saw I had blown the rear left shock. Its only about 40k old. Also running air bags in the rear I was a bit suprised but nothing that would stop us reaching Hungerford for the night. We discussed our options for the next day and made our way to Hungerford.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0176Custom.jpg

Stay tuned for more installments....

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:54 PM
Almost into QLD and we opened the gate that lets us through the dog fence. We got a few pics of kicking the footy over the fence 1st!!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0177Custom.jpg
The Border..
We made our way to the pub had a beer and talked about where we would go and get a shock from. Having been to Cunnamulla Qld last year I thought that this would our best option. So we had a choice of steak sanga or steak sangas for dinner. They were the best value meal we had for the trip. Our hosts at the Hungerford Pub were fantastic.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0179Custom.jpg
Hungerford Pub
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0186Custom.jpg
Sunset at Hungerford

After dinner we set up camp and enjoyed a truly magnicent night. It was so still it was it felt like the calm before the storm.......

Well it was because at 4:30am we were woken to loud cracks of thunder and lightning. The decision was made to roll the swags and head for the blaktop towards Eulo and onto Cunnamulla. We still needed a shocker and didnt want to be caught in Hungerford.
We headed of into the darkness with lightning in the sky behind. Simply Awesome.
As day began to break we took a few shots of the sunrise and we had avoided much of the rain.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0201Custom.jpg
about 80km from Hungerford.
Here is my mate and passenger taking a sunrise shot off the roof of the GU...
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0204Custom.jpg

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:55 PM
Here is another pic of the morning sunrise.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0203Custom.jpg
Next stop was Eulo where we ired up as we had a blacktop run to Cunnamulla.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0207Custom.jpg
Shonky Airing up
Once we aired up we reached Cunnamulla at about 8am and we found the mechanics but they did open yet and with a cold breeze and wind we headed of to the bakery for breakfast! Spag on toast with chips for $6:95!! no complaints from ius there!!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0212Custom.jpg
Cunnamulla Fella.

After trying to source a shocker with no luck we made a few calls 200km away to Charleville and we were in luck. So back in the sadle heading north we had a great run up the road. We found where the shocker bloke was and picked up some Ironman shocks. A decision was made that we would stay here for the night. The shocks were fitted over a cleansing ale and the rest of the day we enjoyed the sun talking about our trip so far and what was to come!! .
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0217Custom.jpg
How bad the leak had become.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0227Custom.jpg
One of the great looking buildings in Charleville.

In the morning we woke early packed up camp and had a look around Charleville and posted a couple of postcards before through to Quilpe on the way to Noccundra Pub. If only we knew what laid ahead.....
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0238Custom.jpg
Quilpie.

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:56 PM
After grabbing a salad roll from the bakey as there were no pies we were laughing how the wind that been with us from Charleville had started to create a dust storm on the edge of town.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0244Custom.jpg
Main Strret Quilpie
Once we left Quilpie we were about 30km from Eromanga when we were comfronted by this huge dust storm.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0252Custom.jpg
Just the begining

This was the very edge of the dust storm that blanketed Sydney. We were literally on the edge. We drove into it only to turn back after 500m with not being able to see the edge of the bullbar or road. I have this on my video camera its unreal footage if I say so myself hehe. After watching a refinery tanker dissapear into the dust I call him up on the UHF and said after about 3 mins it started to clear up but take it easy. It was a very slow drive of on the shoulder of the road taking care not to be hit from behind or hit someone else.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0258Custom.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0259Custom.jpg
The sand hitting the drivers side sounded like buckets of sand being thrown at the GU. My self and shonky slowly made our way through heading to Eramonga for fuel.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0261Custom.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0262Custom.jpg

In the shots above vision was next to zero only 100m up the road
TBC

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:57 PM
After refuelling the GU and Shonky;s 80 we had noticed the increase fual usage due to mainly the high wind. Here is apic of the sign at the refinery we filled up at.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0263Custom.jpg
So where to from here.....

It was another 180km approx of more buffeting winds and dust to Noccundra, with visibilty at time still zero with us having to pull up at times.
Here is a pic of the pub soon after we arrived
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0266Custom.jpg
Noccundra Pub

With all the accomdation taken for the night Shonky got us into hall for $35 hall hire for the night!! We could have rented space out and made some coin for the night hehehe. It was still very dusty in there but at least we were out of the wind. To give you an idea of how strong the winds were I was standing on the roof rack which was almost impossible due to the winds.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0267Custom.jpg
The hall, (not the best pic without a tripod and strong winds but you get the idea!!
In the morning there was only a slight breeze and only sign of the wind storm was everything covered in dust.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0279Custom.jpg
The GU
Here is a cleaer pic of the pub in the morning before we headed off from Innaminka which was our next stop over.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0273Custom.jpg
Noccundra Dust free.....

More to Come, Thanks for looking!!!!

Feel free to comment on where we have been so far. I'm happy to answer any questions.

utedriver
03-10-2009, 12:58 PM
Leaving Noccundra on a clearer morning we made good time heading for the SA border along the road towards the Dig tree
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0286Custom.jpg
me and Shonks
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0298Custom.jpg
Border Crossing
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0289Custom.jpg
The sign at the turnoff to the Dig Tree
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0290Custom.jpg
Here is the Dig Tree by the Cooper ck. I think it was about $11 to enter the park.
(Bop Smoo) look close I'm under the tree......
The road to the Dig Tree was 14km from the main road. It was sandy in spot due to the winds that had been through there.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0295Custom.jpg
It wasn't long and we made a left hand turn onto the Strez track not far out of Innaminka. A pic had to be taken next to one of the most photographed signs in the aussie outback
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0303Custom.jpg
Strez....

utedriver
03-10-2009, 01:00 PM
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0305Custom.jpg
Only 200 or so meters from the strez sign is the Innaminka Pub. I had been there before and the beer was still cold this time. Although there is now a souviener (Sp?) shop in the pub.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0307Custom.jpg
This was where we camped for the night by the cooper ck. The tree we were under must have been 200 years old! The flies here would have been the most we saw for the trip.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0317Custom.jpg
Cooper
In the morning we made our way out of camp after bacon and egg sangas'.

Last time I headed down the "Bore Track" to Camerons Corner so this time I thought I'd go down the "Strez" past Moomba gas feilds ect. The road was in A1 condition and we made good time. (not that it mattered as we were on holidays!!).
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0332Custom.jpg
Strez
There were Red dunes off to the side of the strez and with the awesome blue skies and red sand we had to stop for a few pics!!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0336Custom.jpg
Red Dunes
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0348Custom.jpg
The GU

utedriver
03-10-2009, 01:01 PM
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0370Custom.jpg
Here is a pic of Shonky repairing a tyre at the turn off of the Strez turning to the Corner. He ran over a bit of steel. The plug held up well.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0373Custom.jpg
There was still a bit of water lying around also!!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0390Custom.jpg
This si the corner Post. We had lunch at the corner store. "The best steak sangas' in QLD Shonky" Said!!
We spent that night camped at fort grey. In the mornng we did the 4km walk around Lake Pinaroo. Its a dry lake.
We we headed off for Tibby we took the Middle Rd as the main was in really rough condition from all reports. I had done this road before so why not checkout new ones!! Here is a pic of a windmill on Middle rd
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0421Custom.jpg

utedriver
03-10-2009, 01:01 PM
When we arrived in Tibby we came across this sign
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0429Custom.jpg
All closed.
This put an end to our plans of heading to White Cliffs for the night......
This is the streets of Tibby
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0433Custom.jpg
Why the roads were closed.
We had planned to watch the AFL grand final at Booligal pub but there was no way we would make it in time on saturday so we stayed in Tibby for the night. In the morning we were greeted with this
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0438Custom.jpg
A good Sign
So off we heaed early after breaky for Broken Hill. Not before stopping in Milparinka on the way down.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s159/utedriver/september%2009%20outback%20trip/IMG_0443Custom.jpg
Milparinka.
From there it was to Wentworth for the Grand final and our final night. Again one last drive back home being hit by more strongs winds!!!

I would like to thank Shonky for coming on the trip with us. It was his 1st time out that way and I'm sure it want be his last!! We had a ripper time. I have not even known Shonky for 12 months. We met on the Forum and have done plenty of trips together and there will be plenty more!!

Thanks for taking the time reading the report.


Cheers Rich

deepop
03-10-2009, 02:31 PM
Excellent report Utedriver - thanks.

If I'm not getting out there at least someone is and I can live vicariously through their trips.

Great photo's and interesting to see the early results of the dust storm too.

When the billy lids have another year or two on them we'll be getting out a bit as well. The 'cruiser should be set up by then too!

Darren

CHOP
03-10-2009, 04:01 PM
Top write up and pics, a good insight into the dust storms too.
I had wondered about people out touring the country when they were happening. Especially after seeing on the news what had happened to the sheep around the broken hill area.

Cheers

Chop

Corindi
03-10-2009, 06:50 PM
Great report and photos rich. Very inspirational !!!!

Makes me want to get out there even more. My son and I both have GU's and we leave on Monday for Flinders with our family. Will try to put up a report half as good as yours when we get back home in a few weeks. Cheers, Dave

utedriver
04-10-2009, 11:06 AM
Thanks from your comments fellas', We took so many pics its hard to find which ones to post up!! Shonky will be adding more pics to this thread also real soon. Its hard to explain how the dust was, We let the pictures tell the story!

The dust storm was incredible.We missed seeing some of the country side due to lack of vision!

CHOP
04-10-2009, 04:23 PM
What state was your air filters in after the dust?


Chop

utedriver
04-10-2009, 05:43 PM
What state was your air filters in after the dust?


Chop
It copped a bit of a hiding Chop :D. At night I parked with the wind facing the back of the car so the dust didnt fill the snorkel ;).
I'll pulled it out at Innaminmka and held it up to the sun and I could still see sunlihgt through maybe 70% of the filter which was surprising considering what we had driven through. It has been replaced though.

Cheers Rich

utedriver
04-10-2009, 05:45 PM
Great report and photos rich. Very inspirational !!!!

Makes me want to get out there even more. My son and I both have GU's and we leave on Monday for Flinders with our family. Will try to put up a report half as good as yours when we get back home in a few weeks. Cheers, Dave
Look forward to reading your report Dave, Cruza Driver only just got from there a few weeks ago he had a ripper time. I was there about 3 years ago but only scratched the surface.

Cheers Rich

Guss
04-10-2009, 06:04 PM
Fantastic pics & great report Rich :thumb:, can see why you got stuck at Tibby,( Good Stuff Guss!! We were going to head down there last friday but the road was closed due to the dust storms!! We got caught at Tibby.),seems Sue & I were lucky hey! :D

utedriver
04-10-2009, 06:17 PM
Fantastic pics & great report Rich :thumb:, can see why you got stuck at Tibby,( Good Stuff Guss!! We were going to head down there last friday but the road was closed due to the dust storms!! We got caught at Tibby.),seems Sue & I were lucky hey! :D

It was classed as our "Rest Day" :D. You made the right decision mate no doubt about it ;). It was like a ghost town walking around Tibby only the odd car not much else.

Rich

Shonky will add the pics he has over the next few days so be sure to check back in!!

Guss
04-10-2009, 06:20 PM
It was classed as our "Rest Day" :D. You made the right decision mate no doubt about it ;). It was like a ghost town walking around Tibby only the odd car not much else.

Rich

Shonky will add the pics he has over the next few days so be sure to check back in!!

Cheers mate will do! :thumb:

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:38 PM
Here's my trip report to add on to Rich's.

Day 1 - The first of the big mileage days, at 7 am I met up with Rich (utedriver) at the Calder Park BP where we would knock over some Ks to make the first nights stopover at Menindee N.S.W. Not much to note about this day other than the most rewarding beer at our first pub stop for the trip at Pooncarie after 600 or so Kms.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3901.jpg

After downing a cool ale which to be honest did not touch the sides we got back on the road headed for Menindee, it was at Pooncarie the tarmac ran out and we got our first taste outback dirt roads for the trip.

Just out of Pooncarie on the Darling River East Road on the way to Menindee.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3907-1.jpg

Once arriving at Menindee fairly late in the day we fuelled up and headed to our first nights camp next to Main Weir. There was a unbelievable amount on ants running round on the ground which meant swag placement was crucial. :p

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3915.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3920.jpg

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:39 PM
Day 2 - The next morning we headed out with plans to be at Hungerford for the next night, we left Menindee fairly early with another 600ks or thereabouts to be covered for the day.

Since it was early we couldn't sample an ale at the Maidens Hotel in Menindee, but we got a pic of it anyway.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3930.jpg


On the way out we would pass through Tilpa and Louth on the way to Hungerford.

Another on the Darling River East Road somewhere between Menindee and Tilpa from memory.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3957.jpg

The Tilpa Hotel, we stopped off here for a coldie and a couple of pics, what awesome pub this is with great character, then headed back over to the weir for some lunch, before heading off again.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3961.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3962.jpg

And here we are at Hungerford on the NSW side of the dog fence, about 85Kms earlier we found that Rich had blown a rear shocker along the way which unbeknownst to us at the time was going to add another 3-400kms on the trip trying to chase down a replacement.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3966.jpg

That evening we dined on some awesome Steak sandwiches at the Hungerford Royal Mail Hotel, we couldn't tell you what their other food was like as that's all that was on the menu, the owners of this pub were great people and I'd like to thank them for their hospitality.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3972.jpg

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:39 PM
Day 3 - About 4.30am in the morning we were awakened by a cracker of a thunderstorm, after mulling over what to do about staying or going we decided around 5am to make the bolt before the rain let rip as the roads pretty much become impassable after the heavens open up in that area.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3974.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3983.jpg

Thankfully we got back to the tarmac just out of Eulo before the roads got too wet, but the rain was a welcome change that kept the dust down. :D

Here's a shot of the Eulo General Store on our way to Cunnamulla.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_3984.jpg

From here we headed to Cunammulla, once there we spent a few hours in town grabbing some brekky while waiting for the local mechanics to open in the hope that one might have a rear shock for Rich's Patrol, but we were out of luck, Rich tried every place in town that might have had one, even rummaging through boxes of 2nd hand ones looking for something to get us going, but to no avail so Rich did some ringing around and found a new set in Charleville, so that became our new destination. I haven't got any pics for this part of the trip, but we did enjoy the stopover in the Bailey Bar caravan park where we grabbed a much needed shower and some relaxation after getting the new shocks on the back of Rich's Patrol.

Day 4 - Yet another early start, our destination for today was Noccundra, on the way we passed through Quilpie and Eramanga (sp?), we stopped at Quilpie for lunch and cool ale at the local pub whose name escapes me, on the way we come across a pretty cool looking windmill beside the railway line, so everyone was out taking some pics.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4005.jpg

After this we continued on, about 240kms out from Noccundra we came to what can only be described as an almighty dust storm, Rich ploughed head on into it with me following, then over the radio came Rich saying "STOP SHONKS, STOP, I'M STOPPED!", so I grabbed the picks and pulled up just a few feet into the dust storm, I then reversed back out of it on the shoulder, about a minute later Rich emerged from the dust cloud, once pulled over on the side of the road we discussed our options, the dust was so thick you could only see the bullbar and no further, with only the occasional glimpse of the tarmac below, the winds inside the storm were huge, I still remember clear as day what I would describe as the sound of 100 blokes throwing handfuls of sand at the side of the car over and over again.

It was at this point we thought we would just sit for a while and see what happened, every now and then one of us would have a crack in the hope that there was an other side to the dust storm, but we came back out again with our tail between our legs shortly after. After about 3/4 of an hour a petrol tanker ploughed into the same dust we had just tried out, these blokes must be a tougher breed, he just kept plugging though it albeit at walking pace, so Rich jumped on the radio and called up the tanker to find out how he was going, whether he found the other side of it or not, the truckie replied with "It's about 2 minutes of seeing nothing until it clears up a bit", so with that bit of knowledge in we went keeping a good distance between each other.

At the edge of the storm.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4012.jpg

Once past the worst of it, if you could call it that we kept plugging our way to Noccundra, I have no idea what the average speed was but I'd guess it was about 40km/hr, with a visible distance of anything between zero and 150mtrs the next 200+kms took forever, it was something like 5-6 hours later we pulled into Noccundra. Here's a few pics of the pub, and the flag out the front, that night and the next morning after the storm had passed, we later heard on the news that all that dirt landed on Sydney.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4015.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4017.jpg

After heading into the pub and downing some beers to wash the dust from out throats we started thinking, do we want to camp in this or do we get a cabin, the decision was pretty easy, cabin it was but they were already all gone with the only thing left being the hall, so I chucked $35 on the bar and hired the hall for the night.

Inside the hall, almost as much dust inside and there was outside, but at least it blocked the wind.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4026.jpg

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:40 PM
Day 5 - The next morning we awoke to a nice cool breeze, swags covered in dust, and a visible sky, quite a change from the previous night, some comparison shots that morning.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4021.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4022.jpg

Once we were all packed up we headed for Innamincka S.A., along the way we stopped off at the Dig Tree, then continued on to Innamincka crossing the Queensland/S.A border, once at Innamincka the first thing to be done was of course have a beer or two before heading off to camp beside Cooper Creek for the night.

At the turn off to the Dig Tree.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4031.jpg

Just out of Innamincka.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4052.jpg

The border
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4042.jpg

The Innamincka Hotel.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4051.jpg

Camp next to Cooper Creek.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4086.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4088.jpg

To be continued once I process some more pics.

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:41 PM
Day 6 - Time for another day on the road, this time we were headed for Moomba Gas & Oil Fields, and then Cameron Corner with our destination for the night being Fort Grey Camp ground. This was a great spot, drop toilets, free BBQs and plenty of room for campers to spread out. The road from the Strezlecki Tk to the Corner was by far most favourite of the trip, crossing over hundreds of red sand dunes, going up and down for what seemed forever, but then it ended all too soon.

Anyway, some pics along the journey.

Moomba
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4104.jpg

The turn towards the corner, but before we could head off after this picture I heard a hissing coming from the car, after looking a little closer I found a bit of steel rod hanging out of the left rear tyre so out with the plug kit and 5 minutes later we were on our way.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4107.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4108.jpg

A few pics of the red dunes along the way, I just love the colours in the sand, the pics never do the scenery justice.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4099.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4102.jpg

And what would an outback trip be without a token ARB shot, LOL.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4114.jpg

The derelict bus along the road to the Corner.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4118.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4129.jpg

The Corner Store at Cameron Corner, this place also does an awesome steak sandwich. :thumb:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4133.jpg

Shonky
04-10-2009, 06:42 PM
Day 7 - For the night we stayed at Fort Grey Camp ground as I mentioned previously, in the morning after a good sleep and a feed we all grabbed the cameras and headed out on the 4km walk around Lake Paroo, the lake is a little on the dry side, I seem to remember reading somewhere it's been about 30 years since it last saw enough rain to hold water, here's a couple of pics from the walk.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4151.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4154.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4156.jpg

After the walk we packed up camp and got back on the road to Tibooburra with the aim of making to White Cliffs for the night, but it wasn't to be, all roads south of Tibooburra where closed due to the dust storms again, so I took a couple of pics of the pubs in Tibby and then we settled in for the night in a cabin in the local caravan park.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4160.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4161.jpg

Day 8 - We got up in the morning to find the roads were now open again, but due to being stuck in Tibby for the night we had to revise the plans as Rich and Dave had to be back for work on Monday, so rather than heading for White Cliffs as planned we headed for Broken Hill, and stopped in at Milparinka on the way.

Shots of the ruins.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4162.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4164.jpg

The Milparinka lock up.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4165.jpg

Milparinka Pub
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4168.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4171.jpg

After wandering round Milparinka we got back on the road punching out the miles as fast as we could through the dust on the way to Broken Hill and then down to Wentworth for the afternoon in the pub to watch the grand final, we made good time considering the dust and wind we copped for the 2nd time on the trip, so much so that we only missed the first quarter.

Anyway here's my final pic of the trip, following Rich on the way to Broken Hill sitting somewhere on the naughty side of 100km/hr. :p

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/shonky2400/Outback%202009/IMG_4173.jpg

I'd like to say thanks top Rich for being the tour guide for the trip, it was my first time out into the outback and I loved every minute, cheers mate, and also thanks to Dave (Rich's mate) for being Dave, great bloke, hope to catch up with you on another trip in future.

Bring on the next trip I say. :thumb:

Guss
04-10-2009, 06:48 PM
Shonky great stuff you & Rich must have had a ball! :thumb:

Stampy
05-10-2009, 03:48 AM
Great reports and pics UD and Shonky.
Looks like an adventure!

peteinoz
05-10-2009, 12:30 PM
now thats what I call a holiday.. two mates out there doing that.. man am I green.. and a great report, thanks for sharing it guys!!, now I have to work harder, so i get more time off and can do more of that above :)

Shonky
05-10-2009, 01:17 PM
Shonky great stuff you & Rich must have had a ball! :thumb:

We did mate, absolutely loved every minute of it, can't wait to do the next one wherever that may be.

Great reports and pics UD and Shonky.
Looks like an adventure!

Cheers mate, it certainly was.

now thats what I call a holiday.. two mates out there doing that.. man am I green.. and a great report, thanks for sharing it guys!!, now I have to work harder, so i get more time off and can do more of that above :)

Cheers Pete, life is too short mate, get amongst it. :thumb:

utedriver
05-10-2009, 05:11 PM
Great reports and pics UD and Shonky.
Looks like an adventure!

Thanks mate, we had a great time. Memories of the trip will be around for a while!!

Shonky great stuff you & Rich must have had a ball! :thumb:
Cheers Guss

now thats what I call a holiday.. two mates out there doing that.. man am I green.. and a great report, thanks for sharing it guys!!, now I have to work harder, so i get more time off and can do more of that above :)

We had a ripper time pete, Planning a trip like this is half the fun. We never intended on heading up to Charleville except for the blown shock. We didnt have a set plan for each day which is half the fun.

Cheers Rich

Croydon4wd
10-10-2009, 01:10 PM
Great Report and pics Rich and Shonky!!

Cam

Shonky
13-10-2009, 08:14 AM
Great Report and pics Rich and Shonky!!

Cam

Cheers Cam. :thumb:

Travis22
13-10-2009, 09:52 AM
Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay in replying. Awesome trip!

Looks like you guys had a real blast. Loved reading about the trip and the photos are fantastic.


Travis.

paradox1
13-10-2009, 10:19 AM
Bloody awesome.........and some great pics mate

AJS1
13-10-2009, 03:09 PM
Great pics ,Not a bad run ,I use to do alot of pig hunting(wild boar) up that area I don,t think the Tilpa pub hase changed that much,(bar made out of roofing iron ,concrete floor wood stove in a corner,menu;mixed sandwiches ,cheese & tomato or & tomato & cheese.The Hungerford pub is an interesting place. What brand of shocks.?
Yep great pics and story:thumb:
AL.

utedriver
13-10-2009, 03:24 PM
Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay in replying. Awesome trip!
Looks like you guys had a real blast. Loved reading about the trip and the photos are fantastic.
Travis.
Thanks Travis, We had a ball mate!!

Cheers Rich

Bloody awesome.........and some great pics mate
Thanks mate!!

Great pics ,Not a bad run ,I use to do alot of pig hunting(wild boar) up that area I don,t think the Tilpa pub hase changed that much,(bar made out of roofing iron ,concrete floor wood stove in a corner,menu;mixed sandwiches ,cheese & tomato or & tomato & cheese.The Hungerford pub is an interesting place. What brand of shocks.?
Yep great pics and story:thumb:
AL.
Cheers Al,
The shock that gave way was a "Desert Fox" Thats what the sticker was that came with them ;), It was the 2nd one that had "Let Go". . 1st replaced under warranty.The shocks I have replaced them with are Ironman shocks. I never asked what they were when I chased up a new set in Charleville but was happy with that. They performed very good for the rest of the trip. I have since ordered new front shocks also. They will get plenty of use this summer when the tracks open up in a few weeks!!

cheers Rich

AJS1
13-10-2009, 03:55 PM
I don't think you can go wrong with Ironman shocks I Know the guys pretty well , They wiil look after you .
AL.