The run up from Perth to Laverton was fine, as it was bitumen all the way. Laverton to Giles (more-or-less the WA/NT border) was mostly good, as good as a gravel road anywhere. From the NT border onwards, although the road was fairly good, there had been a lot of rain through the previous week and in the NT, they don't form the roads with a crown, they simply grade the road and leave a bank at each side, so there were numerous situations where there was a lot of water on the road. At one point, about 150 km west of the Olga's, there was a road train down to the axles. This was on Thursday and he had been there since Sunday. He was waiting for a grader to come from Alice Springs to pull him out so he may still be there.
The Olga's and Uluru were great, but it was 40degC so some of the walks were closed and it was too bloody hot anyway. Camped just outside Yulara and headed east the next day. Went south to Kulgera and had the trailer electrics fixed which I had ripped out, but he couldn't fix the electric brakes. I was going to go across from Kulgera to Finke and then up past Chambers Pillar but they reported that there was too much water across the roads, so that will have to wait for the next trip. Went up to Alice Springs and continued norht the Central Mount Stuart - Most unimpressive, just a flamin' hill. Back down to the Plenty Hwy and headed east. Bitumen all the way to Hart's Range community. This place was unbelieveable! The Indigs were living in corrugated iron shacks which could only be described as humpys, and yet I saw three that had satellite dishes on the roof.
The next section, from Harts Range to Jervois Station (133km) was pretty rough, but the 213km from Jervois to Tobermorey on the NT/Qld border was really savage. I shredded a tyre on this section, the road was so rough and noisy that I didn't know I had a flat until the tread started banging on the body. The last section, 249km from Tobermorey to Boulia was supposed to be the worst so I was kakking myself in case I blew another tyre, but luckily the road wasn't all that bad. A lot of washaways, but provided you slow down they were OK.
All this time it was stinking hot, but from Boulia to Winton was just ridiculous. 47degrees is not fun, especially when it only dropped down to 34 overnight.
Since Winton I have just been cruising along. I am in Emerald tonight, the first real opportunity I've had to use the Wireless Broadband. I want to spend a day in Carnarvon Gorge tomorrow to check it out for a longer visit in the future. Then down to Roma and Goondawindi. I am well ahead of time according to my original plan simply because it has been too hot to stop for a day and have a look around. Hopefully the next few days will give me a chance to catchup.
More Soon Merry Christmas to all
Mike
dave06 said
09:04 PM Dec 23, 2008
well done Mike a damn good post, so you copped all the rain up there, it came down as far as quorn here she was blocked off for a week here in Pirie we only got a steady 3 inches
you're right she's not the best time of year to be touring our wide brown land, too bloody hot, thats why we are leaving it until july/august to go up to uluru
the reason they dont form the roads is because of the fine bulldust it just wont hold together so they just keep pushing the loose stuff off to the sides, you will see the same in kangaroo island, the roadside banks over there are 2 feet high and rising
Mike47 said
09:44 PM Dec 28, 2008
The best laid plans etc. . .
Found the most wonderful little parking spot about 3km out of Springsure. Sign says, curiously enough, that camping is prohibited, but overnight parking of caravans is permitted. The location is called Virgin Rock because of a natural rock formation which resembles the Virgin Mary as part of the face of Mt. Zamia.
Beautiful shady trees, water, toilets, shaded picnic bench etc. I stayed overnight on Xmas eve and it was so nice, I stayed all day Xmas day and that night as well. Very quiet on the road. A motorhome pulled up for about an hour Xmas Eve night, and there was a couple in a ute with swags when I woke up on Xmas morning, but they took off straight away, so I had the place all to myself all day.
Headed for Carnarvon Gorge the next day, but there must have been 50,000 ankle-biters there, so I left it for a trip NOT during school holidays. Got to Roma without seeing a nice free camp. All of the roads through this part of Qld seem to have very steep verges at the edges of the road and look very difficult to pull off easily.
Had a quick look around Roma and was heading out about 3:00pm to look for a camp when I noticed a strange noise coming from the Sorento. FIrst thought was a dry wheel bearing, but the wheel hubs weren't hot so I wondered whether one of the diffs were dry. Turned back to Roma and camped at the caravan park on the highway (quite nice, good facilities, $26.00 a night) Hunted around town the next day (Saturday) but no workshops open. A guy at a place which does tune-ups for hoons, you know, big exhaust pipes and 36 inch stereo speakers, he was kind enough to jack up the vehicle so we could check the diffs - both full - the noise seems to be coming from the rear hubs.
I have booked back into the van park until Monday morning and hopefully I can get someone to look at it tomorrow morning.
Hope it is nothing major Mike. Just another challenge to overcome and you will be on your way again. I'm counting down the days now, and am looking at the 14 Jan to be heading off. I enjoy your posts. Good luck! Dianne
Found the most wonderful little parking spot about 3km out of Springsure. Sign says, curiously enough, that camping is prohibited, but overnight parking of caravans is permitted. The location is called Virgin Rock because of a natural rock formation which resembles the Virgin Mary as part of the face of Mt. Zamia.
Beautiful shady trees, water, toilets, shaded picnic bench etc. I stayed overnight on Xmas eve and it was so nice, I stayed all day Xmas day and that night as well. Very quiet on the road. A motorhome pulled up for about an hour Xmas Eve night, and there was a couple in a ute with swags when I woke up on Xmas morning, but they took off straight away, so I had the place all to myself all day.
Headed for Carnarvon Gorge the next day, but there must have been 50,000 ankle-biters there, so I left it for a trip NOT during school holidays. Got to Roma without seeing a nice free camp. All of the roads through this part of Qld seem to have very steep verges at the edges of the road and look very difficult to pull off easily.
Had a quick look around Roma and was heading out about 3:00pm to look for a camp when I noticed a strange noise coming from the Sorento. FIrst thought was a dry wheel bearing, but the wheel hubs weren't hot so I wondered whether one of the diffs were dry. Turned back to Roma and camped at the caravan park on the highway (quite nice, good facilities, $26.00 a night) Hunted around town the next day (Saturday) but no workshops open. A guy at a place which does tune-ups for hoons, you know, big exhaust pipes and 36 inch stereo speakers, he was kind enough to jack up the vehicle so we could check the diffs - both full - the noise seems to be coming from the rear hubs.
I have booked back into the van park until Monday morning and hopefully I can get someone to look at it tomorrow morning.
Regards
Mike
-- Edited by Mike47 at 20:48, 2008-12-28
I enjoy your posts.
Good luck!
Dianne