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Post Info TOPIC: 1. Dig Tree 2. New Van?
Bassman


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1. Dig Tree 2. New Van?
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Hello to the group.  Yep, another NEWB on deck : )

My wife and I are looking into purchasing our first caravan.  Shelley wishes to take our two pugs along for any trips we go on.  Leaving them behind is not an option.  As we are trying to narrow down our selection of caravans I am wondering if it is possible to take our pets with us to the Burke and Wills Dig Tree?  Just something on my to do list.  Shelley just wishes to head north from the Victorian winters.  Which we will do.  North Stradbroke Island is our favourite northern beach location.

As we would like to do a little bit of Off-Roading could members please reply with their caravan recommendations?  I can not see myself doing any rock hopping or serious four wheel driving.  Just point A to point B, the odd ford or shallow creek crossing.  Major dirt tracks not the adventurous tracks.  This is what I perceive at the moment and may stand to be corrected.  Travelling to outback pubs and towns, that sort of thing.

I would also like to go to old gold and gem fields and throw in a bit of astronomy into the mix.  Caravan parks that take dogs are also on the list.

Thank you for your time.



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Warm regards,

Paul and Shelley
Bassman


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Hello again,

I found my own answer to the Dig Tree. It can be found here

www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Queensland/Outback/Dig-Tree-Reserve/Dig-Tree-camping-area

Yes you can take dogs there. You just need to inform the ranger before hand.

I still would like to know about access and what caravan can make it there?

Looking forward to heaps of responses.

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Warm regards,

Paul and Shelley
RobandFlip


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Hi Bassman,
Your choice of caravan will depend on what you want to pay. I would keep in mind that it will have to be very sturdy to handle the unsealed roads as well as the odd ford or shallow creek crossing. I have heard stories of van interiors falling to pieces after travelling over corrugated roads. If you want a really decent second hand caravan that can handle pretty much everything, visit the Bushtracker site. Many satisfied customers advertise to sell their vans on this site so they can upgrade to a newer model Bushtracker! They have been well maintained by Bushtracker as they offer after sales van servicing. If nothing else, it is just worth a look.
I don't know anything about Dig Tree but I do know we don't go anywhere without our pups, so, we have made our own portable 1 metre high durable, lightweight fence (available from Bunnings)that can be erected around the entire van, including the annexe/awning area; held in place with light guage steel rods at various intervals. Works a treat, the pups don't have to be on a lead all the time and I made a canvas "duffle" bag into which everything fits.
Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Robyn

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Robyn and Phillip
deedles


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hi!
We tried to go and see the Dig Tree in 2014. The road is the worst we have ever been on, and after doing about 5kph for a short distance and being absolutely shaken to bits we turned around and headed out. Make sure you have a 4wd car and caravan if your going to attempt it. I think I would only try to go in there again if I had a van that I didn't mind getting wrecked! The road is a disgrace, especially as this is something a lot of people wish to see. I really felt like writing to the council and putting in a complaint!

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Deidre
Spook


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deedles wrote:

hi!
We tried to go and see the Dig Tree in 2014. The road is the worst we have ever been on, and after doing about 5kph for a short distance and being absolutely shaken to bits we turned around and headed out. Make sure you have a 4wd car and caravan if your going to attempt it. I think I would only try to go in there again if I had a van that I didn't mind getting wrecked! The road is a disgrace, especially as this is something a lot of people wish to see. I really felt like writing to the council and putting in a complaint!

 Council?....Out there??..............Not a hope in hell!



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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

My girls are Misha, Maddy, Morgan and Muffin. RIP Jen, my princess.

RIP Molly, our dear girl who crossed the Rainbow Bridge 24/10/2016. A loyal and faithful companion. 
AlPal


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G'Day Bassman, We live south of the border too. We are on our 3rd Caravan and we also had an off road trailer for fishing trips. If you are going off road I suggest you do a fair bit of research re a suitable caravan. Firstly, your tow vehicle will generally dictate the size and weight of caravan that you can tow. And then as has already been suggested - how much are you prepared to spend? You first have to decide whether to buy a new van or second hand one. My suggestion to you is to have a good look around the second hand market for a suitable van in excellent condition. It should be obvious if any van has been around the block a few times. (Happy to email you a list of things to look for) I think the caravan suspension is important and I think it is hard to beat the tandem independent suspension such as
G & S Control Rider, Cruisemaster, Simplicity, etc. with 12" brakes.
Many loaded caravans on the road are over weight so understand what the impact of full water tanks, full gas bottles, luggage, clothes, food, etc, is on your carrying capacity. If you google www.towingguide.com.au/ this site will provide a great deal of information in
layman terms. There are many caravans that are well made and probably suitable. Depending on the towing capacity of your tow vehicle, I suggest having a look at a Lotus Freelander, Traveller, Spinifex, Trakmaster, Bushtracker, Evennew and even some Regal models, just to mention some.. Buying these new will cost a great deal. I have no connection at all with these caravan manufacturers, but remember some of these can be heavier than many others..
One caravan I did like was the Boroma - in many ways it was probably before it's time with independent suspension, built in generator, etc. Boroma went out of business some years ago, however there are some second hand ones on the market. Suggest you google caravancampingsales.com.au to have a look at what is available for sale. It will become obvious there are hundreds of vans for sale. Lastly if you buy a second hand van, get a qualified person to thoroughly check it for you, won't cost much but well worth it. If accepted, any offer you make will cover the inspection cost anyway.

Regards, Allan

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HiAce98


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deedles wrote:

hi!
We tried to go and see the Dig Tree in 2014. The road is the worst we have ever been on, and after doing about 5kph for a short distance and being absolutely shaken to bits we turned around and headed out. Make sure you have a 4wd car and caravan if your going to attempt it. I think I would only try to go in there again if I had a van that I didn't mind getting wrecked! The road is a disgrace, especially as this is something a lot of people wish to see. I really felt like writing to the council and putting in a complaint!

Sounds like the road to my place for about 3/4 of the time (graded occasionally). There is a council hereabouts though. I know because I was just expected to vote for people I've never even heard of LOL.  But to be fair, with so many miles of road to so few people I think it would be unreasonable to expect nicely maintained roads everywhere unless we all pay a lot more for registration fees or other road taxes.



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Hardranger


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You don't need to spend huge sums on offroad vans. Last year my wife and I did Innamincka to the Dig Tree and plenty of other dirt roads up there in our Jayco Expanda Outback. The Outback has plenty of clearance, I did a bit of work underneath to stone proof the van, added a Stonestomper and reduced tyre pressure for a softer ride. I took a pkt of larger guage screws expecting drawers and cupboard doors to fall off but didn't need them. Drive to the conditions and you won't have dramas.

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Ian Hardwick
PeterD


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There is no problem getting a van to the Dig Tree. The road out from Cunnamulla or Charleville to the SA border was mostly sealed and the bit that was no was being redone and I would expect it to be finished now. The track into the Dig Tree was very rough in the gullies for the first few kilometres but when past the stony sections it was fair gravelly sandy and clay surface that was fine to travel on. We then went on to Innamincka. The road from the border was a very course gravel surface and had to be driven fairly slowly but otherwise OK. My ban is a Spaceland pop-top. Later that winter we went to Birdsville, in from Boulia and out through Windorah. There was no problem with the van on any of those roads

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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
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