Camp site choice was by the old “sunk it in the sand” method.
After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
I continued on as I wanted to get some distance done without catching up to any caravans as the dust was staying around for about 5 minutes after you passed a car going the other way, luckily there was no one on front all the way to where I made camp in the Plenty River near Jervois.
Camp site choice was by the old “sunk it in the sand” method.
Camp site choice was by the old “sunk it in the sand” method.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
Tuesday 2nd:
5 big 4 trailer road trains rumbled through well before dawn with about 15 minutes between them to let the dust settle.
I got up and checked for any warmth before covering the ashes of my fire and making a coffee on the stove.
Tyre pressure had gone down overnight due to the cold so I didn’t have too much trouble getting moving again.
I was lucky enough to have no one in front of me all the way to Tobermorey but dozens of caravans and campervans were heading West.
After a snack stop at Tobermorey I continued on at around 90 kmh until I caught up with two 4 trailer cattle trucks and stopped to make a coffee as there was no way to see to get past them or even see the road.
After a break I got back on the road and hit bitumen at Glenormiston two minutes later … doh!
5 big 4 trailer road trains rumbled through well before dawn with about 15 minutes between them to let the dust settle.
I got up and checked for any warmth before covering the ashes of my fire and making a coffee on the stove.
Tyre pressure had gone down overnight due to the cold so I didn’t have too much trouble getting moving again.
I was lucky enough to have no one in front of me all the way to Tobermorey but dozens of caravans and campervans were heading West.
After a snack stop at Tobermorey I continued on at around 90 kmh until I caught up with two 4 trailer cattle trucks and stopped to make a coffee as there was no way to see to get past them or even see the road.
After a break I got back on the road and hit bitumen at Glenormiston two minutes later … doh!
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
It wasn’t long before I caught and passed the cattle trucks and again had a clear run all the way in to Boulia where I had a refuel of body and Ute.
163 litres of Diesel to do the 978 kms from Alice Springs.
By this time I had had enough of main roads so decided to head across the Diamantina stopping at Elizabeth Springs for a look.
It was very neglected and overgrown with the old infrastructure, turnstiles and signage faded and rusted, they have moved the carpark further away from the previous carpark and you just have to guess where the springs are.
The birdlife was prolific with Budgies and Hawks everywhere.
163 litres of Diesel to do the 978 kms from Alice Springs.
By this time I had had enough of main roads so decided to head across the Diamantina stopping at Elizabeth Springs for a look.
It was very neglected and overgrown with the old infrastructure, turnstiles and signage faded and rusted, they have moved the carpark further away from the previous carpark and you just have to guess where the springs are.
The birdlife was prolific with Budgies and Hawks everywhere.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
I drove on until I reached Gum Hole campground and since there was no kids around and plenty of water I heated up the billy and had a nice refreshing bucket bath.
Again because of the water there was prolific bird life to share the afternoon with.
Bloody nice camp spot !!
Again because of the water there was prolific bird life to share the afternoon with.
Bloody nice camp spot !!
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
Wednesday 3rd
I was up before first light listening to the wildlife so decided to light the fire and have a coffee while watching the hawks chasing the smaller birdlife as the light grew stronger.
By the time the Sun peeked its head above the horizon the birds had all quietened down and were basking in the warm rays.
Funny how 2.6 degrees seems pretty warm after the last couple of weeks around the zero mark … no wind certainly makes it more comfortable.
For the first time I didn’t want to get moving and stayed for a few coffees before finally getting a move on.
I was up before first light listening to the wildlife so decided to light the fire and have a coffee while watching the hawks chasing the smaller birdlife as the light grew stronger.
By the time the Sun peeked its head above the horizon the birds had all quietened down and were basking in the warm rays.
Funny how 2.6 degrees seems pretty warm after the last couple of weeks around the zero mark … no wind certainly makes it more comfortable.
For the first time I didn’t want to get moving and stayed for a few coffees before finally getting a move on.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
The loop circuit track had been closed when I passed it and it also had a closed sign at the other end as I headed south east.
When I got to Hunter Gorge it was closed as well due to damage done by Cyclone Trevor so I continued on to Windorah having done 550 kms from Boulia.
I had a quick squirt around “The Sand Dunes” near town but the outside track went nowhere and the short loop track showed nothing of interest so I kept going until Baldy Rock Lookout near Quilpie.
When I got to Hunter Gorge it was closed as well due to damage done by Cyclone Trevor so I continued on to Windorah having done 550 kms from Boulia.
I had a quick squirt around “The Sand Dunes” near town but the outside track went nowhere and the short loop track showed nothing of interest so I kept going until Baldy Rock Lookout near Quilpie.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
I was going to climb it but there were people everywhere so I carried on to “The Lake” caravan park just east of town where I made camp in the last lakeside spot and had a lovely hot shower before cooking [… well heating a can …] dinner on the campfire beside the lake … pretty good value for $7.50 per night.
Just as I was about to go to bed I noticed oil under the Front and thought the fuel filter may have been leaking but when I had a look it was diff oil.
I grabbed a torch and had a better look finding that the drivers side diff ball end was close to breaking right off, there was a crack running under the bottom ball brace then cracked right up both sides of the neck with only the top ball brace and 20 mm or so of the neck holding the whole thing on … luckily it had not bent so it was just a matter of welding it back together … but that was for the morning as I still had a coffee to drink.
Just as I was about to go to bed I noticed oil under the Front and thought the fuel filter may have been leaking but when I had a look it was diff oil.
I grabbed a torch and had a better look finding that the drivers side diff ball end was close to breaking right off, there was a crack running under the bottom ball brace then cracked right up both sides of the neck with only the top ball brace and 20 mm or so of the neck holding the whole thing on … luckily it had not bent so it was just a matter of welding it back together … but that was for the morning as I still had a coffee to drink.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
Thursday 4th
Googling found a welder in Quilpie, Kev Richardson on 46561600 … they could not have been more helpful and got straight on to it.
An hour later it was all good to go and I hit the road over some of the bumpiest bitumen roads around … checked it at Charleville and it was all good so back to driving normally again.
It was a pretty uneventfull through to Bowenville reserve where I decided to get in one last night of camping even though I could have easily done the extra couple of hundred Kms to home.
Googling found a welder in Quilpie, Kev Richardson on 46561600 … they could not have been more helpful and got straight on to it.
An hour later it was all good to go and I hit the road over some of the bumpiest bitumen roads around … checked it at Charleville and it was all good so back to driving normally again.
It was a pretty uneventfull through to Bowenville reserve where I decided to get in one last night of camping even though I could have easily done the extra couple of hundred Kms to home.
Re: After the Madigan, Central Australia 28-6-2019
Friday 5th:
An easy couple of hours to home with 6532 Kms done in two weeks.
Problems were:
2 dirty fuel filters.
1 puncture, ran over a spike, plugged ok.
Broken plastic stopper for brake light switch.
Cracked swivel hub housing end of front diff.
Had a great time with Jeff, Brett and Phil although the Madigan Line was far too easy.
Was great to do Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon again and the afternoon drive up Finke Gorge was fun as well.
Holiday was just not long enough!.
An easy couple of hours to home with 6532 Kms done in two weeks.
Problems were:
2 dirty fuel filters.
1 puncture, ran over a spike, plugged ok.
Broken plastic stopper for brake light switch.
Cracked swivel hub housing end of front diff.
Had a great time with Jeff, Brett and Phil although the Madigan Line was far too easy.
Was great to do Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon again and the afternoon drive up Finke Gorge was fun as well.
Holiday was just not long enough!.