A few nights in the Victorian High Country - and a broken Amarok

Every now and then the moon and stars and moon align, and I get the opportunity to take off for a couple of nights with the guys who introduced us into four wheel drive touring.  This is a part of Australia that we have not spent much time exploring, and I was looking forward to changing that.  I also knew I was in good company.  These guys have forgotten more about four wheel driving than I'll ever learn - and I was eager to pick up some tips.

Jo had given me a leave pass for a few nights, so I packed the car with essentials for a solo few nights.  A swag, some beer and a ten minute run around Aldi had me stocked with enough food for the adventure.  

Jo's only instruction: "Don't break Rocky!"  

I confidently assured her that I wouldn't do anything silly and would bring the car back in tip top condition in a couple of days....  How wrong I was!

A new set of wheels - but the Amarok is staying

With our little Subaru Outback starting to become a never ending run of little (and big) maintenance challenges, we knew it was time to consider a new(er) set of wheels sooner or later.  With the decision to upgrade, came an opportunity to get a seven seater - for the versatility it offers us living out of town.

Today we bought a 2010 Challenger - to sit in the carport alongside the Amarok.  It is likely to replace our tired Outback that has a hard 280 000km on the clock - however we may just continue to run it until it stops completely.

The vital statistics for the new set of wheels are:

• MY2010 Mitsubishi Challenger LS
• Nudge Bar
• Tow Bar
• Side Steps
• 7 Seats
• 81 000km

The Challenger's main job will be doing the school run - although on occasion that does need 4WD and negotiation of a water crossing! 

Matilda is up for hire...

After much deliberation, and thinking about the options, we have decided to list Matilda for hire on the camplify website (https://www.camplify.com.au/rv/tent-camper-rental-gundaroo-nsw-matilda/7665)

If you're thinking of buying a rugged, Australian made heavy duty camper trailer, then this is the perfect opportunity to try before you buy.

This camper is solid - and whilst it may not be new, it means you won't be afraid of getting it dirty!

It comes with:

• An 80 litre Waeco Fridge/Freezer
• A huge pantry drawer
• 120 litre fresh water tank
• Massive under bed storage
• Queen size bed, plus room for two kids on the floor
• Full size 2.4 metre awning
• 120 watt solar panel
• 2 x 100 amp hour batteries
• Heavy duty construction - it will follow your 4WD anywhere.

To make a booking, please check out:

https://www.camplify.com.au/rv/tent-camper-rental-gundaroo-nsw-matilda/7665

The Simpson Desert - 2016

It was an exciting moment filling up with fuel at Mount Dare.  This is the last fuel stop before entering the Simpson Desert.  We really were not sure what to expect as this was our first crossing - and all of us were looking forward to the next six or seven nights.  We filled the fuel tanks to the brim, bought our Desert Passes and enjoyed a last ice cream.  It wasn't long and we were on the road to our first camp - Dalhousie Springs.

Dalhousie Springs is an oasis on the western edge of the desert.  The artesian water is a delightful 39 degrees, and we spend the best part of a full day lolling about in this paradise.  The three boys delighted in playing the in water, jumping out and enjoying the novelty of cooling in the breeze before warming up again in the water.  

On the Oodnadatta Track, Painted Desert and beyond

After a long day on the road, we camped overnight at Wearing Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.  Having received good rain in the previous few weeks, the landscape became more green and lush the further west we pushed.  The next morning we had a leg stretch at Blinman, before proceeding down the Parachilna Gorge.

The grass was so green in places it almost hurt our eyes to look at it!

On our previous visit, we had promised the boys a meal at the Prairie Hotel.  Unfortunately it was closed - and perhaps that was a good thing...  (See here: http://project2014australia.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/wilpena-pound-and-rawnsley-park.html).

Sadly with any highly anticipated activity, we were a bit disappointed with the Prairie Hotel, Parachilna.  It had been renovated without taste in a way which had destroyed all former character. There was no bar, save a glimpse at what could have been, now filled not with taps, but a till. The walls were covered in expensive art for sale, with only the occasional piece eliciting pleasure. And the meals were something else again.  Trying to be inner city chic, the meals would have been more fitting in inner city Hipsterville.  Sorry Prairie Hotel Parachilna, we won't be back.

On the road to Silverton

After living on the road for twelve months back in 2014, some people would think our travelling would be done.  Others, perhaps wiser, would know that it has barely begun.  For the past few months we have been planning a trip to the Simpson Desert, and on Saturday 6th August 2016, we set off.  Looking back on that 2014 trip, it is easy to see how much these beautiful boys have grown.

This was to be a trip without our camper trailer 'Matilda'.  We were not sure how going with just swags (and an emergency tent) would go.  We figured we would be alright, unless it rained... and in a few short weeks we would test the limits of our wet weather capability.  We were also travelling with friends Kylie, Jim and their boy, The Little Fossicker.

Our first night was on the banks of the Murray River at Euston.  Jo had made special onesy outfits for the cold nights - and the kids loved them.  There was no complaints from any of the swag dwellers, so we pressed on.

We traced the Murrumbidgee River from home, and later followed the Murray stopping at Wentworth to see the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers.  We would be crossing the Darling River again in a few weeks some 1,970 kilometres by river north at Bourke.

On the road again... time to get everything ready!

I can hardly believe how quickly time has been flying by since we have returned home from our big adventure.  Two years ago we were kicking around the Red Centre, marvelling at Uluru in all its glory.  Life has moved on, the kids continue to grow like weeds, and things have settled back down to a new normal.

Or have they...

Over the past few months I have been finding myself increasingly torn between hitting the road again, or staying put.  Even devoting energies into a new blog (https://rockfarming.com/) hasn't been enough to convince me that home is where it will be at for ever.  Indeed the feet are growing itchy again.  Just as well that a new adventure is on the horizon.

The  Simpson Desert

It is an iconic trip that isn't to be taken lightly.  When I think back to our first foray into 4WD touring, it seemed a remote, distant possibility.  Now with a little bit of experience under our belts, we  think we are ready to give it a go.

This will also be our first extended trip without our trusty Aussie Swag camper trailer (Matilda).  Whilst camper trailers are not banned in the Simpson Desert (yet), all my research suggests they are a silly idea.  We decided that towing through the desert will entail too greater risk of stretching our chassis, or worst still, friendships. 

The site supervisor tests the extra height 

Whilst our camping configuration will be very different, there are no real changes for Rocky other than a 60 litre water tank installed under the tray. This took a friend and I the best part of a short school day to get fitted.  I opted for a simple caravan tank and standard fittings, with a gravity feed on the tap.  It works a treat!

A creek, a pan, a fortune might be found.

With a rare weekend free, we accepted an invitation with geologist friends to try and find our fortune at a public fossicking area somewhere near Tumbarumba, west of the Snowy Mountains.  We were lured not only by the promise of rubies and sapphires, but also a picturesque camp beside a pleasant creek.

And what a wonderful weekend we had - with plenty of reward for our efforts.

We were all keen to get out under canvas again.  The boys were eager to sleep in their swags, and soon found a spot that wasn't too lumpy.  The little supervisor (aka Dylis) was thrilled that our camp was in State Forest - so she could come along for the fun too.