Saturday 18 December 2010

Kosciuszko National Park December 2010

Yet again following the directions of Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage we ended up packing for a weekend touring the northern Kosciuszko National Park. The weather looked unpredictable - and was, but we had an absolute ball checking out such a magnificient part of the Australian high country.

With good friends Nic and Dave coming along in their Prado, we caught up on Thursday night to make our final preparations for a timely departure on Friday. The rough plan was to head over the Brindabella Mountains and enter the park from the north via Broken Cart Trail.

We enjoyed lunch at Micalong Creek before backtracking slightly to enter the park. We slowly meandered our way south, driving on reasonable tracks that were occasionally rocky and sometimes muddy.

With the soundtrack from The Man From Snowy River playing, there is nothing better than coming over a rise and seeing a wide open plain with brumbies peacefully grazing.


Our first brumbies looking fit and healthy

We continued our trip south through Long Plain, and marvelled at human's ability to construct huge high tension power lines directly through the length of the plain. Whilst practically one can understand the considerations of the engineers who chose the plain as the most economic route for the lines, it seems a little at odd with our huge price we are willing to pay for visual amenity these days in other areas. Of course we consoled ourselves in the fact the lines are transporting electricity generated from the incredible Snowy Hydro-Electic Scheme.

With the day getting long and the little ones getting tired we decided to head for a campsite with a stream big enough to cast a line. After a moment of indecision, Yarrangobilly Village Campground was chosen as the destination. The village has long since gone, with the exception of the old post office, but the camping area was picturesque, if split by the Snowy Mountains Highway.


Yarrangobilly Village Campground

The little ones were happy. With their attempts to catch dinner in the fast flowing Yarrangobilly River not yeilding dinner, sausages were a deemed a suitable substitute, and we settled into a pleasant evening around the campfire.

Dawn was shattered by Tipper and Dog combinations providing road base all the way from Goulburn for the National Parks, even before the little helper alarm clocks decided it was time to be off - so we decided to move on. After breakfast we packed in record time, but that was due to the driving rain more than the traffic, and decided to regroup at Yarrangobilly Caves.

Not knowing what to expect we were very pleasantly surprised by the Yarrangobilly Caves. The Rangers were most helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our explore of Glory Cave. The little helpers loved their first caving experience (albiet with lights, paths and rails), and we are looking forward to coming back and visiting some of the other caves in the area soon. It was also out of the weather, which was a big plus at that time, although it wasn't exactly dry inside the caves either!


The boys outside the entrance to Glory Cave

We then pushed on to Blue Waterholes for lunch. With a bit more time on our hands we visited Long Plain Hut and Coonibil Hut on the way. The hardships endured by the early graziers is apparent in these huts, and it was great to see them being respected by most visitors. We also visited Coolamine Homestead, a more permanent settlement. I could have spent hours inside the buildings, but the little helpers had more fun stalking the resident kangaroos.


Coolamine Homestead

Blue Waterholes is a part of a similar limestone formation that formed Yarrangobilly Caves, however in this case there are numerous springs and the creek passes into the impressive Clarke's Gorge. Normally the creek is dry upstream of the springs, however it was flowing nicely during our visit. We enjoyed a short explore around here before the thunder signalled an impending downpour and we beat a hasty retreat to the carpark, so we didn't get any better photos of the gorge or springs.


Down by the river, with a nervous eye on the black clouds forming

We set up camp just up the hill from the carpark at Magpie Flat camp ground, sheltered behind a ridge line. NPWS had provided a good amount of firewood at each fireplace, and with a bit of coaxing we soon had a warm fire going... even if it did hail on us! Roast lamb in the Cobb Cooker was delicious and we soon made our ways to bed, with beanies and thermals on!

We awoke at the crack of dawn on Sunday, not to the sound of trucks, but to a chorus of Kookaburras. Outside the tents a kangaroo and her joey were enjoying the mown grass around our campfire. It was an idyllic morning, and after a good pot of coffee and hot breakfast we were ready for anything.

We headed out of the park via Talbingo, and as we dropped into the village, so did the Incredible Hulk, an Erickson Sky Crane.


The Incredible Hulk - slightly smaller than the famous Elvis

The aircraft was on a ferry flight from Melbourne to Sydney when the weather closed in and they landed at Talbingo. The crew kindly showed us (and half the village) over the aircraft and even let our boys sit in the cockpit. The helicopter was a highlight for the little helpers who have drawn the helicopter and built amazingly accurate lego models since getting home.



The boys in the cockpit look out the bubble windows

And then onto Tumut for lunch, and Gundagai for the compulsory stop with the Dog on the Tuckerbox before heading for home.


Dog on the Tuckerbox
(A full history on the poem and history of Bullocky Bill's Dog on the Tuckerbox can be found here.

Special thanks to Nic and Dave for the company, wine and photos. More snaps can be found at my gallery on Australia4wd forum here.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

"Matilda" - Our 2005 Aussie Swag Camper

Our camper is a 2005 Aussie Swag - named by our boys "Matilda". We purchased it second hand in April and simply love it.

A camper had been on the wish-list for a long time, however we couldn't really justify the expense. All was to change on one camping trip!

We always knew one of the self-inflating mattresses had a slow leak, however I thought it was just my bad luck to get it every time. A firm mattress at bed time would slowly but surely turn into a thin mat allowing every undulation, rock and blade of grass to be felt. I loved camping, but was coming home with more aches and pains than when I left home.

The better half let slip that she had worked out which one of the self-inflating mattresses leaked, and revealed she could tell by the older style logo on the cover. Needless to say I swiftly swapped mattresses when she wasn't looking. The next morning, I awoke blissfully refreshed - but a little anxious as to what The Bride would say after her night becoming acquainted with the rocks of the Buckenbower State Forest. Instead of berating me about swapping mattresses, or even chastising me at all, she simply looked at me with bleary eyes and said the magic words “Let’s get a camper trailer.”

So along came Matilda – a pre-loved Aussie Swag Camper.

We had decided that a hard-floor camper would best suit our desire to travel around the country in a few years, however were worried about the general lack of storage space in most hard floor campers which seem more suited to couples. The Aussie Swag solved most of our immediate concerns by having a large pantry and fridge stowed on the trailer, freeing up valuable room in the car for more important things like kids colouring in books and the like.

Our first go at setting it up was at Yadboro Flat. It wasn't necessarily pretty (in terms of getting the canvas crease free) - but we found the camper extremely comfortable to base ourselves in. It is heavy – and we had a bit of fun coming home up the Clyde Mountain – but it travelled beautifully behind the Terracan.


We took it to Son of Trials Plus the other day – and whilst the Terracan found the going of the competition a little tough – we did enjoy retreating to the comfort of the camper's bed at the end of the day’s activities.


Of course one of the most important things is to make sure the camper is waterproof. I recently took the two little helpers to Jervis Bay for a couple of nights. Just after getting everything set up, the heavens opened and we received somewhere in the vicinity of 115mm of rain in the next few hours.

The little helpers thought this was great fun, having a road turn into a river, and all dirt turn to a most spectacular sticky mud. Thankfully hot showers were but a few metres away, and after getting them washed, dry and in their pyjamas, we retreated to a dry bed for the evening.


Some of the features we love about the camper:
  • 80 Litre fridge – ample storage for a family, including all important ‘paddle pops’
  • Comfortable queen size bed
  • 2x 105 AH deep cycle batteries – keeps the electrics running nicely
  • 120 Watt solar panel – almost keeps up with the fridge and other electrical requirements
  • Pantry – huge pantry drawer above the kitchen
  • Loads of storage - in front box, under the bed and in the body
  • Waterproof canvas
  • Enough room on bed to store kids mattresses and bedding

Source: Matilda

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Deua National Park - January 2010

Deua National Park

A really special place for us is the Bendethera Valley in Deua National Park, south of Braidwood. This was our first 4WD camping trip in our new (2nd Hand) Terracan, and we didn’t know what to expect of the trip in, or the valley itself.

We set off for a weekend camping armed with a great guide book, which we followed closely. We were blown away by the steep tracks, awesome views and then the descent into Bendethera Valley. The exit via Merricumbene Fire Trail was even more exciting with some extremely steep sections that felt more like a roller-coaster ride!

This valley just has to be seen to be believed with beautiful large grassy areas grazed by Wombats and Wallabies. No matter how many people seem to find their way into the valley, there seems to be enough space to find your own piece of paradise.

Our two little boys loved exploring the area, watching wombats and splashing in the Deua River, as did we!



Our trip into the Bendethera Valley started our family's love of bush camping. We have since explored some other great areas of the South Coast and Southern Highlands. We have found that there are plenty of remote areas to explore so close to home and how it doesn't require heaps of expensive equipment to get out there and appreciate it.

Deua River


Source: Burke and Wills 150th Anniversary Competition

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Wee Jasper and the Real Roothy

A long weekend with no work was a welcome change, and one we determined to make the most of. It was thus with much anticipation that the camper was hooked up and we set off with grandparents in tow to Wee Jasper for a weekend of camping with a bunch of friends.

The little helpers were most excited to be heading off to camp with a bunch of their mates, and we were looking forward to a relaxing weekend in good company.

We were not to know that one of the highlights of the weekend was to happen as we pulled into Yass. The little helper who can spot a Bob Cat at 500 yards started to get most excited at the site of a green 40 series familiar to all who subscribe to 4WD Action magazine. It was non other than John Rooth, Milo and Jack, pulled over for a break on the side of the road. We were fortunate to say G'day to the "Real Roothy" and meet the man and machine that had entertained us on several rainy afternoons.



It was then onto Wee Jasper for a couple of nights at Billy Grace Reserve. Wee Jasper is located about 50km south west of Yass, on the banks of the Goodradigbee River. It is a beautiful campsite, complete with children's playground and bike track, hot showers and flush toilets.

We found our group and set up camp and enjoyed our time thoroughly enjoying the warm campfire and great company. Unfortunately on Saturday night, at the Wee Jasper Woolshed across the way, a 21st party also enjoyed themselves thoroughly with loud music blaring all night (well there was a 10 minute intermission at 5.25am).

As hordes of bleary eyed campers trooped to the markets on Sunday morning, salvation was in sight in the form of a mobile coffee stand! The queue quickly formed until there was a loud hiss and the machine broke. DISASTER. If there was ever a time to have a licence to print money it was by selling coffee to the hundreds of campers who had not had any sleep the night before... Thankfully a couple of hours later (or so it seemed) the machine was restored to normal and coffee started to be distributed again.

The rest of the weekend was great, with the kids enjoying exploring the playground and bike tracks. We tried fishing for the first time (with lures tied to the fishing line and no hooks at all, to avoid both injury and the likelihood of actually catching a fish). We came home with a collection of dinosaur eggs (they look a lot like rocks to me) and a pair of exhausted but happy boys.

Wee Jasper is a great spot, and despite the crowds for the long weekend, we had a great time. We are already looking forward to heading back - although perhaps will avoid the peak periods (or parties at the Woolshed) next time.

Thursday 30 September 2010

Zig Zag Railway and Turon National Park

It isn't often that we get to pack a full adventure into a short period of time, but that is exactly what we did last weekend. With car and camper fully packed we set off on Friday morning for our friend’s house near Mudgee, via Tuena, Bathurst and Sofala. It is a very scenic drive at any time of year, and it is great to see the country so green after so many years of drought.

A great night with friends around a campfire was enjoyed by all, before an early start on Saturday morning to make it to the Zig Zag Railway near Lithgow for one of the highlights - A Day Out With Thomas. All the travelling was worth it to see the expression on the boy's faces when Thomas The Tank Engine chuffed into the station!



It doesn't get much better than a ride in a train, but when that train is Thomas The Tank Engine and it travels along some incredible viaducts with spectacular views, I don’t think we will be able to top the experience (that is until they start reading Harry Potter and we come back for the Wizards Express in a few years!) The day was very well organised, and we enjoyed meeting the Fat Controller. All in all we had a ball, well recommended for kids (and big kids too).

On the way home we stopped a night at Turon National Park at The Diggings campground. It was very pleasant to find a nice grassy spot on the Turon River, although the water was a little chilly for swimming!!!


We found the directions to the campsite on Australia4wd Forum here. It was nice and easy to get to, being only about 7km from the black top - so made an excellent diversion for a single night stop over. Also being a Sunday night we had the place to ourselves which was very pleasant.

I since found out that we wern't the first of our family to have been there. It would seem a previous generation was in the neighbourhood during the 1850's... although his talent was not in finding gold but rather sketching the diggings!

A big special thanks to all our friends who made the weekend what it was. You know who you are :)

Addendum
These sketches were by Thomas Balcombe, published in 1852 in the book "Gold pen and pencil sketches, or, The adventures of Mr. John Slasher at the Turon diggings" by G.F.P. with illustrations by T. Balcombe:



Saturday 14 August 2010

Racecourse Beach

It isn't often the boys get away for a camping weekend, but last weekend that is exactly what we did. Whilst Mum went to work, the boys shot off to the beach for a cool, but enjoyable weekend, with one of some little mates from next door and their Dad in tow.

Racecourse Beach was the destination, and for the next 48 hours we camped in the near deserted campground.

It was a weekend for the boys and for the next couple of days the four little ones formed:
1. a bikie gang doing laps around the campground,
2. a construction company doing excavation on the beach,
3. a small city with matchbox cars and bulldozers making a series of roads and tracks, and
4. a band of environmentalists trying to photograph, or alternatively catch, every possum, kangaroo or goanna in sight.

The Dad's of course waited until after the little ones had gone to bed to sample a nice little warming drink or two before retiring also :)

Whilst the nights and days were cool, there was no rain to spoil our fun. The only glitch was a loose connection with the fridge that caused melted paddle pops - and whist this could have been disastrous - a quick decoy with the promise of fish and chips for dinner resolved any angst on behalf of the little people.

We explored some more of the tracks in the hinterland, visiting Meroo National Park, Mogood Lookout and Shallow Crossing before returning home. The Terry sailed up the Clyde Mountain although I must admit I gave a little cheer at the top! We made it home in good time after a great weekend.

It is always good fun getting out and about in the camper / holiday house and choosing a campground, with the luxury of hot showers (albeit with 20cent pieces required) and power, right on the beach. It was superb.

The only near tragedy of the trip was when I load tested the iPhone by driving over it - but it too survived with barely a scratch. Full details of that story can be found here.

All of the boys had a great time; although we agreed next time it would be more fun to bring the Mums along!

Some more snaps of the weekend can be found here

Tuesday 10 August 2010

iPhone 1 - Car 0

Went for a bit of a drive on the weekend, and at one stage stopped to remove a stick from under the car. A short time later I realised that my phone was missing - and the most likely spot it would be might be where I stopped earlier. A quick back track and I found not only my phone but also my camera sitting just where they fell out of my pocket.

The camera was fine - but to my horror the phone looked crushed - with a nice Cooper STT tyre track running along the back of the cover. The screen cover (face down) was deeply scratched and the phone appeared off. I threw it in the car in frustration and only pulled it apart for a good look when I got back to camp.

Well to my amazement, once I cleaned off the dust - the phone worked, and not only worked but had escaped unscathed! The screen cover was stuffed, but the silicon backing cover had saved the day. So a new screen cover was installed and we are back in business.

The cover is an Otterbox Impact (I thought I was bidding on the Otterbox Defender) but has proven its worth... Will be keeping the cover on from now on!

Cheers
Phil



Source: iPhone 1 - Car 0

Wednesday 14 July 2010

South Coast Wanderings

We were fortunate to identify a weekend free and took the opportunity to camp with friends on the beautiful Jervis Bay.  The aim of the weekend was to relax and enjoy some good company, with the kids eager to explore the beaches, bike tracks and play grounds in Huskisson.
We also managed to get our friend's shiny Prado dirty playing on a couple of the trails in the hinterland.
Coming home we diverted off Main Road 92 for lunch under the sandstone cliffs on the Wandean Fire Trail.  This trail used to have a large rock shelf to negotiate, however the worst section has now been sealed.


The attached map from Scribble Maps is a rough outline of the areas we explored;
ScribbleMap

Good fun for a few hours!
Cheers
Phil

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Our Weekend in Pictures

The Terry looks great with our new toy...


Our first go at setting up - at least the little fellow seems impressed :)


The Clyde River at Yadboro Flat - not sure how much longer the bridge will last...


Ah - the serenity :)


Heading south - towards Nelligen


Mogood Mountain lookout - spectacular 360 degree views


Coming up the Clyde Mountain...


Source and the full run down on the story can be found here.

Saturday 10 April 2010

Abercrombie River National Park - May 2010

Have recently been camping at Abercrombie River National Park. We spent a night at Bummaroo Ford, and a night at The Sink. We enjoyed exploring some of the firetrails, but the best part was the time with the family.

Some snaps of our recent adventures:

Middle & Abercrombie Fire Trail Junction.jpg

Terracan at the Beach 2.jpg

Source: Very happy CRDi owner

Tuesday 6 April 2010

The 4WD

Our car is a 2005 Terracan CRDI with about 116 000km on the clock (just run in!!!).  We bought it in August last year, and to date it has performed flawlessly in the 10 000km we have had it.

Accessories:
It came fitted with a TJM/Airtec Snorkel - to keep the diesel breathing cleaner air.
We fitted a TJM alloy bull bar - as Kangaroos and I have a nasty habit of coming together.  The good folk at Haig Park Offroad at Mitchell in the ACT put this on for us.
We have just installed a cargo barrier - bought cheaply on Ebay with the Hyundai clearance of parts.  The fitting of this was best left to the experts... and Haig Park Offroad helped us out here again.

Suspension:
When we bought the car it came with Foam Cell Shockabsorbers - and I was more than happy with their performance.  The rear end was very soft, so I decided to install new rear springs.  The forum provided me with all the knowledge I needed to install the new springs, and after finding a pair of Iron Man rear springs on ebay this was soon accomplished.  This has probably been the single largest improvement on the Terry's ride.  The front torsion bars have been adjusted to even up the ride, but not wound up too far to require shaving of the bump stops.

Sound:
Our boys currently love audio books - of the Winne-the-Pooh and Beatrix Potter variety. We decided that it would be great if we could install a stereo head unit that allowed ipod input to reduce the number of CD's filling up the console and getting scratched.  Again with the help of the good people on this forum, and a Ryda wiring harness, I was able to install a Sony head unit in about an hour.

Tyres:
The Terry came fitted with Cooper STT Tyres.  I have been impressed with their performance to date, and the little extra noise they make at highway speed has been solved with the new stereo - see previous point!

The Plan

Well, I have been given approval in principle to take 12 months leave in 2014 to take the family on a lap around Australia; Whilst it may seem a long way off, I am sure the time will fly, and before we know it, we will be heading off.  I thought I might use this blog to share some of our adventures as we gain experience camping and touring throughout our region.
The main thing will be to get out there in the lead up to our big adventure, and instill in our young boys a love of camping.