ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Adventure (Let's GO WHEELING!) => Topic started by: che_guitarra on May 14, 2011, 05:23:28 AM
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G'day all. From an Aussie zooker to many others - I though i'd post up a recent mission of mine. Not one to do things in halves I packed my bags in Brisbane Australia and set of for Perth - 4000kms as the crow flies, or 6500kms as my journey would take me.
Here's the basic route, firstly a map of Oz
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/ravenhaller/1.jpg)
And the route in more detail - Google maps will only let me put in so many way points so not 100% accurate.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/ravenhaller/2.jpg)
I've posted this on other Aussie sites, so I hope you can understand the lingo... if not, find an online dictionary! I can't be bothered un-slanging things for easier understanding :P
OK, so here it goes:
Last day at work... a last pic with the A Team
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206176_10150476790060385_858375384_17805662_2343290_n.jpg)
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200206_10150476790910385_858375384_17805669_6034132_n.jpg)
I also worked in a recording studio complex for many years, and was a big part of my life... but time to say goodbye
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198957_10150476816235385_858375384_17805884_8103198_n.jpg)
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188517_10150476816345385_858375384_17805887_3563221_n.jpg)
Main studio + recording the band Skyway. Ben (Skyway's drummer) behind the desk for a sneaky pic
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188682_10150494727810385_858375384_17819262_7762502_n.jpg)
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196592_10150494699545385_858375384_17819254_699122_n.jpg)
Best mate of 25 years and his tattoo shop, Kjell the tattooist is another good mate of mine - adios amigos
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199257_10150508180450385_858375384_17852641_4867097_n.jpg)
Hot chicks tattoo too, and they're good - to look at and at tattooing
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207537_10150508178890385_858375384_17852627_2285087_n.jpg)
Hanging with our most successful band - Amity Affliction... they sold 100,000 records in Aus which is as many as you can sell these days on our shores... you can only be so big in Aus before you have to head overseas to make real $$$.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199535_10150508180770385_858375384_17852644_3631587_n.jpg)
Inspiration from my mate Gav's travels, stickers of many outback outposts
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197919_10150508179000385_858375384_17852628_2029184_n.jpg)
The tech setup in the zook to stop this city boy going mad.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208843_10150508168380385_858375384_17852571_6130734_n.jpg)
Getting a buddy to help me out with the timing belt before I set off
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199015_10150508180175385_858375384_17852639_2357274_n.jpg)
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198121_10150508180275385_858375384_17852640_2959191_n.jpg)
The chariot, my beloved little zook
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207301_10150510298975385_858375384_17880361_7499242_n.jpg)
I'll post up pics as I get the time, but gimmie a chance to sort through a few and i'll post up a reply
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OK, pics of day 1 on the road.
This is the fun run from the Gold Coast to a national park near Wauchope. I had a headwind the whole way, combined with the new roofracks 90kph is good speed. I have nasty pinging for the first time ever, but no idea what from... i'm guessing the dizzy cap, seems a little worn even though only 6 months old - too new to replace.
The eagle overlooking Coolangatta
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208397_10150536889220385_858375384_17905750_4014333_n.jpg)
Snapper Rocks, my old home
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205085_10150536916755385_858375384_17905752_4213431_n.jpg)
Crossing the border - farewell Queensland, hello New South Wales
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196938_10150536952460385_858375384_17905754_8055431_n.jpg)
Weather holding out... for now
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207530_10150537095365385_858375384_17905761_4332134_n.jpg)
Byron Bay + lighthouse
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200211_10150537077420385_858375384_17905760_3863793_n.jpg)
East as bro
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200743_10150537049335385_858375384_17905758_4963160_n.jpg)
Lighthouse and cliffs
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196492_10150537127975385_858375384_17905763_5620169_n.jpg)
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196969_10150537022830385_858375384_17905757_7995476_n.jpg)
These are the roads i'm chasing, a little more off the beaten track
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205808_10150536982640385_858375384_17905755_5149014_n.jpg)
Lennox Head - most towns along northern NSW coast all have the same vibe.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206633_10150537145485385_858375384_17905764_7333073_n.jpg)
Spewing I didn't catch any hang gliders today
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206743_10150537164645385_858375384_17905766_920249_n.jpg)
Miles and miles and miles of sugar cane as far as the eye can see, we're in the sub-tropics.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205706_10150537192765385_858375384_17905767_3725323_n.jpg)
Flood level indicators - I wonder how high it got a couple months back when we got washed off the map in Brisbane? Evidence down the road of massive recent water damage
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207055_10150537235075385_858375384_17905773_3956437_n.jpg)
Sting - LPG has jumped up to 80c in rural areas... I was complaining about 63c!
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198166_10150537194715385_858375384_17905770_2836815_n.jpg)
Long spells on the GPS, but nothing compared to what's coming - 142 K's until the next turn
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207289_10150537214725385_858375384_17905771_6886352_n.jpg)
Chewing up a few km's
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196424_10150537279470385_858375384_17905775_5305595_n.jpg)
Sugar cane country dissipates into cattle country
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196579_10150537293470385_858375384_17905777_4352014_n.jpg)
Sourced a new bonnet from fellow zooker Luke from Wauchope... my old one flew open at highway speed a few months before... a nice fright that was.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197900_10150537330580385_858375384_17905779_2838589_n.jpg)
Fits like a charm
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200755_10150537356970385_858375384_17905780_606176_n.jpg)
Was a good day but I couldn't put the pedal to the metal - headwinds, constant highway roadworks, and heavy plant slowed me down on all the roads. I missed my planned stay at Forster by nightfall - so I camped off a National Park fire trail 1/2 hour outta Wauchope. Note to self - buy a heap of mosquito coils... I was eaten alive!
I ended up passing up most photo opportunities to try and shave off as many K's as possible... taking too many pics was slowing me down.
A great start to the trip though.
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Day 2
What a buzz :D :D :D
All I can say is everybody must drive Putty Rd around Sydney once in their lives. Simply the greatest driving road i've ever come across... hundreds of tight turns, hairpins, massive altitude changes, amazing views (you can see Sydney near the top) - a bike rider's paradise... I was still having a blast even though a fully laden zook on M/T's isn't exactly the ideal weapon of choice on the road.
Day started off wet, was dry for the best bit, and then got wet again as night fell.
Sunrise at Port Macquarie... how did those two zooks get down there? I wanted to go say g'day
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/195904_10150538270035385_858375384_17905830_1951456_n.jpg)
Forget roos, what the fug does a full grown deer do to a zook?
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/195929_10150538422240385_858375384_17905835_5445669_n.jpg)
Timber is getting taller, and the temperature is dropping every time I stop
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199754_10150538441995385_858375384_17905836_536207_n.jpg)
Forster for brekky
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200591_10150538462095385_858375384_17905840_627081_n.jpg)
View from the cafe
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206612_10150538478515385_858375384_17905842_6724430_n.jpg)
I know the last two towns, otherwise all new to me... chewing up more K's
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207321_10150538500405385_858375384_17905845_3671224_n.jpg)
I saw some sweet new jets fly over low in Jarvis Bay, and heading around Sydney I saw these old beasts - I think they're Corsairs, but not 100% sure
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208469_10150538533905385_858375384_17905849_6080169_n.jpg)
No idea what this one is? I'll say a Boomerang - an Aussie relic from WWII.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199282_10150538555140385_858375384_17905850_5873755_n.jpg)
An open cut mine near the start of Putty Rd.... huge, scale is hard to represent, although you can just see the top of a massive dredger thing.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197196_10150538567695385_858375384_17905852_5505985_n.jpg)
Awesome - nearing the hills, interesting landscapes, and a break from coastal driving
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208434_10150538592580385_858375384_17905853_344712_n.jpg)
On the other side of this bridge starts Putty Rd.... driver's heaven
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200736_10150538599160385_858375384_17905856_6190525_n.jpg)
Understatement - it took me 2 - 3 hours to cross the pass.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199329_10150538624610385_858375384_17905858_3796087_n.jpg)
Not supposed to stop on this road, but I couldn't help myself. Every corner is a postcard
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197431_10150538653945385_858375384_17905860_4367751_n.jpg)
Some strange religious denomination's monastery , I can't blame them for the location
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207118_10150538682260385_858375384_17905861_1568335_n.jpg)
A million tracks to investigate... I tried this easy one to get to a telecom tower
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198039_10150538736605385_858375384_17905863_4415968_n.jpg)
Photo not quite translating - it was range of hills in front of range of hills x 10... each time getting a little bluer as they fade into the horizon. Amazing view.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206805_10150538766595385_858375384_17905864_4175533_n.jpg)
Another random scene, and a view to Sydney from the hills not quite picked up in this photo
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196394_10150538789715385_858375384_17905867_1883640_n.jpg)
Until next installment peeps
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Day 3. The 'Gong to Bonang
Very impressed with my overnight stay at Wollongong, it's very liveable and the setting is gorgeous. But, I got a long drive ahead and time to hit the toe.
I seem to have a pinging issue, so i swapped out the dizzy cap and rotor button. It fixed the low RPM hesitation, but now I think the LPG quality is to blame, or maybe i'm running a little lean at top speed... I have a ghost in the system after years of good runnin'.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206509_10150563183440385_858375384_17950663_2199138_n.jpg)
Just south of the 'Gong. God's country, very beautiful
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208317_10150563183660385_858375384_17950669_1458454_n.jpg)
Complete vista's are hard to capture... this kinda/not really shows what I was seeing. Each valley seems more beautiful than the last. Just south of the 'Gong again.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217600_10150563187180385_858375384_17950750_4055357_n.jpg)
Cloud capped peaks, narrow country lanes.... it's a good day for driving
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206868_10150563183550385_858375384_17950667_779619_n.jpg)
Ulladulla harbour. Pretty place, but too much of a retirement village for me. Didn't see a soul under 50.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217785_10150563183920385_858375384_17950676_7544263_n.jpg)
Bega Valley. Hard to tell but musta been massive floods recently - broken/sideways trees, debris and mud everywhere in the lowlands
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217331_10150563187260385_858375384_17950751_6763470_n.jpg)
Chewing up more K's, passing through more unknown towns.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206620_10150563184150385_858375384_17950682_7245825_n.jpg)
Grey nomads... hard to make decent progress from A to B when you got caravans travelling at 60kph on 100kph roads. I left the coast roads and headed for the hills to get away from them around Bega... great decision.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217234_10150563183775385_858375384_17950672_1852671_n.jpg)
If you can't tell I love these ramshackle huts in the middle of nowhere. Paradise is pretty easy if you're not a high maintenance person.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216224_10150563184245385_858375384_17950684_3655559_n.jpg)
View from the drivers seat, just so pretty, everywhere I go.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208071_10150563184585385_858375384_17950693_2458707_n.jpg)
Trees are getting taller again... weather getting colder again. A view through the windscreen.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217269_10150563184055385_858375384_17950680_5564959_n.jpg)
Windy roads... must be heading toward the foothills of the snowy mountains.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206466_10150563184385385_858375384_17950687_1389953_n.jpg)
More K's, more unknown towns
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215418_10150563184495385_858375384_17950690_5314947_n.jpg)
Snowy Mountain Hwy. Fantastic road, amazing views, go Zook, you're made for this
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206867_10150563184915385_858375384_17950703_7045095_n.jpg)
Getting higher - ferns now making an appearance, letting me know the tropics are looong gone.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208127_10150563184755385_858375384_17950698_5722508_n.jpg)
Record rainfalls recently = massive landslides, but cleared up enough to pass. So green and lush otherwise.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207964_10150563185030385_858375384_17950704_5628615_n.jpg)
Nature is wonderful. Having an awesome time bumbling along these roads, so many photo opportunities driven straight past, once in a while you gotta stop and capture a memory.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215813_10150563185210385_858375384_17950707_1988002_n.jpg)
A random lookout on the Snowy Mountain Hwy... Bega valley in the background
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215374_10150563185345385_858375384_17950711_4312436_n.jpg)
Another wonderful drive - the start of the Monaro highway
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206268_10150563185445385_858375384_17950714_4045142_n.jpg)
The bush and rainforest give way to these stunning high plains
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216515_10150563185540385_858375384_17950716_7068767_n.jpg)
Once again - amazing scenery everywhere.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208071_10150563185695385_858375384_17950720_2885398_n.jpg)
Another view from the road.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215375_10150563186015385_858375384_17950726_2597609_n.jpg)
Rip, rip, woodchip. I think this is plantation pine, not wild wood. Wouldn't want to tangle with this truck on the way down the mountain - definitely more than the legal 62.5 tonne of load there.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215951_10150563185815385_858375384_17950722_6946475_n.jpg)
Bombola. LPG 92c? The most i've ever paid, and shit LPG... but the last fuel stop until Victoria... just hope I can make it, considering the goat track route i've chosen through the hills
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216632_10150563185930385_858375384_17950723_344894_n.jpg)
Wish I had polarised windscreen tint... hard to see anything with the setting sun and no sun visors
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206335_10150563186115385_858375384_17950728_3830380_n.jpg)
The going gets rough from here on in. Letting down the tyre pressure to suit the tracks
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216561_10150563186200385_858375384_17950730_3971537_n.jpg)
Still airing out. Damn i'm having fun, and my great little car is unstoppable.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205631_10150563186360385_858375384_17950734_4105161_n.jpg)
Welcome to Victoria, the hard way. I thought i's seen a few windy roads in my travels so far... I ain't seen nothin yet
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207564_10150563186440385_858375384_17950735_1436625_n.jpg)
Finally got the tent out on the banks of Delegate river in Bonang. Let's go camping!!
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215374_10150563186550385_858375384_17950737_296138_n.jpg)
This is the life, you can have your TV, i'll have my reality any day of the week.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216470_10150563186665385_858375384_17950741_464086_n.jpg)
Stream trails!!! A novelty for this tropical Queenslander
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215468_10150563186845385_858375384_17950743_5595766_n.jpg)
Fire - just the ticket for a night in the mountains
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208469_10150563186770385_858375384_17950742_8327866_n.jpg)
To Be Continued...
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Keep 'em coming, really enjoying your trip, you lucky vagabond!
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Day 4 - Bonang to Yarram
An EPIC day. The Mackillop pass was the best way to start a driving day, and the best off-road track of the trip so far... challenging, fun, hair-raising, gob smacking. It's in alpine Victoria, it's damn cold, but the snow is gone until winter rolls around again. I'll stop blabbing and start the pics rolling
Misty morning - like every other up here probably. If you ever wondered - yes, a cow's moo does echo. I reckon these were the loudest cows in the country! Not a car passed by all night from the nearby highway (haha, more like a windy laneway)
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208627_10150563228535385_858375384_17951082_7832771_n.jpg)
Fog, cold, farmlands, sun, a new day of fun and exploration.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207215_10150563228620385_858375384_17951084_4423943_n.jpg)
We live in a beautiful country
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208690_10150563228685385_858375384_17951085_1003667_n.jpg)
Buchan... the GPS was saying it's an 11 hr drive due to the dirt tracks and rough terrain, I got about 5 hours of LPG if i'm flat out. Screw it, you live once, let's give it a go.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205660_10150563228775385_858375384_17951087_4938784_n.jpg)
Wash me? Never!!! Roller painted army green never looked tougher!
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207104_10150563228885385_858375384_17951088_4623340_n.jpg)
View from the pilot's seat. Already had a few roos and emus at close quarters... hard to spot through the mist
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215070_10150563228995385_858375384_17951089_8332897_n.jpg)
Yes, Graveyard Creek. I've seen 4 or 5 flat wombats now since the 'Gong.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205595_10150563229135385_858375384_17951091_7962712_n.jpg)
All I need is a horse, an Akubra and a whip. Hi ho silver, and away. Screw that - I already ride a billy goat
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215111_10150563230025385_858375384_17951103_7082189_n.jpg)
Early morning headed toward MacKillops bridge. Misty mountains, cold river streams, narrow rocky billy goat tracks. All the ingredients for an amazing day's drive
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207232_10150563229235385_858375384_17951092_732509_n.jpg)
Looking down one of the 1000 valleys.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208775_10150563229390385_858375384_17951095_6535292_n.jpg)
I love this pic, but the driving really steps up from here. A fleeting lapse in concentration could most definitely be the end of me.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215915_10150563229465385_858375384_17951097_7936758_n.jpg)
Old Joe... how the hell did old Joe make it to this middle of nowhere place?
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208633_10150563229605385_858375384_17951098_605725_n.jpg)
A better bit of road. Just when you think it can't get prettier, each corner throws a new surprise
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207732_10150563229915385_858375384_17951102_2414890_n.jpg)
MacKillops bridge.... and I though getting here was the hard part. Old mother nature really turns up the heat after this. A wee zook at bridge's end
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207160_10150563230550385_858375384_17951110_570899_n.jpg)
Walking like an Egyptian, 1000m in the sky
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216580_10150563230655385_858375384_17951114_3957750_n.jpg)
Another pretty valley
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208484_10150563230330385_858375384_17951106_7790464_n.jpg)
Another pretty valley (is that an echo?)
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216546_10150563230440385_858375384_17951109_2501000_n.jpg)
I did not see another car on this leg of the trip. The Buchan-Bruthen is a must do for any 4x4 enthusiast. Only an idiot like me attempts it by himself
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217021_10150563230805385_858375384_17951115_2216795_n.jpg)
My car is about two bums wide, this is a four bum wide track... would be very hairy in a Landcruiser or Landrover.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207201_10150563230125385_858375384_17951105_6409300_n.jpg)
Don't look down! One foot right = a nasty way to die. Constant perilous cliffs are part of the Buchan-Bruthen Rd parcel i'm afraid.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216287_10150563231135385_858375384_17951120_7193975_n.jpg)
Yessir - in the alpines. Thank god I left the snow at home - it's cold enough already.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208298_10150563229755385_858375384_17951100_2270133_n.jpg)
Another moment of "surely it can't get better than this?"
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/218048_10150563230925385_858375384_17951117_2501712_n.jpg)
You can see the cutting i'll follow to get to the top on the opposing mountain side... already been driving since Bonang for a few hours at this point, never seems to end. Yay!!!
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208396_10150563231020385_858375384_17951119_253409_n.jpg)
Yet another stunning Snowy Mountains vista.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216460_10150563231235385_858375384_17951123_2625738_n.jpg)
Into the great unknown.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205141_10150563231365385_858375384_17951124_7467740_n.jpg)
Time for a quick stop, on a mountain top
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207453_10150563231440385_858375384_17951125_813002_n.jpg)
Sitting on top of the world
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206367_10150563231515385_858375384_17951126_2909990_n.jpg)
I need a panorama camera for this, but you get the idea
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206643_10150563232710385_858375384_17951147_5396105_n.jpg)
Bitumen!!! FInally, after many stressful hours of "will I make it?"
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208208_10150563231630385_858375384_17951128_3996951_n.jpg)
My camera died at a vital time - 1/2 hour outside Buchan you can see 10's of kilometres of tall timber burnt into matchsticks from the big fires a few years back. This controlled burning in the distance reminded me of the fact
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206963_10150563231870385_858375384_17951132_1024635_n.jpg)
Burnt trees - not as imposing as the fire damage previously mentioned, but still... not a place you'd like to be if a bushfire is sweeping through
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207513_10150563232475385_858375384_17951139_2075310_n.jpg)
Say that fast five times in a row.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217067_10150563231710385_858375384_17951129_1819843_n.jpg)
Getting some spares in Bairnsdale.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207131_10150563231785385_858375384_17951130_1356338_n.jpg)
Getting into a familiar neck of the woods. Ye old homeland
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207416_10150563232005385_858375384_17951134_7354506_n.jpg)
WTF? We got some strange animals in Oz, no idea what these signs are warning of
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217544_10150563232135385_858375384_17951136_8240193_n.jpg)
Pic of picture taking device
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208478_10150563232235385_858375384_17951137_5348676_n.jpg)
Radioactive Man has seen more of Australia than many
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217687_10150563232350385_858375384_17951138_2380932_n.jpg)
And I ended the day in Yarram where the extended family lives. Big meals, hearty laughs... good to be back.
-
The US west coast also has a Pacific (Coast) Highway 1 !
-
Day 5 - Yarram to Melbourne
My old stomping rounds, just as I remember them... only everything is 10 x smaller when you remember them as a child. A great revisit.
Thoughtful aunty left this out for me to start the day - a map of my upcoming travels overseen by a thai figurine... interesting :)
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215339_10150563840525385_858375384_17956931_1684231_n.jpg)
I thought an Army Unimog was the toughest 4x4, I reckon these agricultural toys would shame them in the tough terrain
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217394_10150563840775385_858375384_17956942_3692979_n.jpg)
Hmmm... a place like this would be the perfect digs for a recording studio.(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208237_10150563841080385_858375384_17956954_1143703_n.jpg)
Every country town has a Digger's war memorial.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207206_10150563840980385_858375384_17956949_6829687_n.jpg)
Yarram is a pretty typical Gippsland country town
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215979_10150563840850385_858375384_17956944_2411976_n.jpg)
Aunty and cussies - posting this only coz I like haircut lady's face, it makes me laugh.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217621_10150563840635385_858375384_17956936_4017830_n.jpg)
Port Albert... where's the sand? Pretty little place
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206590_10150563841135385_858375384_17956955_1264890_n.jpg)
Once again, pretty countryside and easy driving. I know this neck of the woods
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217177_10150563841265385_858375384_17956960_2645871_n.jpg)
Typical Gippsland. Cattle country - grazing and dairy
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205750_10150563841320385_858375384_17956963_3727390_n.jpg)
The rolling hills of middle Gippsland. Wind turbines are a new addition since my last visit.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216817_10150563841385385_858375384_17956965_3014524_n.jpg)
Bass shire regional compass
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217382_10150563841525385_858375384_17956971_2436341_n.jpg)
Father?
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207963_10150563841630385_858375384_17956975_2248078_n.jpg)
Just another Gippsland road
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216994_10150563841730385_858375384_17956977_7952646_n.jpg)
A familiar bunch of towns.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216019_10150563841870385_858375384_17956981_5005261_n.jpg)
Yet another car shop visit... Leongatha, a place I spent 5 years
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215847_10150563841945385_858375384_17956984_4860039_n.jpg)
Shock - I've used 6 litres used since leaving Brissy, and i've clocked 2200K's... ~1/3 of the way. Time to stock up.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217108_10150563842045385_858375384_17956988_6762799_n.jpg)
Alright - time to get off the main drag to Melbourne. Back to the coast roads again.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205133_10150563842145385_858375384_17956990_1197244_n.jpg)
Somewhere before Cape Patterson
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206310_10150563842275385_858375384_17956994_6192129_n.jpg)
Another nice view
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205201_10150563842335385_858375384_17956996_1295071_n.jpg)
Driving roads like these are a joy... even if 90kph is your top speed
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216923_10150563842475385_858375384_17957001_2959700_n.jpg)
Rocky beaches somewhere
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216364_10150563842595385_858375384_17957003_3633934_n.jpg)
Sandy beaches elsewhere
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208745_10150563842685385_858375384_17957005_3777132_n.jpg)
A lookout near Phillip Island
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215144_10150563842775385_858375384_17957009_329070_n.jpg)
Drove over to the island, roads were blocked with the friday city traffic all headed to the same location for the weekend... a whole bunch of cool race cars on trailers going past (race track on the island)... gave up on camping on the peninsula at this point, time to head to Melbourne to catch up with mates.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206738_10150563842840385_858375384_17957010_7381116_n.jpg)
First traffic i've encountered for a while, boo.... welcome to greater Melbourne
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207842_10150563842920385_858375384_17957013_2219188_n.jpg)
Friday night traffic is a quintessential Melbourne experience, takes forever to get nowhere.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207884_10150563843000385_858375384_17957015_7436752_n.jpg)
Time for beers with old mates, and a night in a warm bed... what more can I ask for?
-
Phew - I need a break :sleepy:
I'll post some more tomorrow
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Did you stop by an see 90 mile beach when you were in Bairnsdale?
I lived there for a few months, went to the beach and dug pippies (little clams)
out of the sand, they tasted good that night, a little crunchy tho, we didn't wait
for them to clean out.
Me mate Robert Matia and I had some good times, he still lives in Queensland as
far as I know, Bahrs Scrub is where his family was from
Wild
-
EXCELLENT PHOTO TRIP LOG!!
I photo log many of my Adventures to show others; they say they are not as free as I am to do WHAT I WANT!!
Jobs, families, self made commitment restrictions.......Oh, I never have TIME TO DO THOSE THINGS!!
"I am NEVER LOST!! ........Unless I have Fallen off this Planet......I am EXPLORING!!!
CAPT
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That is a great story! Thanks for sharing..
-Eric
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Awesome adventure!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Zig
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You ain't seen nothing yet - I'm only a 3rd of the way through!! I just ain't had the time to post em all up... all my pics are too much for a single page unless you have a super fast connection.
Yeah Wildgoody, been to 90 mile beach before - I used to go fishing and camping there with the dad. You can have the pipi's, they're OK, but I like fish and not much else from the sea :P
I stayed in Melbourne for a few days to catch up with mates and as a mid-way break in the trip. Probably the most boring pics of the lot so far, and my camera stopped working apart from a few shots from saturday morning. I used to live here too so just ran around the old haunts to see what's changed.
Melbourne City on a lovely Autumn day.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217179_10150568964545385_858375384_18014551_2338333_n.jpg)
Luna Park in St Kilda - an amusement park... maybe at it's peak in the 1950s. You can see the wooden roller coaster running around the park face.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207824_10150568962045385_858375384_18014513_4627969_n.jpg)
St Kilda is a pretty place, give up on the palm trees though, it ain't that warm around here
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217499_10150568962525385_858375384_18014520_4054320_n.jpg)
The Espy - best pub in Oz. Every local band worth it's salt has played here.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206988_10150568963090385_858375384_18014527_5201690_n.jpg)
I like heritage stuff like this, makes for interesting walking around. You don't get this type of stuff in less established towns.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208344_10150568962810385_858375384_18014524_1681144_n.jpg)
For real? Horse and carriage in the city? Probably the best way to see it all, and gotta be a cheaper registration.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207048_10150568963335385_858375384_18014529_11328_n.jpg)
LPG heaven. 55c is unheard of, almost 40c cheaper than what i've paid in the sticks.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216935_10150568964305385_858375384_18014547_7917590_n.jpg)
Funky old tram - the newer ones look shit.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215323_10150568965515385_858375384_18014561_4849614_n.jpg)
Autumn in suburban Carlton
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215535_10150568963685385_858375384_18014535_3284911_n.jpg)
Another typical street scene
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215151_10150568965150385_858375384_18014558_7551329_n.jpg)
So that was Melbourne... a bit of a downer from the rest of my trip. I gave my mates two months notice I was coming and the best they could organise was beers and football in front of the TV... boring!!! So I pretty much buggered off and left them to go see what I could, hook up with an ex gf, eat like a king in some of the awesome restaurants, find a few guitar shops, and check out spunky chicks along the fashion strips... damn Melbourne chicks are hot.
Anyway - onto the credit card now, free money has all but run out, and the bet is yet to come. Stay tuned, got some awesome pics to sort through, just need the time to post 'em up.
-
More pics of the spunky chicks!
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Day 8. Melbourne to Halls Gap via the Great Ocean Road
Was a day dodging tourist campervans, storm clouds and taking in some of the best views of the trip so far.
Monday morning 7am. Balloons over the city are a great way to start the day
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205793_10150577480960385_858375384_18098031_6476840_n.jpg)
Come hither Victorian coast... time to get out of the city, a couple of days in Melbourne was enough for me
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222120_10150577481225385_858375384_18098033_838549_n.jpg)
Good morning Great Ocean Road, let us acquaint ourselves
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208009_10150577481900385_858375384_18098041_6123088_n.jpg)
Waiting for that 1 in 100 year storm... is that Johnny Utah behind the tree? The place where Point Break was not filmed.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217776_10150577482015385_858375384_18098043_4346258_n.jpg)
Cool kids and surf shops litter the coastline... I wonder how many of these boards will end up actually being surfed? Most are destined for a life as art pieces in rich mens houses.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217068_10150577482070385_858375384_18098045_2569863_n.jpg)
Hello lighthouse - hello little green car
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217768_10150577482115385_858375384_18098047_2184417_n.jpg)
Rocky outcrops make for interesting coastline... i'm used to sand, sand, and more sand. West of Torquay I believe
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216472_10150577482190385_858375384_18098049_8090288_n.jpg)
Life is pretty easy when your only worry is driving the road ahead of you
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208449_10150577482275385_858375384_18098051_871969_n.jpg)
Me, my car, and the Great Ocean Road
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215508_10150577482330385_858375384_18098054_4706562_n.jpg)
Fantastic driving roads cut into the hillsides way into the distance. The road was made by our returned soldiers after WWI, not a single piece of machinery was used - only pick axes, shovels and wheelbarrows. They used to breed em tough, that's for sure.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218100_10150577482460385_858375384_18098056_5581185_n.jpg)
Pretty G.O.R. view
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217580_10150577482555385_858375384_18098060_4867336_n.jpg)
I suddenly feel the need to concentrate on the oncoming traffic... of course you drive on the left in Australia ???
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207165_10150577482615385_858375384_18098061_8343240_n.jpg)
My love of roadsigns continues, but i'd love the Great Ocean Road a little more if there was a caravan ban in place
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205649_10150577482660385_858375384_18098063_5266510_n.jpg)
It's completely wrong a lot of the time, but these days a GPS is impossible to navigate without
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215680_10150577482755385_858375384_18098066_1150627_n.jpg)
I like this sign. It's the Lady Ga Ga of signs
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215668_10150577482825385_858375384_18098067_2234284_n.jpg)
Another hard day in the life of Che
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205513_10150577482925385_858375384_18098070_3196445_n.jpg)
Green lush countryside at every roll of the hill
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/218160_10150577483015385_858375384_18098072_5102327_n.jpg)
The Otways. Very pretty colder weather rainforest, great tracks everywhere. Not game to take them on by myself - very boggy ground.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221628_10150577483090385_858375384_18098074_3189683_n.jpg)
Almost got stuck trying to take a pic, so I took a pic of my stuckness. Very mushy ground
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207453_10150577483185385_858375384_18098077_921291_n.jpg)
A fire tower overlooks the Otway ranges
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207969_10150577483265385_858375384_18098079_2084125_n.jpg)
Is this a wonderful place to be, or are you guys hard to please?
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216060_10150577483435385_858375384_18098083_2432339_n.jpg)
The Shipwreck coast. More specifically, the 12 Apostles
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216900_10150577483515385_858375384_18098086_1580546_n.jpg)
Another angle of the Apostles... huuuge
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217092_10150577483575385_858375384_18098088_6459068_n.jpg)
The only bad thing about the Victorian Coast is that it's no secret. Heaps of tourists everywhere, mainly Europeans and wealthy Asians.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215592_10150577483660385_858375384_18098090_2046343_n.jpg)
Further along. I think this is the Bay of 1000 Isles, or something like that, beautiful day. Weather is spot on.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216440_10150577484480385_858375384_18098099_6079526_n.jpg)
How does this guy not fall into the sea? Almost looks like a floating mountain from the Avatar movie
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207873_10150577484700385_858375384_18098100_4949626_n.jpg)
Making progress, too fast too soon
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207465_10150577484175385_858375384_18098096_3477691_n.jpg)
Country Vic roads. Green everywhere with typical pine tree windbreaks on the non-windy side. Pine trees are not native to Australia, and look quite odd in the landscape.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217324_10150577484940385_858375384_18098103_3633640_n.jpg)
Poor baby having a tantrum in a Warnambool service station... 1/2 an hour of crankiness - it came back to life with the last cranks in the battery. Though it was the end of the mission for a while
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206561_10150577485210385_858375384_18098108_3485526_n.jpg)
Pretty, as always. Nice looking piece of road. Heading inland from the coast into farming country - wheat and cattle.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208813_10150577527760385_858375384_18098460_2952380_n.jpg)
100kph shadow
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217216_10150577485470385_858375384_18098115_7133659_n.jpg)
Cattle country of western Victoria, gettting away from the coastal storms about to hit... this storm actually flooded the area, a fortuitous decision to escape the area.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215904_10150577485660385_858375384_18098121_5254008_n.jpg)
This is what the inland detour is all about - an arising view from the gentle rolling hills is the Grampians National Park
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205457_10150577480735385_858375384_18098028_4496268_n.jpg)
Getting dark, still a whiles to go...Halls Gap not even on the signs yet.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215300_10150577485795385_858375384_18098125_4365554_n.jpg)
Time for my first real night drive. Vision is bad and kangaroos are everywhere... maybe time to invest in some spotties.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216352_10150577485860385_858375384_18098127_3681314_n.jpg)
Halls Gap the goal, was a 10pm arrival
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217484_10150577485905385_858375384_18098128_2839849_n.jpg)
Spent the night in Halls Gap, on the top side of the Grampian ranges. But so much night travel I got no idea what's going on around me. A wet night ahead, but surely a fun day to follow.
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Day 9. Halls Gap to Tailem Bend.
Another interesting day, and the start of car issues with top speed dropping off a little. I put it down to a headwind the whole way.
I made an early start, with plans to climb Mt Zero, but getting to the site Mt Stapylton was a better challenge.. how hard can a 2.5km climb be? I found out pretty fast :? Anyway - pics :)
I woke up in Halls Gap camp park to massive hills, and a heap of kangaroos - half of which I scared off in taking a few photos.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215757_10150579513345385_858375384_18120133_4610925_n.jpg)
The bug collection is starting to build
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217269_10150579513445385_858375384_18120136_7001085_n.jpg)
Nature slowly claiming a house back, a few spiders inside i'm guessing
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215349_10150579513785385_858375384_18120138_1581179_n.jpg)
Rainbow and a Grampians peak in the clouds
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217409_10150579514145385_858375384_18120140_1372611_n.jpg)
Valley between the Grampians - Halls Gap in there somewhere
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208006_10150579514205385_858375384_18120141_6360432_n.jpg)
Bugger. Grampians are pretty much shut down. Storms have wreaked havoc in the few days prior, and the main road through is impassable.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208794_10150579514370385_858375384_18120146_580138_n.jpg)
Fallen tree yet to be cleared from the road
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217193_10150579514475385_858375384_18120148_403756_n.jpg)
Going north off the beaten path again, dropping the PSI for the corrugated gravel roads
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208550_10150579514610385_858375384_18120151_2798901_n.jpg)
On the road again. Pitted roads, burnt trees... bring it on
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207198_10150579514700385_858375384_18120153_2242604_n.jpg)
Dirt roads are so bad they're in the process of being re-levelled.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217757_10150579514905385_858375384_18120156_5112854_n.jpg)
Heading to Mt Stapylton - I love driving the fire trails.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208590_10150579515340385_858375384_18120158_5854655_n.jpg)
A 4 hour round trip to climb Mt Stapylton. Mt Zero in the background, only 1/2 way up here... scale not quite translating
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206830_10150579515620385_858375384_18120160_3443821_n.jpg)
Pastures and plains - I think this is looking toward Stawell. The irony of the Grampians is they pop out of the flat lands, and their formation can't be explained.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206314_10150579516080385_858375384_18120163_6967031_n.jpg)
Enough mountain climbing for idiots, time to get driving again
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215925_10150579516140385_858375384_18120165_6962776_n.jpg)
Were's in wheat country now, and some tools of the trade
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222113_10150579516265385_858375384_18120166_4387261_n.jpg)
A weird looking beast, bloody huge nonetheless
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216857_10150579516390385_858375384_18120169_1196643_n.jpg)
Absolutely ratshit after the mountain climb and ready for a kip, time for a steak in a Horsham pub. I love country pub meals, you really get what you pay for.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217173_10150579516460385_858375384_18120170_2295010_n.jpg)
Looking for a new air mattress in a camping store, found more guns than i've ever seen in one place. Only farmers need guns in Australia, you never see them otherwise.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215525_10150579516610385_858375384_18120172_7778324_n.jpg)
I know what you're thinking - why didn't you take a photo of the bigger Kaniva windmill?
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205518_10150579516910385_858375384_18120176_1603679_n.jpg)
G'day SA... bring on Radelaide
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217361_10150579517040385_858375384_18120179_6107888_n.jpg)
More towns that have slipped under my radar
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221965_10150579517170385_858375384_18120181_2091233_n.jpg)
Car is struggling and top speed is slipping. Using the slip stream of a truck to suck me along.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217453_10150579517285385_858375384_18120183_7176826_n.jpg)
SA skies were quite pretty, landscape as flat as a tack.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208294_10150579517380385_858375384_18120184_2089105_n.jpg)
I can see what I think is the sea again (it's lake Alexandria) - near where the Murray river dumps out. Pretty skies again.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221765_10150579517445385_858375384_18120186_4652068_n.jpg)
Finding a place to nest for the night. First view of the Murray River - the longest river in Australia. Man, more mozzies here than anywhere on earth. But you dun't know unless you go, do ya?
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207922_10150579517530385_858375384_18120188_3327230_n.jpg)
Not quite connecting the dots at this stage, but the car was beginning to struggle. I didn't care, it was a long day and I was buggered. Finding a nice place to camp took until last light, fighting hoards of mozzies until the tent was up. But in the morning it was a sight to behold :)
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Day 10. Tailem Bend to Pt Pirie
Horrible sleep through the night, I heard animals of all sizes snooping around. Woke up to the sounds of pigs squealing in the distance... thought it was death coming to get me, but turns out there's an abattoir nearby ??? Lucky I woke up in a nice spot. Car topping out at 85kph at this point, but still putting it down to headwinds and the weight of an extra traveller.
My nice little nest.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216297_10150580823080385_858375384_18130697_5588114_n.jpg)
50m away from my camp, this is the view of the Murray. Not quite picked up in detail, but the misty lowlands running next to the clear Murray River was an amazing sight to wake up to. I could live here if it wasn't for all the mozzies.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215810_10150580836855385_858375384_18130856_4825712_n.jpg)
On the road again, beating a path back to the unofficial trail
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217748_10150580823270385_858375384_18130699_165107_n.jpg)
The trail that runs alongside the Murray, 1/2 hr outside of Tailem Bend
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208588_10150580823415385_858375384_18130701_7106928_n.jpg)
Old Tailem Town. So many cool old cars just rusting away
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207286_10150580823585385_858375384_18130703_2361842_n.jpg)
Farmer Joes crop being smashed by Cockatoos
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208391_10150580824085385_858375384_18130710_4673106_n.jpg)
River Murray, or Murray River.... you say tomaytoes, I say tomahtoes
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217638_10150580823735385_858375384_18130706_7613926_n.jpg)
Rollin, rollin, rollin down the river
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217167_10150580823995385_858375384_18130709_297658_n.jpg)
This carve the grey nomads off the road... maybe for my next trip around
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207398_10150580823850385_858375384_18130708_989067_n.jpg)
Is there a car show on? I literally saw 100's of primo old rides crossing from east to west. This is an FJ Holden - an Aussie icon.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215935_10150580824260385_858375384_18130714_3569067_n.jpg)
Not far to Adelaide now
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216547_10150580824510385_858375384_18130717_8200544_n.jpg)
The Adelaide Hills were a great drive, rolling greenness, huuuge cuttings. tunnels, all downhill from here, and the last time I could hit the speed limit
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206496_10150580824700385_858375384_18130719_6059712_n.jpg)
Radelaide being just Rad... a city without skyscrapers.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206483_10150580834470385_858375384_18130809_5596363_n.jpg)
Looky what I found... Radelaide guitars
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206404_10150580834640385_858375384_18130811_7126240_n.jpg)
I may be in Adelaide, but i'm a bomber man and i'll hate the crows 'til I die... it's a football thing... (AFL).
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208641_10150580834920385_858375384_18130818_3065003_n.jpg)
Ride that wild surf Adelaide... not even a ripple, just massive great white sharks looking for their next meal.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205770_10150580834780385_858375384_18130814_6747939_n.jpg)
Got me a wingman for the rest of the ride. Swinging past the airport to pick up Dad
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216977_10150580835025385_858375384_18130820_4820763_n.jpg)
A ways to go... little did we know how slow we'd be knocking it off. 2700kms until the next major town.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216211_10150580835140385_858375384_18130823_3397343_n.jpg)
Moving on, time to hit the road Jack
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216055_10150580835285385_858375384_18130826_3785048_n.jpg)
Look!!! Something to look at besides flat ground :D
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215583_10150580835380385_858375384_18130829_48205_n.jpg)
Hey Dad, give us a wave
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206658_10150580835520385_858375384_18130831_1041583_n.jpg)
Beyond Adelaide - wheat fields and salt lakes
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216502_10150580835635385_858375384_18130834_910849_n.jpg)
Palm trees in the middle of nowhere
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207573_10150580835905385_858375384_18130840_4982060_n.jpg)
Wheat fields and a wind farm on the hill on the horizon
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208148_10150580835750385_858375384_18130836_706374_n.jpg)
Farmer Joe, toiling and tilling the fields
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222152_10150580836025385_858375384_18130841_1991534_n.jpg)
Pt Pirie - home for the night. We're in the middle of frigging nowhere, you gotta wonder how these epic very old buildings came into being.
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217548_10150580836735385_858375384_18130855_8292431_n.jpg)
Wheat silos, ready for overseas export.
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215449_10150580836650385_858375384_18130854_50060_n.jpg)
Pt Pirie jetty. Water is like glass... makes for nice photos
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216936_10150580836120385_858375384_18130842_1698018_n.jpg)
Another view
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221953_10150580836340385_858375384_18130850_355954_n.jpg)
Fisherman Steve and his trawler of doom
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208399_10150580836535385_858375384_18130853_580615_n.jpg)
Getting through them... A few more days to go. We're well and truly in the outback now, but the red dirt is yet to come.
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Very enjoyable read thanks.
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Awesome update once again.... I'm really enjoying following your trip with my Google Earth loaded to check out where you have been... Enjoy the rest of your trip with your Dad!
Zig
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Great thread! Makes me want to take a long road trip again.
- Andy
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I hope all is well with your adventure... No updates recently so I'm assuming you made it or running into issues on the road.
Zig
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Day 9. Halls Gap to Tailem Bend.
Another interesting day, and the start of car issues with top speed dropping off a little. I put it down to a headwind the whole way.
I made an early start, with plans to climb Mt Zero, but getting to the site Mt Stapylton was a better challenge.. how hard can a 2.5km climb be? I found out pretty fast :? Anyway - pics :)
I woke up in Halls Gap camp park to massive hills, and a heap of kangaroos - half of which I scared off in taking a few photos.
([url]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215757_10150579513345385_858375384_18120133_4610925_n.jpg[/url])
The bug collection is starting to build
([url]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217269_10150579513445385_858375384_18120136_7001085_n.jpg[/url])
Nature slowly claiming a house back, a few spiders inside i'm guessing
([url]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215349_10150579513785385_858375384_18120138_1581179_n.jpg[/url])
Rainbow and a Grampians peak in the clouds
([url]http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217409_10150579514145385_858375384_18120140_1372611_n.jpg[/url])
Valley between the Grampians - Halls Gap in there somewhere
([url]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208006_10150579514205385_858375384_18120141_6360432_n.jpg[/url])
Bugger. Grampians are pretty much shut down. Storms have wreaked havoc in the few days prior, and the main road through is impassable.
([url]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208794_10150579514370385_858375384_18120146_580138_n.jpg[/url])
Fallen tree yet to be cleared from the road
([url]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217193_10150579514475385_858375384_18120148_403756_n.jpg[/url])
Going north off the beaten path again, dropping the PSI for the corrugated gravel roads
([url]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208550_10150579514610385_858375384_18120151_2798901_n.jpg[/url])
On the road again. Pitted roads, burnt trees... bring it on
([url]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207198_10150579514700385_858375384_18120153_2242604_n.jpg[/url])
Dirt roads are so bad they're in the process of being re-levelled.
([url]http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217757_10150579514905385_858375384_18120156_5112854_n.jpg[/url])
Heading to Mt Stapylton - I love driving the fire trails.
([url]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208590_10150579515340385_858375384_18120158_5854655_n.jpg[/url])
A 4 hour round trip to climb Mt Stapylton. Mt Zero in the background, only 1/2 way up here... scale not quite translating
([url]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206830_10150579515620385_858375384_18120160_3443821_n.jpg[/url])
Pastures and plains - I think this is looking toward Stawell. The irony of the Grampians is they pop out of the flat lands, and their formation can't be explained.
([url]http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206314_10150579516080385_858375384_18120163_6967031_n.jpg[/url])
Enough mountain climbing for idiots, time to get driving again
([url]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215925_10150579516140385_858375384_18120165_6962776_n.jpg[/url])
Were's in wheat country now, and some tools of the trade
([url]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222113_10150579516265385_858375384_18120166_4387261_n.jpg[/url])
A weird looking beast, bloody huge nonetheless
([url]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216857_10150579516390385_858375384_18120169_1196643_n.jpg[/url])
Absolutely ratshit after the mountain climb and ready for a kip, time for a steak in a Horsham pub. I love country pub meals, you really get what you pay for.
([url]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217173_10150579516460385_858375384_18120170_2295010_n.jpg[/url])
Looking for a new air mattress in a camping store, found more guns than i've ever seen in one place. Only farmers need guns in Australia, you never see them otherwise.
([url]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215525_10150579516610385_858375384_18120172_7778324_n.jpg[/url])
I know what you're thinking - why didn't you take a photo of the bigger Kaniva windmill?
([url]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205518_10150579516910385_858375384_18120176_1603679_n.jpg[/url])
G'day SA... bring on Radelaide
([url]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217361_10150579517040385_858375384_18120179_6107888_n.jpg[/url])
More towns that have slipped under my radar
([url]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221965_10150579517170385_858375384_18120181_2091233_n.jpg[/url])
Car is struggling and top speed is slipping. Using the slip stream of a truck to suck me along.
([url]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217453_10150579517285385_858375384_18120183_7176826_n.jpg[/url])
SA skies were quite pretty, landscape as flat as a tack.
([url]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208294_10150579517380385_858375384_18120184_2089105_n.jpg[/url])
I can see what I think is the sea again (it's lake Alexandria) - near where the Murray river dumps out. Pretty skies again.
([url]http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221765_10150579517445385_858375384_18120186_4652068_n.jpg[/url])
Finding a place to nest for the night. First view of the Murray River - the longest river ([url]http://www.wordsiseek.com/longest-rivers-in-world/[/url])in Australia. Man, more mozzies here than anywhere on earth. But you dun't know unless you go, do ya?
([url]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207922_10150579517530385_858375384_18120188_3327230_n.jpg[/url])
Not quite connecting the dots at this stage, but the car was beginning to struggle. I didn't care, it was a long day and I was buggered. Finding a nice place to camp took until last light, fighting hoards of mozzies until the tent was up. But in the morning it was a sight to behold :)
First thing that the images are not visible at my side, they are just showing broken. and also i want to ask that is there any resource in your library starring the list of longest rivers in the world? I am working on this topic from last few days and looking for your help.
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This is a 5+ year old thread... It's unlikely that any information will get fixed or questions answered. To bad too as it is a cool trip report... Maybe some lucky thing will happen and the author will chime in.
-Eric