30 TLCC NEWS DECEMBER 2012

MAKIN' TRACKS

Late last year we were mulling over where we might travel to within Australia next. In discussing this amongst family and friends, we worked out that the trip needed to be within school holidays, that we wanted to look at places we hadn’t seen or places that we really wanted to see again, and that during this trip we would aim to stay for extended periods in a few places rather than our normal pattern of driving every day.

More discussion, reference to the club magazines, the club forum, and a lot of commercial publications saw us come up with a trip that took in Mungo National Park, the Darling River Run, and the Dinosaur Triangle up in Queensland. This was later altered to leave the Dinosaurs for another trip so that we could actually put into effect our plan to include some extended stays. The final version was to head out to Mungo National Park via the Western Rail Trail then up to Menindee lakes before heading further up next to the Darling to stay on a couple of properties north of Wilcannia before arriving in Bourke, turning right, and heading home.

The response to the trip ad was amazing, and inside of 24 hours the trip was full. We organised a pre-trip get together where everyone became better acquainted, amongst much discussion on the finer details with an important topic being the weather that could, and did, have a big impact on the trip. I spent a lot of the time before we left scanning road condition and weather reports, and by the time the day came to pull out of Sydney, we knew for sure that we weren’t sure how many detours we would have to take!

Pa

rt

ic

iP

an

ts Trip Leader: Martin, Julie, Jason, and Taryn Dalmazzo

- 200 Series TD

Phil and Dianne Hogan - 78 Series TD

Mark, Ingrid, Michael, and Karla Samuels - LR3 TD

Graham, Diane, and Luke Hobbs with James and Lauren Blair - 100 Series

Mark and Kim Grace - 100 Series TD

Compton, Amanda, and Courtney Allen - 76 Series TD

Michael and Mary King - D40 TD

Steve, Kim, Ben, and Jonathon Peterson - GU TD

Brian and Kerrie Read - 120 Series TD

Saturday, June 30 Martin, Julie, Jason, and Taryn Dalmazzo

Up early and on the road by 7:30 am as we headed for the first nights stop being the Riverview Caravan Park at Condobolin being the starting point for the trip. Along the way, we kept company with several other trip members and after fitting in an impromptu visit to the National Motor Racing museum in Bathurst, we arrived in Condobolin at 4:00 pm with enough time to set up the camper before dark. Dinner was at the Condobolin RSL, and we were fortunate enough to meet up with the rail gang, all 180 of them, who had just completed replacing all the timber sleepers with concrete ones from Broken Hill through to Condobolin. I had a good discussion with the gangs project co-ordinator who gave me up to date information on the Western Rail trail, which we knew had been affected by the floods and follow-up bad weather since January.

Sunday, July 1 Compton, Amanda, and Courtney Allen

TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN! was the order of the day. After a succession of emails over the previous few weeks about road conditions and weather projections for this leg, it was now the time to put this to the test. With the information from Martin’s new best friend from the night before, we headed off in the morning, confident that we could traverse the targeted roads. It wasn’t long before we hit the main E-W railway and we turned left, then stopped. Time to air down, rearrange the convoy, take a bunch of photos, and start serious train spotting. The plan was to have Martin out the front with the P76 behind to help if the road presented any problems. Martin headed off and after a couple of KM’s stopped and gave the all clear for the rest of the convoy to follow. We essentially followed

Darling River Run

TLCC NEWS DECEMBER 2012 31

MAKIN' TRACKS

this process for the length of the railway road because most vehicles were towing a van or camper of some sorts we didn’t want to risk getting stuck. The system worked well and we even saw a freight train or two along the way. Towards the end of the day we came across a graveyard for old sleepers which was a huge bonfire covering hundreds of metres. A great place to load up with some wood for our fire at the camp for the night at Willandra Station National Park. Willandra is a great place to stop and look around the old station buildings, enjoy the masses of bird life on the river, and sit in the station owners chair in the homestead to dream of bygone days.

Monday, July 2 Compton, Amanda, and Courtney Allen

Today was essentially a transport day from Willandra to Lake Mungo via Ivanhoe. We doubled Ivanhoe’s GDP by lunching at the local café, buying coffee, cakes, and fuelling up. It wasn’t long before we were driving across the basin that is Lake Mungo. We arrived at the National Park at dusk and found camp spots. We then enjoyed a relaxing evening around the campfire.

Tuesday, July 3 Compton, Amanda, and Courtney Allen

This was the highlight for me, Compton. I had dreamed of visiting Mungo for the past 30 years because of its archaeological significance, and finally I was here. We had told the local aboriginal guide, who arranged to take us on a tour of the site, to look for the best looking guys in the campground. It didn’t take them long to find Martin. We then spent several hours visiting the Walls of China area and listening about the natural history, the scientific details, and the Aboriginal culture and storytelling. There was a close correlation between the dreamtime stories and the scientific discoveries of the site. Our guide, an elder of the local tribe, gave us some fascinating insights in the origins of the Aborigines and how

the landscape developed over time. The day finished with a sunset drive around the park for most of us. Another dinner around the campfire that culminated with Martin “Camp Oven Commander” Dalmazzo’s scones and pies for dessert.

Wednesday, July 4 Phil and Diane Hogan

Go the blues!

The convoy left Main Camp, Mungo National Park, on time at 9:30 am, after spending two nights at the campsite. The campsite had good and bad points, the bad points were that it was rather crowded so the group were not all together and the sites were dirt. Fires were allowed but only in the metal containers provided. The good points were the camp kitchen with gas barbecues, and pit toilets that were cleaned every day. Also at the visitors centre were two hot showers.

We turned left on to Top Hut Road heading for Pooncarie, and then turned right to Pooncarie Road on to the bitumen. We entered the small town of Pooncarie and had morning tea in the lovely park in the centre of town. The park provided clean toilets with showers

The Big Seat

Exploring the Darling River

Morning Tea

Trip route artwork by Karla Samuels

34 TLCC NEWS DECEMBER 2012

if required and filtered water to fill your water tanks and bottles if they needed topping up.

This was our first sight of the Darling River, where the water marks on the trees where clearly visible from the flood earlier in the year. There was also an abundance of bird life on and near the river. After our morning tea break we left Pooncarie and turned left on the Pooncarie Loop Road, left on to Wilkurra Road, right on to Karpa Kora Road, and then left to Menindee.

Our lunch stop was on a sidetrack near the railway line, where we had a quick bite to eat and a bit of a rest.

We continued on towards Menindee, turning left and then right into Menindee crossing the bridge over the Darling. We drove through the town and turned left towards Broken Hill, we arrived at the Menindee Caravan Park at 3:45 pm. The caravan park had green grassy sites, lovely views of the lake, clean toilets, and hot showers. All parties set up their campsites with plenty of time to get ready to head into Menindee for a 6:00 pm dinner at the Maiden Hotel. This is a nice pub with good food, great steaks, and the only drawback was the outcome of the State of Origin game that NSW lost.

All in all, another good day.

Thursday, July 5 Martin, Julie, Jason, and Taryn Dalmazzo

An easy time by the Menindee lakes today with some going fishing and others touring around the Kinchega National park, viewing the now defunct woolsheds and related machinery. Later in the day, ABC 999 interviewed our Trip Leader for an interest story as to why people liked to visit the region.

Friday, July 6 Martin, Julie, Jason, and Taryn Dalmazzo

Up a bit earlier for a run into Broken Hill, which of course has everything a traveller could desire. After a leisurely breakfast at the Café Alfresco, we all went our separate ways to pursue a variety of objectives that included stocking up on fresh food and purchasing another art gallery masterpiece.

Saturday, July 7 Kim Peterson

After a busy and interesting day in Broken Hill yesterday, it was an early night and an early start for today.

6:00 am. It’s still dark, the stars are still out, and zippers of tents and

vans could be heard as the Darling River Run crew become a hive of activity. This saw us all ready and in high spirits leaving Menindee Lakes by 8:35 am and heading for Wilcannia for a brief fuel stop. Today we follow the Darling River. After a short drive on the black stuff we were again on the red dusty tracks having to pull back by a kilometre so we didn’t eat each other’s dust. The countryside is flat for miles to the horizon, a sight I’ve only seen when looking at the sea. Saltbush, emus, kangaroos, some sheep and us. There is no wind to blow the dust away. The day is cool but not as cold as it has been and there has been no need to wear gloves … a good indicator of temperature.

We’ve been intrigued by the various letterboxes and property markers - flags, large tractor tyres, 44 gallon drums, some practical while others are more colourful. After nearly two hours on the track we again hit the black stuff and arrive at Wilcannia. A quick takeaway coffee stop, fuel top up, and we’re on our way. The patience of Martin for this coffee loving group was amazing and appreciated! Unfortunately, the track we wanted to take north of Wilcannia was closed at this end, and so it was on to the black stuff as we headed east for Emmdale. The landscape has changed to grasses and trees over undulating land. The grasses look soft and fluffy, softening the landscape.

We stopped at Emmdale for lunch at a truck stop with chips, coffee, toilets, fuel, and even a shower if you needed it. 12:45 pm and we are on the road again heading east towards Cobar. We soon turned off onto our alternate track north, and pulled over to inspect Mike’s windscreen that cracked when a truck went past on the black stuff. After applying a temporary patch, we’re off again.

At the start of the day we were all layered up as far as clothes were concerned, complete with jackets and beanies. Now after lunch, most of us are down to t-shirts and shorts as it has become hot, dry, and dusty.

Once we got to Tilpa, tight convoy procedure was followed as we had a number of turns to make until we finally arrived at Kallara Station, where we were welcomed by Julie, the owner. Kallara is a 150,000 acre working sheep station on the banks of the Darling that also provides multiple levels of accommodation for anyone wishing to stay. Amongst the accommodation choices are powered and unpowered sites, and our group split themselves across these, although about 2 km apart. Those of us at the powered sites took advantage of the camp kitchen and huge boiler fire for a great night

The group at Bourke Menindee Lake

TLCC NEWS DECEMBER 2012 35

MAKIN' TRACKS

RENNIKS PUBLICATIONS PTY LTD Incorporating Brooklands Books Australia – Ellery Publications ...Your Automotive Publications SpecialistsUnit 3 37-39 Green Street Banksmeadow NSW 2019 AustraliaTel: (02) 9695 7055 Fax: (02) 9695 7355 Email: info@renniks.com Website: www.renniks.com

ELLERY REPAIR MANUALS – FOR THE COST-CONSCIOUS D.I.Y. HOME MECHANIC,

AS WELL AS THE PROFESSIONALS

Ava i l a b l e f r o m A u t o m o t i ve

A c c e s s o r y o u t l e t s o r d i r e c t f r o m t h e

p u b l i s h e r s. . .

An essential on all TLCC events is a copy of the latest workshop manual by Max Ellery. All of 450/500 x pages

these most comprehensive workshop manuals, with easy to follow instructions and diagrams are most suitable for the

home mechanic as well as the professionals

EP.T018

EP.TLDEP.TLP

EP.T026

EP.TH

4D

EP.T034

EP-N158

EP-M212 NEW - EP.TH6G

EP.TH4P

ALL R.R.P.$57.95

Jeep CJ1946/1971RRP $71.50

Jeep CJ1972/1986RRP $59.95

Petersen’s 4 x Wheel Chassis and Suspension Handbook $ 32.50Jeep Chassis and Suspension Off Road Handbook $ 32.50

of talking and catching up.

Kallara - Unpowered sites - Martin DalmazzoAs Kim related above, some of us opted for powered and others for unpowered sites at Kallara. On arrival, about half of us made for the unpowered area which was reached via a selection of rough bush tracks. The area we selected was perfectly located, overlooking an inside bend on this great river with terrific views up and down stream, which after camp setup, we relaxed and enjoyed to the accompaniment of the magnificent and abundant birdlife.

This was the quintessential Darling that I had been picturing ever since deciding to travel here so many months before. If we had known what was to transpire over the next 24 hours we would have worked harder at relaxing and enjoying it.

As the afternoon wore on, I tried out several fishing lures and having failed at that, we all rounded up some firewood and established an area for the night’s camp oven. Compton rigged up his inflatable boat and successfully failed with his fishing lures as well.

That night we gathered by the fire for dinner and also to tend to our camp ovens in which we cooked up a delicious apple pie and a mouth watering peach cobbler.

Sunday, July 8 Kim Peterson

Kallara - PoweredAfter a good night’s sleep it was a lazy start as we all headed up to the BBQ and cooked bacon and eggs. Steve had set his yabbie traps the night before and caught about 30 carp fingerlings and two “Amoeba” yabbies that were too small and had to be thrown back. A friendly game of Rummicube was happening in the camp

kitchen with Mark, Kim G, Dianne, and Mary. At the river bank, the Peterson boys were being given casting lessons from Mike, Steve was checking yabbie traps, while James was learning about rod set up. Kim P and Lauren were content to watch the magnificent bird life. Time just seems to slip away not doing much.

Unfortunately by midday, a hive of activity occurred as we were given the news that 50 mm of rain was heading this way and the property owners, Justin and Julie, advised us to leave camp or we wouldn’t be able to get out for up to two weeks.

Kallara - Unpowered - Martin DalmazzoWe had received word that a huge amount of rain was on its way and the owners had advised us to get out while we could. I jumped into Compton’s boat and we raced upstream for two kilometres to talk to the other half of our group as the UHF’s couldn’t get through. This ride in itself was exhilarating as the river teemed with disturbed birdlife. A quick conference and then we all scattered to strike camp.

Kallara - Powered cont’dBy 2:30 pm, camp was down and a drivers meeting had been held. We were all on the move first heading to Louth, crossing the river and then up to Bourke, destination - Kidman’s Camp. We had a brief stop in Louth for a quick revive of ice-creams (we were allowed 14 mins tops) and then away again to beat the rain. We saw pelicans, parrots, and owls. We arrived in Bourke around 6:00 pm and proceeded straight to Kidman’s camp where after setting up and dinner, we held a drivers meeting to determine our next course of action. So far there was just clouds with no rain. Later that night we had an impromptu ‘pamper’ session in the camp kitchen when all were invited to share and try various hand, facial and skin creams.

36 TLCC NEWS DECEMBER 2012

Monday, July 9 Brian and Kerrie Read

Having stayed overnight in the Kidman Camp Caravan Park in Bourke, we woke to the sound of hundreds of corellas. We looked outside having expected rain, though we had a few overnight showers.

Some of the crew went on the 9:00 am PV Jandra Paddleboat cruise while others went on the 3:00 pm cruise. Everyone enjoyed the hour-long cruise and commentary. At mid-morning the group met at Morrall’s Bakery Cafe for coffee and cakes. We then proceeded out-of-town for a group photo and firewood gathering session. Martin, in full safety gear, cut enough timber with his chainsaw, which combined with the timber carried by Gracie from a previous location provided more than enough timber for the evening.

During the day, members of the group visited various points of interest in and around Bourke, including Fred Hollow’s gravesite, Back of Bourke Historical Exhibit, Port of Bourke Wharf, and Diesel Engine.

At around 4:00 pm the campfire was lit to provide enough coals for the group camp oven roast.

A roaring fire was created, and a group effort prepared vegetables. Martin coordinated the roasting of the five camp ovens that comprised of one lamb, two beef, one chicken, and all the veggies. Accompanied by various beers and wines, we all enjoyed a sumptuous feast, followed by as many chocolate mint slices as you could eat courtesy of Compton and Amanda.

The group presented a memento to Martin, our trip leader, which consisted of artwork by Karla and a Darling River artefact.

Tuesday, July 10 Brian and Kerrie Read

Two vehicles retired from the group returning to Sydney, as the wet weather prevented us from visiting the remaining locations.

Our revised itinerary was to head for Wellington via Nyngan, so having left Bourke we stopped at the Mulga Creek Pub in Byrock for morning tea. This is a great little place well worth a visit with a lot to be seen inside the actual pub itself.

Travelling along we could see the redundant railway line east of Coolibah and through Girilambone, with a mass of cotton bales stored south of Trangie. We stopped in Dubbo for fuel and coffee and cake at the Darling street bakery near the railway line, and then travelled onto Wellington where, due to very heavy rain, the group split into smaller groups and sorted out motel/on-site van accommodation for the night.

We all met for our final dinner at the Lion of Waterloo hotel which sported an open fire, bar, and good food. Martin proclaimed a formal end to the trip with all parties going their separate ways in the morning.

Wednesday, July 11 Martin Dalmazzo

Today dawned overcast and wet underfoot. The rainfall during the night had been torrential at times. We all headed for home a couple of days earlier than planned courtesy of the weather.

Although having only glimpsed the Darling when compared with the original plan, we had seen enough to have us planning a return trip in the near future. The Darling and the areas around it are truly a spectacle and I recommend this part of Australia to any and all. I’m sure there are indeed fish in the Darling and we’ll get them next time!

On a closing note, I’d like to thank all trip participants for making the trip what it was. See you all next time!