Well, after 39 days, over 8,000 ks through 3 states [and many more fruit fly exclusion zones] we have found our way back home. Over that time we averaged 14.07L/00 which I think was acceptable and the most expensive diesel was 159.9 at, wait for it…..Apollo Bay!! Obviously the yuppies from Melbourne can afford to pay such high prices!
There have been some fantastic reports so far & I can't imagine writing things in so much detail or having so many photos as some of the others, so I will just give an overview of where we went.
In summary we completed a “Darling River” run that took us from home, stopping at Yarrie Lake [via Wee Waa & Duchess], Tilpa, Menindee, Mungo NP, Wentworth before heading to Murray Bridge and the national meet @ Wilmington.
With the general idea of heading home from the meet over the remaining 4 or so weeks of Kate's leave, there were never any hard & fast destinations in mind. Just drive until we found somewhere interesting to stay. Rain in the north of SA put paid to that area a destination so we will have to do that next time!
So we caught up with some friends [plus Snow & Pam as it turned out] in Hawker & decided to head south with them to Renmark. We had hoped to get a service done on the BT50 there but no luck so it was on to Mildura for a couple of days before Horsham & Mt Gambia for a look See. As it had been 10 years since we had seen the Great Ocean Road we decided to do a Coastal run from Port MacDonald [SA] all the way along the Victorian coast to Cann River [via the Queenscliffe-Portsea Ferry] then finally heading north via Queanbeyan, Bathurst & Styx River before getting home.
Unfortunately the weather was not the kindest [cold, windy & cloudy on most days with some rain] during our time away so we spent more time chasing powered sites [yep Snow, even some Big 4’s] than we wanted as both Kate & I got the flu after the meet. Reluctantly we drove past many spots because of the conditions but as Arnie said “I’ll be back”
That said, it was still a great trip and it was fantastic to catch up with everybody at Wilmington and put faces to user names, even Jamie!!
We have sorted through the photos & have included some that people might find interesting but nothing as flash as Rosalind’s & Parry’s efforts but had a bit of fun with the panorama's.
Thanks again for everybody who attended the meet and maybe we will catch up again some time soon.
Regards
Mark & Kate
Amazing that that a few blokes & some machinery did this - wouldn't happen today!
Killara on the Darling near Tilpa
Menindee Lake at sunset
Mungo Lake & Great Wall of China
Murray Darling junction
Murray from Wentworth C/van park
Hunting carp!
Hancock's Lookout
One of Parry's friends!!
4WD drive at Bartagunyah
Boys will be boys!
Nooooo, not Manly!!!
Another budding 4wder.
Wilpeana Pound
Bunarroo Gorge
Snowmobile at Morgan
Not sure of the significance of this pic!
Valley Lake - Mt Gambia
After a 4.2k walk and 377 steps, this lookout provided some great views
Blue Lake is right beside Valley Lake - fantastic area
Great Ocean Road
Wilsons Prom
Lakes Entrance
Metung
Queanbeyan at night
Bathurst - note the 2nd class accommodation in the background
Little Styx River free camp