Trips taken in the last couple of years included day, weekend and extended trips by members
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Caravanning in
Queensland |
Otway Ranges,
Victoria |
Border Track,
Ngarkat CP |
Black Cockatoo - June 7-10 2013 (Pictures here)
Willangi Bush Escapes - Easter 2013 (Pictures here)
The Easter camp for 2013 was held at Willangi Bush Escapes approximately 10 kms from Peterborough. A total of 19 members in 10 cars, together with 4 guests from the Otway 4WD Club in 2 cars set up camp during Friday. After a briefing by Craig at 9:30am Saturday morning all 12 vehicles set forth to drive some of the tracks on the Willangi property. Some tracks were more challenging than others and two members suffered damaged tyres unfortunately. During the afternoon it started to rain.
Saturday evening was dinner at the Railway Hotel in Peterborough which was appreciated by all, as the wet weather had set in, and it was nice and cosy in the hotel.
Sunday morning proved to be dry, but the ground was still damp, so it was decided to relax around camp, have lunch, and then set out for the other Willangi property for more tracks. After driving a few of these we met up with Neil the property owner, who escorted us onto a new track he was establishing called Sallies Track. Neil had only gone a few meters on this track when he too damaged a brand new tyre. Some members decided to go back to camp, but six vehicles and their intrepid explorers continued, and this track proved to be difficult but exciting, and there were no more slashed tyres. All agreed it was worth the risk, and it completed the weekend's activities on a high.
Clayton farm, Bordertown 8-11th March 2013 (lots of pictures here and full report here)
A total of 26 members and friends in 14 vehicles enjoyed a weekend at Clayton farm situated about 3km out of Bordertown. Clayton Farm is the former home of the Weise family who had engaged in mixed farming from the late 1800s. These days it is a heritage museum operated by the Bordertown and District Agricultural Museum organisation.
Saturday morning was spent chatting or having a leisurely look around the farm, before heading into Bordertown and the Morning Loaf Bakery (no guesses as to what we did there!). We then proceeded on a tag-along tour of the district with a very knowledgeable Wally Milne giving an informative commentary over the UHF radio as we went. We discovered there are many interesting things that we do not normally see, as we are usually just passing through on our way somewhere else.
Saturday evening was spent at the Mundulla Hotel where we enjoyed dinner.
The weather this weekend was very hot, so the scheduled destination on Sunday of Ngarkat Conservation Park was changed to Kingston, 100Km away. This trip was led by Dave from the Border Country 4WD Club. We drove along the beach to the Cape Jaffa boat ramp, then a short distance on bitumen before heading back onto a sandy along the dunes around the tip of Cape Jaffa, and finally back onto the beach for some way. Unfortunately this was cut short when our leader got bogged in the soft sand, and in the interest of everyone it was decided to turn back.
Our Sunday evening meal was a fantastic BBQ provided by the friends of Clayton Farm, followed by much animated chatter amongst old and new friends.
Monday morning arrived all too soon, and the packing up started. Some enjoyed an extensive tour of the farm, and after a quick bite to eat for lunch the last people left on the journey home. It was an informative and enjoyable weekend for all.
Coorong Cleanup 28 Mile Crossing 20-21/10/2012 (Pictures)
This year 21 family & members of the Nissan Patrol Club volunteered for our weekend down at the 28 Mile Crossing in the Coorong National Park. Saturday morning after breakfast the Senior Park Ranger met with us and spoke about what would be required, also to remind us of OH&S issues which may come about. With hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, spray for insects, secateurs in hand , hand saws, spades & trailer we then divided into two groups. One group made their way to the 28 Mile Track to start pruning the track back as well as the walkway to the beach. A couple of posts were reinstalled into the sand. The 2nd group cut back the bushes along the entrance of the track with the aid of a winch.
After lunch we again divided into 2 groups to tackle the beach and dunes. One group turned right went down the beach as far as 10km south of 42 Mile Crossing and collected rubbish along the beach & dunes while the second group turned left towards Kingston. Amongst the rubbish collected was timber, plastic bottles, berley baskets, shoes, thongs, esky, and lots of rope. A plastic table top, a pallet, old chairs, shampoo and deodorant bottles, old umbrella stand and a crate were also retrieved. Unusual pickups were 3 fluoro tubes all intact, an albatross skull, glow sticks, toothbrush, underwear, flipper, thongs, boot, spoon & Arabian Night Massage Oil. We returned back to camp, cleaned up and enjoyed our "Happy Hour". After this we returned to our camps and made dinner. Some members settled around the campfire to enjoy a few drinks, and a few hours later everyone retired to bed.
On Sunday we unloaded 25 bags and a pallet, approximately 300 to 340kg. The amount of rubbish is gradually getting lower. Clean Up Australia is even leaving a positive statement with the fisherman. We even had a couple of comments from the fisherman when they were leaving the track. "Thank you to your volunteers & for what you are doing, we appreciate it." Whatever the contributing factors are this is good feedback.
Again another successful weekend, made by having great weather, and great companionship and all working & assisting together to make a difference to keeping Australia beautiful. Thank you to everyone involved in this weekend’s CleanUp.
Remember volunteers you are not paid- not because you are worthless, but
because you are priceless.
You make a living by what you get, but you make a life in what you give.
Looking forward to 2013.
Whyalla Sept 29 - Oct 1 (Pictures)
Appila June 9-11th 2012 (Pictures)
There were 11 vehicles and 19 members who enjoyed the June long weekend away at Appila which is situated approximately 40k from Jamestown. We enjoyed a day out at Caroona Creek Conservation Park with a packed lunch. Saturday evening we had a meal at the Railway Hotel Jamestown. The following day we did a trip to Hopes Gully to enjoy some 4WD tracks which ranged from beginner to extreme. Although it was cold it was a great weekend away.
Easter at Warraweena April 6-9th 2012 (Pictures)
This Easter 20 vehicles with 54 members from the Nissan patrol Club and the Otways Club from Victoria converged on Warraweena conservation Park which is in the northern Flinders Ranges, some 540km from Adelaide, and approximately 35km off the Leigh Creek Road from the Beltana Roadhouse.
It was a weekend of fun, friends, food, and of course some very interesting four-wheel driving around rocky creek beds, and up and down the terrain of the northern Flinders Ranges.
Four Wheel Drive SA AGM March 23 - 25th (Pictures)
This year 13 vehicles & 24 NPC
members made their way up the freeway to Strathalbyn for the FWDSA AGM for 2012,
most arriving on the Friday afternoon. Our hosts were the High Range Club. On
Saturday we had a morning tea, AGM meeting followed by a BBQ. With a Bonnets &
Boots Competition, Tag along tour with Quiz Questions, Raffle tickets and a self
guided tour prize competition we were kept amused and busy for the whole day.
Some of us managed to fit in “Happy Hour” That evening we all consumed a 3
course meal of soup, chicken or beef with potato & salad and a choice of 3
desserts fruit salad, cheesecake or black forest cake.
Following the dinner we were entertained by the High Range Club for a Quiz
Night. Much fun was had by all. Club members did very well over the weekend with
Jeff Schapel, Rob Brittain, Alan Langer & Helen Richards taking out individual
prizes donated by different companies who helped sponsor this weekend’s AGM.
Nissan also came 2nd in the Quiz night and won some prizes for the club. Many
thanks to the High Range Club for putting on an excellent weekend. A lot of work
went into this to make it so successful. We as a club had a wonderful time and
are looking forward to doing it again.
Murbko Australia Day Long Weekend January 26 - 29th 2012 (Pictures)
Coorong Cleanup 28 Mile Crossing 23-24/10/2011 (Pictures)
16 vehicles, 35 adults, and 3 children descended on the camping ground near the 28 mile Crossing in the Coorong to do the annual cleanup of the track and nearby beach. Some arrived late Friday night whilst some were already there. Saturday morning brought blue skies and a slight breeze, just right for a vigorous attack on the shrubbery bordering the track, With so many vehicles and willing hands the job was finished before lunch, so we adjourned back to camp the fill our tummies ready for the beach cleanup. Soft sand did not pose any problems for drivers, although at one point one vehicle's wheels were rotating without much forward motion, but a push by one person helped get the car on its way. The inevitable happy hour commenced at 1630 hrs, which seemed to merge seamlessly into the evening meal, and then a happy group of all the campers spent the evening around a number of braziers full of burning timber brought for the occasion.
Sunday morning things got off to a leisurely start, with breakfast not too early, and most packed up and left for home by late morning. All in all a very successful and pleasant weekend, enjoyed by all!
Willangi Sept. 30 to Oct 3, 2011 (Pictures)
This was a multi-club event organised by the Mount Lofty Rangers club, and attracted nearly 60 vehicles. The weather started out cold, wet and windy, but by the Sunday it settled down to warm and some clouds in an otherwise blue sky. The Nissan club had the most vehicles attend (apart from the Rangers) and we all enjoyed driving on some challenging tracks including the Bendleby Ranges and some on private property not normally open to the public.
Great campfires in the evening with lots of friendly company, as well as a night navigation run, camp cook-off and movies for the kids. Looking forward to the next one in 2013.
VIC & NSW By Caravan Feb - March 2011
A trip to see the River Murray in flood after ten years of drought, attempting to follow it from its mouth to its beginning. Trip report and pictures here.
Argadells Long Weekend March 11 - 14th (Pictures)
11 vehicles converged on the southern Flinders Ranges property of Argadells for a long weekend of food, fun, four-wheel driving and fantastic scenery. Temperatures during the day were warm to hot, and there was some rain on both Saturday and Sunday nights, but not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of those present, or to cause any of the tracks to be closed. The facilities were great, with 8 en-suite showers/toilets, as well as other un-powered sites.
The tracks proved to be a mixture of easy to moderately steep, smooth to very rocky in places, so it was an opportunity for drivers of different experience levels to practice or extend their skills. One member suffered a tyre blow-out on Saturday, but that was the limit to the vehicle problems.
Monday morning was the time to pack up, and most headed off home. Three vehicles went on one last drive, to Buckeringa Gorge where we were treated to great views of the very shy Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, as well as countless huge orb spiders strung between low branches.
Murbko Lagoon Australia Day Weekend 2011 (Pictures)
Kingston On Murray 19th - 21st NOV 2010 (Pictures)
Some of the 44 members and friends arrived at Kingston on Murray Caravan park Thurs. while the rest arrived Fri. to a beautiful warm day and friendly park owners. Sat we headed to Banrock Station for a presentation and morning tea before a walk around the wetlands and lunch along with some wine tasting of course. Saturday night dinner was at the Cobdogla Hotel where we enjoyed a feed and good company before heading back to the vans. Sunday three cruises were booked with Loch Luna cruises who supplied a fantastic cruise with tour guide Carl including tea, coffee and home made biscuits. Some headed for home after the cruise on Sunday while others did a museum tour Sunday afternoon. A fantastic trip all round.
2010
COORONG CLEANUP 28 MILE CROSSING
AND WRECK CROSSING TRACKS 16-17/10/2010 (Pictures)
Friday some members made their way up with a few arriving Saturday Morning. We had 13 vehicles and 25 members and friends with their tents, campers and caravans survive a windy and wet Friday night. Saturday we headed off to trim the 28 mile track and clean along the beach. The tide was high and the sand too soft to get the vehicles on the beach so we trimmed the track and moved onto the Wreck Crossing track. With all the rain the track was very rough and wet making it difficult to get through. After trimming what we could get to we headed back to the campsite for happy hour. Sunday we cooked up a huge breakfast and a few headed back down the Wreck Crossing track hoping the wind has dried the track out but it was still too wet to trim anymore. So we packed up and headed for home with our usual stop for hot chocolates at Tailem Bend
WHYALLA TRIP OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND 2010. (Pictures)
6 Vehicles and 11 members headed for Whyalla on Friday for the Bi Annual Whyalla 4x4 club event. $3.00 breakfasts were cooked by the Whyalla club and day trips planned around Rural Properties and huge bon fires each night. Sunday night a camp fire cook off was held with winners receiving a trophy.
Once again a great trip and great company.
Flight over Lake Eyre and Cooper Crossing (Pictures)
5 vehicles left Adelaide for Marree. 25th July to 31st July 2010. 10 people went, 8 went on the flight. Lots of water. Drove to the Cooper Crossing to see the ferry in action. Last time it was used was 20 years ago. Had fun, good company.
June long weekend 2010 Willangi Bush Escape Paradise Peterborough (Pictures)
Friday 15 members headed for Peterborough to stay on Willangi Bush Escape Paradise. A cold wet Friday night turned into a nice weekend with day trips on 4x4 tracks. Sat afternoon we visited the Steamtown museum followed by dinner at the Railway Hotel in Peterborough and back to Steamtown for a thoroughly entertaining light and sound show. Then back to camp for mulled wine around the campfire. Sunday we met Neil; and Antoinette who led us on a trip through a neighbouring property. A glider show was put on by one of our members while we sat and had lunch in a field before heading back to camp for happy hour. Happy hour followed through into dinner and more mulled wine around the campfire with temperatures dropping to minus 3 over night. Monday was pack up day and a visit to Magnetic Hill on the way home. A great weekend and a great place to stay.
Easter in the Pyrenees 2010 (Pictures)
A few members arrived on Thursday afternoon with the majority arriving on Friday . One member lost a wheel on his van and had to have it towed to the nearest town. The rest of the member rallied around and arranged accommodation etc for them so they still had a good Easter break. Once again we joined up with The Otway 4x4 club Vic and had a fantastic time. Wayne and the guys knew the area well and took us on some amazing tracks on Saturday and Sunday. Happy hour happened every afternoon as usual. Sat night we had dinner at the Elmhurst Hotel and the meal and service was enjoyed by all. Easter bunny was seen hopping between vans leaving goodies on Sunday morning. Monday everyone packed up and headed off in small groups for the long drive home.