MEMBER TRIP REPORT
Despite the uncertainty we all faced , the group all showed interest in a Victorian trip if we couldn ’ t get to the Bash . A trip to the Murray Sunset National Park was planned as the last resort .
We anticipated that QLD would open its border to Victorians first . South Australia was more of an unknown and based on history , would not open in time for our trip to travel the original plan . QLD opened its borders to Victorians on 25 June 2021 . As it turned out , South Australia also opened its border to Victorians on 25 June 2021 . We were scheduled to be in Mildura on 26 June 2021 .
In amongst all of this , a COVID outbreak was festering in Sydney . On 21 June 2021 Greater Sydney entered a lockdown and the cases continued to climb .
On 24 June 2021 , QLD closed its border to Greater Sydney . As the outbreak continued in Sydney there was a risk it would ‘ leak ’ to regional NSW , causing QLD to close its borders to NSW in its entirety . This was a risk we couldn ’ t take . In the days prior to our departure , the trip was replanned going from VIC to SA and into QLD .
This was the fourth route planned for the trip and the one we ultimately followed . We put together a trip via the Flinders and Gammon Ranges , into the Sturt Stoney Desert to arrive in Birdsville to meet with the Peter & Janine ’ s trip .
Day 1 – 26 June , Day 2 – 27 June & Day 3 – 28 June Dani , Heidi & Mitch Watkins - 1930
The trip officially commenced with 5sies at the Mildura Riverside Holiday Park . A tip for travellers is to ensure that you read the trip information thoroughly and book your accommodation at the correct caravan park . It turns out there are two caravan parks , and one of our group was at a different accommodation to the rest of us ! Having overcome this minor hiccup , the group got together to catch up and start this long awaited trip .
The entry requirements for SA required that , within 24 hours of our arrival , we submitted ourselves for a COVID test . Border permits were obtained and a booking at the Berri COVID clinic had been made . While the border entry conditions required a COVID test , isolation following the test was not necessary . Having been tested and proceeding to at last Woolworths for the trip we headed north to Bendelby Rangers Station for our next two nights . a lay day at Bendelby gave everyone opportunity to relax into the holiday . Bendelby has extensive map of 4WD tracks and two of the vehicles did half a day of driving around the station .
Day 4 – 29 June , Day 5 – 30 June & Day 6 – 1 July Wendy & Peter Watkins - 1934
On 29 June we left our lovely camp at Bendleby Ranges and headed for Arkaroola . First stop was Hawker for fuel and additional supplies as this was the last “ supermarket ” for the next 10 days . We headed past Wilpena Pound and turn off