Trip Reports
Doug & Wendy Hammerton (TL)
570
Pajero VRX
Participants
Mbr
Number
Vehicle Details
Laurie & Chris Finlay(TL)
267
Ford Ranger PX XLT
NT Pajero
Fred & Heather Schoof
329
Toyota Hilux
Ralph Longley
829
Pajero NV Exceed
Robyn Burke
475
Pajero Sports
Bob McKay & Sheena Rose
1006
Toyota Prado GXL
Following Burke & Wills - The Essence
August 2017
The Departure
The expedition team had been decided upon and with much anticipation a preliminary meeting
was called to discuss the supplies, route and mode of transport.
We all gathered at Royal Park on 20th August 2017, by happy accident, exactly 157 years on from that first auspicious leave taking that ended in such tragedy.
Against all advice the original Victorian Exploring Expedition - VEE - set off with 18 men,
camels, horses and 20 tonne of supplies loaded onto 6 wagons. The punt wagon being built at
Pentridge Gaol and designed for the wheels to be removed and the body used to cross rivers.
These wagons were to prove a constant frustration, hampering the expedition progress until
they were finally abandoned.
We did not make the same mistake! Taking only the important items such as nibbles for fivesies - enough wine and beer (Sheena); potato chips and savoy biscuits (Bob) homemade Rocky Road thanks to Heather, a magnificent plastic coated lace table cloth (Wendy), and jam and cream for Ralph’s Damper enjoyed by all.
The Journey
Burke & Wills first ran into trouble almost immediately after crossing Deep Creek at Bulla
where the wagons struggled with the incline with two becoming bogged.
Our first challenge was upon encountering ‘market day’ at Lancefield - no where to park our
expedition, so unable to avail ourselves of cappuccino or bakery treats!! Poor Bob, let’s hope this
trend will not continue.
We continued along the same route as B&W, stopping at monuments, and historic camp sites
where possible and enjoying the Victorian countryside. It was cold and wet travelling for the
original party - we at least had weak sunshine although the wind was bitter. We could easily
imagine the camels struggling in the cold, wet conditions. Our intended first night camp was to
be Mt Terrick Terrick NP, close to B&W Camp 10. We arrived to find a group of Scouts camped
already, and the there was no room at the inn. So off we went to Pyramid Hill CP and awoke to a
very cold morning.
“The folly of men” some might say, others “Here's to the heroes”.
We all know the story and how it ended and here’s some stuff you maybe didn’t know.
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