TRIP REPORTS
expertise with us to evaluate our options. At
this point, we could see two options. We
could go through a bog hole which when
measured came up just over the knees. Or we
could follow a narrow vertical track which ran
alongside the bog hole. I tried to convince the
tourists to have a go at the bog under our
supervision but they decided the side wall was
a better option. At least until they started
slipping sideways towards the bog. Oops.
Eventually they made it through safe and
sound thankfully.
So I decided it was going to be up to me to
test the bog. I crept through at a nice steady
pace and copped a flood of water over my
bonnet. Ok, maybe I got the depth wrong. So
I persevered through the water only to got
stuck on the exit. I had to back up a little and
then I hit it again with a little more right foot
eventually making it through. Then I sat back
to see which path everyone else was going to
take. One by one, they all decided to take the
bog hole. Funny what happens when you
limit people’s options. Massive smiles on
everyone’s faces as they made it through one
by one. You may have seen the videos
already. The biggest smile came from little
Charlie who had been swapping cars all day in
search of the ultimate 4wd. And clearly it
wasn’t dad’s car that was winning the prize.
We worked our way down to the end of the
track back on to Spraggs Road where we
stopped for a bite and to reflect on our day so
far.
“Baby Thomas #1908 & Brett Nuske #1929”
“James & Charlie Cooke #1855 with Rod
Chapple #1814”
After a short break, a couple of cars took off
for home but most of the crew decided they
were ready for more. This was going to be
‘the exploratory stage’. Darren & Kerry took
over the TEC role. We mapped out an
unknown course trying to avoid some of the
very steep hills we had previously driven by.
By popular demand though, we decided to
include the steep rocky hill on Lukes Creek
Track No1 which we previously bypassed. For
me at least, I found the track a little rough and
tuff leaving a few knocks on my
undercarriage. Nothing damaging but enough
to put a few grey hairs on my chest. Ends up
though that this was the only real challenge to
part 2 of the trek. After a nice scenic drive,
and great views over the mountains, the crew
decided it was time to set for home. Overall, I
believe the trip was a success. It wasn’t all an
easy grade. In fact, in the wet, I would rate
part of this track as closer to medium. The
important thing was that everyone was safe
and smiling. All I personally wanted from this
trip was to make some new friends and to