EXCEED OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 oct_dec_2017_emag | Page 27

TRIP REPORT
Simpson Desert Trip Early Drive Up
Thursday 21 to Friday 22 September 2017
Participant Name
Paul and Sue Harris – Trip Leaders (TL)
Phil & Kerrie Mercuri
Helmut & Elke Blaedel
Member
Number Vehicle Details
1721
1742
1566 NT Pajero
Nissan Patrol
Land Cruiser 200 Series
The intension of the trip was to avoid a 10-hour drive in one day and travel from
Melbourne to Burra a day early, thus taking two days to get to Burra where we
would meet up with the other Simpson Desert East Meets West travellers.
We met at the BP Calder on Thursday morning and headed up to Jinkers Bend a
great camping spot on the Murray near Hattah, as was suggested by Ron Reed.
The pie warmers were cranked up before we left and lunch was taken at Charleton
rest area.
The camping spot was easy to find and dinner was cooked before some socialising
by the camp fire under the stars. It was a tranquil location and I recommend this
spot as a stopover for anyone needing a rest area near Mildura.
The Explore Australia web site - http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au - states that
“Jinkers Bend is another of the bush campsites alongside the Murray River in Hattah–
Kulkyne. It’s situated off the River Track between the two other bush-camping
options – Ki Bend to the south and Firemans Bend to the north. There’s nothing in
the way of facilities here, but generators are allowed.”
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Vol 35 No. 6 - Oct / Nov 2017