Rod Chapple (TL)
1814
NM Pajero
Toyota LC200
Participants
Mbr
Number
Vehicle Details
Paul Harris
1721
NT Pajero
NT Pajero
Canning Stock Route
22nd July - 24th August 2018
Trip Reports
The first thing I want to acknowledge is the contribution that Paul & Sue Harris put into the trip. They were the best companions I could have wished for. Paul was a well-worn camper and his assistance with anything that came up was invaluable – all combined with a great sense of humour. Sue was a great organiser and campfire aficionado (her nickname was “Pyro” and she was handy with the shovel as well).
Also many thanks to my co-driver David Box who embraced the trip with enthusiasm and plied us with many interesting stories from his experience in the Diplomatic service.
After a few years of planning we are finally under way on a brisk Sunday morning. Our first destination was Renmark which is a fair drive, but our plan was to get to the main part of the trip in quick time so we could spend more time from Yulara onwards “in The Outback”. We arrived in nice time and enjoyed a meal at the Renmark Club.
The next few days we ploughed on with stops at Woomera, Marla Bore and Curtin Springs Station where we stayed a couple of nights listening to the sounds of cattle being mustered for shipment to the market.
We enjoyed listening to the yarns of “Old Pete & Ashley Severin” who fill you up with life in the outback and stories of hardship and survival on the Station – super educational. After the compulsory look around Uluru Paul, Sue and David did the climb, we then headed for the supermarket for some top up food for the coming few days to get to Wiluna.
Day 6: We hit the dirt after Kata Tjuta and were rattled by long stretches of corrugations (a forerunner of what was to come). Called in at Lasseters Cave, passed Docker River and camped at Warakurna Roadhouse. Nice showers and clean camp.
Day 7: Called in to Giles Meteorological Station, the most remote weather station in Australia. We found it most interesting. Headed for Warburton but were unimpressed so we made for Carnegie Station. We were delayed by the very rough corrugations on the Heather Highway so we found a camp spot at a water bore -not far from the Len Beadell campsite. Saw a flock of Zebra Finches and had a Camel roaming around during the evening.
Day 8: On the Gunbarrel Highway to Carnegie Station the surface was very badly corrugated but the stay at Carnegie Station was a good one.
Day 9: Off to Wiluna for 2 nights, Stayed at Gunbarrel Laager camping ground. Saw Roos and Eagles today. Caught up with washing and had a look around Wiluna. The pub was being converted to Shire offices so Wiluna is dry! Bugger! Campfire meal and celebration for “Pauls” birthday.
Day 11: Canning Stock Route – called at North Pool then on to well 1, which was interesting. The track was very corrugated and scabby with rocks in sections so we only made it to well 4A;
Day 12: Well 5 was refurbished by the Chamberlain Tractor Club. We were advised by travellers coming south that the track was worse up north ( hard to believe it could get worse ) we were also pre warned that the track was closed from well 23 to well 33 and a 500 klm. detour was unavoidable. The weather was warming up during the day but the evenings and nights were still cool. Made good time today and camped at well 10.
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Vol 35 No.4 - September/October 2018 © Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria