Date: July 9th 2010

Westprint Friday Five July 9, 2010  

Included this week:

·    Trip Notes – Savannah Way

·    Live Firing Notice

·    Hema Navigator Special

 

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To view the range of products from Westprint use this link

www.westprint.com.au

Unless otherwise noted all special prices listed in the

Friday Five are valid for seven days.

Friday Five 09.07.2010

1. Travel Journal & Road Trip Log Book  This is all about journeys - your journeys. Comining the where, when and how much with ample space to record all your thoughts and notes about what may have been good or bad. Also includes helpful checklists for preparation of vehicles, caravans and what to pack $19.95 plus post. Add to Cart 

2. Gold Propsecting Douglas M Stone. Our goldfields once attracted adventurers from all over the world. Huge finds made some men rich, while others left destitute. Recent finds show that good gold deposits still remain and this book describes how to prospect correctly, and where to find and recover gold. Descriptions of all major reef and alluvial fields are accompanied by over 30 maps. 192 pages $48.00 plus post.  Add to Cart 

3. A Fortunate Life  A B Facey. This is an extraordinary life of an extraordinary man. It is the story of Albert Facey, who lived with simple honesty, compassion and courage. A parentless boy who started work when he was eight. He struggled as an itinerant rural worker, survived the gore of Gallipoli, the loss of his farm in the depression, the death of his son in World War II and that of his beloved wife after sixty devoted years – yet he felt his life was still fortunate. S/c 330p.  $24.95 plus post.  Add to Cart This book is also available in a children’s version and a DVD . 

4. Australian Outback Yarns  An hilarious account of a young man growing up in the outback of the 1950s. This was before technology took over and each station was its own self contained community and mateship often a matter of life and death. $19.95 plus post. Add to Cart

5.  Prehistory of Australia  Australia 's human prehistory through more than 40,000 years is the challenging theme of this masterly survey. John Mulvaney and Johan Kamminga bring together the discoveries and often controversial interpretations of six decades of archaeological research to reveal that across this island continent, in the face of contrasting environments and changing climates, human responses produced many cultures, languages and life styles. The Old World is usually credited with the origins of art and spirituality. Recent discoveries, however, prove that symbolic rock art and complex burial rites also existed in Australia at challengingly early times. The authors evaluate the dating evidence upon which Australia 's human story before 1788 is reconstructed. They review diverse topics, such as the controversy about the time people first arrived on the continent's northern coast, the extinction of marsupial megafauna and the diversity of Aboriginal rock art. 480pp. $55.00 plus post.  Add to Cart

Postage Rates. These items will usually not be found on our website. Orders will be supplied on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Westprint normal postage rates are now $8.50 for one book, $11.00 for two books, $13.00 for 3 or more books. Free post applies to orders of more than $150.00. Postage rates apply to Australia only. Airmail postage rates apply to overseas orders.

 

Hema Navigator Special

We have just received a new shipment of the HN 5’s and have heaps on hand. Hema have also recently released their compatible Reversing Camera.  

• Until the end of July we are offering all past HN 5 Navigator buyers and any new purchasers a 10% discount on the Reversing Camera option. Normally retailing at $149.00 this makes the camera just $134.00 till 31^st July 2010. The Navigator is still $990.00

Other great package deals for the Navigators include:

1. Add all the Westprint digital maps for just $59.95 (25 maps) A saving of around $200 over buying all our digital maps individually
2. Add the Spatial Vision map set of Victoria for an extra $210.00 This includes a new SD card (16Gb) town maps @ 1:20,000 scale, regional maps @ 1:50,000 scale and a mosaic map of Victoria @ 1:100,000 scale.

 

Friday Forum

Jo’s comments are in green.

 

Disclaimer.

Please note that the opinions and articles included in the Friday Five are not necessarily those of the Westprint mob. Nor do we endorse any products (other than our own), or tours listed in contributed articles.  

Information wanted – Gary Junction Road

·    I was wondering if anyone has travelled on the Gary Junction Road lately? We are heading over that way through August, and would be interested to hear any info on that area. Gayle. Donald, Vic. 

Please take care of our tracks

·    I think I could safely say that the subscribers to Friday Five are not the kind of people who cause track destruction. Unfortunately, like you, I don't know what the answer is. Vince

Notes from the West.  

Lancelin Defence Training Area - Notification of Live Firing

Please be advised that Army live firing exercise will be conducted on the Lancelin Defence Training Area on the following dates:

17 September 2010 to 19 September 2010

10 October 2010 to 15 October 2010

It should be noted that the handling of unexploded ammunition is extremely dangerous. Should any unexploded ammunition be found, it must not be disturbed or handled and its location reported to the nearest Police Station or the Lancelin Training Area Caretaker.

Any enquiries regarding this particular serial or unexploded ordnance should be directed to the Exercise Liaison Officer on (08) 9655 1659 or 0409 778 512. Alternatively the Lancelin Range Caretaker can be contacted on (08) 9655 1118 or the Range Control Officer 0427 659 236.  

Information Wanted Cape York  

·    From David. In answer to Ron, about travelling up Cape York in November.  

DON ’T!!!!!

Information Wanted Savannah Way

·    We did the alternate Savannah Way mid June this year... I was towing my 12ft tinny, not and off road trailer, with my GQ Patrol. We went from Mount Isa to Gregory Downs, the dirt way, from there we went to Leichardt Falls via the Augustus Downs road, all dirt except for a bit of bitchy out from Gregory. We went to Normanton from the falls then halfway up to Karumba to the turn off of the Burke Dev. Rd. Followed that all the way to Chillago. All the dirt was well maintained and we averaged 80km/h easily. We weren't pushing it either as we were on holidays! There were a few rough spots in places e.g. river crossings but we passed plenty of caravans, sedans, camper trailers etc. The road up to Karumba from Normanton is great and wont pose any problems for caravans. As far as the Savannah Way from Leichardt falls to Bourketown and beyond i'm unsure on its condition. Hopefully this info is useful for ya, Whatever way you go they are all good fun and there's plenty to see and do! Brian, Mount Isa  

·    Every year will be different of course depending on rain/flood damage, road repair work et al. This month in 2005 we did exactly what Alan and Barbara are planning in our Jackaroo and Supreme Getaway van in convoy with a Trakka conversion Toyota Coaster bus, always taking our time. In a word - on that trip - no problems until the last ten kilometers before Booroloola where we encountered severe corrugations (from where the local tip turn-off emanates). The weather was warm and sunny. This year conditions may be very different after the wet so please use this information only as a guide to what we encountered and seek plenty of local advice.

From Cairns the road is all sealed to Normanton (and Karumba). Some was single lane but no drama. The gravel road from Normanton to Burketown was very wide and smooth with the section around the Leichhardt River (Falls) being narrower with some minor potholes. From the Leichhardt River to Burketown was almost all sealed. We detoured up to Gregory Downs on a beautiful gravel road (the river swim there is a highlight as is a cold beer at the pub) then across to Lawn Hill - this road was fine, just take your time especially after the mine turn-off from where is was less well maintained. We took the direct route to Doomadgee (not via KFC which was closed), all of this was across good firm farm roads. The river crossing at the Lawn Hill end on to that road was about 300 to 400mm that year. If its wet forget it as there is lots of black clay which is concrete hard when dry and the exact opposite when wet. The huge wetlands on the river just east of Doomadgee just before the long concrete causeway crossing were full of flowers and birds (and salties too they said).

West of Doomadgee there was a fair amount of sealed road after which the real gravel began. Again take your time. The last I heard Hells Gate Roadhouse was closed hence no fuel. A shame as the camping/van area was very nice and the signs in the toilets a real stroke of outback understatement.There were quite a few quite shallow river crossings with excellent approaches akin to a sealed road - but again, take your time, pick the shallow sections and you will have no problems. There was lots of traffic so at most crossings you could almost watch some-one else or follow successful crossing driplines both sides.  From Booroloola we went out to Kingfisher Camp for several nights - its sealed until the turn off and was a bit ordinary from there in (?5km?), again take your time. The old trick of driving very slowly on the wrong side of the road when we could do so safely saved us some shaking. Kingfisher Camp had a bar and great weekend feasts that year - worth the few dollars spent to support the fishing club. From Boroloola to Katherine and beyond the highway is all sealed.

Fuel - Karumba (was cheaper than Normanton that year), then at Burketown. There was fuel available that year at Gregory Downs also at Lawn Hill. After which its Doomadgee (which closed at  midday Saturday for the weekend that year) after which (unless Hells Gate has re-opened) its either Boroloola or the fuel terminal at Kingfisher Camp. Cape Crawford is next then Daly Waters. Do not miss a night there, the food and show at the pub are legendary, but arrive early to ensure a site where there is shade. The WW2 airport is well worth a visit.

We cannot emphasise enough the need to take your time, and take some air out of your tyres. Another traveller, in a brand new 4WD, and towing a brand new "off-road" caravan (raced ) and beat us across the section from Hells Gate to Boroloola's Kingfisher Camp by four hours - he spent the next five hours retightening every screw in his van. He had done the same 'race the clock trick' the day before from Normanton to Hells Gate and spent hours rescrewing his van that night. Apart from some dust ingress and a repairing a couple of broken plastic fittings we had a peaceful end to that day's travel.

There is very little to nothing in the way of phone contact once you are "really out of town on the gravel". HF Radio or Satphone are the only go for long distance comms. We were scanning UHF 18 and 40 all the way which gave us some degree of warning of approaching vehicles. And of course headlights on all the time. Enjoy your trip!  Its a great drive. Helen and Barry  

·    We have just returned from a trip in early June along the Savannah Way . Our convoy consisted of 7 vehicles, 2 were towing off-road camper trailers and 2 were towing off-road caravans. From Cairns to Normanton is sealed and is good bitumen. Burketown to Cape Crawford is unsealed, but is good gravel. The main problem is river crossings which can be quite challenging, e.g. the Calvert River crossing was full of boulders. The Roper Bar river crossing and road just south of the crossing were closed due to a late cyclone in the area, but there was access to Lorella Springs and Limmen National Park (both tope spots!) from Cape Crawford . This road was okay for caravans but there were some river crossings to negotiate. We had been recommended to use the Daly Waters route as the Katherine – Roper Bar Rd is very rough especially on tyres. Anyway it gave us the opportunity to visit the famous pub at Daly Waters. Later in the year, water levels would be lower and the roads graded. Anne & John Morton. Lifestyle Video Productions.  www.lifestylevideos.com.au  

Paper versus Digital

·    In my past travels I have found it invaluable to not only carry both paper and digital maps but usually maps from several different publishers. Often one map will show something the other misses, even the Gregorys a5 tour book and the Vicroads is handy. 

So my outback travels usually have digital versions of Westprint (of course), as well as Natmaps 250,000 series, Hema atlas and the aforementioned Gregory’s guide. The atlas was good for the last trip as the last week we abandoned the plan due to wet weather, so apart from Hema we only had Co-pilot to go by. Street signs came in handy and the free handouts from tourist info shops for the detailed stuff.

P.S good to see the desert green, camped at Coopers creek to watch the floods ooze through. And full marks to Trevor at Wrights air for the low and slow flight over Lake Eyre , you will need to book. $220 really well spent.

David, Ballan.  

Friday Funnies

From Jim.

·    Paddy said to his mate Mick, “I’ll think I’ll get a new dog, probably a Labrador ”

“I wouldn’t get a Labrador Paddy, they send you blind”  

·    While having their evening meal together, a little girl looked up at her father and asked, "Daddy, you're the boss in our family, right?"

The father was very pleased to hear it and confidently replied, "Yes my little princess."

The girl then continued, "That's because mummy put you in charge, right?"  

·    Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.  

·    The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.  

From Ken

Q. What's the crispy skin on roast duck called?  A. Quackling.

Q: Do dads always snore?  A: No, only when they are asleep!

Son: How much does it cost to get married, Dad?

Father: I don't know son, I'm still paying for it.  

• Anthony sent a great email that is going around, sent by Kevin Rudd…

“Hey guys it's me, Kevin.

Remember that $900 I lent you last year? Yeah well I lost my job and I'm gonna need that back....”  

• From Diane

Spotted outside a church in Michigan :

"Honk if you love Jesus. Keep on texting while you drive if you want to meet him."

 

To all of our Faithful Friday Five readers.

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Cheers for now,

Jo

 

 

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