Date: June 24th 2011

Westprint Friday Five June 24th 2011  

Included this week:

• Kingoonya
• Tanami Road
• Corner Country

 

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Friday Five  

1.      The Exodus. Bob Magor pokes some more fun at caravanners. From blokes doing the supermarket shopping to line dancing. Bob also throws in some serious thoughts on campfires and the local fire services. “Having just received a copy of The Exodus I have to say it is a must have for those fortunate to have been around a bit - or perhaps lessons for those just starting! A great belly laugh or a continual smirk - do yourself a favor and buy it!” $16.95 plus post. Add to Cart

 

2.    Bury Me Vertical. R M Winn. Have you heard the one about the codger who fed his greyhound his heart medicine to make it go faster at the track? What about the bloke who was growing six-foot ears of corn in his ute? Or the penny-pinching Scotsman who’s last request is to be buried upright? Everyone knows someone who tells a good story. You find these blokes propping up the bar, or at the sale yards, or you run into them down the road. Ryle Winn knows more of these yarn-spinners than most. $29.95 plus post. Add to Cart 

 

3.    The Country Undertaker: When Mick Eames, footballer and spare parts man, moved his family to Holbrook in the 1940s, he had no idea that the job of town undertaker would fall his way. Instead of immaculately attired attendants and battery-operated lowering devices of the city, Mick Eames' lot was much simpler. He had a hearse that wouldn't start, a couple of four-by-twos and a rather unlikely assortment of funeral assistants, including Kelly O'Brien, the very sociable gravedigger who was known to sleep in the job. There are no big names or great moments in history; rather a wonderful assortment of bush stories and a whole cast of supporting eccentrics. $24.95 plus post. Add to Cart

 

4.    Poems of Banjo Paterson & Henry Lawson - Boxed Set. These books are not only for the countless Paterson and Lawson admirers who can now enjoy their work again in this visually exciting form, but also – and perhaps more importantly – for those who have yet to be introduced to the world of two of Australia’s greatest writers. $40.00 plus post. Add to Cart 

 

5.    Strange Country. Anyone who's ever read Mark Dapin's column and features in Good Weekend knows he's an immensely funny, acute and vivid observer of Australian life. In Strange Country, he takes us on a journey through a very different Australia – a country that's eccentric, puzzling, big-hearted, small-minded, nostalgic and sometimes just plain mad. From the last travelling boxing tent to feral urban sewer rats to Vietnam Veteran bikies and the annual Parkes Elvis Festival, his writing illuminates the stranger side of Australian life in a travel book like no other. $25.00 plus post. Add to Cart

 

Products are allocated on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your copy of any of the following books please email info@westprint.com.au with the title you are interested in. All emails will be answered during the following week, either with details of how to pay, or a ‘sorry, the item has already sold’ email. Where possible, postage on multiple items will be recalculated to offer you the best price.  

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.

 

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.

 

National Parks and Wildlife South Australia Outback Region

Desert Parks Bulletin No. 394 17th June 2011

LAKE EYRE NATIONAL PARK

Boating in any type of vessel requires written permission from DENR, and granting of a boating permit will be dependent on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters being resolved.  

INNAMINCKA REGIONAL RESERVE

Floodwaters have receded and the causeway is now open again.  However, Coongie Lakes National Park may be inaccessible for 2011.

Coongie Track, Walkers Crossing Track, Bore Track – Closed.

15 Mile Track and Access to Cooper Creek – Some sites open to 4WD. Policeman’s closed.  Wills Grave open to day visitors only. 15 Mile closed beyond Wills turn off.  Coach camping only in the Town Common.

Cullyamurra Track and Burke’s Grave – Limited areas open to 4WD only.  Cullyamurra Waterhole - limited camping available, only the first section is open.  

WITJIRA NATIONAL PARK and the SIMPSON DESERT RESERVES

Witjira National Park – Open to 4WD with caution. Pedirka PAR is open to 4WD vehicles with caution.

Simpson Desert – Open to 4WD from Dalhousie. Access and exit to the Simpson Desert is via Dalhousie or the Hay River Track.  Some of the Simpson tracks may be hard to locate due to sand drifts and green growth from recent rains.  Some salt lakes may have water in them so please drive around these to reduce the risk of becoming bogged.  Carry extra fuel reserves as up to 50% more fuel may be used currently than a normal desert crossing.

Warburton Crossing – Closed.  

Trip Notes – Canning Stock Route  

• We completed a north to south trip down the CSR on 23rd June. A fantastic once in a life time expedition. Between Wells 5 and 6 the recent rains have wreaked some havoc and one of our guys got through, just. He advised trailers and bigger vehicles would not be able to negotiate the washaways which were just fractionally wider than a 4WD. The uneven ground meant the vehicles would contact the banks in the washaways.

North of Well 9 conditions were navigable, although the southern sides of the sandhills were quite cut up by overly inflated tyres - we passed about 20 - 25 vehicles going north and they all seemed to be managing. Beware some deep washaways in places and a doozy of a sandhill just south of Lake Aerodrome!

The track out from Well 9 to Glen Ayle was in good if a little corrugated condition. The Gunbarrel Highway from Carnegie Station to the Wiluna shire boundary was in perfect condition - recently graded. After that, the rains earlier this year have reduced the Gunbarrel to some of the worst conditions our most experienced guy had seen in 25 years. There are lots of newly created diversions. I am not sure about permits as these were prearranged by our leader. One recommendation is to visit the Balgo Pound and the Art Gallery - stunning scenery and magnificent art work. Mal

Byron Bay to Steep Point Query  

• We are starting to plan a trip from Byron Bay to Steep Point and were wondering if anyone has any information regarding the route and which maps we will need to acquire to do this. Les and Rhonda Wilkinson

Great Central Road Query

• We are planning a trip along the Great Central Road around mid August this year, travelling from Uluru to Leonora then to Norseman and home to The Patch in Victoria. We tow behind our 1995 petrol Prado a Jayco Finch high clearance camper trailer both of which have seen 306000 km of the best part of outback Australia without any hiccups (touch wood). Whilst we will have to do our homework ourselves it would be a help to have any feedback on the condition of the road, permits required, fuel availability, good camping spots and any useful hints and tips etc. Graham

Diamantina Lakes Query

• I was wondering if anyone has recently been to Welford and Diamantina Lakes National Park. I am thinking of touring there at the end of next month and would appreciate any current information on road conditions. I will be travelling in a 4Runner with camper trailer. Terry.

Diamantina Dates

Birdsville Gymkhana - June 25-26

Bedourie Gymkhana - July 1-3

NAIDOC Week - July 3 – 10

Bedourie Camel Races - July 9

Birdsville Bronco Branding – August 12-13

Betoota Races - August 27

Birdsville Races - September 2-3

Bedourie Races - September 9-10

Bedourie Outback Ute & 4WD Wagon Muster - September 9-10  

What’s a Warrambool?  

• In north-western NSW, there are quite a few places where there’s a bridge over something signposted as a “warrambool”. (For example, have a look at the map at http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=197923&cmd=sp ) I assume it means a low-lying area which sometimes has water lying in it, but I’ve been unable to find the word in my Macquarie Dictionary. Even Google isn’t much help. It initially thinks I probably mean “Warrnambool”, and when I insist on “warrambool”, it finds several mentions of the word, but doesn’t provide a definition. Rob

Wikipedia wasn't much help either except it shows a map featuring the Namoi river with a number of different warrambools' that appear to be akin to breakouts from, or small creeks running into the Namoi.

 

Tanami Track update  

• We came off the Tanami Track yesterday (Mon). We went from Alice Springs north. The road is corrugated from end to end to a greater or lesser extent-no graders yet in evidence. We now have bitumen up to about 2 Km north from Tilmouth roadhouse (diesel 205.0 c/l) then 3 lots of 10km up to Yuendemu. The corrugations get bigger up to about Renahans Bore and beyond to the Border. The road between the two mine sites is relatively smooth, evidence of some grader work some time ago. Also OK to Wolfe Creek turnoff from Border. Road into Wolfe Creek NP horrendous. Border to Northern Highway variable with much corrugation for the first half then rough with much stone - bad for tyres. If any chance of rain you will not get through immediately before Rabbit Flat as it is a clay bed. Note Rabbit Flat supplies closed. We towed a Jayco Eagle OR and had no real trouble other than losing a few bits off the Prado - light fittings etc. Need to maintain over 60 k/h to conquer the corrugations-70 found to be best but driving is strenuous work to keep the rig on the road. Good luck. Kevin and Gillian

 

From last week – Caravan storage  

• Rainbow waters Tourist Park at Rainbow Beach stores your van and is only 10 minutes from the ferry at Inskip Point. We have used them on a number of times you can stay there before and after you come back to organize and clean up your 4x4. John and Laurel.

 

From last week - New Caravan Park  

• Do you have a phone number or email address for the new caravan park in Charleville? Robert

Not exactly but the number on the press release is Graham and Debbie Reid. Travel West Bookings: 1800 654 541  

• A big HIP HIP HOORAY to the news of the opening of the Charleville Bush Caravan Park .It's very much "about time!" that something like this service was provided for those of us who actually prefer not to share other people's awful cigarette smoke, obnoxious children, and dogs . May they prosper and grow! Jan O.

• A comment which can be passed on to the new Charleville Bush Caravan park...I wonder if the new proprietors of the bush camp listed in the last news letter realises that many if not most of the larger style RV’s have precious pets and will not add to their finance as they are excluded from their park. Surely a bush setting in a remote area of Oz should be open to allowing pets to be accommodated following all normal care regimes. Lyn and Peter.

• Not suitable for children, no pets and no smoking. I'm sure they'll be flat out! Brian

 

Dog Fence  

• I received a fax this week from the Dog Fence Board to advise the following “THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS ALONG THE DOG FENCE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA OR ALONG THE NSW BARRIER FENCE”

Googs Track Information

• We travelled the main track north to south some 3 weeks ago with no diversions in 2 half days. A great leisurely no hassles trip. We realised that there is a suggestion that the traffic flow should be south to Nth but it was mid-week; we had an enormous red flag up and were scanning. We marvelled at how the south approaches to each dune (about 200in all) were very badly chopped up and had severe ruts, presumably the result of high tyre pressures, vehicles going too fast, some with trailers. On the south approach to one typical dune and for the record we counted 20 ruts about 1m in width and about .5m deep- impossible to avoid, difficult to maintain momentum. So vehicles would crash into and out of the 20 ruts and occupants and vehicle would take a severe pounding with possibly some damage. - bike helmets would help prevent head damage. In our opinion the south approaches may recover with wind and rain filling in the ruts but at the present it would be most unpleasant and to be avoided. Another case of where a track becomes so popular it is mistreated, to the point where it needs a rest. Graeme. LROCV.

 

From last week - Kingoonya  

• I have been to Kingoonya twice in the last 3 years and on both occasions fuel was available there. It is located in a side street at, according to Google Earth, 30 deg 50' 50.82" S 135 deg 19' 03.39" E. It is not a servo or any other business but pumps on a concrete pad that are credit card activated and hence available 24 hours per day. This is the best setup I have seen anywhere in Australia as it requires no attendance from anyone other than yourself. All you need is a valid credit card and something to put the fuel in. I know it has diesel and fairly sure it has unleaded. Chris 

We have also had a call from Kingoonya to assure us there is a full range of facilities. I have asked them for a few paragraphs about Kingoonya for the FF. Stay tuned.

 

Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge

·         This is the correct link for the Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge EOI link – the one you gave is ‘broken’. Kirsten. http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/2274/1669/  

Trip Notes - Corner Country 

·         Recently (May) we travelled from Melbourne to Birdsville via Burra and Marree. The countryside up the Birdsville track was colourful and wildlife abundant. We travelled back via Innamincka, Tibooburra and Broken Hill and got to see the outback in a different light compared to our many journeys over the years up that way. I have to agree with Ruth that a lot of  business’s have had a hard time during the last 12 months or so, however we found most operators of these stores very friendly, informative, and looking forward to welcoming travellers during this and future tourist seasons. If you are travelling thru the Corner Country expect to see a wonderful display of flowers and birdlife around all the lakes and creeks. We stayed at Tibooburra for a night and travelled around the Loop – the wild life was incredible.

We also stayed a night at Theldarpa Station and checked out the old wool scour and the wonderful panorama of the Three Sisters hills. The road conditions during our trip were acceptable considering all the rain they have had up there and the only spot of concern was a 100 metre patch 30 Kms west of Betoota which had been carved up by a heavy vehicle. Of course anyone travelling to the Outback should check with the relevant organizations re current road conditions. My advice would be to pack your vehicle and head off to the outback for some of the best scenery and wildlife you will probably see for many years. Mike  

·         Two weeks ago, I did a trip through Menindee, Broken Hill, from Yunta through the backblocks to Hawker, then Blinman, up the Strzelecki to Cameron Corner, Tibooburra, Wanaaring, Bourke, Macquarie Marshes, and home to Sydney. In general, things looked greener than usual everywhere. I think Harry Redford would be happy to take a mob down the Strzelecki at the moment. There were pools of water where there it’s normally dry (but not on the roads which were in general in good nick). There were patches of ground which looked dry but which were damp and spongy. The Middle Road through Sturt NP is still closed due to Lake Pinnaroo water. Plenty of wild life, especially skippies. Millions of birds in the refreshed Macquarie Marshes. Oh, and also a pretty impressive number of mice everywhere west of about Hillston. The locals told us the plague was mostly over. Catching 60 or 80 a day was in the past now, but for us city slickers, one mouse can seem like too many. Rob.

Friday Funnies

 

·         Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings,

We simply continue to fly....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.

 

• An Arizona Department of Safety Officer pulled over a pick-up truck owner for a faulty taillight. When the officer approached the driver, the man behind the wheel handed the officer his driver’s license, insurance card and a concealed weapon carry permit. The officer took all the documents, looked them over and said. "Mr. Smith, I see you have a weapon permit. Do you have any weapons with you?" The driver replied, "Yes sir, I have a 357 handgun in a hip holster, a .45 in the glove box and a .22 derringer in my boot."

The officer looked at the driver and asked, "Anything else?" "Yes sir, I have a Mossberg 500 12 gauge and an AR-15 behind the seat."The officer asked if the man was driving to or from a shooting range and the man said he wasn't, so the officer bent over and looked into the driver's face and said "Mr. Smith, you're carrying quite a few guns. May I ask what you are afraid of?"

Mr. Smith locked eyes with the officer and calmly answered, "nothing really!"

 

• A cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. 'Have you ever done anything of particular merit?' St. Peter asked.

'Well, I can think of one thing,' the cowboy offered. 'On a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most tattooed biker and smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground. I yelled, 'Now, back off or I'll kick the crap out of all of you!'

St. Peter was impressed, 'When did this happen?'

'Couple of minutes ago.'

To all of our Faithful Friday Five readers.

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Cheers for now,

 

Jo

 

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