Welcome Back BBQ – February
Best of Lerderderg – February
Card Making – February
By Jean – For something different, I organised a card-making day with a friend as the instructor.
The afternoon started with lunch and lots of chat and laughs. The first card was a 3D window with some very checky seagulls. We had a short break for afternoon tea.
The second card provided a bit more of a challenge, as we got to use our creativity and arrange coloured hexagons in a pattern that pleased us. This took some concentration and actually made a period of silence. Once we had our patterns, we were given rabbits, a fox, turtles, and clouds to colour in and attach how we chose. It was a fun afternoon, and we were all pleased with our cards.
Camphost – Murrindindi Scenic Reserve – March
The Club did Camp Host at Murrindindi Scenic Reserve over the long weekend. In addition to providing information and conducting surveys, we also got to enjoy the area. There was even time to get in some 4WD, knitting, and toast marshmallows over the campfire.
Two afternoons, we did some 4-wheel driving in the area, while some of the road surfaces were reasonable, some tracks were extremely overgrown and too narrow to get down.
Fowlers Bay, South Australia – March/April
Travelling camp meandering around the south coast. Taking in the Beachport area, Eyre Peninsula, Venus Bay, and Fowlers Bay, returning a little inland via Mt Ives Station. Dog-friendly trip.
Cheese Making – March
We had a day making cheese. Thanks to Sabrina for being our instructor. We all enjoyed our day and had Ricotta, Camembert, and feta cheeses to take home.
Autumn Dinner – May
Everyone had the choice to bring a main meal or a dessert.
A very big thank you to our hosts for a very successful evening.
Rubicon River Valley tour – May
A scenic day trip exploring the Rubicon River Valley.
Cape York – June/July
Club members made it to the most northern tip of Australia, Cape York.
The trip started after everyone arrived in Cooktown. While at Cooktown, we drove out to Elim Beach, we did a couple of creek crossings and had a few washouts to negotiate. We then went down onto the Beach to the coloured sands. The club left Cooktown bright and early on their way to “Old Laura” homestead (established 1882) via Battle Camp Road. On our way, we stopped at Lakefield National Park, saw the beautiful Endeavour Falls, and Isabella Falls. Old Laura homestead to Musgrave Roadhouse via New Laura and north on the Peninsula Development Road (PDR). We passed large magnetic termite moulds, Hann River, and passed many lagoons with beautiful water lilies.
Musgrave Roadhouse, we drove down to Port Stewert, then to Coen, where we camped next to the river, Coen to Weipa with a stop at the Archer River roadhouse and a walk along the old causeway across the river. The roadhouse had a memorial to Toots Holzheimer, the first lady truck driver to deliver goods to the Cape on unmade roads. Top of the range was a lookout with stunning views and very informative display boards; one panel had more information about Toots and her extraordinary feats. We had a few water crossings, a section of sealed road, very good gravel roads, some sections of road works, and of course, corrugations. Getting closer to Weipa there was evidence of mining, and as driving into town past the mine and the port.
While staying in Weipa, some of the group did a cruise to look at crocodiles, others drove to Mapoon and some drove around the town.
Weipa to Bramwell Roadhouse via York and Batavia Downs. Bramwell Roadhouse to Jardine River Ferry via the Bamaga Road, with a stop at Fruit Bat Falls for a swim. Jardine River Ferry to Bamaga.
From Bamaga, we made it to the tip of Cape York, and another day, some members did a tour to Thursday Island by ferry.
Bamaga to Captain Billy Landing, crossing the Jardine River on the ferry. Captain Billy Landing to Moreton
Telegraph Station. Moreton Telegraph Station to Chili Beach via Telegraph Road and Lockhart River. Chili Beach to Archer River Roadhouse. Archer River Roadhouse to Hann River Roadhouse.
Hann River Roadhouse to Cooktown, some of the club members had left the trip earlier at Alau Beach, Bamaga.
Farina – July
Members have found it rewarding to volunteer at Farina. Some members worked on the stonework, who worked really hard at the Post Office and then the Old Police Station, and it’s now looking great. After the clean up around it, tidying the old car and then the great stonework it has undergone, a transformation this season. One member did the meet and greet at the bakery, welcoming people and giving information, etc, if needed, and another worked in the bakery. Morning teas were provided from the bakery, yummy.
Beyond Farina – July
Canning Stock Route – July/August
The route is 1850 kms long, running SW (even though the wells are numbered beginning in the south) from Halls Creek in the Kimberley region to Wiluna in the mid-west region. There was a proposal for a stock route through the desert in 1905; the route had been traversed in 1896 by the Calvert Expedition. Alfred Canning surveyed the route in 1906-07 from Wilnua to Hall Creek. Water was needed for up to 800 head of cattle, about a day’s walk apart. It crosses three deserts: the Great Sandy Desert, the Little Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert. About 20 cattle drives took place between 1931 and 1959.
After leaving Kalgoorlie, we headed to Wilcuna and to Well 1, which is a rusted tank and decrepit windmill. Well 1A (North Pool) lovely oasis surrounded by rocks and gum trees with almost permanent water. We finally aired down at Well 2 (ruins), then Well 2A (The Granites). We winched water from a few wells but only used it for washing ourselves and our clothes.
Stopping at various wells along the way, some having water, some in very poor condition, others caved in to the point where only a depression remains. Frere Range, Well 3A (not visited by us), 4A, and 4B aren’t original Canning wells (built in 1929 by William Snell). We stopped at Windich Spring (between Well 4A, and 4B), a large semi-permanent pool on Kennedy Creek. Well 5 is worth mentioning in that it has a dry composting toilet, and the deepest well on the CSR at 32 metres. The well and structures were restored in 2004 by the Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club of WA and painted in their club colours, orange and green.
On our way from Well 5 to Well 6, we stopped to admire our first real sand dune; it had great views of the Carnarvon Ranges about 40 kms away. We then saw Wells 7, 8 and 9 (Weld Spring, which was next to a windmill and cattle yards (currently not in use)), Well 10 (Lucky Well), Well 11 (Goodwin Soak, which looks decrepit and is in a swamp).
We then really got into dune country and then passed Aerodrome Lake. Well 12 has collapsed and very little infrastructure remains, and just before Well 13 (Pulpurumal), we saw a burnt out Landrover. Well 14 (Djindjimal, in the same condition as Well 12), Well 15 (Mandjangga, remains of a cattle trough). On route to Well 16 (Lawulawa) we stopped to look at Rankin’s trolley (Abandoned during his second attempt to walk the CSR in 1973). On top of the Durba Hills is the Cannings Cairn which one of our members climbed too.
Well 17 (Killagurra Spring and Gorge, closed due to vandalism of ancient Aboriginal rock art), we then arrived at Durba Springs, which is a really beautiful place.
MORE TO COME NEXT MONTH
Blackwood – Daylesford Day Trip – October
A day trip from Blackwood to Daylesford, finishing at the Blow Hole at Hepburn. Includes a stop at Wombat Dam for lunch. All had a very enjoyable trip.
4WD Victoria’s 50th Anniversary
Peter and Jean represented the club at the 4WD Victorian 50th Anniversary held in Merrijig. What a stunning setting with the hills and mountains all around and perfect weather. Friday evening, the local Lions club provided a BBQ. A local winery, distillery and brewery set up for the weekend as well as a doughnut van. Friday evening’s entertainment was a Horse Show that also performs at the Longreach Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
Saturday morning was a leisurely start, with not much happening due to a power failure in the area and the need to set up a generator. There were a few trade stalls set up along with some activities for children and 2 food vans. We caught up with friends from other clubs and chatted to many others about what their clubs do.
Saturday afternoon with the power restored we sat around in the sunshine and listened to live music. 6pm was the official part of the weekend with lots of speeches from local politicians, etc. The founding President of 4WD Vic also spoke. We had chatted with him earlier in the day. He is in his 90’s. The speeches were followed by the cutting of the birthday cake and everyone got a piece. Many of us then went back to our campsites for dinner and sat around campfires talking. The Band was good and could be heard from the camping area.
Sunday morning, the celebration breakfast didn’t eventuate, but many of us took advantage of the food truck for egg and bacon rolls and coffee. Then it was time to pack up and make our way back home.
East Gippsland Explorer – November
Christmas Party – November