Cairns to Broome and back

[Kevin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kevin]

The interary so far

23/08/2008 Cairns The Lynd
24/08/2008 The Lynd Hughenden
25/08/2008 Hughenden Hughenden
26/08/2008 Hughenden Winton
27/08/2008 Winton Winton
28/08/2008 Winton Boulia
29/08/2008 Boulia Plenty Hwy
30/08/2008 Plenty Hwy Jervois
31/08/2008 Jervois Alice Springs

Haven't worked out exactly what we will do at/after we arrive at Alice Springs yet. Hopefully we will catch up with my parents there (they are "Grey Nomads" that are currently somewhere south of Perth)

Additional Mods
After blinding every Possum from Townsville to Cairns after the 4wd training course we did a month, I decided that the bus needed air bags, so I had them install last break and went up the range to Tinaroo for the weekend after fitting and they improved the handling markedly.

Have purchased a GME MT410G EPIRB (WITH GPS) (MT410G) and a couple of small 1watt hand held UHF radios (GME TX650) to supplement the UHF in the car. Have ordered a R&R Beadbreaker Tyre repair kit.
Also purchased the Outback Travellers Guides to the Plenty Hwy and Tanami Road.

Next on the shopping list is some spare radiator hoses and fan belts. Also need to look at extending the mudflaps on the rear to stop debris going over the top of the rock guard on the front of the trailer.

Have a couple more shake down trips planned over the next couple of months, Innot Hot Springs and then Cooktown/Lakefield NP during the school holidays.

Cheers,
Kevin

[mototrim Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mototrim]

Ripper trip Kev,

Look forward to your report and pics enjoy

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

The Lynd to Hughenden has Porcupine Gorge on route also with lots of points of interest which are worth exploring.
Porcupine Gorge is quite a walk down and back but well worth it. Take plenty of water if you do walk. There is a National Park campground there with a pit toilet also. I camped there last time I went through and it is not too bad for an overnighter if you are self sufficient.
The round pool table at Hughenden's Royal Hotel is an eye opener. :shock: If you do go there the locals are usually pretty friendly and should be able to provide advice on most things.
Hughenden to Winton is bitumen all the way and should only take a 2 odd hours to drive. Towards Winton the road gets down to single lane I think so give way to the trucks and you will have no worries.
Winton is the home of Banjo Patterson's "Once a Jolly Swagman." You will be in sheep country around there. You should see lots of Galahs at sundown there too. There is usually thousands around that area.
Beware that Winton relies on bore water for its town supply and although they say it is safe to drink, you will find the sulfur in it will stink like rotten eggs!!
Most tourists have very short showers there.
From Winton to Boulia is bitumen but I dont think it is that wide in places. Boulia is the home of the camel so if you are lucky you might see some out that way. You can buy camel meat from the butcher also if you are into that kind of thing.
The area out that way has missed all the rain this year and is in severe drought. There is currently lots of road trains moving livestock, but they have probably gone by the time you get there.
Sounds like a great trip so far.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Did you do this trip Kevin? If so, are you still on the road (where) and any pics yet?

[Kevin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kevin]

Just got back yesterday after a shorter but no less hectic trip to Uluru and back. Just over 6000km in 18 days...

I will try and find some time over the next few days between cleaning the car and camper to post a trip report.

Cheers,
Kevin

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

No worries... I am planning on heading over towards Broome in the next couple of weeks and thought we might cross paths if you were still following your original itinerary.

Look forward to seeing your pics and hearing of your travels.

Cheers. 8)