To the Flinders and Back vi CC

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

No way, wouldnt consider it.
Dont have anywhere enough time anyway.

At the moment, Im probably doing Sydney-Broken Hill day 1, Yunta, Waucharinga, Hawker day 2, then play it by ear and slow down.
Moralana drive, Brachina Gorge Rd, and Id like to do the Blinman to Parachilna Rd while in the Flinders.
Not sure how thats going to work out, I need to sit down a do some serious map duties!

Cheers
Marc

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

I did the Blinman to Parachilna road in a Mazda3. The 4wd will eat it.

I think the key to all this 4wd stuff is to stop and smell the roses so to speak. Get off and see everything you can while you are there. The hard part is to know what to see.

I'm glad the Brachina gorge and Ridge Top tour paid off Marc. Did you do the observatory thing?

Last time I was there, I stayed in a caravan park at Rawnsley Park. These overseas ppl kept going into the camp kitchen and the lights were timer operated (2hrs). Well, not after I pulled the fuse . Then I could see all the shooting stars and satellites etc.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Ha mate, pulling the fuse...very smart.....we had crap weather in the Flinders, just the day we were leaving was sunny so I gave the observatory a miss...no point looking at clouds.

As an aside (and I love my stars) had an amazing experience in Birdsville...the Coppers wife is an astrologist and does a star gazing show..... has an incredible telescope (all GPS and computer controlled)...and the 90 mins we did with her was breathtaking.....clear sky, no lights....just us (12 of us) and a HUGE telescope and one very clever lady...great show if you ever get there!!

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

So far I think the trip is going to look like this:

Day 1:
Sydney to Broken Hill, approx 1150 k's, a little ambitious I know but want to get out there.
Done it before so no big deal.
Day 2:
Silverton, Yunta, Waukaringa, Old Barrata, Bucketowie Hill, Cradock, Hawker, approx 400 k's.
Day 3:
Taking my time to enjoy now , Moralana Scenic Drive, Parachilna, Parachilna Gorge to Blinman, head south to Brachina Gorge, backtrack a bit and head south to Wilcono, Wilpena Pound, approx 250k's.
Day 4:
Head to Arkaroola, havent planned that far yet

Cheers

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Marc,

I noticed yesterday (while planning our own itinerary) that most of Mungo (Walls of China, the loop road, etc.) is closed for the foreseeable future due to water damage - might want to check that out.

From ExplorOz

Closed areas

Closure of Pastoral Loop due to flood damage - Zanci Pastoral Loop

Due to flooding and subsequent road damage, the Pastoral Loop is CLOSED until further notice.

Closure of self-guided tour due to flood damage - Self-guided Drive Tour

Due to flooding and subsequent road damage, the Self-guided Drive Tour is closed until further notice.

Walls of China closed due to flood damage - Walls of China

Due to flooding and subsequent road damage the Walls of China area is CLOSED until further notice. Viewing the Walls of China is possible via the boardwalk area.
be aware that all roads in and around the park are closed after rain.

Following my position at work being made redundant last week - after 15 years with them - we're planning to use up some of my payout (and free time) and do a few weeks outback from the end of August as well. Heading south to the Great Ocean Rd, then up through SA to Marree and William Creek to see Lake Eyre (it was empty 11 years ago when we were last there, so have a flight booked to see it from above with water this time). Then up the track to Birdsville, Inamincka, CC and Tibooburra through to Broken Hill and back home.

Might cross paths somewhere!

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Might cross paths somewhere!

Hope so mate

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

This is the current plan.
This will give me a couple days of no travelling if I so choose or to do extra stuff like scenic flights etc.
If anyone is interested in the gdb or gpx file, just pm me.
Things will probably change as things do when you only have yourself to worry about

1 Home to Hillston 623 km
2 Hillston to Broken Hill 463 km
3 Broken Hill to Hawker 387 km
4 Hawker to Wilpena 218 km
5 Wilpena to Arkaroola 295 km
6 Arkaroola to CC 431 km
7 Camerons to Bourke 558 km
8 Bourke to Cowra 609 km
9 Cowra to Lowther 184 km
Then home

Cheers

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

damn you putting this post up .

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

Following my position at work being made redundant last week - after 15 years with them - we're planning to use up some of my payout (and free time) and do a few weeks outback from the end of August as well.

Not working with Cisco were you? I heard they were downsizing globally.

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

damn you putting this post up .

Can you be crook or on stress leave and need some outback time.......doctors orders

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Not working with Cisco were you? I heard they were downsizing globally.

Nah, the IT part of Optus actually.....

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

Can you be crook or on stress leave and need some outback time.......doctors orders

i can be very ill at any moment , unfortunately i need to work to pay the $1800 fuel bill from the cape . no work no fun tickets . but you really got me thinkin . don't let anyone tell you its too quick . better to do it , than not do it . gives you an excuse to go back .

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

We did Broken Hill to Wilpena no probs in a day, even stopped at Peterborough for some supplies!!

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

I think I will bypass the Cut Line and Bourke since Im told 1) Bourke is a s**^%hole and 2) The Cut Line is 400k's of dead straight boring!
So I think I will head through to White Cliffs and Wilcania then Tilpa and onto Cobar from CC.
Probably wont do that in a day as its about 800k's+ but there should be plenty of decent camping spots on the way I reckon.

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Satellite tracking

In case anybody is interested, the link below is my Spotwalla webpage for this trip.
Its live satellite tracking of my location every ten minutes (in theory) via google earth maps.

Basically means anyone can follow my progress in relatively real time (and also see if I get in trouble) and see where I am and can zoom in for a good look at the location too

I would paste the html but dont have permission so heres the link.

It will become active on Friday once Ive left Sydney.

http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?...b4e43c4fd10134

Cheers