Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 00:00

THE DESERT TRIP.
Date 8thApril to 21st April,2006
Hi all
Well I have returned back home still waiting for truck to return home ,which I will explain later as the story progress,
I had a great time, With great people ,even with the mishap of bad diesel mid trip, ( total cost to date $6,985 )

Day 1.Thursday 8th April, Travelled 663 Kms
The trip stated on Thursday 6th April. Left Mooloolaba 5am to meet the others @ Gatton 7.30 am ,Total of 6 vehicles ,4 late model Toyota Cruiser Wagons one only 3 weeks old, 1 Toyota Ute & my 1986 Nissan Patrol, Total 10 Adults ,3 children.
Stop for Lunch @ Roma had a look around & then continued on to Mitchell to camp for the night, Some had a swim in the towns hot Springs, Built Camp fire had tea & a chat around the Fire with a few Ales & a wee Para Port or 2

Day 2 Friday 7th Travelled 636 Kms
Set of for Windorah @ 8am ,Travel on the Warrego Hwy ,through to Charleville no more tar sealed roads ,then on to Quilpie on the Diamantina Developmental Road . Rough corrugated roads now ,then turn on to Cooper Developmental Hwy. 36Kms from Quilpie to go Windorah crossed Cooper Creek
The Landscape has became very barren red soil Plains, red bull dust & trees are becoming very small the further we get from Charleville Booked in to the caravan park behind Windorah Hotel, Tea at the hotel ,& a very big night.
A new diet has entered my life 3 to 5 small flies per day,

Day 3 Saturday 8th Travelled 398 Kms
Left Windorah 10am all bit worst for wear for Birdsville, Travelled on the Diamantina Developmental Road for 110 Kms Turned left on to Birdsville Developmental for Birdsville ,stopped @ the look out about 40kms after turn off ,a memorial stone is erected here for Deon Brook age 20 killed in Helicopter crash 25/4/1966 ,this area is barren as far as you can see. Travelled on to the old hotel ruins @ Betoota for lunch,166 kms still to travel to Birdsville. Well after lunch I lead the rest of the way to Birdsville.
About 60 kms for Birdsville then it happen in the middle of no where , a 4x4 was approaching I advised the others on the radio to slow down, as the 4x4 approached I then realized it was a copper , I wave to him at the same time he turned on his blue & red lights , I stopped & he backed back & walked over . I made a remark gee is there a problem up the road, No he replied to my surprise , no I am doing random breath test, would you please blow into the bag, well he checked us all we all were ok, well we were very lucky it was not earlier that day, I am sure he would of got a couple of us. Arrived Birdsville 4 pm all fuel up for the next days as no fuel till Mt Dare some 500 Kms. Booked in to Caravan park set up camp (No grass, barren as ) then Tea at the Birdsville Hotel & a bit of the brown stuff . We told the locals in the pub about the copper & there all said he has no friends in this town & they are trying to get him out, more about this later.

Day4 Sunday 9th Travelled 89Kms.
( Day 1Desert )
Well to day we start our trip to cross the Simpson Desert east to west via the French line in 3 Days & cross 1100 Sand Dunes which look 4 Days due to the soft sand & large sand drifts ,we where advised that their has been a lot who have turned back so far this year due to very soft sand & large sand drifts, which we were soon to find out about.
Well our first stop was BIG RED 30Kms for Birdsville & the start to cross the Simpson you do not go over Big Red to cross the desert. We had a play hear for about 2 hours with only one making it to the top, it was hard to get a run up to climb as there was a large dip at the very bottom ,Allan in his Land Cruiser made it to the top, with wife watching on ,when he hit the bottom dip he became full air borne it was a great site , no one else got this far up ,but one other vehicle made it 10feet to go, Harry .You had to back of close to the top as there was a straight drop for 20feet on the other side & very soft sand , & you would have to go down & travel a extra 20 Kms to get back to start the desert Trip.
We had morning tea & set of to cross the Desert , Well the first sand dune was about 5 story building high , & I was first to take it on, Bounce & jump all over the place & made it to the top & all I saw was Blue Sky so I stop right on the crest & the front dropped down to the body , I got out & there was a 20 foot drop straight down ,I checked which way the other should take & their made it over with the last to pull me out .Well I dropped the Tire Pressure down to 15 PSI ,Wind was blowing & the sand was like been hit by small rocks, as I was removing one front Tire cap I dropped it & it look of, I made a dive for it & straight over the edge I went, rolling head first down the step dune & no way to stop, Would of made a great video .
We stop for a night camp in the desert, a few beers & more Port , by the fire & we all hit the sack early after a very big day & only travelling 89 Kms in the desert.


Day 5 Monday 10th
Day 2 The Desert
Today we crossed so many sand hills all large sand drifts & steep drop offs, they which run north to south & some we had to make our Road way up, & crossed some large Salt flats & drove a long one north to south to get to Poeppel Corner where Northern Territory, South Australian & Queensland Boarders Meet ,Which is about 180 Kms for Birdsville. Then on to Purni Bore for a 2 o'clock for lunch ,there is a toilet block & showers Bore is hot was drilled years ago looking for oil & only got water, also a lot of small birds .Note along the tracks there are site surveyors markers. Stop about 5 pm for Desert night Camp very clear nights & I have never seen so many stars & also falling stars ,The usually fire , hot meal, beer port & wine .

Day 6 Tuesday 11th
Day 3 The Desert
Well Today started more sand Hills, But the old Nissan said it has had enough, about mid morning & started to get no Diesel & suck air no diesel , Blocked breather Pipe & main fuel Line starting to block, so after bleeding System after every second Sand hill. Late in the afternoon we install direct fuel from a can on roof & made it to camp that night in the desert & still one more to get out of the main desert to Dalhousie Springs & Mt Dare for Fuel, Also today we had a couple of tires roll of the rims in the group.

Day 7 Wednesday 12th
Day 4 the desert
Well stated of this morning to complete the last day of Crossing the desert, but it was not to be with the Nissan ,With a 26 Liters Fuel Tank on the roof , feeding direct into the fuel Pump with a small leak at the connection to the Pump we all thought it would be Ok . Well the Truck was running perfect again , but the leak became to much, travel only 8Klms on 26 Litre every one just enough diesel to get the 150 Klms to Mt Dare ,I had to leave the Truck in the Desert & I arrange on the Satellite Phone for Birdsville to pick in up Quote was to take back to Birsville $4,500 : 00 360Klms tow because of the very soft sand , which I had no option to except as Alice Spring wanted $9000. & the desert was very hot & to stay with the truck was no option Also note RACQ does not cover the Simpson Desert & also Utra care only Pays $3000 Per Year. I was Screwed big Time , with only about 30 klms to travel to get on to gravel road where the French line meets the K1 . I am now a passenger traveling with Allan & his Wife . Arrived Dalhouse Springs Mid Afternoon all had a dip in the hot springs which is very large & a good camping area hot Spring Showers & fresh water. A good meal, good Fire, good beer ,wine,& port. Lost in the desert 1New Spare Tire & rim,1 sleeping Bag ,1 stretcher,3 x 20 liters of fuel, all of the back of table top truck.

Day 8 Thursday 13th
Now one day Behind.
Well I am a passenger now and I have plenty of time to take in the country side .The roads are now red bull dust. Head north via Blood creek they all filled up with fuel at Mt.Dare next fuel 740 Klms & stocked up on soft drinks & VB ,Food. & headed for Chambers Pillars 340 Klms. Traveled though the aboriginal Settle of Finke, The town had a AFL football ground red bull dust love to see a game played in the wet ,Old wrecks of cars parked on the side of the road on the approach to town & leaving , crossed the dry Finke River, & traveled along the old Ghan railway Line, a lot of rail way rail spikes & we where lucky not to spike any tires , some of the railway sleepers still across the road, passed through a couple of historical old railway station,& one old water Tower to fill the old steam trains, Engooraina & Bundooma. Arrive Chambers Pillars about 4 pm set up camp in National park camping area ,Early next morning walked to Chambers Pillars ,some went up the stair way a big climb. The pillars are a great site to see.

Day 9 Friday 14th
Well today we head for the rock as we are booked in , About 4 hour of dirt we are back on the tar surface Stuart Hwy. ( biggest waste of Tax Payers money for the 4WD owners ) Stop at Titikala (Maryvale ) a Aboriginal Art & Craft Centre no body bought anything as you would of had to ring bank manager to arrange a overdraft . All had lunch @ Eridunda Roadhouse the turn of to Ayers Rock & fuel up. Arrived @Yulara the resort area of Uluru (Ayers Rock ) People & Tourist Buses every where, a very large area of resort Accommodation . Booked into a very modern caravan Park, set up camp and headed to a hotel for Tea & a fewwwwww Ales, There was cook your own steak, & I also had Emus Sausage , Kangaroo Steak & Crocodile meat small lots.


Day10-11 Saturday 15th- Sunday 16th Easter
Spent the morning @ rock with all the other tourist to watch sunrise 5 AM .There is a charge of $16 to get to the Rock, the walk up the rock was closed due to the winds. Walked around some of the base of the rock . then went on to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas ) which I believe is far better than Ayers Rock but still plenty of tourist, If you ever get out here make sure you do the 1 Hour walk through the Valley of the Winds. Back to camp & tea & a few beers . I am joining AA when I get Home

Day 12 Monday 17th
Today we head to Kings Canyon Resort & Caravan Park & Hotel Great camping Area 262 Klm
Left Areas Rock & headed for Kings Canyon & back on the red Bull Dust, Stopped @ Curtin Springs Roadhouse to get more Supplies VB as you can only buy 6 a time in Ayres Rock , Arrived King Cannon midday , had Lunch & then to the resorts Hotel about 2Pm for tea left Hotel 12 midnight I was told, I must add I was not by myself.

Day 13 Tuesday 18th
Today we head for Alice Springs after we go to Kings Canyon & do the 2 Hour Walk All not felling great that desert air is my story. It is a great area the walk is for people who feel a lot better than I did, I did the short walk 20min. & then rested ( But that’s Life I Will Live to see an other Day I hope ) Left via Luritja Rd traveled 98Klms to Ernest Giles Rd 97 Klms red Bull dust then on to Alice Springs Caravan Park via Stuart Hwy Tar surface & no Speed Limit ,Arrived Alice Springs mid Afternoon, Set up Camp had tea & sat down & had a few Drinks as this is my Last Night with the Group.

Day 14 Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st April
Well said my goodbyes to all & was dropped in city centre , to sort out to get my truck home & me, Well the truck was not Fixed So I advised them not do any more work on it & I would ring when I am Home. I caught a Plane to Darwin in the Afternoon & caught a Plane the next day back to Brisbane, the RACQ paid for the flight home & will pay for transport of my truck Home, but not for the tow out of the desert as it is not a road the French Line So @ this Point I am $5000 behind more than I paid for the Truck. So to all members or any one who does this Trip have a Spare $5000 Plus & be in Utra Care with RACQ to travel the desert. Also brought Home 3 Darwin Stubbies cost $28.60 ea .

This story will finish when my truck returns
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Getting Truck Home
As on the Monday,1st May, Morning I flew back to Birdsville with one of my sons to bring Truck Home , to check all the gear was still there , cleaned the Fuel tank & replace the fuel line. Well that was the Plan. RACQ said they would pay for my flight to pick up truck, or transport on a truck home.
As the service station said they wanted to replace the Injection system at a cost of $4500 , no way as I had just had them service before I left for the Trip,my diesel mech also said no way also .
Arrived in birdsville 2 o'clock ,Towed truck into caravan park & set up camp.
Next morning work started Tuesday, Wednesday work completed Started Truck running perfect . Then that noise Knock,knock---S-------- Hell shut it down was the quick statement.
Straight to the pub , Wednesday night to Thursday night, & every one new my troubles, Arranged for RACQ to bring truck Home as soon as possible.
Caught a plane to Quilpie on Friday morning & had to stay in Quilpie on Friday night, flew home Saturday,Cost for the trip $1200 ( well whats money) + drinks ???????
Well the truck did not arrive home till the mid June , 1 flood ,3 truck moves, Birdsville -Quilpie,Quilpie - Brisbane ,Brisbane-Sunshine Coast.
Now to fix the Knock ,New motor, short motor,new injector pump ,or new car these where the questions to be asked.
Well none of these thank goodness.
All required change oil & clean sump, Althrough I changed oil & filters before the trip, The sand dunes , the rough tow trip & a old truck the oil cleaned out the motor of all the internal grim & the oil was like tar & it had no oil pressure.
Well test drive time ,hell its vibrating like hell ,back to the drawing board. Bent tail shaft due to fork lift drivers lifting on to trucks ,of to tail shaft repairs Kunda park $127 .
Well 6th July test drive to brisbane & back .PASSED.
THE OLD GIRL IS ON THE ROAD
Note: I have open the CLEARY FIRST NATION BANK for all my Trips, donations & Share Holders required

Tags: 4WD, Tours
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