It was that time of the year again to run our annual trip to the desert country over the Mother’s Day weekend. We normally include the Border Track on this trip, but this time round we decided not to do it and chose a few tracks around the Big Billy bore campground area so we could base camp for Saturday and Sunday nights.
Even though the Border track was not included, we still had twelve 4wds for this trip.
Friday 7th May
Friday saw us all leaving at various times and arriving at camp throughout the day and into the evening.
Paul, Keith, Lachlan and I left Bridgewater by 1pm with Steve following us. We stopped in at Wycheproof for a quick break before continuing on to Rainbow where we refuelled and had a chat with the local police officer.
When we arrived at the O.T.I.T campground we were greeted by Jim, Narelle and Alex who had a nice campfire going for us. Soon after Ian drove on in and shortly after that Allan arrived.
Paul broke the silence of the bush camp by getting the chainsaw out and gathered some more wood. We had the campground to ourselves and could all spread out, with Alex taking the highest point to take in the awesome sunset.
We had all set up camp and gathered around the campfire for a chat and to have some tea, when we heard a vehicle approaching camp. We all thought it was a follow camper arriving but it was the local police office just checking in on us.
After a chat the officer left camp and we continued to chat and finish off tea. Then we received a call from Geoff and Leanne staying they couldn’t find camp, so Steve and Paul set out to find them and lead them back to camp. We found out later they were on the opposite side of lake Albacutya.
As they all returned to camp Naomi and Leo arrived. Later on that evening Tim, Pip and Libby arrived, followed by Luke. Once all camps were set up, we all enjoyed a chat and a few drinks around the fire with the last of us going to bed around 1am.
Saturday 8th May
We woke to a foggy morning and as we were packing up Deb and Robert arrived around 8:20am. They were joining us for their very first club 4wd trip.
Everyone’s camps were all packed and we were all ready to hit the tracks, but we had to wait for one more vehicle which was running a little late. They got a bit lost and went to the wrong campsite.
Once they arrived and aired down and had a morning debrief. By 9:25am we left camp and hit the tracks. Within seconds we locked it into 4wd and travelled up and over the first sand dune. At the bottom we were back in 2wd and turned left into Webemlin Track. Driving along this dirt track we had to avoid all the Kangaroos.
Turning left into Purra Track we locked it back into 4wd hoping to find our first patch of soft sand, but unfortunately the sand was fairly compacted and just required a little bit of momentum. Further along this track we stopped for a 5 minute break so everyone could put their travel ovens on. From there we continued along Purra Track then right into Milmed Rock Track. At the next intersection we crossed straight over the main dirt road and pulled in for morning smoko (10:40am). After a fifteen minute break we continued along Milmed Rock Track. We soon came across a sand dune. Paul went over using a bit of momentum and by picking the right line. We got on the radio to let people know of the condition of that dune and thought everyone would be fine. Deb and Robert who are new to four wheel driving approached the dune and drove over it and expressed their excitement over the UHF (the look on their faces was priceless). Leanne also did this as it was new to her being in the driver’s seat. A few 4wds after them had to have a couple try’s, but all made it up with no recovery gear required.
By 1:20pm we arrived at Milmed rock for lunch. Around an hour later we decided to continue on the Milmed rock track. Leaving our lunch spot we drove along the sandy track and then saw a dune we needed to drive up. We all drove over this dune without trouble, except Dave who had to have a second attempt. Further on another dune appeared and you could see some wombat holes on it. Paul attempted this one and didn’t quite make it to the top, so he reversed back down and took a different line and made it over. All the other 4wds made it over with no troubles.
By 3.30pm we’d reached the end of the track where we said goodbye to Deb and Robert. They went left on the Murrayville track while we turned right and headed to Big Billy Bore campground. We all thought that the campground would have other campers there, but to our surprise the campground was empty. Due to this we all spread out, with two campfires in two separate areas. Afternoon tea was put out by the trip leaders for everyone to enjoy.
A 600m return walk can be taken from the campground to a viewing platform. This elevated area takes in the surrounding views and also gives you mobile phone reception, (not that we need it while camping but it was handy this night to check on the approaching weather).
As the night went on, we had a few light showers of rain pass through. With two campfires burning a small group gathered at each for some drinks and laughs. One campfire saw people heading off to bed around 9:15pm and the other finished up by midnight.
Sunday 9th May
Sunday saw us on the tracks by 9:15, turning right out of camp along the Murrayville Track. Just before reaching the turn off there was a call over the UHF that Dave had dropped three of his recovery boards. They picked them up and secured them back on his vehicle and they continued on. This was a timely reminder to make sure that your load is secured before leaving camp.
After the corrugations on Murrayville Track, we arrived at Cactus bore and drove to the top of the lookout. The first handful of vehicles made it to the top and waited for the rest of the convoy to catch up. When we caught back up we descended from the lookout and then shortly after we turned into Coburn Track. Here is where Tim started to be tail end Charlie for us, this gave the opportunity for his two daughters (Pip and Libby) to talk over the UHF and allow the trip leaders know that the convoy were all heading in the correct direction.
We arrived at Thompsons Peak around 10:30am and we all headed up the track one at a time. This gave us a good opportunity to take a photo of each four wheel drive in the convoy.
At the top we all pulled up and to the left of us we could see a higher peak, with two options to drive up. Multiple people attempted the climb, giving us some entertainment while enjoying morning smoko.
Paul attempted this in his 80 series cruiser but couldn’t make it and neither could Tim in his Patrol. Steve in his Prado made it up, as did Luke in his Hilux. After many attempts with Geoff and Steve driving the Isuzu, Geoff finally made it. Naomi also had several attempts and didn’t succeed. We then convinced her to try the other side and I jumped into the passenger seat and up we went. On our first attempt we didn’t make it, so we chose a different gear option and had another go, just missing out on reaching the top. Luke and Leo threw the recovery boards under the wheels and we got to the top. (Sorry Naomi for speaking too soon and saying “we have got this”). Allan, Keith, Lachlan, Ian, Jack, Pip and Libby took to the old shanks pony and walked to the top of the peak.
We all descended (11:40am) and followed Steve along the ridge line and down off Thompson peak. At the base we took the lead again and went on past Red Gum campground, then along firebreak track, where we let Steve take the lead again to enjoy the fresher sand. By 12:35pm we pulled into Bluegum campground where we had lunch. This is a big open campground with some tables and chairs and fire pits but no toilets.
An hour later we were back on Firebreak Track. 10 minutes later we turned into Old Murrayville track where we said goodbye to Ian, Tim and the girls. After their departure Luke, Naomi and Leo headed straight on and back onto the Murrayville Track, and on to Big K dune to have a play before heading home.
The rest of the convoy went down the Old Murrayville Track. This was a lovely little drive up and over sand dunes taking in the views. At a few of the crests we had to stop to see which way the track went. One of the crests we went over looked like you were on the Border track. At the end we turned back onto Catcus Bore Track, through the corrugations again and back to the Murrayville Track (2:40pm).
We continued along until we reached Delisio Track which takes you to the Big K dune. Naomi and Leo were airing up and getting ready to leave, but they had to wait for Luke who had damaged the rim on his ute. While they did this, Steve, Geoff and Alex attempted the Big K dune. Even with four options to reach the peak, no one could make it. Geoff was the closest to reaching the peak but even with some track building he still couldn’t achieve it. (Very good effort Geoff).
Around 4:30pm Luke, Naomi and Leo left and headed back to Bendigo. Shortly after we left and headed back along Delisio Track and onto the Murrayville Track and back to Big Billy Bore campground. We stopped along the way for a bit of firewood and to put some air back into Geoff’s tyres to get him back to camp. His pressures were very low from when he was attempting to climb the sand dune.
20 past 5 saw us back at camp and getting a fire going. We all set about doing our own thing and getting tea.
Tea was consumed and we were all sitting around the fire thinking how nice it would be to have something cooked up in the camp oven, so Narelle, Leanne, Lachlan and I went over to the Cruiser to see what we could do. We made a cake mixture up with some dried mixed fruit and apple and cinnamon oats. We placed the mixture into a cake tin, then placed it inside the camp oven and put it near the fire for 15 minutes. Once cooked it was served to everyone and enjoyed by all. As the night went on we enjoyed laughs around the campfire, ending the night around 12:30am.
Monday 10th May
We woke to a beautiful sunrise thinking it would be a nice day but we finished up having showers of rain passing though for most of the day.
By 8:30 Geoff and Leanne headed for home and the rest of us finished packing up before the rain started. Dave and Jack were still packing so we all went under the BBQ shelter to wait for them. Morning debrief was had and we headed off out of camp by 9am, along the Murrayville Track, reaching the turn off for Chinaman’s Well Track (9:48am) where we stopped for Dave to air down. Then we continued on hoping to get some mud in the clay pans but we were out of luck. We had morning smoko at 10:50am at Chinaman’s Well. After getting mud caked onto our boots, we hopped back into our vehicles to continue on. There was one difference in the next part of the trip and that was that I actually got behind the wheel and drove my first 4wd track! I left the Well and drove through all the whoop-dee-doos and at the end of the track we turned left onto the main dirt road. We travelled a short distance and found a spot to air up. We were lucky that the rain stopped long enough for us to air up. Here we said good bye to Alex who was continuing to explore the area.
Paul then took over driving again and we went into Rainbow, where we said bye to Dave and Jack and the rest of us went and had lunch at the servo. Following this we travelled back to Bridgewater stopping at Wycheproof for a break. The trip home saw us going through showers of rain, which was heavy at times, especially through Charlton. At Bridgewater we said goodbye to Steve, Narelle, Jim and Allan and they headed back to Bendigo and we headed up the road to home.
Participants
Paul, Fiona, Keith and Lachlan 80 series
Steve Prado
Narelle and Jim Patrol
Naomi and Leo Prado
Geoff and Leanne Isuzu
Ian Patrol
Tim, Pip and Libby Patrol
Luke Hilux
Alex Patrol
Allan Triton
Dave and Jack Holden Jackaroo
Deb and Robert Isuzu MU-X
Narelle and Jim 
Alex 
Tim, Pip and Libby 
Dave and Jack 
Allan 
Ian 
Steve 
Paul 
Naomi and Leo 
Luke 
Afternoon smoko 
Geoff and Leanne 
O.T.I.T campground 
Leaving O.T.I.T campground 
Big K dune 
Views from Big Billy Bore
