6/6/2008 - Simpson Desert 2008- Our Tour Begins
With the Finke Desert Race about to kick off, we headed from Alice to Maryvale against the constant flow of 4wds and motorbikes.
Full details and photos soon
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31/12/2007 - Our Desert Adventure Ends
[catching up on the blog from journal notes] Date Tuesday June 12 2007
All are up early again, enjoying the amazing colours of the desert dawn. Frost on the swags and a minus 2 degrees temperature stop nobody, as a crackling fire attracts the risers. The crested bellbirds' call rings out over the red dunes, as the shadows shorten.
It is our last day in the desert and many people wish it could go on, but all are keen to see Eyre creek with water in it, and to tackle Big Red. We set off through some of the softest sand I've seen in the desert for a while. Our tyre pressures are set between 15 and 18 psi, and the engines labour, but nobody gets bogged.
As we head further East, and closer to Eyre creek, the swales moisten, and vast green patches of vegetation begin to appear. As we reach the Eyre creek bypass, we hear on the radio that another convoy is negotiation the bypass, so we call them and advise we will sit it out at the intersection until they arrive. Due to the overflow of the creek carrying silt from far north, the ground is very dusty and meeting vehicles head on in white dust is a recipe for disaster. Eyre creek looks a treat full of water. There is bird life everywhere and wildflowers galore. Native tobacco grows all over the place.
We have a long way still to go and we contemplate camping at Eyre creek and adding and extra day, but we push on. Finally at Big Red, we encounter the usual day-trippers out from Birdsville with 28 psi or more in their tyres, struggling to get up the dune. We wait our turn then all participants make it with ease. The sun is setting and we will have a drive in the dark to Birdsville which is unusual, we usually make it in at about 2 pm. The desert has been quite soft this year, maybe we will add an extra day next year.
 Once in Birdsville, we shower and celebrate with a meal, some wine and beers at the pub. Another great trip ends. And another is about to begin.
Video Here
Be part of our next Simpson Desert Adventure in June 2008.
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6/11/2007 - Off-Line for a While- Computer U/S
Apologies for those of you who have been waiting on communication from me via email. Our main computer an 20 inch iMac G5 has blown the power circuit on the logic board for the second time in two consequtive years. I love Mac's, so simple to use and everything just works so well, but this power circuit issue is frustrating.
Looks like a one week wait for a new board and I've been quoted $1300 plus labour. There is some good news though. Apple are repairing some machines at no cost. Good on you Apple!- mine appears to be the correct code.
So if you are waiting for me to get back to you, I am currently trying to work from backups on an old PC..apologies, we expect to be back on line soon.
David
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19/9/2007 - Second Last Day in the Desert
Today will be our second last last day in the desert. We have a big day ahead of us to get to Peoppel Corner and sufficiently east of it to allow an easy day travel to Birdsville. This will be a big ask, as we are not as far east as we normally are, and Eyre Creek is flooding requiring us to use the bypass.
We head into the big lake country and the desert takes on another dimension all together. The duens now get further apart and higher, and every so often, one comes to the crest of a dune and is gobsmacked by the view over a glistening white lake bed. I couldn't count how many times I've seen it now, but it is still a sight I can't get enough of.
Peoppel corner arrives soon enough and we have some lunch before turning north up the K1 to the QAA. The eastern end of the QAA is softer than I've ever seen it, and it proves to be slow going for a while. As the afternoon draws to a close, we find ourselves in a perfect swale well sheltered.
The fire crackles to life, the drinks are poured and the blanket of stars overhead have us in awe once again...ahh gotta love the Simspon.
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19/9/2007 - WAA to Lone Gum and Beyond
We awake to the rising sun casting an incredible glow over the red dunes. Everyone rises early in this part of the world. No one is keen to miss the sunrise. The calls of the crested bellbirds ring out as the fire crackles to life. Breakfast is soon arranged and the pack up begins before another day's travel. We continue along the WAA for a while before detouring south to the Lone Gum. The tree, a coolibah is actually a "box" not a "gum" but it is the only eucalypt in the Simpson desert. In fact it now has "children", so it won't be lone for much longer. From the Lone Gum we double back north then onto the WAA again, continuing eastward ever eastward. Eventually we come to the end of the WAA and the beginning of the Knolls track. The knolls is easier going, as it is mostly in the swales, but we still crest a few dunes and in one place tavel on the crest of a low dune for a while. The scenery in the desert changes so much most people wouldn;t believe how much. The Knolls track is so different to other parts of the desert.
Pretty soon we arrive at the Apporadinna Atora Knolls. Everyone takes time to climb via the track, while I log in on the HF radio. I also try to reach Justine who is in Queensland, but without success. We continue northward to the French Line where we camp for the night in well sheltered swale.
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11/9/2007 - Purni Bore to WAA Line
From Purni Bore we travel the French line for a while, it is usually a little challenging in a few places, mostly because people just don't let their tyres down to low enough pressure. We like to have a footprint length of 300 to 350 mm which would be 16 to 18 psi on most vehicles. At that pressure the desert is a breeze and we don't cause any damage. We encounter lots of people every year running 28 psi and saying that is deflated because they normally run 42 psi. Invariably we encounter them at Big Red on our last few hours in the desert when they've had several unsuccessful attempts.
Prior to that they've left a trail of damaged track behind them, blissfully unaware of the damage done. We turn onto the Erabena south onto the WAA and continue along it until about 4 pm when we set up camp. Simpson Desert travel is slow. Average speed for most of the early part of the desert is around 20kph, so 100 k is a good day when you factor in sight seeing, photographs, smoko and lunch.
Apart form the amazing sites, the incredibale history, the challenge of the Simspson desert, the thing I love the most is that you can camp wherever you stop. You can't go too far off the track, but there are no designated camp areas east of Purni bore, and in fact some the best places to camp are away from the more popular spots such as the Lone Gum. I do hope that parks and The Friends of The Simpson Desert kepp it this way. It is the only place I know in Australia where there could be thousands of people camped and you would still feel as though you were alone.
While I am talking about the friends of the Simspon Desert- enough with the signs already. Signs are polution in this environment. get rid of the big ugly green things please. If you travel the Simspon Desert and can't navigate without signs then you shouldn't be there.
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11/9/2007 - Simpson Desert- Mt Dare to Purni Bore
We left Mt Dare at about 830 am. The drive to Dalhousie is also a favorite of mine, we travelled across gibber plains disected by gidgea lined creeks then into the jumpup country near Dalhousie. We of course spent quite a bit of time exloring around Dalhousie ruins before heading down jumpup towards Dalhouse Springs. The springs provided a refreshing midday dip for all. Once refreshed we headed for Purni Bore our camp site for the night.
Dalhousie Yards- Photo Mike Evans
Near Dalhousie-Photo Mike Evans
Spring Creek Delta track was again closed, and it looks like it will be closed indefinitely. We took the bypass which winds through some small sand ridges then out onto a huge claypan before entering the sand dunes. "This is your life for the next three days" I remember saying as we crested the first dunes. We soon passed a group f about 5 people who were walking across the desert.
Purni Bore is not too far into the first of the smaller dunes. We spent some time searching for a geocache that we saw last year, but had been reported lost since. The warm shower at Purni Bore was very welcome as it was quite cool. The trick at Purni bore is to ensure you are the last to use the shower as it takes ages for the hot water to come through. :D
There were quite a few people at Purni Bore, and as we set up camp, the walkers arrived to be greeted by their support crews.
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18/8/2007 - Simpson Desert - Alice Springs to Mt Dare
After our Kimberley stint, I returned to Alice Springs for a few days rest before meeting all the participants on our 8 Day Simpson Desert Trip. The first day was a meet and greet and an intro to Alice Springs. On day two we set off down the old south road towards Chambers Pillar. The Finke race was two days away, so there was plenty of traffic on the road, most of it motorbikes. As usual we stopped in at Maryvale station and then went on to the art gallery at Titjikala. The art gallery has been updated and improved, and there was some fantastic stuff there. Most of us bought at least one piece of art, before setting off for Chambers Pillar historical reserve. There had been some rain recently, so parts of the desert were in bloom, particularly around Castle Rock and Chamber's Pillar. We arrived a little earlier than usual, which allowed us to get setup prior to the sunset. There was a cool wind as there always seems to be, so the climb to the base of the pillar was a cold one.
Parks have added gas barbecues at Chamber's Pillar which I am not keen on. They detract from the natural surroundings and who would travel to the pillar without their own bbq? I also hate the bollarded campsite which it seems everyone else hates too because they have been driving around the bollards and over the cables. This actually in my view spreads the traffic and results in less environmental damage. Bollarded campsites cause more damage by funnelling everyone through narrow gaps, and causing them to camp hard up against the bollards to allow access to vehicles. I think National Parks people forget we are all vehicle based campers not hikers. Anyway we enjoyed our campfire.
The next day saw us heading back to Maryvale and then onto the old Ghan railway line which we followed all day. The Finke desert race was going to run in just a few days, so their was a lot of traffic all the way to Finke (Apatula). Our camp for the night was at the Lambert Centre. It was once again a very cold night. In the morning there was ice on my swag and on the vehicles. The Lambert Centre campsite is not one you want to wander away from. The scrub is thick and similar in all directions, so unless you follow the road, you will end up lost for sure. Day 3 saw us head out of the Lambert Centre to New Crown, Charlotte Waters and eventually Mt Dare.
I always enjoy this drive through the gibber plains. If you've never been to this part of the world, it is worth the effort even if you don't intend to cross the Simspon. There is something so amazing about the gibber plains country. from horizon to horizon in parts of outback Australia, there is nothing but but stones, no trees, no shrubs, just stones. I can't wait to do the 4 Corners tour next year, as that takes us back into some amazing gibber country in SA.
It was very windy and cold at Charlotte Waters ruins, but we all strolled around looking at all the new information signs anyway. The new Mt Dare pub is brilliant. Well done to Dave and Melissa. It was great to catch up with Dave again, but Mel was again in Adelaide so we missed her again this year.  Next...into the desert.
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12/6/2007 - Our Desert Adventure Ends
catching up on the blog from journal notes]
Date Tuesday June 12 2007
All are up early again, enjoying the amazing colours of the desert dawn. Frost on the swags and a minus 2 degrees temperature stop nobody, as a crackling fire attracts the risers. The crested bellbirds call rings out over the red dunes, as the shadows shorten. It is our last day in the desert and many people wish it could go on, but all are keen to see Eyre creek with water in it, and to tackle Big Red.
We set off through some of the softest sand I've seen in the desert for a while. Our tyre pressures are set between 15 and 18 psi, and the engines labour, but nobody gets bogged. As we head further East, and closer to Eyre creek, the swales moisten, and vast green patches of vegetation begin to appear.
As we reach the Eyre creek bypass, we hear on the radio that another convoy is negotiation the bypass, so we call them and advise we will sit it out at the intersection until they arrive. Due to the overflow of the creek carrying silt from far north, the ground is very dusty and meeting vehicles head on in white dust is a recipe for disaster.
Eyre creek looks a treat full of water. There is bird life everywhere and wildflowers galore. Native tobacco grows all over the place. We have a long way still to go and we contemplate camping at Eyre creek and adding and extra day, but we push on.
Finally at Big Red, we encounter the usual day-trippers out from Birdsville with 28 psi or more in their tyres, struggling to get up the dune. We wait our turn then all participants make it with ease. The sun is setting and we will have a drive in the dark to Birdsville which is unusual, we usually make it in at about 2 pm. The desert has been quite soft this year, maybe we will add an extra day next year.
[img]http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1184056806/med_gallery_974_798_13003.jpg[/img]
Once in Birdsville, we shower and celebrate with a meal, some wine and beers at the pub. Another great trip ends.
And another is about to begin.
Video [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI9uVClv294"]Here[/url]
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30/5/2007 - Third Week of Kimberley Trip
We had a great time exploring around the Mitchell Plateau and the Kimberley coast, but the thunderstoms south of us had me concerned. We had already had to cross some pretty deep water after the King Edward (see pics below). If conditions got too wet, we were on the wrong side of the King Edward River, so we elected to head back as soon as we could and crossed the King Edward just on dark. We camped on the southern bank where numerous others were camped. We found out they were waiting for the crossing to reduce in depth after it had risen during the day. We crossed it without trouble as it had dropped to about 900mm again by the time we got there. From King Edward it was back to Miner's Pool and Drysdale River Station for a famous Kimberley burger. After bidding Jo and Pam farewell, we headed for the Gibb River Road which was in good condition in the east but very badly cut up in the west. 
Gibb River Road
We went on to explore around Old Mornington and various other places along the way. On to the Simmo...
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26/5/2007 - Second Week of the Kimberley Trip
We spent some time in Kununurra attempting to remove a flogged out harmonic balancer from a participant's 1HZ, The bolt had been crossthreaded and driven home by an impact wrench and took 3 hours of impact wrench work to remove!!!!! Needless to say the guy who owned it is going to give his mechanic (??) a hard time. Unfortunately there was other damage to the crank which required this car to remain in Kununurra so we are down one.
With a late wet this year the roads had just begun to open, but many of the 4wd tracks are still closed, so our planned itinerary changed a little. We had participanst exploring locally while we attempted the repair on the troopy, then off to El Questro we went.
We camped by the Pentecost for two nights and explored many local tracks before moving on across the Pentecost (400mm deep) up the Kulumuru road to Drysdale River Station where we had a warm welcome from Pam and Jo and the crew. We camped at Miners Pool one night before heading up to tackle the King Edward River which had been hovering at near a metre deep for days. I walked it and found that at its deepest it was just a tad over 900 mm deep. A brand new F250 which we saw in Drysdale hours before was still smoldering beside the road when we arrived. It had been drowned and an electrical fault did the rest. With most vehicles on the trip having a fording depth of 700mm we had to take some extra precautions, but the main vehicle of concern was a Rodeo towing a Kimberley Kamper. Despite the smoldering effie, all participants including the rodeo were keen to give it a go so we took plenty of precautions before entering the stream. All vehicles crossed without problems and only a tiny dribble of water got into the rodeo cab.
PS..I wouldn't recommend near metre deep crossings be attempted by the inexperienced.
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12/5/2007 - On the Way to The Kimberley
A long haul two day trip to Alice from Townsville, a quick stock up, and we were on our way. Out of Alice up the Tanami, camped nearby Tanami on the first night, enjoying the stars and the cool air.  From there we headed further up the Tanami and into Balgo and Mulan then on to Lake Gregory where the mosquitoes were quite bad but the views worth it. We were only the second group to be allowed access to this area, and consequently I received permit number 4! A GPS nav from there in trackless country took us to Well 51 on the Canning before another overnight stop at Wolfe Creek.   Navigating trackless terrain requires a keen eye for detail. Note the cattle pad. Cattle often persist using a road long after it is gone. The cattle pad is the only sign left of this track to Well 51
The sunset at Wolfe Creek crater was impressive. From there it was on to Purnululu for two nights. The drive into the Bungles in the late afternoon was fantastic as always. Two days of exploring for our guests saw plenty of photographs taken. (I will post some soon). One participant having some vehicle troubles, so we are in Kununurra now.....more to come.
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4/4/2007 - GU Clutch Replacement Time
Disconnect all bits and pieces. A/C comressor removed from engine but left all hoses connected. Power steering pump similar. Fan removed then radiator and cowl removed as one. Fan clutch removed.
Starter removed. All bell housing bolts accessable from underneath were removed. Two top bolt acessible after engine lowered. Engine mount nuts removed. Crane attached and engine lifted. Engine mounts and bottom section of engine mounts removed to allow engine to be lowered to chassis to allow access to top bell hoousing bolts. Bolts very tight and long lever required on spanner.
With the suspension lift, the crane could not be raised high enough to remove the engine, so we deflated the front tyres to get clearance.
Because of sealant glueing engine to tranmission, a thin bladed knife was required to seperate the two. Then with the gearbox jacked and the engine lifted and the bro-in-law standing on engine and bouncing, we got her free.
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3/4/2007 - GU Ute Buildup
Starting point 01/2004 GU Ute with Aussie Work and Leasure fibreglass canopy on back. Plan is to set it up for our touring and training.
Current mods list Genuine Nissan Winch bar
Lightforce 240XGT
Dobinson 2 inch lifted suspension
Dual Battery System
Towbar
To be fitted
Codan HF Radio
TX4400 UHF radio
Tyre pressure monitor
Helton Hot Water System
iPaq running Oziexplorer
Boost guage
Complete kitchen and storage area in the rea
r Fridge slide for Explorer Fridge Freezer
Other work Fit 4Terrain Clutch
Replace rear main bearing seal
I've started making the frame for the fridge slide and storage and run into a few snags that I will tell you about later.
The new clutch arrived the other day- wow even the packaging is impressive. I can't wait to fit it, but not sure when I will find the time. The clutch is a 4Terrain from Clutch Industries. I ordered mine from Cheapa Auto Spares store at Ashmore on the Gold Coast when I was down there.
Also got around to fitting the electronic brake controller. I chose the Teckonsha Voyager because it is a pendulem system at a reasonable price. Got it from Classic Caravans in Townsville. Fitting was a breeze. The brakes can pull a few amps so good wiring is required. I ran the power cable (6mm sq) through a grommet on the drivers side firewall. A 30 amp auto reset fuse thingy was fitted close to the battery. In the pic it is cable tied on. But is now bolted with 1/4 bolts and nylock nuts.
 Teckonsha brake controller fitted to dash
 Grommet over the wires to stop chaff and to seal firewall
 Where the wires go thru firewall
 Fuse- I've since put some heat shrink insulation over the terminals
More easy jobs
HF multitap and UHF Antenna fitted. Clamp style mount from ARB.
UHF fitted in dash- easy job. Love that TX4400.
There is a small vent in the dash. With the right size screws, you can screw the mic clip to the dash without making new holes by screwing into the vent.
The clutch finally became too much of a risk prior to our season of touring which starts in 2 weeks. So the engine came out today. With a 4.2TDi it is far easier at home to remove the engine than to deal with the gearbox transfer case. The gearbox has to be rotated thru 90 degrees to be removed and the engine has to be lifted, engine mounts removed and the engine then lowered to get at the top bellhousing bolts anyway, so it is in the opinion of many of the experts, better to take out the engine.
We spent the morning disconnecting everything then after lunch pulled the engine. No easy feat with the sealer used glueing the bellhousing to the engine. Full details and photos soon.
We found we had been supplied the wrong rear main bearing seal, so will have to wait til Wednesday to refit the engine.
The flywheel was in good condition, the pressure plate had a few hot spots, and the clutch was badly worn.
The new 4Terrain clutch from clutch industries australia looks the part with extra springs and a button clutch on one side and a normal clutch on the other side. Will let you all know how it drives later. I exect it to be a bit more positive in engagement being buttons on one side, but still able to slip due to the normal arrangement on the other side of the plate.
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27/1/2007 - Day 10 Hay River Trek
None of us wanted to leave Old Cork. THe water hole looked so inviting in the morning. But we had bigger things to see, not the least of which was the dinosaur footprints at Lark Quarry. This is one place you just must go see. If you have kids, they will love it too.
I won't tell you anything about it, because you just should see it for yourself. From lark quarry we headed for Winton and the end of our tour. A fabulous dinner was had at a local pub.
After 40 continuous days on the road, 18 of them without my wife, I was ready to go home for a little break
Simpson Desert 4WD Tag Along Tours with David and Justine Olsen's 4WD tag-Along Tours
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27/1/2007 - Day 9 Hay River Trek
The morning was spent calling lots of people on the phone. RFDS, Mt Isa Hospital, Wives, Insurance Assessors etc. Tony and I travelled to the place where the vehicle was stored to retrieve some more gear and to get some photos of the damage for the owner.
Whle we flew the owner back to Townsville, the rest of us continued on our journey. Our trip took us towards Winton then down through some spectacular jump-up country to the Diamantina river and Old Cork station.
We did some fishing, explored the ruins and watched the storms building up. We gave a lesson in tyre repair since we needed to repair the tyre punctured back a Tobermorrey.
We relaxed and watched the sunset over the water hole, and rainbows over the ruins.
Australian Outback Adventure- 4WD Tag Along Tours with David and Justine Olsen's 4WD tag-Along Tours
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27/1/2007 - Day 8 Hay River Trek
Fueled up at Jervois and headed east on the Plenty bound for Boulia.
It is a long trip broken only by a few intersting places. We were lucky to come across a bunch of Chamberlain tractors being driven across the country, near Tobermorrey. We lunched there and moved on ove rthe razor sharp rocks. We had just one flat on one of the vehicles.
We take it pretty easy on the Plenty, driving at about 75 kph maximum. There are masive bulldust holes in places, and very sharp rocks in others. Unfortunately just 26 k from Boulia, one of the vehicles in the convoy hit a big bulldust hole and lost control, rolling onto it's roof at a leasurely 20kph.
I had never had a rollover on a tour, and his is the stuff of nightmares for a tour operator like myself. Despite all the care in the world, it can happen, especially to Hiluxes, which seem particularly susceptable to rollover.
In any case we got the two guys to Boulia, flew one of them out on the RFDS for checks just to be sure, and I drove back and forth between Boulia and the roll over site several times, after setting the rest of the crew up in camp.
We managed to get most of the gear out of the lux into our vehicles, so we could return it to the owner as soon as we met up with him. Fortunately he was fine, but his vehicle despite the low speed of the roll was not.
Simpson Desert 4WD Tag Along Tours with David and Justine Olsen's 4WD tag-Along Tours
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27/1/2007 - Day 7 Hay River Trek
We had a great time by the fire last night. We were up early cooking breakfast in the great old bbq and oven before joining Billy for a bush tucker tour. Unfortunately there wasn't much bush tucker to be seen at that time of year, but we did still see quite a few things such s bush onions, bush bananas and a few others.
One of Jol's employees arrived with a new generator yesterday, and we helped get it running so that Billy and Kevin's families could have power, so we checked on it this morning.
We packed out vehicles shortly after lunch, thanked all for their hospitality and headed north again towards the Plenty highway. We made the plenty in time to set up camp along the river bed not far from Jervois.
Simpson Desert 4WD Tag Along Tours with David and Justine Olsen's 4WD tag-Along Tours
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27/1/2007 - Day 6 Hay River Trek
Our camp site in the Hay was fantastic. We cooked a few great dampers directly in the sand as we had been taught by our aboriginal friends in Iga Warta. They were not a bit gritty, so it seems we've mastered the art.
Today was a leasurely trip along the Hay, visiting Mt Winecke and a few other peaks. When we finally arrived at Batton Hill, we were greeted by Billy and Kevin, as Lindsay was away in Alice Springs.
The camp site was an absolute treat. Though it was a real bush camp, it exceeded in everyway ANY camp site ANYWHERE that I have ever been to, including those in caravan parks. It is small, but incedibly well laid out and very very tidy.
Kevin came by and explained the facilities to us in language we white fellas could understand, such as pointing out where we put our tents and calling that the bedroom, pointing to the very clean swept area with a pile of timber, stating that is the kitchen etc.
We met again some other travellers we had seen earlier on the track, and we all sat around the fire reciing bush poetry and telling stories.
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Our Next Hay River Trip is June 15 to 25 2007
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27/1/2007 - Day 5 Hay River Trek
Leaving our camp today, we continue along the bed of the Hay River, then along beside it, as it becomes a much larger river bed, By now the trees are bigger and include red gums. Soon we are driving again in the bed of the river in course sand, and it is tough going, but we are soon out of the river bed heading for Lake Caroline.
The Lake is a spectacular sight, dry as a bone and red as ochre, it is a huge empty space. We find a large grinding stone left where it was last used. I hope it stays there forever, and is not stolen by someone passing this way in the future. All around is evidence of aboriginal occupation of the area. The Hay river trip is truly unique in that regard.
We return to the Hay River. cross it's dry sandy bed and continue some way along it before selecting our campsite, a little earlier than normal. We find some topaz so spend a bit of time looking for good pieces.
We have plenty of water so I put up the shower tent and provide some water for all to shower. Most take advantage, as they haven't showered in five days. tomorrow we have real showers to look forward to.
Simpson Desert 4WD Tag Along Tours with David and Justine Olsen's 4WD tag-Along Tours
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About Me
A daily record of the travels of David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along Tours and Training.
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