MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => Previous Member Trips => Trips, Tracks, Touring and Reports => 2011 MySwag National Meet => Topic started by: Snow on October 18, 2011, 07:14:05 PM
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After what seemed an eternity of scheming, saving, preparation and trepidation we were finally on the road and heading west on our first ‘big’ adventure with the camper in tow. We left home making our way to the first overnight stop in Nyngan before tackling the Barrier Hwy to Broken Hill. The Riverside CP in Nyngan is very pleasant but was fairly noisy with Trucks, trains and dogs going off and by all night.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33126-2/Riverside+Nyngan.jpg)
Second day saw us roll into Broken Hill where we lobbed at a friend’s place for the next three days. We had a great time seeing the sights. We went up to the miner’s memorial and restaurant on the hill, and nearly got blown clean of the big red chair by the howling wind.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32979-2/Cobar.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33123-2/Big+red+chair.jpg)
We headed out to Silverton to see what all the fuss was about the place. The café at the top of the hill was first rate and the local art galleries were worth a look. It was then on to the Sculptures for a look see and the views and scenery was impressive.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33006-2/Silverton+gallery.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32970-2/BH+from+Sculptures.jpg)
We met up with Bigjules in BH and on the Friday headed west into SA for the push on to Wilmington.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32985-2/Following+Bigjules+outa+BH.jpg)
When we arrived in Wilmington we got about setting camp. The powered sites we were on were over compacted road base and any attempt to drive a peg into it resulted in bent and buckled steel and some tested patience. Anyhoo much toil was eventually rewarded especially after I had to do a repair to our awning zip which had separated from the main tent during the gales in BH. So, if you need any hand stitch repairs done give me yell, I got good at it, just ask Parry.
During the wild weather Hem19X had the tropical roof blown from their new Modcon so it was all hands on deck to restore the canvas when the weather fined up. Talk about teamwork.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32982-2/Fixing+Hem_s+Trop+roof.jpg)
The national meet was a great time with plenty of activities going on to keep all busy if they liked. We did the day trip to the Bartagunyah winery and had a ball on the tour of the property followed by a wine tasting. The views were awesome and the Vintage Shiraz Port was a ripper.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32964-2/Bartagunyah+scenic+drive+1.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32967-2/Bartagunyah+view+east.jpg)
We had a great day trip into the Alligator Gorge with few other ‘east coasters’ which gave us a taste of geology that was awaiting us in the North Flinders Ranges.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32958-2/Alligator+gorge1.jpg)
It was soon time for us to leave Wilmington and explore further north. We headed up through Quorn and Hawker and made a B line for Wilpena Pound. The structure of the pound is just something else and was a must see. We camped in the resort CP for the night before heading up Blinman the next day. It seems this campsite on the back fence has had a few Swaggers lob on it.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33000-2/Pam+at+Wilpena+Pound.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33015-2/Wilpena+pound1.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32991-2/Lil+ol+lizard+Wilpena+pound.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32976-2/Camped+at+Wilpena+Pound.jpg)
We arrived in Blinman after travelling what must be the best bit of tarred road in SA. It only being 2 years old probably has something to do with it. After sussing out the town we scoped out a family friend who lives there and we were soon camped on his front yard, in plain view of the pub. We did the tour of the copper mine, learning stacks about the origins of the town and how it came to be as we see it today.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32973-2/Blinman+Pub+from+campsite.jpg)
After Blinman we were off to drive the Parachilna, Brachina and Bunyaroo gorges before meeting up with Hem19X and friends down in Hawker. The drive through the gorges was nothing short of spectacular and if we had had more time we would of spent more than a few days camping through there. The geology is awesome evoking a felling of reverence for the sheer time it has taken to get to the state it is in. Due to the rain the days before the drive out back to the tar was very entertaining with the slip n slide coating the buggy and camper in sticky sandy mud.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33003-2/Parachilna+rd.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33129-2/Emus+Brachina+gorge.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/33132-2/Brachina+gorge.jpg)
We hooked up and headed south with Hem19X and friends and made our way through Oorraroo, Peterbourgh to the Murray and on to an overnight stop in Renmark.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32994-2/Lined+up+for+the+ferry+Morgan.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32997-2/Murray+river+crossing+Morgan.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32988-2/Great+travelling+crew.jpg)
From there we parted ways and we headed east across the hay plain and north up Cowra way. We lobbed overnight at Rankin Springs before heading up to the family property overlooking the Wyangla Dam. It a top bit of dirt with stunning views.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32954-2/Above+the+Wyangla+dam_.jpg)
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/32961-2/At+Wyangla+heights.jpg)
After two days camped there we spent a further two days at the getaway south of Oberon we headed home 16days after heading west.
We had a great time and are looking forward to spending more time in South Australia. :cup: :cheers:
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Good pics Snow and good to meet you.
Trevor
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Top report Snow
Awesome country out there mate
One day I will get out there :cheers:
Brett B
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Hey Snow, great report mate, glad to see you and Pam enjoyed yourselves, looking forward to having a drink around a campfire soon
Cheers
Carl
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good stuff snow, looking forward to meeting you and the crew again :cheers:
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Great report and pics Snow
GG
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Excellent trip and stories, it's good to take off and meet someone along the journey to tag along ( planned or unplanned) love the pictures and the FAMILY property "wot a viewwww" well done on that one.... where's the next adventure? without going back how long did it take all up and were there any unpleasant things to watch out for on the route :cheers:
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Great report Snow, you're right the views overlooking the Wyangla Dam are magnificent :cup:
bubba :cheers:
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Smasing pics, thanks for posting them!!
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Beautiful stuff Snowy thanks for that :cheers:
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Excellent trip and stories, it's good to take off and meet someone along the journey to tag along ( planned or unplanned) love the pictures and the FAMILY property "wot a viewwww" well done on that one.... where's the next adventure? without going back how long did it take all up and were there any unpleasant things to watch out for on the route :cheers:
:cheers: Whitey, We were gone 16 days. Try to avoid overnight stops close to the main roads due to the noise, don't stop going through Wilcannia lest you don't want your wheels to remain on your vehicle, and if your on a tight budget, stay away from Big 4 caravan parks. ;D
Great report Snow, you're right the views overlooking the Wyangla Dam are magnificent :cup:
bubba :cheers:
:cheers: Bubba, we are blessed with that view alright. Rustled up bunny stew for dinner both nights :cup:
Great report and pics Snow
GG
:cheers: Garrick.
good stuff snow, looking forward to meeting you and the crew again :cheers:
Cheers mate, was a pleasure catching up. :cheers:
Hey Snow, great report mate, glad to see you and Pam enjoyed yourselves, looking forward to having a drink around a campfire soon
Cheers
Carl
Sooner than later Carl. :cheers:
Top report Snow
Awesome country out there mate
One day I will get out there :cheers:
Brett B
I can't wait to see more of it. :cheers: Brett
Good pics Snow and good to meet you.
Trevor
It was good to catch up Trevor. Will have to plan a meet down your way some day. :cheers:
Beautiful stuff Snowy thanks for that :cheers:
Thanks BD :cheers:
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Great pictures and report, Snow. Good to see a few familiar faces, awesome to see some scenery of the country and nice to hear of another report of a great adventure. :cup:
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That is a nice piece of Dirt overlooking the dam, enjoy it.
Mike
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Good reading and some great view pics.
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Great pictures and report, Snow. Good to see a few familiar faces, awesome to see some scenery of the country and nice to hear of another report of a great adventure. :cup:
:cheers: Duchess, it was about time I put something up. Good reading and some great view pics.
:cheers: Laith, it was a top trip. It was great to spend some time with the crew again.That is a nice piece of Dirt overlooking the dam, enjoy it.
Mike
It is in a prime spot but when the wind gets up it really howls. ;D
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Mr & Mrs Snow's excellent adventure :cup: :cup: :cup:
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Flinders.
Now you have whet your appetite you will need to find a month to really see and enjoy the area.
Cheers
Parry
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Excellent stuff Andrew, great pics, I really like that last one.
Baz.
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Looks like you had a great trip Snow, was good to catch up again. Look forward to the next time,
thanks for sharing.
dno.
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Great report Snow. Looks like an awesome trip to keep in the memories. Sorry we didn't get to meet you when we dropped into willmington, maybe another time.
:cheers: Cracka
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With those pics it looked like a great trip.
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Onya mate,
Great to catch up with you & Pam.
Regards
Hem
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Great trip and photos Snow.
Flinders is truly a spectacular place
And I can vouch for the Port at the Bartagunyah winery....... very nice :cheers:
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Great report Snow. Thanks for sharing :D
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Snow & Pam :cup: :cup: trip , glad you home safe . Top pics :cheers:
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Mr & Mrs Snow's excellent adventure :cup: :cup: :cup:
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Flinders.
Now you have whet your appetite you will need to find a month to really see and enjoy the area.
Cheers
Parry
It was a great adventure Parry, we wish we could have had a lot more time to take it in. :cheers:Excellent stuff Andrew, great pics, I really like that last one.
Baz.
That spot is at the top of the hill Baz, at the bottom is a nice dam with good shade to setup under. It was a bit wet to setup down there this time. :cheers:Looks like you had a great trip Snow, was good to catch up again. Look forward to the next time,
thanks for sharing.
dno.
:cheers: Dean, it was great to catch up. You took some awsome photos mate. Don't stop posting them up.With those pics it looked like a great trip.
It was a great trip and we are dead keen to get back to SA to see more. We fell in love with the place. :cheers: Onya mate,
Great to catch up with you & Pam.
Regards
Hem
:cheers: Mark, we loved travelling with you and Kate and Pete and Robyn. We are planning to get up your way next year. Can't wait. :cheers:Great trip and photos Snow.
Flinders is truly a spectacular place
And I can vouch for the Port at the Bartagunyah winery....... very nice :cheers:
Yep that port is something else. :cheers: Catch you on the DRN.Great report Snow. Thanks for sharing :D
It's finally good to be able to have a trip to post up. I kept an eye out for your Triton as we went through Narromine. :cheers:Snow & Pam :cup: :cup: trip , glad you home safe . Top pics :cheers:
:cheers: Jamie, it was great to have a few suds around the campfire again.
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Excellent report and pics.
Thanks for sharing.