Further on we stopped at Bramwell Junction for lunch and asked the usual questions of the owner, how many trucks have been stuck, how far will we make it today etc. It was all positive, except for a tour group of 11 cars that left only half hour prior to our arrival. It could be a long wait at the first creek.
We drove an excited few kilometres out to Palm Creek to find a stack of vehicles crossing Palm Creek with one vehicle ‘broken’in the bottom of the creek with mechanical problems. The tour group had moved it to one side. We watched and waited, when the tour leader, asked if we wanted to go before the rest of the group. To that Steve and I said,”Yes”. We also met up with another couple from Deniliquin, Hoody and his wife, who were by themselves, doing the track. They tagged along with us.
A quick air down of the tyres, for more traction and I was first to attempt the creek. To my surprise the Patrol crawled down the bank and with a bit of gusto, made it up the other side without a winch or snatch. One down many to go.
Steve's vehicle crawling down the bank.
Steve was up next and nailed it. Wasn’t a problem for him. Kids all jumped in and we were off, so we thought. Steve gave he a call on the 2 way, saying his 4WD system was not disengaging properly. A stop of the side of the track, a little CRC, and things worked out. We were off again.
We headed of to Ducie Creek. This was a nice little creek, but the entrance and exit, weren’t straight forward, you had to almost do a hair pin turn to get around a deep hole in the middle of the creek. On the way out Steve came up the undulating bank and popped his front wheel in the air. I could have laid under it to inspect his CV joints, he got that much air.
We continued on crossing the two Alice Creeks, before arriving at Dulhunty, just on twilight. This creek was beautiful.
A quick one night erection, camp set up and it was down the creek with a few beers and time to wash the dust from our mouths and bodies. The kids played in the creek and on its banks.
Soon after it was a bite to eat, a few more beers and off to bed. Next morning, we were up and packed with Steve & Viv, before continuing North.
We cross another pretty Creek, Bertie Creek. Crystal clear water. At this creek there were a few people sitting on the banks, just watching life go by, not a care in the world.
Having the camper trailers on, it was a mutual decision to take the bypass road, for Gunshot Creek and head for Cockatoo Creek. This was a steep banked creek with plenty of rocks in the middle of the creek. Steve and I walked the creek to make sure things were okay and we could get through. Water blind on and off we go. The track was a figure 'S' and no problems. We got to the other side and parked the campers on the bluff overlooking the creek. The idea was to head back to Gunshot and watch others come through.
Cockatoo Creek
Cockatoo Creek
We arrived at Gunshot with some young guys just getting across, so we missed the fun stuff. At that point were was nobody else there. We settled down to some lunch, just as we were finishing lunch, we heard vehicles from the south. We all ran down to see what was going to happen and then the fun began. Within 10 minutes 40-15 people with possibly 15 or more vehicles, circled around the creek.
Entrance to Gunshot
The shrine tree of damaged items
Well for the next few hours, Steve and I laughed, cringed, got dirty and just watched people, winching, being pulled through Gunshot Creek.
Some other friends, that we kept meeting along the way, Barry, Kerri, Shad and Natasha came down Gunshot towing their Campers. A little push and shove, they made it around the corner.
After a few hours, we headed back to Cockatoo Creek, where we set up camp, started the fire and had a awesome bath in the creek. We sat around the fire talking about the days events, washed down with a few ales.
I could have stayed another night at Cockatoo creek, it was very pretty and I am sure there would have been fish in those holes down stream. Maybe next time
The following morning, packed up and head off, we decided to make bea line for Sam's Creek to set up. We were told about Sam's and how good it is. We underestimated, how good it was going to be.
On the way, we passed Fruit Bat falls, Elliot Falls and Twin Falls, but were planning on coming back and doing a day here.
We arrived at Canal Creek, the sand and clay was white, with this crystal clear stream running towards us. This was another stunning creek along the OTL. Both Steve and I made it across the creek with no troubles. We then climbed up the creek bank, which was interesting. I broke a tail light, which was quickly fixed.
We headed off to Sam's Creek, which was only 10 minutes down the road. We drove in to the so called camp area and set up, whilst the kids went swimming down in the creek. Afterwards, Steve, showing his chain sawing skills, cutting up a stack of timber for the fire. We were staying here for three nights.
We headed down to the creek. Upstream was a crystal clear water hole, about 5 feet deep, with piture Plants over hanging the bank, down stream from the crossing was a beautiful little water fall, that if you layed back, gave you a great shoulder and and neck massage.
After a wash, it was back up to have dinner and settle in for the night. The kids decided to make there own fire and worked as a team to look after it.
The following morning, we headed to the Fruit Bat, Elliot and Twin Falls. What a top spot. Fruit bat, was a little cool, but still nice. We headed over to Elliott and Twin Fall, where he had lunch, before going to have play. The kids were first in at Twin Falls with their wahoo's. I then saw Steve and said, let get the kids and float down from the large falls at Elliot. With a grin from ear to ear, the men were boys again. Rounded up the kids and down to the falls. A bit of coaxing for the kids and were were off, floating down the stream. Brought back memories of floating down the Macquarie River at Dubbo. The kids and us, played there for an hour of so, whilst the ladies watched on.
Back to camp. Everybody was tired, so dinner, some laughs and into bed.
The next morning, we headed North along the OTL, this time without the campers. We came to Mistake Creek, which was steep and sandy, but again crystal clear. No problems for either Steve or I. Next was the famous Cypress Creek with the log Bridge. This was a little disappointing, as it was very stable and wide, nothing like the TV shows i had seen it in.
Mistake Creek
Cypress Creek
Mistake Creek
We arrived at Logans Creek, where we met up with Shad, Barry and Brett. They had just arrived, but were no keen on walking the creek as it was murky and said to have crocs in it. I had been given some inside information, to hug the left hand bank, heading south to north, which they did. The water went up to the bonnet, with Brett loosing his nuts, coconuts from his roof. So, we were on one side of the creek and Brett was on the other. He wanted his nuts and we were wanting to know the price.
Steve and I set up with the Water blind and away we went, by now it was a bit of fun, with all care taken. Both Steve and I made it without any problems, carrying Bretts's nuts with us.
On the other side, we found a large colony of piture plants, these flourish around this area.
Barry, Shad and Brett headed off, with us following. We were headed to the infamous Nolans Brook. This creek had claimed many dozens of vehicles this dry season. Both Steve and I had not made a decision, one way or another to drive the creek. But on arrival and walking the creek, finding a hard bottom, I was confident we could do, but Barry, Shad and Brett were in front, towing their Campers. We gave them a hand to set up and away they went. We all made it through without any problems, followed a celebratory beer in the creek.
Terry & Steve contemplating Nolans Brook
Steve heading into Nolans and he did come out the other side, lucky for the snorkel
Terry & Steve contemplating Nolans Brook
Terry entering Nolans
After lunch we headed back to Sam's Creek, where the Campers were set up. The following morning, we headed for the Jardine Ferry, via the Development Road.
Good post mate.
ReplyDelete