file= ByfieldFeb23
Having just taken delivery of a Brand NEW
Toyota PRADO, we thought we'd better give
it a "thorough workout" and become familiar 
with ALL it's great features, before doing a
major 4wd trip. Having previously owned a
Nissan Pathfinder, Beach Buggy and a Jeep
Wrangler, Parj was pretty experienced in 4wd
in soft sand and steep hills and difficult terrain.
We were curious how the PRADO compared 
to previous vehicles. The PRADO had MANY
extra features such as :- Diff Locks, Snorkel,
and MANY more, so we expected GREAT
results in "Steep soft sand and difficult terrain".
In Byfield Nat. Park, going towards 5 Rocks
there is a VERY STEEP sand hill called BIG
SANDY. This has caused some problems in
the past, as it is as difficult as "BIG RED" near
Birdsville, at the start of the Simpson desert.
This caused us NO problems, and had NO
NEED to use Diff Locks, centre or rear.
VERY happy with the performance and space
in the PRADO, compared to prev. vehicles.
Now let the photos tell the storey.
Home, Gold Coast to Yeppoon, via direct good roads, was about 765 km, easy going in 1 day.
We stayed at the "Bayview Towers", Yeppoon, with fabulous views from the TOP or 8 th floor.
Packed and ready to depart, Gold Coast. The Bayview Towers, great motel & views
It was raining steadily when we departed Yeppoon for Byfield Nat Park and 5 Rocks, and we were
unsure if we could cross the causeway on the way in or return. Even though we had a Snorkel, it
could be dangerous crossing a "fast flowing creek, over 600 mm deep". The danger was that we could
FLOAT and be swept into the creek. NO problems on the way in, see photos of return !!
Excellent room and facilities. Parking was tight. What a view to wake up to, Eh ?
It was raining as we left for Byfield, 30 km Good breakfast at Byfield shop. Were told
away. Not sure if we could do BIG Sandy ? safe to cross causeway and do BIG Sandy.
Road into Byfield Nat Park…still raining. Water on the track, but NO problems so far.
Doing BIG SANDY easy. Hard to take photos
Parj letting tyres down, from 30 to 20 psi. as car was bouncing around and PAM had to
Sand was wet so 20 psi was quite OK. hang on the GRAB handles. Dash Dog helped !
On TOP of BIG SANDY, easy for PRADO. Pam & Parj on 5 Rocks lookout. Finally got
Didn't need any Diff locks or much speed. the "self timer" on camera working.
Great view of 5 Rocks. Approaching FLOODED  causeway on return.
There was a CROWD of spectators on the Looking downstream near far exit. About 2 ft.
opposite bank, with about 20 to 30 cars, too fast flowing water, never looked like floating.
scared to make this crossing. Parj gave them The crowd on the far bank, were too scared
a bit of cheek and called them "woosses". to cross, even some with Prado's ??
Having confirmed that the PRADO was capable of ANYTHING we will ever dish out to it (and more) we
took a leisurely drive home via Agnes Water, Wreck Rock, Hervey Bay overnite, then home to Gold Coast.
It was too rough to swim at Wreck Rock, so we just took some photos. Pam wanted to overnite at
Hervey Bay, having not been there for some years. The place has grown massively into a large town.
We found a nice resort, at Urangan, called "Quarterdeck Retreat", which was nice but far from shops. 
Before departure, had a nice breaky on the Esplanade, with water views, then HOME.
Pam at Wreck Rock, Deepwater Nat Park. Booking in at Quarterdeck, Urangan. Near
Good 4wd track, in DEEP sand & ruts. Hervey Bay, nice but far from facilities.
Many swimmers in Yeppoon, from our room Pam holding on to hat on Esplanade, Hervey
on 8th floor. Hard to see them  in photo. Bay. Place has grown enormously lately.
CONCLUSIONS It was a VERY instructive "Learning Trip" with the new PRADO. It exceeded our
expectations and were VERY happy with it. It handled the SOFT SAND and steep hills and rough going
better than we could have hoped, and we look forward to testing its limits in our next major trip, to
BROOME, via Birdsville, The Simpson Desert including BIG RED, Alice Springs then Tanami track to
Halls Creek. Then an easy drive to Broome for a rest/clean up. Return via Gibb River Road, then Darwin,
South to Borroloola, Normanton, Cairns then HOME. Have planned about 4 weeks away, hard Eh ?
We are planning to depart about mid April 23, and have ALL the gear, for 3-4 camping stops, where
nothing ELSE is available, a good ENGEL fridge, and sufficient recovery gear. We will camp in comfort,
using :- Fast erect stand up tent, camp beds and chairs, NO COOKING. Eat prepared food for the 3-4
nites, when  we camp, otherwise eat in Roadhouses/Motels. It’s a TOUGH life, Eh ?
Map of our NEXT trip, Mid April 2023. Bloody GREY NOMADS, becoming a menace on the ROADS.
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