page 1			File =	Perth07
Map	Perth via Alice & Great Central Road, return via coast in 4WD.						May/Jun 2007
Background
We had postponed this trip on
several occasions for other
commitments, so in the Autumn
of 2007, we were determined to
complete this trip. Australia was
experiencing one of the worst &
longest droughts on record, so
we were not expecting any
problems with rain or wet roads.
How wrong was this expectation !
The rain followed us from East to
West and back again, causing
major diversions and changes to
planned itineraries. (see dotted
lines on map) There was major
flooding in the Newcastle area &
snow on the New England hway
peaks near Murrurundi.
The winds were gale force on
both the West & East coasts,
causing a ship to run aground on
Nobbies Beach, Newcastle.				The dotted lines show major diversions for flooding.
Home to Boulia		Heading West, via Roma, Charleville, Quilpie, Windorah, Bedourie, Boulia.
A well known section, previously used for Simpson Desert trips. The rain started near Charleville
and past Windorah, were long sections of gravel road with 150mm + water on the track. Because
these sections were so flat, the water had difficulty in flowing away, leaving slippery conditions.
Departure photo, at home.			ROMA oil well.			Heading West, rain imminent.
Water beside the tracks. Very			Coopers Creek, seldom seen			Going past Birdsville turnoff,
flat, little drainage !			it so full.			heading N-West to Boulia
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page 2	Boulia, Qld to WA, via Ayers Rock or Uluru, Docker River,
The weather, strong winds & rain, water on the tracks, were not conducive to camping out, which we
prefer to staying in motels. Our camp set up and pull down, together with our equipment, is so well
organised that we can prepare or demolish our camp in about 30 minutes, without undue rush.
On this trip however, we stayed mostly in motels. Departing Boulia, our intention was to take the
Plenty Hwy to Alice Springs. Just as we arrived at the Donahue/Plenty hwy turnoff, the Police were
putting up the barriers to close the road because of flooding. This did not surprise us, going by the
water on the tracks the previous day & the continuing rainfall. Had no choice but to take a 1,500 km
detour, via Mt. Isa, Barkley homestead, Tennant Ck., to Alice Springs. The consequences of
getting caught in flat floodland are too horrible to contemplate by risking any such attempt !
Tracks to Bedourie, dry section.			Mt. Isa smoke stacks.			Devils marbles, North of Alice.
Leaving Alice Springs, via gap.			Folded strata on Mereenie loop.			Inside Goose Bluff meteor crater.
Kings canyon at sunset.			Approaching Uluru or Ayers rock.			Walking track to top of Uluru.
Approaching the Olgas.			Track to WA border. Generally			WA residents. Feral camels now
			not as bad as this looks.			permanent "legal" residents.
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page 3	Some sections in NT and WA required permits to pass thru Aboriginal lands. These were
no problem and were issued free of charge via Internet or by mail. Apparently these were required
to curtail bootleggers selling grog to community residents.
WA, Docker River to Kalgoorlie, then the Pinnacles, the Perth, Fremantle, Bunbury.
Camel crossing, Gt. Central Rd.			Lookout near Laverton.			Great Central Road.(superhwy?)
Kalgoorlie, Paddy Hannan fountain.				Underground mine		Kalgoorlie water pipeline.
Kalgoorlie Town.			The Superpit.(thanks Bondy)			The famous wave rock.
Pinnacles, near Cervantes, WA			WA coast, having crossed Oz -->			Reward, a crayfish meal !!
Miners $1m cottages, WA coast.				Fremantle harbour.		Bunbury coast, wild weather.
page 4	Continuing down west coast of WA, then East.
Cape Leeuwin			Canal Rocks		Forest-->
Rock fishermen, near Albany			Natural bridge			View of Esperance, great town.
Norseman aluminium camels			Tailings dump, Norseman			Nullarbor plain, heading East.
Looking west from Eucla			Eucla Telegraph station.			Grt Australian bight, cliffs, west.
Grt. bight cliffs, looking East			Seals on Eyre Peninsula.			Looking at Port Lincoln.
page 5	Eyre Peninsula to Melbourne
Car Ferry, Cowell to Wallaroo			Birdwood motor museum			The mighty Murray, still has water
Blue lake, Mt. Gambier			Remains of London Bridge			Loch Ard site. Great Ocean Rd.
Pit stop, mates place, Melb.			Lakes Entrance, just before			Scary section on Barry Way.
Pity they don't have XXXX.			the floods hit and inundated			One of the TOP three tracks in
			the town.			Australia.
View of Snowy from Barry Way.			Stormy weather, Stanwell Park.			Snow on New England hwy mtns.
The savage weather in early Jun-07 forced us to hurry thru Sydney and Newcastle to avoid getting
trapped. We heard the Pacific Hwy was blocked and waters were rising fast on the New England.
After we got thru Singleton/Maitland, this highway was also closed for some time. Going up the
escarpment near Murrurundi, there was extensive snow on the New England peaks beside the hway.
We heard a ship had run aground at Nobbies beach, Newcastle. The way we were being buffeted by
the wind, this did not surprise us. All in all, a good trip, when you allow for and adjust to any
conditions you might meet. The Pathfinder performed flawlessly, as usual. No punctures, the
Cooper tyres are robust and good value.
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