|
|
|
Big Desert & NSW/VIC Border Fence 2nd - 5th November 2002 Attendees:- Graeme Giles (TL) It was 9 years and 2 months ago that the Club held its very first extended trip to this area and it says something for the resilience of some members that 50% of the attendees on this trip had been on the original trip. Graeme Giles, Chris Hendry and David Walduck departed Rose Ave at 7:30am on Saturday morning. Although the forecast was for temps in the mid 30s it was actually quite chilly as we departed Glen Waverley. We had a good trip and were in Horsham in time for lunch in the park. The forecast proved correct as the temperature was now well into the 30s. Suitably refreshed, we headed north to Dimboola, then it was off the Western Highway and into the back blocks. To maintain the tradition of our last visit to the area we became totally lost. Where was lake Hindmarsh? We then realised we were heading south when it should have been north. A GPS fix quickly established our position and now we really were heading to the lake. In ’93 Lake Hindmarsh was full of water with pelicans and green grassy banks. On this occasion there was no water in the lake at all. A dustbowl would be a more accurate description. We decided to head into the Wyperfeld National Park to find a suitable spot to camp for the night. Lost Swamp may not sound very prepossessing but it was to be home for the first night and was actually quite a pleasant campsite. As we unpacked the gear the skies darkened and we heard the rumble of distant thunder. Soon we were surrounded by a violent electrical storm. A hastily erected tarp provided shelter as we sat it out and decided sample the first “coldie”. The rain stopped after an hour and we completed setting up camp. Next morning dawned fair and clear as we set off across the Big Desert for our rendezvous with Rod McGregor at the Murrayville Hotel 3:00pm. True to form Rod walked in
though the door at 2:58, just in time for his round. The second night we camped
at Blue Gums near Murrayville. This is a great campsite and is highly
recommended to anyone heading up that way. There’s plenty of wood and plenty of
shade among the native pine trees.
On the previous trip Mark Elliott managed to bog his 'Cruiser on the track to the border. On this occasion we made it without incident. The sand was very dry, soft and deep and some of the dunes quite challenging, so we deflated tyres to about 18psi. On this occasion we made it down the Border Track without incident and a great day “playing in the sand” was had by all. By late afternoon we arrived tired but exhilarated to set up camp at another excellent campsite at Red Bluff. Nevertheless, we weren’t too tired to climb the bluff and enjoy the view from the top. Another night around the camp fire and the following day we set off down the rest of the track to negotiate another big dune before the drive home. Picture
Gallery. Click on the image to view an enlargement.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to
this link. |
.JPG)
After a
pleasant evening around the camp fire trying to recall the words to The Ballad
of Eskimo Nell we retired fairly ear
