Day 8.
We had a very lazy morning and wasn’t ready to move until after 9. The plan today was to do the run down the beach to Dili Village, and run back up through the guts of the island to Central Station. Along the way we considered stopping at the Maheno Wreck and Eli Creek, but the amount of tourists that were there put us off at the time. I suppose it still was the weekend though.
The run up the beach was nice and smooth. The old girl was certainly travelling a lot better without the load on it. A couple of the creeks do sneak up on you rather quickly though if you are like me and looking around instead of exactly where I was driving.
Once we reached Dili, we turned inland. Well the tracks are certainly corrugated still. I pretty much spent the whole time in 1st and 2nd High Range. I let a few people through that were travelling quicker than me, but I didn’t want to risk the vehicle. Lake Boomanjin was a nice pleasant little lake. Most people seem to skip this lake, as it isn’t crystal clear blue water etc etc.
From there we continued along the track towards Lake Birrabeen. We had already decided to bypass the walk to Lake Benaroon due to struggling with time with the tide. Lake Birrabeen was bloody fantastic. The swimming was good and the scenery was alright too.
Leaving there was an effort, that’s for sure.
Lookout
The run from Lake Birrabeen to Central Station was one of the few times I actually used low range on the trip. It wasn’t that it was difficult, it was more for the comfort of us in the cabin. The track itself is very rutted and would present problems to low clearance vehicles. I was grateful when we had finished that part of the track to be honest.
Central Station has certainly changed over the years. However it is still good to duck in and cook up some handburgers on the supplied BBQ’s instead of pulling out all of our gear. The kids had a good feed and run around and then we continued on our way across to Eurong.
Central Station day use area
Most of the track to Eurong is one way – which I discovered after travelling so slow along the length of it. We stopped to grab a couple of small supplies and then hit the beach. We had watched a lot of people come on and off the beach whilst there – and it actually surprised us how many people though that 3rd or 4th gear high range was the best way to do it. For most of this trip I put the old girl into 1st high and CDL and didn’t have a problem with any exit or entry. I think tyre pressures played a big problem too though. I ran 18psi in the front, and 20psi in the rear the whole time I was on the island without a problem.
One of the many creek crossings
On the way back we did a couple of stops at Eli and Maheno – this time with no tourists. Eli was very very fresh, but still a lot of fun. The kids thought it was great as they could reach the bottom of the creek. Funny thing is though – that I don’t really remember it being that shallow?
We stopped at the coloured sands as well:
It was a great day, and certainly a good day trip from a base camp. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Day 9
The initial plan for today was to go over and visit the west coast of the island. BUT a few of the guys camping in the area had done the track the day before. I took their advice as they seemed like genuine blokes. The track across was heavily corregated and wasn’t worth going over there for the few things you see (Awinya Creek).
So a change of plan was in order. North headed away from backpackers and most people – so north we went!
Indian Head
I tried to work out a way around it – but no go! 😆
It was the first time I had to take a bypass track on the island! 😳
The northern side of Indian Head
Waddy Point meant another detour. From there we continued on to Orchid Beach
Local airstrip
The beach north – ooohhhh am I looking forward to tomorrow!
Wildlife on the beach near Waddy Point
After spending some time on the beach, we headed back onto the track and worked our way to the Champagne Pools. If you take the longer walking track down to the pools, the views are worth it.
We continued on down towards the pools. Today was not going to be our lucky day with regards to backpackers and tour coaches. But as a whole they were very pleasant and good to have around. However there is always a couple of dicks that need sorting out!
The stairs leading down
And at low tide too! 😯
The young fella decided to have a dive or two
So of course the other two had to join in. Tell you what though – he gets a bit of air! 😆
However the landing is a bit shaky 😀
After a good soaking we headed back to camp to have some lunch. We decided to go back down to Eli and let the kids have a play – as they loved it so much the first time.
However the best laid plans change real quick with us – just ask Richard 😆
We met up with Steve and Adrian. They were headed up the beach to give their remote control planes a run with a mate. So we figured – what the hell, let’s join them. So off we went.
They took us up about 10km’s north of Dundubara. I honestly can’t remember the name of the creek – sorry! 😳
But it’s the biggest bloody hill in the area. Anyway the kids all went and had a play in the creek and beach
While we climbed the bloody hill. And it is steep! 😯
However it is well worth it:
The planes got a run:
And I got dizzy as crap trying to take photos! 😳
Meanwhile down below everyone seemed to be having fun
Especially when a few dolphins showed up and entertained
Unfortunately I couldn’t get any pics, due to me not being good enough and needing a bigger zoom on the camera. Something for the near future I think.
When we got back the boys reckoned they had been successful fishing. I reckon they were, how about you:
Another great day!
Day 10 – and the day I was looking forward to.
North we go.
I met up with Steve and Adrian at Indian Head, and from there we headed to the shop at Orchid Beach. Unfortunately they were shut, so we decided that we had enough fuel and continued on.
To be quite honest – the run up to the Cape was real easy – and I mean real easy. I’m guessing that the rain certainly helped out here – as did a low tide.
The beaches up north look absolutely brilliant. You can tell the difference between here and the main beach, that’s for sure.
First view of the lighthouse
The three vehicles – old still looks good against new 😆
The group shot
From here we continued on to the start of the walk to the lighthouse. And the walk is steep. But worth it.
Steve, Adrian and families walking up. I’m so glad my kids are old enough to walk themselves now days! 😉
Lighthouse
The view
Gravesite near the lighthouse
Any volunteers?
We headed back down the track after a well earned break – and drink. The wife and youngest two headed back to the Landy, whilst I took the eldest for a walk to the old radar site.
Unfortunately there isn’t much left of it.
On the way back up the beach we came across some people pulling a net in. We hung around and watched for a while. The kids were really interested so we asked if they could have a look.
Lunch was a little of the beaten track (well beach) – however it had some brilliant views.
We started heading back towards the south as we were running out of time slowly. I was starting to think that the whole ‘fear’ of the north was just for idiots that didn’t have any ideas. Then the sh)t hit the fan.
Steve got bogged.
So Adrian dropped his tyre pressures in anticipation of the climb
Thankfully with his tyre pressures dropped down (and some rumour about lockers) Adrian drove out of his problems without a help. I hear that it saved him a rum or two! 😉
Adrian gave it a run with no luck. By now we had a vehicle waiting for us so we decided to let me go ahead as the two of us still had to get through. What a bloody mistake that was. He got up to the top and then bogged her right down to the axles. By the time I walked up there, he had dropped his tyre pressures (which were 26psi) and there was burning clutch problems big time.
So I take the old girl up there and drag him out. In the meantime Michelle had found a bypass track which was real easy. So we sent everyone through there.
However by this stage it was getting late and we were within an hour of high tide – bugger! Thankfully it was only going to be a baby 1.7m.
We bade farewell to Steve and Adrain at the Orchid Beach shop after putting a splash of fuel into the old girl ($2.05 per litre).
Along the way the kids got to see their first dingo on Fraser (they’ve seen them before)
And the kids reckon a turtle did this:
That night we met up with a couple from Sweden. They were touring around Australia having a great time in their Troopy. I must admit that it’s the first time I’ve seen a left hand Troopy – but it was very well set-up.
We sat down and went through the maps of the VIC High Country as they were headed down that way soon.
Another great day and I was feeling well and truly relaxed by now.