It was time for Bushman Bud and family to finally do some 4WDing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKSvkVpLeA
We headed to a spot I promised I would keep a secret…so just sit back and enjoy the adventure.
It was a wet day as we turned off the bitumen down an partially overgrown track. Within 500m we were crossing a muddy creek which due to the rain was a little slippery in and out – not too deep though. The forest surrounds where overflowing with the colours and sounds of a well established temperate rain forest. Another 500m and we were crossing a very rocky river crossing. One car had been stuck here the day before…just briefly though after some good driving by Dick got himself and his camper back on track. A little wiser and better informed we dropped into the river crawled across the the many boulders and slowely out the otherside.
<Youtube Video Uploaded Later Today>
The Patrol enjoying the challenge but doing it easy in the end. A sharp right hand turn had us following the river for some distance through beautiful forest with the river gurgling away in the background. Up and down, round sharp bends, ducking under tree canopies and through two more creek beds, one with a steep exit which had the wheels spinning slightly. The track although not really challenging on the day was full of colour and ever changing landscape. Sometimes in heavily wooded forest and other times in the higher plains scrub land. On its day, with plenty of rain the track would be quite slippery in parts. After driving for a good hour we cam across the clubs beautiful camping ground. We can see why they want it kept a secret…and rightly so…they have spent a lot of time and effort in keeping the track and camp in good order. What a delightful spot on the river it was, perfect for fishing, swimming or just lazing around with a cool ale of your choice – awesome and a sure indication that the love of the great outdoors and 4WDing, camping and relaxation is alive and well. It sure reminds you of the finer things in life.
The people in the club are awesome and very welcoming. Steve had a coffee on the boil within 5 minutes of hitting the camp – how nice is that hey. That’s why I love finding 4WD clubs to catch up with, they are full of great people who share the same interest and have a common respect for the place we call home…the bush that is for those city dwellers.
Unfortunately we had a small mishap which had us heading back to Ulverstone a couple of hours later…nothing to be alarmed about for those who care!!! We left in the opposite direction to complete a loop back around to Leven Canyon. One small crossing with steep banks to get around a badly broken down bridge and one final, very rocky crossing of the Leven River was negotiated (initally not so well, we kept stalling over boulders, running out of steam and wondering why we were slipping around so much…yes we forgot to put the “Beast” back into 4WD…doh…) before we hit roads more travelled on and eventually, despite many wrong turns got to Ulverstone around 4:45pm.
We had been hoping to get back to camp after sorting out the mishap but whilst writing this blog now at 5:20 pm it seems unlikely given the time it takes to travel down the track. Shame because a home made stew, cheese and bickies and some dessert was on the menu. Of course a good night drinking around a camp fire is always refreshing to the soul.
Another time indeed and a very enjoyable day nonetheless 4WDing, having a gas bag at camp and…as the rain comes down heavier…a nice dry bed to enjoy tonight!!
Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia
Tags: 4WD, 4WD;Adventure;Climbing, 4WDing, 4x4, Free Camping, river crossing, Tasmania, Track