Leaving Cairns at 11am we planned to head towards Cowley Beach, hoping that the wind would drop and we could enjoy some boating around the Barnard Group of Islands.  On the way we dropped in at Josephine Falls for a looksy and also for a slide down the rocks.  By the time we got to the Falls the weather was bright and sunny and we enjoyed the refreshing swim in the cool mountain waters.  In all we spent a couple of hours at Josephine Falls sliding to the rocks into the pool below.   Bushman Bud and the kids had a ball sliding down in multiple combinations with the waterproof camera in hand.  We had an awesome time enjoying the adventure of a beautiful place.  Josephine Creek is fed from the towering Mt BArtle Frere, QLD’s highest peak at 1,622m and by the time the cascading waters reach the bottom they are icy cool and as fresh as water can taste…beautiful!

I mention Bartle Frere because it was here just over a year ago that Joey Jess and Bushman Bud climbed the peak, twice.  Once up the Western Route, which starts at Josephine Falls and once from the Eastern side.  Therefore Joey Jess was pretty excited about her return visit and walked some of teh path reminicing about her past achievements…good on you Joey Jess, a spectacular achievement at just seven years of age.

From Josephine Falls we travelled to Innisfail for lunch at the skate park where the kids had fun on their scooters.  I ate the last of my Red Claw BBQed in garlic and butter.  Leaving Innisfail we eventually arrived at a rather windy Cowley Beach, the caravan park deserted.  The interesting thing was that the lovely beach had been decimated by drift wood, obviously the carnage of the rampaging cyclone Yarsi this time last year…what a shame that this previously unspoilt beach and gateway to the Barnard Islands was damaged in such a way.  With the wind up and the beach a mess we reviewed the maps and headed towards Bingil Bay and Mission Beach.  I am glad we did because the drive into this place is spectacular and when you get there teh drive along the beach is very special.  We missed this coastline last year and alsmost again this year so it was good to have a visit, if not a fleeting visit, to investigate a place for a holiday in the future.  We ended up staying in the Council Park right on the beach front overlooking Dunk Island.  The scenery in this place just magnificent.  Unfortunately the wind was still blowing, meaning the boat stayed on the car roof, but on its day, the boating would be sensational around these parts.

In the evening I made a Halloween pumpkin for the kids and they enjoyed an hour of more “Trick & Treating.”  They did amazingly well given the tourist season is well and truly at an end in these parts.

We will continue down the coast today and see where we get to.  We are heading to JD’s farm for the 5 November in Bundaberg and then onto Fraser Island with “Bessy” on the 7,8 &9th November.  We then head to Brisbane for teh 11 November for our course “Design Your Destiny” with Christopher Howard, a person who has been responsible for massive changes in my life and one of the reasons I am fortunate to share these experiences with you.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

With very threatening rain across the gulf we had to make the sad decision to avoid the gravel roads along the Savanah Way and bottom of the Gulf.  This decison has since proved very wise with some areas through the Gulf receiving significant rainfall…getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere is not fun!

So, we left the very hot Elliot last night and travelled through to a rest area just North of Tennant Creek.  Rising in the morning we fueled up at Three Ways and crossed the NT/QLD border early afternoon.  We have had significant problems with water in the fuel ever since leaving Darwin and have had to continually clean the fuel filter.

It is probably best to note that we had planned to fish King Ash Bay around Borroloola and Bing Bong…simply we just ran out of time, needing to be back in Brisbane by 12 November for some personal development courses.

Moving on we hit Mount Isa late afternoon and fueled up and ate dinner in town.  We left Mt Isa on dusk heading for Cloncurry and then onto Kurumba where we were hoping to get some fishing in.

We finally got to 100klm South of Normanton and stayed in a rest area overnight.  Waking the net morning we passed through Normanton and then onto Kurumba where we spent less than 2 hours.  It was very windy and was to remain that way for the next few days, combined with rain also on the way we decided that it was not the place to bunk down for a few days…boredom would have set in big time.  So, saying goodbye to the windy and hot Kurumba we headed off towards Lake Tinaroo, one of our favourite haunts.  Luckily we still had the best part of the afternoon still to travel so off we went heading firstly for Normanton and then turning left onto the Gulf Developmental Road we fueled up in Croydon and headed to Georgetown arriving there at dusk for dinner.  We were sick of the car and wanted to get as close to Lake Tinaroo as possible so the following day was only a short one in the car.  We finally pulled over into a rest area just West of Ravenshoe (nice rest area) and crashed for the night.  Next day we headed into Atherton, through Tolga and into Lake Tinaroo…finally we had arrived, 3,500 klms later.  You beauty, time to relax, swim, scurf, fish and catch Red Claw…awesome!!

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We will get on the band wagon and update you on proceedings shortly.  We have tarvelled to Brady Lake, Roseberry, Queenstown, Zeehan, Strahan (Sarah Island), Trial Harbour, Granville Harbour and now Waratah.  We have taken in many sites and had some great company amongst new friends and old.

Now for today…snow…snow…snow.  Coming from Granville Harbour earlier in the day we were blessed with all four seasons.  First rain, then sun and then hail and then snow!!!!  Camping at Waratah last night we left the pub after a nice pub meal and a chat with owner to snow.  By the time morning had come around we had an inch of snow covering caravan and car and the surrounding hills.  What an amazing sight.  The kids bundled out of the caravan early to make snow balls and a large snowman in addittion to the one theymade just outside the pub last night.

Kids don’t feel the cold but I do…it is freezing and makes me wonder how much longer Tassie will be bearable…from the cold I mean.  We do however have a weekend with the Tamar Valley 4Wd Club around Guildford to look forward to and a trip up Barnback with the Trekka 4Wd Club before we hit the ferry…mind you that is booked out until 13 July so we are not in any hurry.

Full updates on their way…

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Immediately after the Gordon River Cruise we decided to take a walk to Hogarth Falls. Hogarth Falls can be found via a short walking trail from Peoples Park very close to the town centre of Strahan. The walk is about 1 klm either way on well formed wide tracks. Along the way are plebty of information signs to keep you educated by the many sights and sounds along the way. The walk is through beautiful forest and you reach the base of the falls within 20 mins. Hogarth Falls are relatively small but very picturesque and definately worth a trip to see the cascading water as it flows over the falls and down the valley.

After visiting Hogarth Falls it was back to town (to get out of the rain) and have dinner at a local seafood cafe.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

What a couple of weeks it has been since our last post regarding Jeffery’s Track in Hobart.  Since then we have discovered we did the Balfour Track and Montezuma Falls/Ring River Road Track in two wheel drive.  The drivers side manual hub lock had failed meaning know front end traction…I thought things seemed a little wierd, but hey I am driving a Nissan!

Well the manual hub was just the start.  Whilst completing the Jeffery’s Track we also discovered the front locker was playing up???  Turns out it was the rear locker.  This had been installed by ARB about 3 years ago.  So I fired off an email to ARB to find out if they were willing to help me out.   Next morning I received a phone call from their head office booking my car into Hobart.  Awesome service!  After taking the car into ARB the problem was actually the rear locker.  Turns out ARB had installed the wrong locker in the car causing somewhat of a mess.  Well I always say that everyone makes mistakes and what really counts is the way the person deals with correcting the mistake.  To me this is where King’s (ARB) in Hobart were awesome.  They saw the wrong thing, kept the customer in the loop and fixed the problem, far exceeding any expectations and believing in delivering the ultimate solution for the customer.  How refreshing to see this…and no doubt they run a successful business and with that kind of customer service who could go wrong.  I highly recommend them.  Further we have also had some issues with the Kedron van.  Hello King’s caravans and the problems went away, smoothly and we care and attention to the customer.  Well done!!!

Readers may remember a problem with the turbo and due to a mistake the turbo ended up blowing itself to bits.  Seems that wasn’t all that went wrong.  The manual hub that failed was due to water damage that also killed the wheel bearings on the front end.  So…$1,500 later when you add up a patch job on the turbo, new wheel bearings and new manual hubs and still a poor performing turbo, you are left wondering.  Now before I  mention this company I have given them a chance to rectify this.  So far no joy but that is due to phone tag.  The owner is away until the first week in June.  After that we will get a solution or at least warn our thousands of readers who not to use in the future.  Come on Glen…sort out these issues just like a reputable company and take a leaf out of ARB’s and King’s books.

Next was a trip along the Montrose Track or also known as the East-West Track.  We were surprised the next morning (after the Jeffery’s Track run) by members of the Trekka Club who had acquired the key for the gate.  I will put together a full trip report of that day but in the meantime lets say it was an awesome day, the views were spectacular as was the company and the bicuits donated by Gaye for the kids!!!  The day ended with a play in the ever muddier Jeffrey’s Track which saw my car performing on two wheels before sliding side ways on a small hill climb and in in an attempt to go down the same hill – the front diff sliding into a rock requiring recovery by…a Range Rover…damn it hey!  Amzing what you can do on two wheels when you have to…in fact I think many others would have probably called it a day and gone home…not Bushman Bud…and not to the delighted people with the video camera.

The next week was spent getting the caravan and car fixed and Lynda flying home to Perth when her 97 year old Gran had a fall and became very sick.  We did however manage to catch up with the Southern 4WD Clubs at a inter club meeting put on by the Trekka Club.  Anytime someone cooks you lunch and the ladies bring out the home cooked food, its going to be a good day.  This was no exception.   It was also a good day to sign the petition regarding the closure or rather keeping open the tracks around the Pieman area on Tassie’s West Coast.  This is Tassie’s premier 4WDing area and its great to see clubs banding together to keep the tracks open.  It appears they are having some success too so that is awesome news.

Looking ahead, we leave Hobart for Strahan on Tuesday and meet up with some members of the Ulverstone 4WD Club where I am running a West Coast 4WD Club trip for them www.westcoast4wd.com.au  This should be a great day out and weekend for those keen.  This starts our tour of Tassie’s West Coast with a get together with the Devonport and Tamar Valley Club on the June LWE around Guildford.  Apparently that weekend is going to be hardcore…we will see, but having experienced the setup on some of the vehicles/trucks in the Devonport Club, they are certainly ready to tackle some serious terrain.

Well thats it for me…look out for the Montrose Track writeup and stay tuned for Tassie’s West Coast.  We will be bringing you more free camping and 4Wd tracks in Tasmania throughout June.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

What a pleasure getting a knock on the door early on a Sunday morning and getting asked to come out on a 4WD day, especially when its from a great group of people and a track you were wanting to do.  Its amazing what you attract into your life – law of attraction alive and well!

So, off we went heading up Tolosa Road to the start of the East West (Montrose 4WD Track).  We had thrown lunch together, grabbed some water, a snack and off we went, forgetting that we again only had 2WD available…oh well…give it go huh.

We passed through the gate at the end of Tolosa Road and headed up the range which contains Mt Wellington.  We had been up Mt Wellington earlier in the week to have a play in the snow…that right…the snow…or what’s left of it anyway.  There was still enough for a few snow balls to be thrown though.

Up and up we went through beautiful forest in some areas and low lying scrub in other places.  The day was picture perfect and it again reminded us of how lucky we are to be experiencing our great country with our family and meeting up with great people along the way…awesome.

It was about 30 minutes into the track that we confirmed we were again driving in two wheels.  We hit a muddy patch that swung around an up hill corner.  Despite a valient attempt we were not going any where.  I looked out the window and sure enough no front wheels were spinning.  Luckily our front locker was working so we were at least able to use one of the front wheels.  The only problem is that the front wheel was always pulling us left so we were constantly fitting the right handed turn in fron of us.  After some reversing, some throttle and fish tailing, the Patrol pushed up through the mud and we were on our way again.  Luckily because there were calls of recovery over the radio!!!

Onwards and upwards to the Telstra towers and what a view in all directions.  You could look down on Hobart, out to the bay’s in the East including  Bruny Island and Port Arthur and out along the Western Range and various mountain peaks in the other direction.  This was a view to die for and a place that time really does stand still as you stand in appreciation of the beauty in front of you.  Photos to come!!!

A quick chat and then off again in an East West direction over the range (as the name suggests !!!) climbing and descending through various types of scrub, some forests, some shallow water hills and some rather steep (if not rutted) hill climbs that again saw the need for three wheels.  We stopped for lunch…somewhere…sorry will need to check the map…and climbed a small hill for another awesome 360 degree view.  Scenery does not get better than this I can assure you.

A bit of Bushman Bud bush mechanics couldn’t fix the hub, so off we went again.  This time heading consistently down to the intersection with Jeffery’s Track, through the gate and on to the mud holes for a bit of action.  What can I say, or do I need to say…boys and their toys…or boys will be boys.  Lets say when you drive a beautiful track all day and then you want to have a play and there is mud right in front of you…you beauty, what a ripper.

And so it was, screaming engines, wheels spinning, Bushman Bud recovered once and almost twice (thanks for the little push) and smiles all around.  Everyones car was now dirty.  There was plenty of video taken…and…it will find its way here once I have edited it.  A great way to end a fine day that had it all.

The only thing left to say was thanks to the Trekka 4WD Club once again and what a bugger the mud was to clean off after a day of drying.  It reminded me to wash the car…right away…next time.

Look out for the videos and the photos.  If you are wanting to do this track you need to pick up a key from the National Park’s Office in Glenorchy who can be reached at the following link.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7542

Get out and give it a go or better still give the Trekka 4WD Club a buzz and do it in style with great people and friends who enjoy what you do the most.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

What a way to kick off an awesome weekend.  We had contacted the Trekka 4WD Club a few weeks ago and they were good enough to allow us to come along on the night run up and over Jeffery’s Track to Huonville, have dinner and head back over the hill again.  It is always good doing a trip with a little bit of a difference, especially where a beer and good company is involved.

Meeting at New Norfolk we headed off at about 5:30pm towards Jeffery’s Track.  This track is relatively easy but is good for a little fun with some slushy mud parts, a few muddy holes and a steep ascent or descent depending on which way you are heading.

Its funny how night time makes things look a little more challenging, the mud looks deeper, the hills steeper, the rocks bigger, etc…saying that though all vehicles made it up and over the track without too many surprises.  The biggest surprise for me was the fact we had been 4WDing with only the rear wheels for some time.  I had thought traction seemed a little off and the mud confirmed that it wasn’t the tyres it was most definately one of the manual locking hubs not engaging.  Funny really I had completed the Balfour Track, Monetzuma Falls, Ring River Road and Southern Forests run in 2WD…oops. 

Never mind I had the lockers in case trouble was around the corner.

Completing Jeffery’s Track we headed into Huonville for a delicious pub meal with some awesome deserts on offer.  The meal was great but the real delight was spending the evening with the members of the Trekka 4WD Club who are a top bunch of people.  Again we had stumbled on a great group of people with similar interests.

After dinner, dessert and a few beers, back over Jeffery’s Track.  We struggled up the initial steep hill in 2WD and had to engage the lockers to compensate for the faulty hub.  Apart from the distinct pull to the passengers side up we went.  The rest of the track was fun with one car mysteriously ending up driving the wrong way…we think…and lodging their car on the edge of a gully to be recovered.  The mud at the end of the track was fun and was enjoyed by the drivers. 

At the end of the track it was time to say goodbye to our friends made at the Trekka 4WD Club and look forward to future trips…little did we know what was in store for us…

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

After the Southern Forests trip with the Land Rover Club we have been camped at Hobart Show Grounds due to a wearing clutch on the Patrol.  We have ordered a replacement which gets fitted tommorrow and then off we go again.

Our time here hasn’t been wasted though, we have spent a few days exploring the city, purchased some much needed thermals, checked out the popular Salamanca Markets and caught up on some schooling.

Once we get the Patrol back on the road it will be a night run on the Jefferies Track with the Trekka 4WD Club, a trip along the East – West Track near Mt Wellington (perhaps in snow now), then out to Port Arthur, perhaps a trip onto Bruny Island and some more exploration of the Southern Forests near and around Huonville.

After that over to the West Coast and Strahan.  There will be plenty to see and do here and hopefully we can catch up with a 4WD Club heading in that direction to show us around.  In the background is a mud run near Burnie with the Ulverstone 4WD Club, a chance to catch up with the No Limits 4WD Club, a catchup and presentation for the Braddon 4WD Club and much, much more of Tassie to explore.

Keep tracking along with us as we hit the road again in search of 4WD tracks, great 4×4 action and remote, secluded free camping spots.  We will also be following some offroad tracks with the tough offroad Kedron caravan…so…stay tuned.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We travelled to Hobart’s Cadbury Chocolate Factory today in Claremont, Hobart.  Usually it costs $17.50 for a family to get in for a look, but today we were in luck…or were we.  Management has decided to try a new tour of the factory out and so were offering free admission.

Unfortunately I have to say right from the front that the whole Cadbury Factory tour is a load of rubbish.  Yes there is some chocolate tasting, yes you get to learn some history of the factory and Cadbury (probably the best part), yes you get to buy discount chocolate (but only seconds) and no you don’t actually get to tour the factory due to health regulations…apparently.  So if you were paying $17.50 you would feel ripped off…in fact a staff member we got talking to stated that management had received a whole swag of complaints.

So what happens to a trip to Cadbury.  You are welcomed through the door and get to pick a mini bar of chocolate (this is when they would also take your hard earned cash off of you).  Through the door you go and into a room with a few pictures, old photos and chocolate memorabillia.  There is a small chocolate making demonstration and a 3 piece bar of diary milk chocolate for the lucky onlookers.  Here you are then herded into a room where you watch a 6 minute video on Mr Cadbury and the factory.  I found the video informative but nothing special.  Following the video is a 5 minute Q & A session and then off you go to the staff canteen and shop area.  It was here I thought the real tour or adventure would begin…but oh what a disappointment, your journey sadly and abruptly ends.  Alas you can taste a very, very small amount of diary, dark and milk chocolate and then buy some food from the staff canteen, a hot chocolate for $4 or go to the chocolate shop.  Ouch, I was expecting windows where I could watch chocolate being made or something else…anything else…please…c’mon Cadbury, what a shame!

At the chocolate shop you get to buy a whole range of chocolate at the same price that you would pay in a supermarket (when on special) and factory seconds or almost out of date chocolate for really good prices.  The chocolate shop is however a little disappointing and could be made a whole lot more exciting.

What should they do?  At least allow you to taste all of the different varieties of chocolate they sell, make some kind of tour and perhaps invent some way of seeing at least some of the working factory.  A chocolate factory conjours up excitement, delicious choclate, mystery and adventure…yes maybe I watched Charlie & The Chocolate Factory too many times as a kid, but gees this place is boring.  Hey, a good judge is the kids and when kids walk away from a chocolate factory bored and plain annoyed that their parents took them there it speaks volumes…shame on you Cadbury, kids should have an experience.  Even McDonalds provides kids with a better experience and all they sell is junk food.

Don’t feel obliged, give it a miss and save $17.50

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We had been looking forward to catching up with the Land Rover Owners Club of Tasmania Inc as we had found them both helpful and friendly in making us welcome as visitors of the club.  I must say I was curious though how the Land Rover would perform offroad and how long it would take for the usual friendly banter of makes and models of cars to fire up…not long was the answer…approx 2 minutes into the drivers meeting at the beginning of the day.  There was a couple of Toyotas along for the day and the Land Rover owner were getting stuck in early.  It was probably a sign of being friendly and respectful towards new visitors that the comments about our Nissan were strangely silent…perhaps kept to the quite banter of inside car dialogue.  Hopefully we didn’t ruffle too many feathers by suggesting that we didn’t want to pull any Land Rover owners out…it was said in jest though…and it didn’t happen either.

So we met in Kingston at 9:00am and were soon on the way after Chris had ran through the day’s events and possible challenges on the way.  The day was about driving a few tracks to check out whether or not they would be adopted by the club as part of the agreement between 4WD Tasmania and Forestry Tasmania.

So we headed out of Kingston on the Huon Highway to Lollara where we turned off onto  Lollara Road and followed the Huon River.  The drive out to Lollara was great for us new comers to get a feel for the surrounding countryside near Hobart and we received great radio coverage from the trip leader Chris about various things to look out for.  Unfortunately I am still wondering about “Sleeping Beauty” and am hoping that other members were lucky enough to spot her!

Onwards through Ranelagh onto Lonnavale Road, Dennison Road (crossing Little Denison River) before stopping at the start of the Barn Back Track for a look.  Chris offered that any members could have a drive up the first few hundred if they wished.  Peter and I took up the challenge, Peter branching left and Bushman Bud branching right.  Although the track was a little slippery with some tiny ruts, it did not present a challenge…apparently further along the track it can get a little willing.  Still no recoveries for the day…

It was then onto the Weld River for a look at the track that ran along the river.  All members went for a walk along the first few hundred metres of the track for some two legged action…again no casulaties…other than a few close escapes…better action to come…on two legs…

The track along the Weld River looked like it could be fun and Chris assured us that it was.  Unfortunately Peter couldn’t convince the rest of the group to head down the track for a “closer” look so we were left wondering what could have been?  Chris noted that we should come back, Peter quickly decided he would follow and I was quick to add that I would gladly follow at the back…another date possibly?  I know I left that spot drewling and wanting more.

Following along the Weld River for a short distance we looped off to the right following some higher country as an alternative route to back track a little.  I can’t remember where we had morning tea but I think it was somewhere along this loop.  I guess the spot doesn’t really matter it was the great chin wag and the friendly members of the club that I will remember about morning tea.  It is always nice to catch up with people who share a love for the great outdoors and who know their backyard…really, really well.

Following on we crossed the Huon River and took an immediate right hand bush track for a crossing of the Arve River.  This was an easy picturesque crossing other than a well disguised hole near the far bank.  I heard a rather large thump on the passengers window when we dropped into the hole, a dazed “oahhh,” and lucky me a subdued hand brake for the rest of the trip…now Chris where is that challenging stuff hey?

Well the only recovery of the day happend here.  The tail end Landcruiser followed the Patrol (yours truly) through the wheel ruts leading down to the crossing and found its differential kissing the ground.  That stopped any going back or forward and it was time for a Nissan to pull out a Toyota.  I know back at Perth at the West Coast 4×4 Club (www.westcoast4x4.com.au) this would mean bragging rights until the favour was returned…perhaps we will let this little one slip by the way side in the hope I can attend another trip in the future…please!  A gentle tug had the Cruiser back on safe ground and off we went.

The next sectionof the trip (until we crossed the Arve River again) was an interesting track with a few, sometimes deep, muddy water holes.  They left the foot hovering over the accelerator pedal in case a few more HP’s were required when the ground got a little too slippery and soft.  It was here that we had our first…I won’t say last…mishap of the trip…more about that later.  One of the Land Rover’s was unfortunate to pick up a flat tyre.  This was quickly changed but unfortunately resulted in an early day for the driver.

Back over the Arve River and to the start of the famous Willimette Creek Track.  Apparently this one is really tough with plenty of winching required to get through.  The start of this track was therefore given a miss and we moved on up the hill to the midway section of the track for a look.  It was here that Bushman Bud ended up as the second, most embarrsing casulty of the trip.  The Williamette Creek Track had been split in two by a new logging track, meaning the exit out of the track was extremely steep and very muddy…as I was about to find out.  As members started joking about me driving down, I decided quickly it was probably a rather silly joke and not one that I would fall for…us West Australian’s are a bit smarter than that you know.  So…what made me take the following action I can only wonder…perhaps been in Tassie too long…maybe…Well I am a curious being by nature and the fact that the track looked like a real challenge made me want a closer look.  I couldn’t see round a corner and that was frustrating me…so…over the bank I went and about 1m down the slope until I felt my feet sliding.  Well no problem I thought I would ride this one out…I know how to ski.  Well gravity took over, the slope was very steep and my feet were moving quicker than what I could control.  Starting to feel my feet slide out from under me I and not wanting to end up on my backside (which in hind sight would have been better for all clothes and expensive camera concerned) I decided to steady myself with my hands.  This worked for all of about 2 seconds and then my elbows hit the ground, my camera took a dive in the mud and I got…lets say…very muddy.  I must say that this was to the delight of all the onlookers who were cheering out for more.  Needless to say you can always guarantee that there are plenty of cameras around so my much damaged ego has probably been well publisized.  Please though, would someone be kind enough to send me a photo that I can cherish.  With the crowd begging for an encore and me wondering how on earth I was going to get back up this very muddy hill I was relieved to find a chicken track which I thankfully negotiated with ease.  If only I had seen this track before I marched on down.  You know the only real disappointment was that of my wife, who regreattably missed the hole thing.  She is still wishing she had captured it on video and is must upset that I didn’t wait until she a gotten out of the car…sorry honey.

From here is was onto the upper part of the Williamette Creek Track which was relatively easy, however mudy in sections.  The Toyota Hilux struggled on one steeper section, getting stuck on some badly placed logs, before clearing the logs, reversing down and giving the vehicle some more revs and flying up the hill.

Lunch was next on the cards and we stopped off at a quarry near to the Razor Saddle.  It was windy and cold and a few were taking cover in their vehicles whilst others were pottering around.  I was trying to clean my camera but gave up after a few minutes, so apologies that there are not more photos.  The kids, Joey Jess and Orangatang Amy enjoyed climbing up and down a few of the “safe” rock piles and there were a few more delightful conversations with members.

The next part of the trip took us over Scott’s Divide.  Chris had obtained a key to the forestry track and so through the gate went and up on top of the Fourfoot Plain full of many rocky ledges and button grass.  After a few klm’s of bouncing up and down I am usually begging for the end of the track.  This was no exception and was helped along by the close foilage in parts.  The saving grace was the view from up above which was pleasant.  Hey, maybe that’s a little harsh…each to their own I guess, it was an interesting track though.

From here we headed into Geeveston to drop off the key we had obtained.  It was here that we lost another member who headed off home for a warm shower and early dinner…I suppose.  Perhaps it was just to sit near a warm fire.

From Geeveston we headed out to another track for proposed adoption.  We headed out along Hermon Road turning left into Boney Road.  This track took us over the Swearing Bobs Plain, past Wobbly Creek until meeting up with Hopetoun Road.  The track was a nice drive, without serious challenges.

We pulled over about 1 klm from the Huon Highway on Hopetoun Road for afternoon tea.  Another nice cupper warmed the soul as did a few more interesting conversations.

The day ended here with the club and we went out seperate way after reaching the Huon Highway.

For Bushman Bud and family we headed to Geeveston where we put air in our tyres before carrying onto to Huonville.  Here we turned right, grabbed some fish and chips and continued on following the beautiful coast road back to our campsite at the Gordon Foreshore.

Our thanks for the great day go out to the trip leader Chris Boden and all the members of the Land Rover 4WD Club for welcoming us as visitors and taking the time to catch up with us throughout the day.  You have an awesome club environment backed up by friendly members who have a common respect for the great outdoors.  It was certainly a pleasure to catch up with you all and enjoy the company and the drive, thanks.

We hope we can join you when you next journey out…perhaps on all of those hard tracks we looked at…we will return!!!

Please keep us informed with your newsletter.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia