Our trip to outback Oz March 2013

[RobynD39]

Hi all,

 

Bob and I recently went on a 10-day trip in our RV9A from Watts Bridge (QLD) to Warrnambool (VIC), then on to Arkaroola (SA), then Coober Pedy (SA), then back to William Creek and Lake Ayre, then home via Cunnamulla.

 

I have put together a few photos and videos for anyone who's interested. Hope you enjoy them.

 

Robyn

 

PS. We had originally planned to fly up to Ayres Rock (NT) as well but the weather wasn't good at the time.

 

PPS. The best way to watch these videos, is go to full screen and pause the video. This way you can enlarge photos and watch any videos on the page. Then click the right arrow to go to the next page.

 

Part 1 - Watts Bridge to Warrnambool (via Narromine to Deniliquin) (including sightseeing at Warrnambool and Port Fairy)

 

At the start of the video, for those those that don’t know, to get out of SE QLD you have to climb over a mountain range. But because of Amberley AFB you have a height restriction that does not give you a lot of room. The day of departure there were clouds over the ranges and because of the restrictions we could not climb over, so had to fly along the ranges looking for a hole to get through. For a while we thought we were going to have to turn back.

 

Part 2 - Warrnambool to Arkaroola (via Renmark) (including sightseeing at Arkaroola)

 

At Arkaroola our room was nice enough. But then we pulled back the curtains and found heaps of spider webs (with some spiders) that the cleaners had missed. The rooms had been closed down for the off-season, and we were the first tourists of the new tourist season. We had chosen the cheaper rooms though so we couldn't complain.

 

Part 3 - Arkaroola to Coober Pedy (including sightseeing at Coober Pedy)

 

When we were flying into Coober Pedy we were wondering what the little white hills were. It wasn’t until we were on the ground we realised they were the tailings from the opal mines.

 

Part 4 - William Creek, Lake Ayre and Thargomindah (including sightseeing at William Creek)

 

William Creek is in the middle of nowhere! The old Ghan railway line from Adelaide up through the centre to Alice Springs, because of the old steam trains needing water in the dry outback, toured all over the place. William creek was one of the stops and the pub was built to service the passengers. When the new line was built (in a straight line) and the old line was closed down, William Creek was able to survive on tourists as it is the closest to Lake Ayre.

 

Part 5 - Cunnamulla to Watts Bridge (via Goondiwindi)

 

Goondiwindi had a card Avgas bowser that was not working and the fuel supplier wanted to charge us a call out fee of $100 (go figure???). We were told by some locals the bowser had not worked for a year or so.

 

 

[gregrobertson]

Great stuff Robyn. It is what we should be doing. Did you run into Doug at Arkaroola. When we were there a couple of years ago he gave us the keys to Dorothy the old 4X4 so we could get out and have a look around. Just the best hospitality around. Greg.

 

 

[damkia]

Such a pity we don't have a "green with envy" smilie.....

 

Looks like a fun trip...

 

 

[planedriver]

Loved it!

 

Thanks for posting. What a fantastic trip.

 

The RV paint job looks great too.

 

By the way, was the music Ottmar Liebert?

 

Good to to see you both back safe and sound after a great trip.

 

Kind regards

 

Planey

 

 

[Mark11]

Where's the link to the pics and video?

 

 

[Mark11]

I found it ----click the title of each stage ...

 

 

[RobynD39]

Great stuff Robyn. It is what we should be doing. Did you run into Doug at Arkaroola. When we were there a couple of years ago he gave us the keys to Dorothy the old 4X4 so we could get out and have a look around. Just the best hospitality around. Greg.

Thanks Greg. Yes Doug was there to pick us up and gave us a "tour" (including the names of every shrub and tree on the way to the resort). He was a real character and made us feel right at home. He also offered us the 4x4 but we weren't there long enough. We will definitely stay an extra night next time so we can do the ridge tour.

 

 

[RobynD39]

Loved it!Thanks for posting. What a fantastic trip.

The RV paint job looks great too.

 

By the way, was the music Ottmar Liebert?

 

Good to to see you both back safe and sound after a great trip.

 

Kind regards

 

Planey

Thanks Planey. I have no idea who did the music. It was supplied as an option in SmileBox.

 

 

[rgmwa]

Enjoyed that very much, especially the first video which showed a lot of very familar places (what was the soundtrack?). Hope to make it to the Port Fairy Folk Festival myself next year. Only a few more rivets to go (plus a few other bits and pieces).

 

rgmwa

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

You need to get those loose bits into tight formation rgmwa. We'll be down there again next year, but at this stage not sure when. We were planning to be down there for the Avalon air show this time, but because of foul weather we were a week late getting away . If I remember rightly, you spent time in Portland??

 

I might have to suggest to Robyn, that next year when we go to W'bool, to do a WA run via the southern coast, then return via the centre. Mmmm, food for thought!!!

 

 

[rgmwa]

If I remember rightly, you spent time in Portland??

Yes, grew up in Port Fairy, moved to Portland, lived in Warrnambool for a while later on. Been through Hawkesdale too. First flight aged 10 was in Tri-Pacer from Mailor's Flat, well before it had a bitmen runway. Threw up on landing!

Rivet formation is closing up quite nicely now:

 

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

WOW!!! That's looking good..... you must be getting excited rgm!!!

 

 

[rgmwa]

WOW!!! That's looking good..... you must be getting excited rgm!!!

Yes. First wing flapping day is getting fairly close now.

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

rgmwa, check your inbox.