First Morning Sunrise

 Pink Lakes

 On the way to the Boarder Track

 View From the Boarder Track

 The Family

Billy and the Boys

Day 12 - Wyperfield National Park to Nullawil

We woke to the sound of rain and the realisation that pack up would be wet.  We departed Wyperfield National Park and headed for Nullawil...it rained all the way.

We had a tour of the Nullawil Primary School. The school has 16 students from prep to grade 6 and two teachers. Their facilities are great and they are up to date with the latest technologies.

The kids school day ended with the Principal (Mr Sebire) and Russell giving an impromptu musical concert with their mandolin and fiddle.

Chuck said good bye at Nullawil and headed home.

Russell, Princess Fiona, Flora and Bloom stayed the night in Nullawill before heading home the next day.

Day 11 - Enjoying Wyperfield National Park

We farewelled Boo Boo this morning - hopefully she doesn't get lost on her way home.

It was another relaxing day around camp. A trip into Patchewollock for an ice cream followed by a play at Snowdrift. Warm showers back at camp and some tidying up around the campsite. 

Nachos, homemade bread and broth were enjoyed for tea. It is sad that our holiday has almost come to an end.

Day 10 - Relaxation around camp

A relaxing day around camp today.

Chuck and Boo Boo went looking for Mallee Fowel but didn't find any. The kids played on snowdrift (the track was firmer and faster!).

A hot broth and garlic bread was on the menu for tea, just what we needed to warm us up!

Day 9 - Hattah Kulkyne National Park

We went to Hattah Kulkyne National Park today.

We met the mighty Murray River in Murray Kulkyne National Park. Saw lots of emus, kangaroos, pelicans and even a wild bore on our journey. On the way home everyone except Boo Boo saw two Mallee Fowel run off into the scrub.

Chef Chuck whipped up some pizza dough in the thermomix and refined his pizza making skills.

Day 8 - O'Sullivans Pine Plains Lodge

We went for a little drive to O'Sullivans Pine Plains Lodge.

Susan O'Sullivan showed us around the accommodation and facilities. It would be a really nice place to stay.  It has a great observatory where you can look at the stars. Best of all they had two camels and Princess Fiona was so glad she got to see camels!

We went to Mt Jenkins and we all had a great time. We went back to camp and had lunch then the Sebires went home and we had a quite afternoon at camp. For tea we had spaghetti bolognaise; it was great. 

Day 7 - Sand Dune Fun

On Saturday we all had a sleep in after our early start the day before.

We caught up with our Young Farmers friends - Sharon, Nathan from Rainbow and their kids Flynn, Heidi and Sally.  Julie and Joe from Nullawil and their kids Paddy and Ellie.

We went to Snow Drift (a massive sand dune) and went on the boogie boards and home made sand sleds for hours and hours of fun (and the occasional spill!).

We farewelled our friends from Rainbow and returned to camp. Julie and Joe set up their new tent. Chuck cooked tacos for tea and we cooked marshmallows on the fire. The kids played their ipods and ipads while the adults played music on the fiddle, banjo,  guitar and the mandolin. We had a great day.

Great Day With Friends

Day 6 - Border Track

Bumpy Border Track!

Russell kindly set the alarm for 5:30am. We left camp in the dark and saw the sunrise and lots of emus and kangaroos. We arrived at Murrayville and got some diesel and a coffee and headed off to the Border Track. We went from VIC to SA. The track was very bumpy and had lots of big hills. We struggled on the biggest sand dune but Russell, Princess Fiona, Bloom and Flora made it up on the third attempt and Chuck and Boo Boo made it up the second time.  In total we drove 70km along the Border Track. 

When we finished the Border Track we thought we were following  camel tracks (Princess Fiona really wanted to see a camel in the wild.)  We took Red Bluff track. The track seemed to go on forever but no matter how far we drove we didn't see any camels!  Finally, we got back to Patchewollock and had tea at the pub. We got back to camp just after 8 pm and were all so exhausted after our big day that we went straight to bed.

Day 5 - O'Sullivans Lookout

Merry went home bright and early. We drove to Ouyen. Princess Fiona wanted to taste a famous vanilla slice but the bakery was closed for renovations.  Instead had a play in the playground.

On the drive back to camp we stopped and climbed O'Sullivans Lookout, a steep walk but well worth it. We could see for miles and miles. We called into Snowdrift and Flora and Bloom had some fun on the boogie boards and running down the dune. Flora did an impressive head in the sand flip! 

We went back to camp. Finally, after getting lost, Boo Boo arrived to join in the fun. Chef Chuck cooked a delicious stew and rice for tea.

             

Day 4 - Chuck's 40th Birthday

I am just so hot.. Chucks quote of the day.. And 40th birthday

It was raining but that didn't stop Russell and Chuck going for a little drive. They went on the North Callitris track. They came back in the rain with their cars all dirty.

Princess Fiona made us hot chocolate which was great for a cold day.

After lunch we went for a drive up a really big hill. Chuck and Merry went up first and made it on the second attempt in two wheel drive. Then Russell, Princess Fiona, Flora and Bloom made it up.

When back at camp Flora, Bloom and Russell cooked a cake in the camp oven for Chuck's birthday. Tea was homemade pizzas cooked on the fire followed by birthday cake. It was Yum.

Russell determined to make it up in 2WD

Birthday Celebrations

Birthday fun..  once the girls put their ipods down..

Casuarina Campsite

Murray Sunset National Park and the Pink Lakes

Day 3 - Murray Sunset National Park

On Tuesday we all went on another adventure to the Pink Lakes in the Murray Sunset National Park. They are called that because of the algae in the water that makes them pink.

First we went to Lake Hardy. It's the smallest lake but the one that has the most pink. The next one was Salt Lake. It used to be a school and they use camels to get the salt out of the lake. We got to taste the salt and it was as bit salty.

We drove a bit more then had lunch at Lake Crosbie. On the way home we spotted another sand dune called Mt Jenkins. Chuck had the boogie boards and we all got a go to slide down. Then Russell and chuck wrote their names in the sand. It only took about 20 mins to get back to camp and on the way we saw kangaroo’s, emus and 2 mallee fowls. 

It was great to get back and have a warm shower. 

For tea we had a roast and it was yum. 

Day 2 - Exploration Day

On Monday Russell, Chuck, Princess Fiona, Merry, Bloom, and Flora went to a really big sand dune called Snow Drift. We took our boogie boards with us.  It took about an hour to get there but we made it. When we got there we walked up with our Boogie boards. It was really steep to get up and when we got to the top Russell came and pushed us down. I thought it was awesome.

Russell, Bloom, and I ran down the sand dune together. I did a flip. It was loads of fun. Then we hopped in the car and went to explore the southern end of the National Park, where we had lunch at the other campsite. It was spitting with rain. Lunch was helping yourself to dip, cheese, quince paste, salami and dry biscuits. We went home via Rainbow and Hopetoun to get groceries.

On the way home we saw a couple of Mallee Fowls. Chuck cooked a tuna bake for tea and mash potatoes in the Thermomix. Sweets were banana and custard. It was yum.

Day 1 - Lockington to Wyperfield National Park

Well it got off to a great start with Russell's 4WD not starting!  Turned the vehicle on, and NOTHING..  Oh dear Russell..  what were you thinking..

Nevermind..  once we jump started it, we were off like a frog in a sock..  We took 3 vehicles this time around because Merry had to leave early to get back.  So we all had 2 in each car..  Merry and Princess Fiona had heaps to catch up on..

First stop Boort (pronounced bought) where Chuck and Russell bought some petrol.  Had to really..  Get it - we bought something in Boort.. ha ha!  Lunch was Chuck's well prepared and thought through bacon and cheese rolls.  That was it. Just the rolls. Nothing else. No spreads, no ham, no stras..  nada.  Luckily Princess Fiona had some mars bar and rice bubble slice to get us through..

Then it was off to Wycheproof which is one of two towns in Victoria where the railway runs right down the middle of the main street, and divides the road.  You drive on each side of the track.. Strange. But an experience..

Then we drove on to Sea Lake.  I believe they still harvest salt from this lake.  And they have some rally there as well. The NICEST public facilities that we will encounter for a long time.. And showers too (unlike the trip).. off again..

Then we passed through Speed.  I would have like to have sped through Speed, but really, there was no speeding allowed. Boring..

Nevertheless, we headed off to the last town before the National Park. Chuck was planning on picking up some ice from here, but alas, there was nothing open. There was actually nothing but a shop and a pub there, but it was all shut up tight..  And I must say the internet was patchy in Patchewollock..  But they did have the large Mallee Fowl!  Pretty impressive..

Lastly about 4.30 we made it Wyperfield National Park, and to Casuarina Campground - our base for the next 11 days..  Very spartan - 1 toilet block, no showers and 2 other campers..  But we got set up, unpacked and had a great BBQ for dinner..

For the remainder of the trip we have entrusted 9yr old Flora to be responsible for the blog.

Below is her first entry

On Sunday Russell’s car would not start, so it took even longer to get on the road to start our adventure. 

Our adventure started from Lockington with Princess Fiona, Russell, Chuck, Merry, Bloom and Flora heading to Wyperfield National Park. Our travels took us through Boort, Wycheproof and on to Sea Lake. The reason it was called Sea Lake is because is because of a spelling error. Originally it was called “See Lake,” until a mistake was made somewhere along the line and the See was replaced with Sea. From here we drove quickly through Speed. At Patchewollock we stopped to look at the BIG Mallee Fowls. It was then on to Wyperfield National Park where we set up camp at the Casuarina Campground.

We set up the caravan and camper which took about 1 hour

Wycheproof

The automobiles..

Not speeding through Speed

The Mallee Fowl in Patchewollock

The campsite

Off again on a little Adventure

We are off again on our yearly adventure, this time we are not going to leave the state of Victoria. We have a few more tag alongers. We will introduce them at a later stage. We will be leaving towards the end of May. The Usuals are along for the ride, Russell, Chuck, Princess Fiona, Merry, Bloom and Flora.

Our Trip this year will encompass the North West of the State. Places will include,

Wyperfield National Park

Big Desert National Park

Murray-Sunset National Park

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

The Vehicles and Campers have not changed but a few Upgrades have been made, a little on those later.

Just a snippet from a previous adventure

Thought I'd make a start on the Mods for the Outback Sturt Camper. Not much has changed really but I have included a full pole, self standing setup for the annex, it will reduce the number of guy ropes that you have to trip over when you get up in the middle of the night for a wee.

Also I have put lights (From Korr Lighting) in the kitchen cupboards and in the under bed storage compartment. Should make it a lot easier when we (as we always seem to do) rock up to a campsite after dark. Both Russell and Chuck have also purchased a 160watt solar setup (once again from Korr Lighting) for both the Sturt and the Outback Expanda so we now can stay remote for a lot longer.

  Lighting and pole setup in Chucks Outback Sturt

Russell has not modified the Patrol any further since our last trip. As for the Expanda the modifications have been rather minor. Electrical connections on the chasis have been put into a water and dust proof box with its own bash plate. Underbody protection to some of the water pipes and LED lights inside. To keep the family nice and clean an Aquacube Hot Water system will be taken to take care of the showers.