History of the Goldfields Camels

The camels welcoming you to Norseman.

Mini convoy

John's Perentie and Gary and Jim's Internationals all muddied after the Forrestonia-Southern Cross Road

Forrestonia-Southern Cross to Norseman

Because it had rained during the night the unsealed road had become muddy and slippery in places. The trucks were covered in mud by the time we hit the bitumen.  We farewelled John at Marvel Loch and headed for Yellowdine and onwards.  The change of route increased the number of kms quite considerably and we lost a day's travelling.  We have allowed plenty of time to get to Adelaide so it's not a concern. Our campsite for the night was between Widgiemooltha and Norseman. It was a drive of about 80kms the next day to Norseman where we refuelled and replenished our groceries. We are currently on the Nullarbor. Traffic is quite heavy with large road trains and grey nomads towing caravans. We are very surprised at the number of motorbikes on the road - some loaded up with gear. It looks a very uninviting mode of travel.  There are signs everywhere warning of cattle, camels, emus and kangaroos on the road. There was one dead camel on the road and it would have made a mess of the vehicle it struck. Presently we are camped in a treed spot off the road east of Balladonia as Gary is recovering from the flu and is not his usual bright and chatty self. Hopefully the extra day's rest will see him well enough to travel tomorrow. It rained overnight and most of today.

Perth to Forrestonia-Southern Road

Because it had rained during the night the unsealed road had become muddy and slippery in places. The trucks were covered in mud by the time we hit the bitumen.  We farewelled John at Marvel Loch and headed for Yellowdine and onwards.  The change of route increased the number of kms quite considerably and we lost a day's travelling.  We have allowed plenty of time to get to Adelaide so it's not a concern. Our campsite for the night was between Widgiemooltha and Norseman. It was a drive of about 80kms the next day to Norseman where we refuelled and replenished our groceries. We are currently on the Nullarbor. Traffic is quite heavy with large road trains and grey nomads towing caravans. We are very surprised at the number of motorbikes on the road - some loaded up with gear. It looks a very uninviting mode of travel.  There are signs everywhere warning of cattle, camels, emus and kangaroos on the road. There was one dead camel on the road and it would have made a mess of the vehicle it struck. Presently we are camped in a treed spot off the road east of Balladonia as Gary is recovering from the flu and is not his usual bright and chatty self. Hopefully the extra day's rest will see him well enough to travel tomorrow. It rained overnight and most of today.

International Truck (AKA "Interbago")

The Interbago will be our home for the next 7 weeks or so. Beds are set up in the truck but all cooking will be outside in the open if the weather is kind to us or under a tarp if it is not.  Our preference is to cook on the campfire when we are bush camping.

Perth to Adelaide

The truck is now packed and we are ready to travel to South Australia to join up with a  convoy of approximately 40 vehicles ranging from Jeeps, Dodge Weapons Carriers, Landrovers, Blitz and Unimogs to larger vehicles to travel to Alice Springs to celebrate the anniversary of Back to the Track.  These commemorations are held every 5 years.

 

Our first trek was in 2005 in a restored 1941 GMC truck travelling via the Gun Barrel Highway. 

 

This time we are taking a 1970 International truck which is a little easier on the driver and way more comfortable for the passenger.  It is also 2 feet longer in the tray than the GMC so we have more room in the back for storage. 

 

The trek will commence in Edinburgh Parks SA and go to Alice Springs via Quorn, Innamincka, Birdsville and the Plenty Highway.  Some of the roads will be sealed and others unsealed and rough which will make for some interesting driving.

 

Our first leg of the journey will be to make our way to Adelaide to meet up with the rest of the convoy - a distance of around 2,700kms. We have allowed plenty of time to drive across as neither of us has seen much of South Australia so we will take the opportunity to have a look around while we can.

 

The trek officially starts on 9 August 2015 but we are able to camp at the National Military Vehicle Museum from 5 August.

 

Not sure how frequently there will be postings to this blog as we may not always have internet connection in the outback places.