Day 5 - Wilpena Pound (2278kms)

The first full day of The Summit involved exploring the area around Arkaroola. Unfortunately this covered a lot of the area we drove yesterday, but was great to see 37 FJs carving through the rugged terrain.
From here we set off to the salt lakes where the original 'One Way In, One Way Out' started. We weren't allowed on the lakes themselves, but was certainly a sight worth seeing.
Moving on, we aimed for Wilpena Pound in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Was a great fast drive in on some long straight dirt roads. Lots of wildlife on and around the road including kangaroos, emus, lizards, sheep and eagles.
This was our longest day on the official trip, 450kms, but nearly on the road for 7 hours - all off road. A beer after putting the tent up was well earned. And the ground was gradually getting softer. But camping in spots designed for caravans is always going to be a bit on the rough side.
Dinner tonight was courtesy of the resort's bistro 100m up the road. With a working cattle station the destintation for tomorrow, we'll take it when we can ;)

Day 4 - Arkaroola (1950kms)

Today was the official start to The Summit, with everyone ariving by 5pm. Tomorrow we're on the move, but for the best part of the day, we were on our own.
We spent the day exploring the area, but mainly one road out to some springs and old mining areas - 5 hours to do an 80km round trip.
Can't wait for tomorrow and the drive to Wilpena Pound.
*On a side note, updating this everyday is obviously proving difficult with lack of time and reception. More to come.

Day 3 - Arkaroola 1870kms

This morning we drive out to Silverton before making our way to Yunta, then to Arkaroola.
Silverton is a small town that nearly appears to be a purpose built historical town just for tourists. Mad Max was filmed out here, and that's about it really.
The road to Yunta was probably the straightest so far. Very boring drive, but still very interesting scenery.
We filled up with petrol at Yunta, including the two jerry cans. Carrying fuel in the car for this length of driving is always fun....
The road into Arkaroola was a 300km long dirt road, again with occasional dips and turns. You could probably do it in a normal car, but it wouldn't be fun.
Along this road is where our Telstra reception ended. Which isn't surprising as there is absolutely nothing out here.
Saw lots of emus, lizards and some massive eagles. Some were even alive ;)
So we arrived at Arkaroola about 4:30pm and met up with some of the other FJs from WA, QLD and VIC. Everyone else is due here tomorrow.
The fact we're spending two nights here is great. Unpacking and packing the next morning isn't the most fun thing about camping that's for sure. The major downside is that we are camping on dirt and rocks. Will see how we sleep tonight, but its not looking good.
The 'official' part of the trip starts tomorrow afternoon. See you then.

Day 2 - Broken Hill (1242Km's)

What a drive. More straight roads as far as the eye can see. And the landscape made a drastic change today.

Gone are the normal NSW outback gums and bush landscape, and are just fields of flat grass with the occasional slight hill. The road is dead straight, with a slight bend here and there.

Apperently the roads from here to Arkaroola are much the same.

We had a look at miner's memorial and drove out to see the living sculptures at sunset which was nice.

Staying in a motel tonight which should make a nice change from the yoga mats we're using as camp beds. We will be investing in better mattresses asap.

Day 1 - Nyngan (615 Kms)

Arrived. Made good time, setting off at 5am on the dot. Traffic once we past Bathurst was nearly non-existent which made for a pleasant drive.

From Bathurst we headed west towards The Dish just past Parkes, rather than the northern route to Dubbo.

From there it was literally a 105kms straight road to Narromine, a turn and another 130km straight road to Nyngan. We're talking, dead straight. And I think we both agree that this surprisingly takes a hell of a lot more concentration than following the bends.

Tent was up in 5 minutes. Beer open in 6 minutes. If only we had a fire!!!! No firewood anywhere. And at 5:15, we're all rugged up and its only getting colder.

By 6 it was too cold and Noreen & Ash went into town in a better attempt than me, to find firewood. A quick chat to the local cops and they unofficially pointed them towards a bloke they could steal some off. A friendly note and $20, we hope he doesn't report the crime.

9pm and we're in bed, bugged after a full day. So far, everything working to plan. Should sleep well. Sleeping bags are so warm.

Tomorrow, Broken Hill. And more straight roads.

One More Sleep

All packed. Much neater this time around. Setting off bright and early tomorrow morning. As long as we don't forget all the meat in the fridge we should be right.

And as for an update on 'the hand', we have an all clear from the surgeon. Pretty much a 'use it or lose it' scenario, or more surgery might be needed. Even though it still looks disgusting. Yew.....

The plan is camping Nyngan Friday night, motel Broken Hill Saturday, camping in the middle of nowhere Sunday and arriving in Arkaroola Monday, before embarking on The Summit Tuesday.

We'll keep you updated on route tomorrow.

Nyngan here we come.

Packing & Organising - 11 Days to Go

As an update to the previous post, Ash's surgeon has given the all clear for the trip. The finger is healing well, and as long as Ash keeps the exercises up and doesn't try and use that hand we should be all ok.

So, we've bought all the food (excluding perishables) for the trip and have basically organised everything into boxes ready for the squeeze into the FJ.

Next step is to organise how to get this all into the car, which hopefully will all just slot into place.

But we'll have to wait and see - stay tuned.

Um, a little set back

What a week. Starting on Monday night (and not going into all the details), Ash decided that a knife through her finger would be the best entree for dinner.

And being a whizz in the kitchen meant that this wasn't done half arsed. Severed artery, nerve and tendon. 8 hours in emergency, 4 hour operation and over night in hospital puts her on a 3-18 month recovery to have the finger back to (as close too) 100%.

The timing sucks. 3 weeks out from the start of the trip - not mentioning the day to day battles of a useless hand and her exams just prior to the trip - the surgeon is suggesting that Ash not go at all! This all depends on the healing and recovery process prior to d-day, so here's hoping it all goes well.

Update to follow.

Gardens of Stone National Park

What a day!

Thanks Noreen for a fantastic trip. Met up in Lithgow and then headed towards Mudgee, taking the turn off to the Gardens of Stone National Park. From there we followed the dirt road to a lookout, before heading further round the edge of the plateau looking over Newnes. We then made our way down the cliff and ended the day in Newes Campground. Again, we were challenged along the way in a few sections and were pleasantly rewarded with what the FJ can do, and the great scenery. Well worth the drive and somewhere we will surely explore some more in the future. Still want to see the ruins from the mining days. But gives us another excuse to come back.

Ash also had fun driving a lot of the second half of the day - using the low gears in a few sections along with a few fairly big bog sections and descents. All good practice for the upcoming trip in a few weeks time. The big bog hole we came across gave us only one option - through it! I must admit, we both thought that this was something that would've been avoided all together, but we all made it through fairly easily in the end. There was lots of mud flying, both in and out of the car..... but great fun! Everytime we go out with the FJCC crew, we seem to push ourselves and the car further, which is great.

Hopefully the map below works and shows the route we travelled over the course of the day.

Map Here

20" Rigid Industries LED Light Bar

A few months ago we had Andrew Clarke (Clarke Automotive, Hornsby) install a 20" LED light bar for us. I must admit that the initial idea wasn't ours, as we'd seen it done on someone else's FJ from the FJCC forum. The light fits behind the grill perfectly. We can't recommend this light bar enough. Even down low and behind the grill, the light output is outstanding!

We put it here for a number of reasons. Firstly being so that it still looks like a standard FJ. Secondly for a bit of added protection (these things are so strong that I think this really isn't a proper reason) And thirdly, so no one could easily steal the bloody thing!

We would've had more photos with the bar off etc, but as I didn't do the install myself we didn't get the chance. Hopefully this gives someone else the idea to do a similar thing knowing that being behind the grill doesn't have too much of a negative effect on the light output.

(20" Rigid Industries lightbar purchased from Snake Racing)

One Way In. One Way Out.

This is the idea behind the trip we are undertaking. If only for an excuse to get together and enjoy our cars and our great outdoors together.


With our trip following in their footsteps, Toyota really couldn't of hoped for a better advertisment. And as I understand, they've been nothing but accommodating in our (BMMFJ's & everyone from fjcc.com.au) efforts to discover the exact route taken, even providing a Toyota mechanic at no charge for the trip. But with FJ's, who'll need him ;)


Enjoy the video knowing we'll be there in a few short weeks. Can't wait.

Getting Ready

Well, purchased a Southern Cross tent from a mate's parents. Thanks Mr Brooks. We're still deciding on the swags or the tent at this stage though. I know if it rains, the tent will make things a bit easier. See how we go.
Still need to pick up some gear for the trip which is slowly approaching. I think only 7 weeks to go, or thereabouts.
As this was also a test, I'll see how this post goes, and keep this updated prior & during the trip - reception pending - but now with Telstra those hopes are a possibility.
S&A