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.