Sand to Sea

[Parra]

Hey all,

thought id get the ball rolling here. this isnt really a 4x4 oriented trip (other than living out of the patrol for quite a bit of the time).

History:

my wife works for an oil and gas company and is in charge of doing environmental surveys and impact reports etc through the Growler region in South Aus. down near Lake Eyre. the last few trips that shes come back from, shes brought some absolutely stunning photos back. Some of the trips involve surveying the innaminka pub out that way too :D Anyway, ive been on to her about wanting to go for a trip out that way soon.

Turns out the in-laws are retiring at the same time we are looking to go out there - so they mention to my wife that they also want to do that sort of trip (ruh roh!) so they are in (GQ ute).

Her brother just finished rebuilding a 40 series ute and is keen to get some trips under his belt, so hes coming.

my brother with a seriously rigged out hilux is keen to come, so hes tagging along (certainly building up quite a group!)

Anyway, enough yakking - ill attach a word document (if possible) that shows our planned route + bits and pieces of information that we've found along they way.

Feel free to add suggestions/comments etc on any experiences that youve had out that way or anything.

Cheers.

EDIT: turns out our route plan document is too big :( bugger!

[AB]

Route


1st to the 28th September 2013

Day 1 – Warwick to St George
Day 2 – St George to Thargomindah
Day 3 – Thargomindah to Innamincka (Adventure Way) – camping in Cullyamurra waterhole
Day 4 and 5 – Innamincka to Birdsville
Day 6 and 7 – Birdsville Races
Day 8 and 9 – Birdsville to Marree – stopping overnight at Mungernarrie hotel
Day 10 – Lake Eyre
Day 11 to 13 – Flinders ranges
Day 14 – Flinders Range to Barossa
Day 15 to 17 - Barossa
Day 18 – Adelaide
Day 19 -22 – Adelaide to Torquay along Great Ocean Road
Day 23 – Torquay to Phillip Island
Day 24 – Phillip Island
Day 25 – 28 – Phillip Island to Brisbane via lakes entrance


Total km - 5901





Day 1 – Warwick to St George



400km Total.
Warwick to Goondiwindi – 200km
Goondiwindi to St George – 200km
Goondiwindi


Radio – 101.9 Coast FM
Things to do –

· Gunsynd Statue
· Border Bridge

St George


Radio – 102.9 FM 4ROM

Camping –

· Kapunda Fishing Park
o Riverfront campsites with fishing and camping facilities
o Ph – 07 4625 5546
o M – 0408 183 134
o 9km north of St George on the Carnavon Highway
o Showers and Toilets
o Fresh Water
o Powered Sites - $25 for 1-2 people. $10 per extra adult
o Unpowered Sites - $20 for 1-2 people. $10 per extra adult.
· Beardmore Dam Campspot
o 15km North of St George. Turn West off Carnarvon Highway 14km north of St George onto Beardmore Dam Rd. 1km up Beardmore Dam Rd, turn left at 1st grid. Camp beside River.
§ No facilities
Things to do -

· Often referred to as Inland Fishing Capital of Queensland
o Murray Cod
§ Generally regarded as Australia's premier freshwater angling species, the powerful Murray cod can be a difficult customer to deal with. Most cod specialists use relatively heavy tackle. Line breaking strains in the 40 to 50 lb or even higher are common amongst those aiming for the larger fish. The new super braided lines have proven useful, especially when trolling in heavy cover, which is where you find the fish.
§ Cod respond well to large baits and lures. Many cod specialists fish only large trolled or cast deep diving lures with a wide action at dead slow speed. Surface lures work well at night and large flies have been tried with success. Bardi grubs, Yabbies (http://www.nativefish.asn.au/yabby.html), shrimps and scrub worms all catch cod. Cod have even been caught on such diverse baits as rabbits and hard boiled eggs! If using fly, you need heavy gear, as cod can pull like a steam train. Even small cod will take very large baits and lures, and give you a run for your money to boot.
§ Fish close to snags and other structure — if you're not getting snagged up, you're not fishing in the right place!
o Yellowbelly
§ An excellent angling species. A vigorous taker of baits, especially shrimp, yabbies and scrub worms, not usually caught on bardi grubs. Also enthusiastically takes lures, cast or trolled. Bait and lure sizes smaller than those generally used for Murray cod (http://www.nativefish.asn.au/cod.html), but many a golden perch has been caught on a large lure or bait intended for a cod.
§ Probably the single most effective bait is a bunch of three or four live freshwater shrimps followed by small to medium sized yabbies. A live Yabby with a ball sinker running right to the hook under the tail is very effective bobbed near prominent snags in the river.
§ Yellowbelly can often be taken on the edge of weed beds or adjacent to submerged structure. Sometimes, simply continuing to cast lures into a likely looking place for quite a while can eventually provoke a strike from an unseen passive fish. This is apparently an aggression response and can produce sizable fish.
§ They can hit very hard at times and fights well. A very strong fish.
§ When handling golden perch, be very careful around the operculum (gill plate) as they have a couple of razor sharp plates along the edge which can easily cut your finger to the bone. Never put your fingers into the gills of a golden perch. Like most Australian freshwater angling species has spines in the front part of the dorsal fin, so look out for them too!
· Riversands Wines – Queensland’s most western winery
o Free wine tasting at Cellar Door
o Whytes Road, St George.



Day 2 – St George to Thargomindah



489km Total
St George to Cunnamulla – 291km
Cunnamulla to Thargomindah – 198km
Cunnamulla


Radio – 96.5 Triple C FM


Things to do –

· Cunnamulla Robber’s Tree
o A living reminder of the Cunnamulla Bank Robbery in 1880, The Robber, Joseph Wells, hid in the tree but was quickly captured by the irate townspeople whose money he had stolen. Joseph Wells goes down in history as the last man, in Queensland, to receive the death penalty for his particular crime.
· Cunnamulla Fella Statue
o Commissioned in 2004 to personify the 'Cunnamulla Fella' in the famous Slim Dusty song, this statue is an icon of the town

Thargomindah


Camping –

· Explorer’s Caravan Park
o 88 Dowling St
o Powered site
§ $22 for 2 people $6 per extra person
o Unpowered Site
§ $16 for 2 people $6 per extra person
o Camp kitchen
o Internet access
o Showers/toilets
o Ph - 07 4655 3307
Things to do -

·






Day 3 – Thargomindah to Innamincka



317km Total
Thargomindah to Noccundra – 122km
Noccundra to Innamincka – 195km

Noccundra


Pub?

Dig Tree


Innamincka


Radio – 1602AM ABC North and West


What to do –

· Australian Inland Mission
· Cullyamurra choke – Aboriginal rock art
· Fishing – Cullyamurra Waterhole.
Camping –

· Cullyamurra Waterhole – 16km NE







Day 4 and 5 – Innamincka to Birdsville



426km on the Cordillo Downs Road
Cordillo Downs –


· Cordillo Downs Sheep Shearing Shed – Largest in Australia


Birdsville –


Radio – 540AM ABC Western Qld













Day 6 and 7 – Birdsville Races










Day 8 and 9 – Birdsville to Maree (Birdsville Track)




517km on Birdsville Track





Day 10 – Lake Eyre








Days 11 to 13 – Flinders Rangers



Marree to Blinman, Flinders Ranges National Park – 236km



Day 14 – Flinders Ranges to Barossa



398km Blinman to Barossa Valley Wine Region



Days 15 to 17 – Barossa







Day 18 – Adelaide



70km from Barossa to Adelaide




Day 19-22 – Adelaide to Torquay



Total – 902km



Day 23 – Torquay to Phillip Island



198km via Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry



Day 24 – Phillip Island







Days 25 to 28 – Phillip Island to Brisbane via Lakes Entrance




332km from Philip island to Lakes Entrance
1616km from Lakes Entrance to Brisbane

[Parra]

Cheers AB, sent!

still a work in progress considering the trip is Sept next year. But i guess what this section of the forum is for!

[taslucas]

Looks like an awesome trip mate. Can't wait for the pics. Only problem is that you don't come far enough south!! Lol
Have a great one:)



tappin it

[Parra]

haha Tas. yeah, there is that. we did discuss it, but i think Tas is a trip on its own! i reckon i could spend plenty of time exploring your neck of the woods

[AB]

Updated mate - See above.

[Parra]

haha, thanks.

that works too

[taslucas]

haha Tas. yeah, there is that. we did discuss it, but i think Tas is a trip on its own! i reckon i could spend plenty of time exploring your neck of the woods

I could spend as long showing it off to you!!

tappin it

[jack]

Hello,
Still working my way trough the various threads and finally got here, what a great looking trip!
I've spent a lot of time around the Great Ocean Road and that is surely one place you don't want to miss. Some hidden gems around Peterborough and then into the Otways, passing the Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles on the way. Cape Otway has heaps of hidden beaches and the magnificent Otway Ranges around Apollo Bay.
All I can say is take your time on the GOR stage and enjoy.
Cheers