Been a solo desert rider for years just turned 61 so getting on a bit..couple years ago  due to my aging bones i bought a kia sorento, have crossed the simpson twice in that, I now want to do the CSR so bought a cruiser .

Tough as with no hope of any help or rescue except themselves


   

Aussie TownsLike Page

February 22 at 10:46am · [url=https://www.facebook.com/#][/url]
A Forgotten Australian Legend – Len Beadell
Never heard of Len Beadell? Then you have never heard of the surveyor and road builder who, with a team of eight dedicated assistants (basically bulldozer drivers, mechanics and a cook), in the 1940s and 1950s built more than 6,500 kilometres of roads which opened up the Australian inland – let’s call that Australian desert. 

It was Beadell who headed the “gunbarrel crew” which built that extraordinary track, the Gunbarrel Highway, from Victory Downs (just west of the Stuart Highway on the South Australia-Northern Territory border) across to Carnegie in Western Australia. It was also Beadell and his crew who constructed the Anne Beadell Highway (these were access roads across sand dunes and deserts rather than sealed highways) from Mabel Creek Station (west of Coober Pedy) across to Laverton. 

Beadell was proud of his work and he left small aluminium plates along the way to ensure that the drivers who followed didn’t get lost. Each plate was stamped with the latitude and longitude and, frighteningly, the distance to the next waterhole or station.
The actual construction makes fascinating reading: “The typical modus operandi was for Beadell to carry out forward reconnaissance in his Land-Rover by himself, and, on the basis of this, decide the best route for the road. He would then return to the rest of the group from which the bulldozer would lead off first with its driver guided by Beadell flashing a mirror (sometimes a flare was used) from the top of the Rover. The rough track was then smoothed with an ordinary road grader.” 

Remarkably the roads are still there nearly seventy years later and they still present a challenge to adventurous 4WD enthusiasts wanting to cross Australia’s Dead Heart. 
It is entirely appropriate that one rocky outcrop in the middle of nowhere, along the Gunbarrel Highway, is named Mount Beadell. On it is a memorial which tells the story of this remarkable man.

“Len Beadell (1923-1995) was born on a farm in West Pennant Hills (now a suburb of Sydney) in 1923. After taking an interest in surveying at the age of 12, under the guidance of his surveyor-Scout master, he began a career with him on the military mapping program of northern NSW in the early stages of the Second World War. A year later he enlisted in the Australian Army Survey Corps serving in New Guinea until 1945.
“While still in the army he accompanied the first combined scientific expedition of the CSIRO into the Alligator River country of Arnhem Land carrying out astronomical observations fixing locations of their new discoveries.

“Waiving his discharge for yet another term he readily agreed to carry out the initial survey for a rocket range later to be named Woomera. This decision led to a lifetime association with that project as a civilian till his retirement in 1988.
“After 41 years including continual camping, surveying, exploring and road making – he opened up for the first time in history over 2.5 million kilometres of the Great Sandy, Gibson and Great Victoria deserts. 

“He discovered the site for the succeeding Atomic test at Maralinga also laying out all the instruments needed to record the results.
“In 1958 as range Reconnaissance Officer at the Weapons research establishment he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in building the famous Gun Barrel Highway, the first and still the only 1500 km link east-west across the centre of Australia. 

“Since then he has surveyed over 6,000 km of lonely roads in the deserts for access in establishing instrumentation for the Woomera and Maralinga trials.”
Beadell wrote a number of books, amusingly most of them have “bush’ in the title, (Beating About the Bush, Still in the Bush, Too Long in the Bush, Blast the Bush, Bush Bashers) rich in anecdotes and stories about his adventures and they are still in print. There is also an excellent account of his life, complete with lots of photos and a map of all the roads he built, titled Len Beadell’s Legacy by Ian Bayly.

Readers comments
Belinda Dahl My parents knew Len quite well & he came & stayed with us one night when we lived in Oodnadatta.
He also sketched the picture for my 21st birthday invitations then painted a picture of it for me. A picture l will always treasure.

Colleen Gale For a wonderful experience following Len's tracks. Len's daughter Connie and her husband Mick run many tours each year. I have been fortunate to go along on a couple and my husband Kev has followed along on most of the tours they offer. A wonderful way to hear Len's story around the campfire at night and to drive on his tracks with those who knew him best - his family.
Find our more on Beadell Tours.

Paul Christensen Do a search for Len Beadell - The Shepparton Talks......Len talking about the formation of Woomera, the atomic tests, the building of the above mentioned highways.....an awesome listen. He has such a dry sense of humour. Recorded not long before he died.

Wayne Plume WOW - This brings back some memories! We were lucky enough to go out bush with Len back in the early nineties before he died.

We travelled North from the Nullabor Hwy up to Cook on the Trans Australian Railway and then on Len's roads up to Vokes Hill Corner.
Then we did a righty and headed East to Emu Junction then Mabel Creek and ended up on the Stuart Hwy North of Coober Pedy.

Both Len and Doug (the dozer driver) were on the trip with us. There was a group of us and Len took us to some fantastic out of the way spots. While we were out there we replaced one of his original markers.

There are too many stories to tell on here but what a great time it was with Len's commentary along the way.

On the picture of the map below you can see the tracks we took.
The eyelet pinned on the map is special - I found it out there and it came from on of the original white canvas crosses that Len used to peg out on the ground as marker points for the planes from Woomera to follow.
   

Hi this is an audio podcast that you can listen to about the history of WA's Canning Stock route, very informative in a layback style and thus easy to listen to and enjoy

• Story of being bogged for days on end and then just driving out after the ground was just custard with the rain days before
• 1800+km Route which was laid in 1910 to drive cattle to market free of charge but was an early disaster due to??
• the driving route follows the dune hollows and crosses the low points where possible so is 200kms more than the stock route
• aboriginal issues throughout the early days brought about a Royal Commission
• was in use until 1959 and became a part of the II WWar effort strategy
  

Dear Campers
 
It’s not too early to make an Easter booking!
 
Last Easter was a disaster. Ex-Cyclone Debbie came through and overnight dumped 250mm on the
Retreat. Roads were washed out and the camping ground was waterlogged. All bookings had to be
cancelled.
 
This year we are looking good weatherwise. The road from Cleared Ridge to the Retreat has been
graded and is in tip-top condition. However, Council have not yet graded the rest of the road and its
condition makes it almost impassable for SUV's or camper vans.
 
If you are considering booking, please be aware, in my opinion only genuine 4WD vehicles will be
able to handle the road.
 
Charges: We have kept the current charges stable for the past 4 years and we don’t intend raising
them in 2018. Nor will we apply an Easter surcharge. We try to keep the costs at a level which will
benefit all of us.
 
Camping: Adults are $25 per adult per night;
Cabins: $160 per night (sleeps up to 8 persons)
Children under 12: free of charge; and
Children under 16: at half price.
We are also pet friendly
 
 
Many Tks
 
Ben Barton | Mt Barney Wilderness Retreat | www.mtbarney.com.au
ben@mtbarney.com.au | 0437105765

G’day All.

My names Steve and I've been dropping in after finding the forum for a while and thought I'd better pull my finger out and say hi.

I've had my old Nissan ute for 19 years but lost the bug and hardly used it until a couple of years ago. The bugs well and truely back again and I'd really like to meet up with people with the same interests. I work away a lot but will come to one of your monthly meetings when a chance comes up. 

Cheers 
Steve

Hi

This may be covered in the meeting tonight but while I remember it...

Merv (Dad) was thinking of doing a trip in the hills behind Kempsey NSW - possibly even look at one of the easier to get into caves in that area...

This would have to be a 3 or 4 day weekend and would require a good solid 4 to 5hr Drive to get there depending on how we attack this and obviously the route we take.
If anyone can both think of a time to do this and is interested in joining us please let me know - we will do this as a club trip.

Little bit of History - Mum's Father Col Carter was big into caving when he was alive and as a young boy I joined in on several trips - there are several Ghost towns and caves out that way and it will be a bit of a Nostalgia trip for us.. hopefully we can still remember where thing are.

Well Finialy I have had time to put up a post on the 2 week Desert crossing and Ulura trip happening from June 2nd till 17th.

It looks like there are 5 cars confirmed with the main objection to walk the Rock pending on access.

We are hoping that we might be able to cross paths with the 4 week trip from Poppels Corner or on the other side at Dalhousie Springs before both trips head of on there main challengers ( Madigan Line, Ulura) 

This trip will start off on Saturday the 2nd from Brisbane heading straight out to Bridsville with the first night stop just out side Quilpie at a free camp then of to Birdsville for a pie and fuel.

Depending on what happens when we get to Uluru and if/when the climbers are able to traverse the Rock on what a direction and places to see.

After the rock we will be heading cross the Plenty Hwy towards Winton to stop of at the dinosaurs then on to Carnarvon Gorge before heading home.

I have attached a spreed sheet with the proposed trip as the outline/guide pending on how things go along the way.

If you have any questions or might be interested in coming along please reply to this post.

There will be a informal get together around end of May early April for all the travelers attending or wanting to attend.

Happy and Safe Travels.  
 

  2018 Trip Ularu 1.xlsx (Size: 11.5 KB / Downloads: 111)

Saturday 24th - 25th March 2018.
Weekend away OR Sunday for day trippers.
Hopefully will have Sirlezz? able to join us for this trip as he been able to explore some of tracks in this area with the corroboree.
Meeting times for Saturday (and Sunday for day trippers) and camping location to be discussed.

Saturday 10th - 11th March 2018.
Beach weekend getaway while the weather is still great for swimming!
Exact meeting time and camping location to be agreed upon, however the suggestions for camping are:
Teewah beach (beachfront camping).
Freshwater (between Teewah and DI. For camping, this would be my pick).
Double Island point.
Rainbow beach.
All these locations are not too far from each other (relatively speaking).
There is an inland track from Freshwater to Rainbow and there are the lagoons that are great to go to for swimming too.
If you have any further suggestions, please do so.

Saturday 17th - 18th February 2018.
Another weekend getaway, this time to Scenic Rim Adventure Park!
The invite is open to any day trippers that may wish to come out for just the Saturday OR the Sunday.
Scenic Rim 4x4 Adventure Park.

Meeting: 7.30am Hungry Jacks Beaudesert for an 8am leave.

636 Tamrookum Creek road, Tamrookum Creek Qld 4285
There is now 60km signs along our entry road and we ask that you be mindful of the wildlife, cattle and courteous to our neighbours along Tamrookum Creek road as you enter our property, thank you.
From Beaudesert CBD follow Mt Lindsey Highway towards Rathdowney 8klms before Rathdowney turn right into Tamrookum Creek Road follow for   6klm.
Vehicle entry rates:

• 4WD Day rate Friday to Sunday vehicle day  pass $45 per vehicle
• Additional consecutive days are $10 per vehicle per day
• Midweek Mondays to Thursdays (not including public holidays or school holidays) vehicle day pass $35 per vehicle
• Non driving vehicles parking at the office $10 per vehicle
  

• Adults $12 per person per night
• Children 5 to 16 years $8 per person per night
• Children under 5 free
  Link to website: http://www.scenicrimadventurepark.com.au/
• Details as advised last time from Wendy at Scenic Rim:
• Thank you for the enquiry. We do recommend the deposits to hold your spot as we are only permitted 20 vehicles. We do receive deposits right up to the day before. If someone pays a deposit and is unable to attend on the day we do carry this across to another date. Deposit of $40 per vehicle can be paid into the account below. Balance of payment can be paid on line or cash when checking in at the office. Campsite 1 is a good site for first timers who are towing and campsite 7 is also a popular site but you do have to go up three hills half way up the property. I have attached a copy of the required information and paperwork we are to supply to all visitors to the park it does answer most questions. Please pass this on to the others in your group. For those camping we do not charge for children under 5 years, hot showers or firewood which you can collect yourself from the property. If travelling through Beaudesert please stay on the Mt Lindsay Highway heading towards Rathdowney. Tamrookum Creek road is a right hand turn off the highway. You have 2 kilometres of tarmac then 4 K’s of dirt our property is on the right. Some GPS’s are taking people off the highway to no through road tracks..
• Please use the date of the booking as a reference number. 
• > St George Bank
• > BSB 114-879
• > A/C 473463232
• > Scenic Rim Adventure Park Pty Ltd
  

Saturday 20th - 21st January 2018.
A weekend getaway to Gordon Country! (Open to day trippers that may just wish to go and explore for the Saturday or Sunday too).
Location: 2081 Inverramsay rd, Goomburra 4362
Property size: 4000 acres
Pets allowed.
Cabins are also available should you wish for a bit more comfort than camping.
Camping fees: $17 per adult per night, $10 per child per night. Children up to and including 4yrs old free.
There is a mandatory vehicle fee of $10 per car or $30 per 4wd. This covers the duration of your stay.
Online bookings are preferred (ensure you print your receipt) but payments can be made on check in.
Link: https://www.gordoncountry.com.au/

Meeting location: Puma servo at Aratula (formerly the BP roadhouse) 7.30am for an 8am leave time.
Uhf channel 28.
Please comment on this thread if you think you can make it so we can know numbers.

201707 - Simpson Desert and 3 Corners

I have been asked to post up a trip log of our trip -
If you have any Photos then please post on here as it tends to be easier to find than Facebook

Attached Files

  Simpson 3 Corner updated 20170723 as it happened.xls (Size: 56 KB / Downloads: 73)

Hi

Fraser Island Cleanup has launched a new web page and registrations are now open.
More details are on there page and will be covered at the next meeting.

http://www.4wdqldcu.org.au/index.php/reg...r-to-clubs

Now that I've got your attention, we have quite a number of 10kg chlorine buckets, most with lids.

All washed and clean.

Great for fishing, washing the car or doing that camping trip clothes wash.

Let me know who wants how many. Yes they are free.

Pick up Sandgate or if work permits, I can bring to the next meeting.

Hello someone

i was using my winch to move some heavy things at shed

Whilst my alloy cable was winding in I noticed that my cable had a was kink and giving out sharpe pieces 

So time for a new cable

Ii have been looking at that synthetic poly rope with 9mm with a breaking strain of 12,000 pounds

My question is that suitable for my patrol

Johnny