A small group of Sea Wolves headed off to Arkaroola luckily before the big wet that hit this week. Meeting at the Lower Light Hotel for lunch on the first day then making a leisurely drive to the Cradock Hotel for an overnight camp, a meal and a few beers. Next morning after a leisurely breakfast at Hawker it was on to Arkaroola and set up camp for the week.

Monday was a drive out to Lake Frome in the morning and for some the afternoon was a hike up a 300 meter hill overlooking the village.

Tuesday we visited several mine sites in various states of decay.  All were interesting and the tracks to get to them were a bit bumpy. That day we also visited the Ochre Rocks.

Wednesday we drove a demanding track during the morning and afternoon was spent over a beer or two. Thursday morning several members went for a bushwalk to an observatory then headed off for a drive through the national park. Thursday night dinner was at the local hotel and watching Power defeat Geelong. Friday was the drive out to the radioactive Hot Springs and a picnic lunch.  The drive out was good but the return journey was starting to get congested with school holiday adventurers. Friday night was spent watching the stars at the observatory with an in-depth dialog by a local astronomer.  His pictures of the galaxy ‘in real time’ were amazing.

All in all the weather was perfect. The 4wd and bush walking everyday were great and the late afternoons were spent practicing for retirement with happy hour and nibbles, sometimes an ice cream and an afternoon sleep. Not necessarily in that order.  The wildlife was a bit sparse out on the track but in the camper trailers we had huntsman spiders and a brown snake that only Mike and Linda saw and as there was no photo it is not considered official.

Due to the weather conditions the first station was Witchelina Station. This station is located just north of Lyndhurst so the first day was a long drive. The group met at Dublin service station for breakfast before heading off. There was a short break at Hawker for lunch and a beer arriving Witchelina Station late afternoon. After setting up camp the fire was lit and the pre dinner drinks were had. After dinner there were more drinks and tall stories of other adventures.

Next day about 9am we set off on the first track and soon came across a dam that was almost full of water. The remarkable thing about this was that the dam had been empty for almost 10 years and it was the rains this March that filled it. The track took most of the day and encompassed a ridge line where low range was required to climb and descend from it. The view was magnificent and well worth the effort.

Over the camp fire that night it was decided to stay at Witchelina Station for an extra night due to the weather conditions at the second Station, Bendleby.

Sunday was a 9am start and the track we were driving was to take us through a gorge and finish close to Marree.

Most of the track was easy going until we got to the spectacular gorge. Here we encountered small boulders and for a large part of the transit a spotter was required to safely negotiate the track. Some time was spent in the gorge looking around and taking photographed. Fitzy put his drone up and came back with some spectacular footage of the area.

Once out of the gorge it was relatively easy driving to the main road and on to Marree. Just short of the bitumen is the old Ghan Line and a railway bridge so we stopped and went for a walk along the bridge. The actual rails have been removed but the sleepers are still there.

Once on the bitumen it was a short drive to Marree where the hotel was visited for a beer or two then back to camp where the fire was lit and several members cooked using camp ovens and the coals from the fire.

Monday saw the group driving through sand hills where we headed out to an area where Sturt Desert Peas were growing in fields. As we came across them the first was seen growing on the track so we all stopped in turn to look and take photos. About 100meters along the track we went round a bend and there were several fields of the flower. Fitzy tried to launch his drone but the wind had picked up during the morning and he had great difficulty with control.

The group then headed back to the station and lunch.  After lunch members headed off to do their own thing I set off to Farina an old Ghost town that had been a rail terminal and a hub for transporting cattle and other farm produce. There is an organisation that is conducting restoration work of the town. This ghost town boast a fully functioning bakery that is run by volunteers. The bakery not only caters for tourist but also conducts classes in the old styles of baking.

Tuesday was spent travelling to Bendleby Station with a stop at the Cradock pub for lunch. The food here was excellent. Arriving at the Station the weather was taking a turn for the worst. The wind had picked up. The manager let us camp close to the shearer’s quarters where there was some shelter from the wind. Due to the high winds the camp fire was not possible so we spent the night in the shearer’s dining room. By midnight the wind had picked up to near gale force and the noise in the camper was prevented sleep so we vacated and spent the night in the bunk room where we were joined by another member of the group.

Next day some of the group decided to leave as conditions had not improved and others set off for the tracks. I left for home so cannot report on the adventures those that stayed had on the tracks.

• There have been several trips by club members with the easing of restrictions. Firstly just before resrictions were imposed there was a trip to Marion Bay which turned out to be on the weekend before the lockdown. These members were just about blown away due to the near gale force winds over the weekend but some off road driving was managed.
• Another group went to Worlds End 18 KM SE of Burra. They were able to drive some good  tracks of the area and had a few dob ins about partying, falling over and a dog.
• Another group spent the weekend at Normanville and found some interesting tracks between Normanville and Deep Creek Conservation Park a great weekend was had.

Fitzy is planning a 4WD trip east to west across the Simpson Desert to Birdsville.

Then driving on to Oodnadatta arriving in time for the Oodnadatta Races on the 11 May 2019.

If interested place name on list at club room.

More details closer to the date.

 The Bush trip is over!  below is a report and some photos of what happened.

Last Sunday I set off for Innamincka where I was to meet up with other members of the dive club. Our plan was to conduct a tour of Outback Historic Hotels.
Along the way I came across Eagles feeding on road kill and stopped for pictures of the birds.

Camping and driving the tracks at 42 Mile Crossing. Plus snorkelling Ewens Ponds and drift down Eight Mile Creek and seeing if we can make it to the sea.

Historic Hotel Tour, Friday 15 - Saturday 24 September 17.