Our first 100km of travel out of gem tree caravan park was frustratingly boring as we had let our tire pressures down to combat the corrugated dirt roads only to find ourselves driving along perfect bitumen!!! This meant we had to keep our speeds low and there was actually an audible cheer when the bitumen finally finished and we were bouncing along on the dirt.
We were swapping turns behind the wheel every 30 mins or so as there was a fair amount of concentration involved and even when you were riding shotgun it wasn’t all looking out of the window at the scenery as we were helping each other with shouts of “hole!“ “Dip” or encouragement to “put your foot down!” to try and increase speed on the corrugations so as to almost glide over the top.
It was really quite amazing that nothing was broken in the Ute or the Camper trailer…glad we bought what we bought!!!
Our first stop was Jervois station and it was a more authentic cattle station with some unpowered campsites out the front and a rustic shower and toilet. There was fuel available and many were stopping for a quick pit stop before heading on their way but it was only us and another couple who stopped for the night.
Although it was windy and cold it was a lovely spot and we had a great afternoon and evening around the campfire getting visits from the resident miniature horse who scared the living daylights out of us as he appeared out of the darkness!! Well he scared Sarah and I but Griff as usual was fairly non fussed and didn’t even stir when the horse finished off his dinner for him!
We would have stayed longer but the cold and wind was wearing us down a bit so we decided to head straight off again for another day of dirt road driving.
The stop the second night was at Tobermory Station and this time it was a little busier again but was great to meet and chat to people doing similar trips slightly off the beaten track.
The station sits in the flood area and to combat the threat of floods the main residence and workshops and campsite have had a levee about 4m high built all the way around it. The feeling is pretty similar to an old fort. While it would have been a great sight to see the waters all around we would have been well and truly stuck so thankfully it stayed dry.
Another cold night with no power meant that we decided to just stay one night again and head off to Boulia and some electricity for our heater!! I had had a cold and Sarah was just coming down with one so we made a last push through the Plenty Highway to Boulia and our return to Queensland!!!
It was really interesting driving along the Plenty (and before that the Binns and the Oodnadatta) because it was something we had never done before yet we’re keen to do. We have most of the right equipment although not all and we just let our tire pressures down and take it pretty slow. I think the danger in the roads comes from the changing weather and when they have been graded (flattened and smoothed by big machinery) so for instance we met someone who had travelled the Plenty Highway just last year and said it was the worst road he had ever driven yet this year at this time it’s in pretty good condition. So I guess you never know until you get on the track but I have a definite feeling we will be doing more in the future! T
