Major preparations:
Repairs and updates on the Sherwood hab with Ken Peachey Caravan Repairs: I’ve sent them a long list of tasks including putting our new storage box on the back and reconnecting our second leisure battery and inverter.
Service of the Toyota Hilux at New Town Toyota: The vehicle has done less than 40,000kms, but as it is now about 5 years old we’ve opted for the 40,000 service as we want to make sure it is in top condition for the trip. We will also ask about updating the display to have one that includes Apple Carplay and incorporating a reversing camera with guidelines. We could also do to get a new rear view camera and display as the present one is almost useless.
4WD course with Western Wilderness: this half day course should give us confidence that we can drive in sandy conditions and safely deflate and reinflate the tyres. There will be only be four vehicles and we can hopefully have a course that suits our needs.
We will be pretty busy in the next few weeks with musical and social events, as well as preparing for this trip.
The Plan
We will cross the Nullabour to Port Augusta, then head up to Innamincka, then out to the Burke and Wills Expedition Dig Tree. More about the expedition when we get there.
On the way, we will drive the gravel road from Hyden to Norseman, something we could not do with any other vehicle/caravan/motorhome combination we have had. It is only 300 kms of gravel, and should be in good condition as it is a mining road, but we will be prepared for it to be difficult in some parts. Plus we may want to go off the main road for overnight camping and sight seeing.
After the Dig Tree we will head south to explore the Flinders Ranges, then southwards again to Adelaide to enjoy a Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. We have already booked into several events.
Then, it will be back across the Nullabour to arrive home in early June. Eversley has booked ‘our’ cottage at Rottnest for a few days in mid June.
In the second part of the year we will have shorter trips, fitting in some of our at home interests. I’m working on a holiday to Kalbarri for Matt in July after the school holidays.