INTRODUCTION

After we had taken possession of the NEW PRADO, in Jan 23, and given it a few shakedown and TEST runs, we planned to do an "OVERLAND trip" from the Gold Coast, QLD, to BROOME, in WA and return, approx. 12,000 km. This was to be via :- Birdsville, Simpson Desert, Alice Springs, Uluru, Tanami track to Halls Creek, then Broom. Returning via the Gibb River Rd., Darwin, Borroloola, NT then to Rocky in Qld, and home. However, the recent HEAVY rains in the NORTH of Oz, had caused extensive flooding to Eyre Creek in the Simpson desert, so the Birdsville Police had closed the Simpson Desert crossing. We changed our route to "anticlockwise" so that we would arrive at the Simpson Desert some 3 weeks later, hoping that the floods had gone down and we could get thru. However, at Uluru, the Birdsville Police (very helpful) advised us that Eyre Creek was still flooded and impassable, about 2.5 metres deep and 50 metres wide. Therefore we decided to head to Birdsville by going North of Alice to the PLENTY hwy, then South East from Boulia to Birdsville via the Flood bypass track. Then at Birdsville, we had to do BIG RED and go 17 km west, to via the "flooded Eyre Ck." which had stopped our crossing the Simpson desert. Mind you, BIG RED and the 17 odd km to Eyre Creek, was probably the most difficult part of the Simpson Desert, which the PRADO handled effortlessly.

The revised MAP of our travels, about 12,000 km is below. The only change we made was to head home from Birdsville, via Longreach, Yeppoon, Hervey bay. The ONLY major incident we experienced was hitting 1 of 3 Eagles which were gorging on roadkill on the section between Derby and Broome. The "heavily laden Eagle" took out our Right wing side mirror and caused us to run off the road, doing some minor damage/scratches the left bumper and mudguard.

TRIP Planning and Itinerary

We used our tried and tested "Trip Planner" to easily establish our Itinerary and costs, and make alterations/revisions as they occurred. This is VERY easy to use and has been perfected over the last 30 + years of travel planning for Australia and Overseas trips. We had to take some camping gear, as we expected no motel/cabin accommodation in 3 sections, ie :- Middle of the Simpson Desert, middle of the Tanami track and Middle of the Gibb River Rd. We only took a TENT, camp cots, sleeping bags, pillows. Only ready made food and nibbles....NO COOKING. The 40 lt, ENGEL car fridge was full of booze and misc. food. We carried 10 + 5 lt of water + many small bottles, handy in front. Our recovery gear consisted of :- MaxTrax, Snatch + Tow rope, Big shovel & Axe. We also carried 2 spare wheels, 1 behind the rear swing door and 1 vertical in rear boot. At 32 kg., it was too heavy to place in the Roof Racks. Also had an Electric and hand tyre pumps, plus reasonable TOOL kits, Jacks, spacers and suchlike. As well as our mobile phones, we took our Sat Phone with 1 month of service, for $100 pre-paid. Didn't need to use this, thank goodness.

The PRADO didn't need any spare diesel, as it had 150 lt, with sufficient range between fills. Very handy.

Motel Accommodation

We had found it was necessary to pre-book MOST motels, as far as we could forecast our travels. Therefore we booked ALL stops from home in the Gold Coast, to Broome in WA. It was our intention to book accommodations after Broome, at Broome, using Booking.com and tablet. We had an unfortunate experience with the "Lost Camel Hotel at Uluru" owned by Qantas Hotels. When we found out that our original route was blocked by floods, we had to cancel ALL pre-booked motels from Gold Coast to Broome, in the original clockwise route, due to natural disasters. ALL but Qantas allowed us to cancel without penalty. We had booked all these 14+ days before we had to cancel. We spent many frustrating hours by phone and email, trying to get a refund from the Lost Camel Hotel, to no avail. When we finally got there, 3 weeks later, we had to FIGHT with the hotel manager and Qantas, to allow us to use, our pre-booked room @ $300, that nite. After much shouting and argument, Qantas & Lost Camel Hotel, allow us to use up our pre-paid $300 to use that nite. What a disgrace, Qantas and Lost Camel Hotel trying to AVOID desperately, a cancellation refund or a later use, SHAME on them.

Now let the PHOTOS and Narrative tell the tale.

Packing, then Gold Coast to ROMA, Longreach, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, Katherine and DARWIN.

At Darwin we decided to have a small break and stay 3 nites, for a rest, see the city and do a Harbour dinner cruise. Parj wanted to see 2 "high rise office buildings" he designed 53 years ago, which were used as "evacuation centres" during cyclone TRACY. The Harbour Cruise and Stokes Jetty were delightful.

From Darwin, we had to backtrack to Katherine before we could head WEST towards Kununurra, WA. From there, we took the Gibb River Road to Broome, expecting to camp at Mt Barnett Roadhouse. Much to our surprise and disappointment, it being SUNDAY and was closed. We had no choice to motor on for 950 km to Derby to find accommodation. We were surprised and delighted at the condition of the Gibb River road/track. It was often bitumen, and the gravel parts were excellent, good for 120 + kph. We expected some problems in crossing two rivers, Durack and Pentecost, but although they were wide, over 50 metres, not very deep, say 750 at most. Couldn't get Lady Pamela to wade thru & test the depth !

DARWIN to BROOME, via Gibb River Road

From BROOME to Alice Springs, via Halls Creek, Tanami track, & then on to ULURU or Ayers Rock. The road between Broome and Halls Creek, via Fitzroy Crossing, had only recently been opened, after MAJOR flooding. Major detours around Fitzroy Crossing, then easy going to Halls Creek. Parj was quite surprised at how Halls Creek had been improved, from an "abject rubbish dump" 20 odd years ago to an almost reasonable outback village. From Halls Creek we headed down the infamous "Tanami track" and found the road quite reasonable, good for 100 to 120 kph. (mostly good gravel, very few corrugations) We did the short diversion to Wolfe Crater, an impressive hole in the round caused by a huge meteor. Now from Halls Creek to Alice, via the Tanami track, is about 1,100 km. We had planned to stop/camp approx.., in the middle at the now abandoned "Rabbit Flat roadhouse". However, all trace of Rabbit Flat or access roads to it had disappeared. Then, even WORSE, our next possible camp stop, Yuendumu, was either by-passed or also abandoned ?? Had to pass on to Tillmouth Roadhouse, were we were surprised and delighted to find some CABIN accommodation....after a VERY long day on the road. The next day, it was an EASY hop to Alice, where we could rest up and recover for 2 nites. However, the MOTEL in the middle of Alice had VERY noisy music lasting to 2 am, which made sleeping difficult. Then off to Uluru or Ayers Rock. This was a short hop from Alice, and got there about mid-day. Had to ARGUE the toss and make "veiled threats" to Lost Camel Hotel and owners, Qantas, to let us use up our $300 which was pre-paid and cancelled, 15 days before use, because of flooding on the approach roads. They, quite unreasonably didn't want to refund our $300 pre-paid, or let us use it now....MUCH later. Thankfully reason prevailed before Parj lost his temper and become extremely violent !!

Uluru was quite an experience, seeing this MASSIVE rock formation, during the day and at sunset, with the mandatory glass of Champers for Lady Pamela, and several XXXX cans for Peasant Parj....Eh.

Uluru or Ayers Rock back HOME to Qld, Gold Coast

When making future bookings for Mt Dare, prior to crossing the Simpson Desert, now West to East, we found out that Eyre Creek was still flooded, and crossing the desert was NOT possible. Therefore, we decided to head North from Alice to Plenty hwy, then East on the "Plenty, tyre shredder hwy" to Boulia, then South to Birdsville. This would include a flood detour of about 70 km, of which we had been advised. This would enable us to get to Birdsville, do BIG RED (many times) and travel about 17 km west of BIG RED to see the flooded Eyre Creek. This, at Least, would allow the PRADO and PAM to experience the Simpson Desert and its famous Sandhills. After that, we would head home via Longreach, Yeppoon, Hervey Bay and HOME. Yeppoon is one of our favourite places with the wonderful Bayview Towers hotel and the Byfield National Park. Again, we were quite surprised at how the PLENTY hwy had been improved. 20 odd years ago, Parj shredded 2 tyres on this section, LUCKY he had 2 spares, then, and now, Eh? About 140 km Nth East of Alice, at Gem Tree, on the PLENTY hwy, we tried our 1st camping experience. The TENT went up OK, despite strong winds, but a COLD nite of "misery" followed. Poor Lady PAM was COLD and miserable all nite, having failed to bring Long Johns and a track suit. Parj's camp cot collapsed and he hardly got ANY sleep that nite, COLD, MISERABLE and UNCOFORTABLE. The next day, we were LUCKY to get to Tobermorey and find CABINS to sleep in. Don't think PARJ could have driven any further safely ! He was ready to sleep in the car, to AVOID any accidents ! From Tobermorey, we headed East to Boulia, then South via a Flood detour to Birdsville. At Birdsville, we re-organized our gear, inside and on the Roof racks, to do the BIG Sandhills near BIG RED and go about 17 km west, to where Eyre Creek was flooded, preventing Simpson Desert crossings. The water was about 2 metres deep and about 40+ metres wide, NO chance, even with a PRADO with snorkel. We did ALL of the 4 tracks up and down BIG RED, but were unable to have any photos taken from outside, as PAM stayed with me and there were FEW people standing on the top of BIG RED. (as used to be normal) We had some RELAXING food and drinks a the "famous" Birdsville pub, then headed HOME in a North Easterly direction, via Longreach, Yeppoon, then South vis Hervey Bay to HOME.

Finally got to Yeppoon, Bayview Towers Motel, one of our favourite stops. Comfortable nite before heading HOME via Hervey bay, without incident.

Conclusions and Summary

Many of our friends and relatives considered this trip an ABSOLUTE FOLLY for two 80 yo farts ! They reckoned we could NOT manage the Packing/Loading, distances, and STRENOUS effort needed. However, by GOOD planning, preparation and careful execution we proved them all mistaken.

We made MANY mistakes, as is usual on a trip of this TIME and DISTANCE. However, we learned from our mistakes, and will AVOID these in future. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time, despite some hardships when camping and some of the "unavoidable" longer legs of 800 ++ km.

Some of he LONG distances were un-avoidable on this trip, but we coped well, both of us. Neither of us panicked or became hysterical during difficulties, which made them easier to deal with. In future TRIPS, it will NOT be necessary to do such LONG legs, in less remote areas. Now that we have got this in our BUCKET list, together, we will plan and do much EASIER trips, in Oz and Overseas.

The PRADO would be he IDEAL car for such a trip, with LONG range, NOT needing extra fuel in the car.

We would be happy to provide our "Trip Planner and Itinerary TEMPLATES" for anyone interested. These have been tried and perfected over 30 + years, and forecast trip times, distances and costs to plus or minus 5% or better.

We are now considering :- Hayman or heron Island, The Southern Highlands near Kosi, The Great Ocean Road in VIC and anything else that our HEALTH and Inclination can tolerate.