TOURING in AUSTRALIA
Australia is a big country with lots to see & do!
My wife Lyn & I enjoy nothing more than getting away from suburbia, camping in the bush and enjoying the wonders of God's amazing created natural treasures, trees, birds & animals.
We like to escape and go exploring Western Australia & beyond! 'The Supervan' (4WD Hi Ace camper) is our 'Tiny house' and home away from home. |
When I first retired we spent three months and traveled 15,000 Kilometers from Perth in Western Australia. The adventure started with a Whale shark dive in Ningaloo, then on to see crocodiles in the wild in the Kimberley and Northern Territory and wild camels around Uluru.
We also saw snakes, lizards, emus, wild donkeys and buzzing, crawling, biting, stinging bugs, beetles, spiders and flies of every kind (It was great!)
We toured through the amazing painted desert in South Australia.We climbed hills, we bathed in thermal pools, rivers and waterfalls (or didn't bathe at all).
We found fossils, zircons, opal and lots of other mineral treasures.
We also found Aboriginal sites with rock art and scattered ancient artifacts, together with smashed wine flagons. We took hundreds of photos and I relive the sights and scenes time and time again in my art and writings....and we can't wait for our next big adventure!
We also saw snakes, lizards, emus, wild donkeys and buzzing, crawling, biting, stinging bugs, beetles, spiders and flies of every kind (It was great!)
We toured through the amazing painted desert in South Australia.We climbed hills, we bathed in thermal pools, rivers and waterfalls (or didn't bathe at all).
We found fossils, zircons, opal and lots of other mineral treasures.
We also found Aboriginal sites with rock art and scattered ancient artifacts, together with smashed wine flagons. We took hundreds of photos and I relive the sights and scenes time and time again in my art and writings....and we can't wait for our next big adventure!
WE ESCAPE FROM SUBURBIA WHEN EVER WE CAN
On our 3 month trip, on unsealed roads and tracks we always lowered the pressure in the van's tyres and we did not get a single flat tyre! ........But! We were home for about six weeks and went up to Paynes Find. I couldn't be bothered lowering tyre pressures. we got 3 punctures in 4 days over 1000 km (621 miles)
2021 UPDATE: Reluctantly we sold the 'SuperVan'
Our much loved camper van was getting old and parts are expensive and difficult to get.
(I am the same! I think my brain could do with a new hard drive but they don't produce that model anymore!)
SEPTEMBER 2017
A 4002.9km three week trip up to Exmouth and back. Enjoyed wonderful wildflowers, sunsets, Metal detecting and much more!
A 4002.9km three week trip up to Exmouth and back. Enjoyed wonderful wildflowers, sunsets, Metal detecting and much more!
SOME TOURISTS HAVE SEEN MORE OF AUSTRALIA THAN I HAVE!
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AUGUST 2016 - Perth WA - Bordertown SA & Back
FEBRUARY 2016 - QUICK TRIP
Lyn & I had a couple of therapeutic days in the forest.
Dwellingup Western Australia.
Dwellingup Western Australia.
'THE SUPERVAN' HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Rare in Australia,the 1996 diesel Automatic constant 4 Wheel Drive, Toyota HiAce van, with dual air conditioning, was imported from Japan and converted into the 'Supervan' to our specifications, by 'All Terrain Campers' in Western Australia. It is now fitted out as a camper with - Off road shock absorbers, Roof racks front and back, Bull Bar & Spotlights, Pop-top roof, a Pull out awning, Solar Panels and more.
2021 UPDATE We sold the van became like me it was old and worn
2021 UPDATE We sold the van became like me it was old and worn
Most of the van's conversion was by
'All Terrain Campers' in Western Australia, to a 'Pop Top' camper with a Posturepedic bed with storage under, Cupboard with cutlery drawer, Single burner gas stove, 40 litre Engel 12v Fridge freezer and a 60 Litre esky (icebox) that we swing out when we have the side door open. |
CROCODILE COUNTRY
To get the photo below, I had to get my wife Lyn to stand in the water next to the Crocodile Warning sign.
I was a bit concerned that if a crocodile grabbed her, she might drop her camera in the water :-)
I was a bit concerned that if a crocodile grabbed her, she might drop her camera in the water :-)
THINGS CAN (and do) GO WRONG
Since travelling on the Gibb River Road, the vehicle has been raised 2 inches for more clearance and fitted with Sunraysia style white wheels and All Terrain tyres .
Even before these recent modifications, we completed a three month 15,000 klm trip which included the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley of Western Australia, Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory and the Painted Desert in South Australia.
Even before these recent modifications, we completed a three month 15,000 klm trip which included the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley of Western Australia, Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory and the Painted Desert in South Australia.
MAD MAX COUNTRY
THE DESERT NEAR COOBER PEDY SOUTH AUSTRALIA
WATER IN A WATERLESS LAND
TAKE PLENTY OF WATER
We carry enough water for several days so it is not unusual for us to have up to 80 litres with us, in a variety of containers spread around under the bed, in the fridge, in the Esky on the back and on the roof in small containers.We allow ourselves 10 litres of water each per day. |
A rule of thumb that many survival manuals quote:
The average person can go:
3 minutes without air.
3 days without water [Caution!]*
3 weeks without food.
*In my own experience working in the Australian sun with temperatures of 45-50 degrees Celsius (113 -122 Fahrenheit),
I doubt I could go 3 days in extreme temperatures without water.
The average person can go:
3 minutes without air.
3 days without water [Caution!]*
3 weeks without food.
*In my own experience working in the Australian sun with temperatures of 45-50 degrees Celsius (113 -122 Fahrenheit),
I doubt I could go 3 days in extreme temperatures without water.
DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH NOT ENOUGH WATER
I remember being dropped off on my own in the bush, to do some mineral sampling, it was extremely hot, with no shade.Within a couple of hours my water was hot and extremely low.
When they eventually came back for me they were genuinly shocked at how gaunt I had become. A young nephew gaped & stared at my very red face and said: "What happened to you Uncle Rex?"
As we drove out of the area in a Toyota Landcruiser, the windscreen sealant was melting and running down the glass and I was trying to drink from a water bottle that had been kept in the airconditioned vehicle but was still so hot that when we hit a bump and I splashed my bare chest, it left red marks on my skin.
WATER IN AN EMERGENCY
We would hope we could ration our water safely to 5 Litres a day.
Our First aid kit includes electrolites & water purifying tablets.
I don't use detergent in my vehicles windscreen wiper water (just incase I have to drink it)
When they eventually came back for me they were genuinly shocked at how gaunt I had become. A young nephew gaped & stared at my very red face and said: "What happened to you Uncle Rex?"
As we drove out of the area in a Toyota Landcruiser, the windscreen sealant was melting and running down the glass and I was trying to drink from a water bottle that had been kept in the airconditioned vehicle but was still so hot that when we hit a bump and I splashed my bare chest, it left red marks on my skin.
WATER IN AN EMERGENCY
We would hope we could ration our water safely to 5 Litres a day.
Our First aid kit includes electrolites & water purifying tablets.
I don't use detergent in my vehicles windscreen wiper water (just incase I have to drink it)
COOBER PEDY - OPAL COUNTRY YouTube
THE SUPERVAN AT ULURU & THE OLGAS
HOPE FOR THE BEST
PLAN FOR THE WORST
As we are travelling in the van (unlike backpackers who might like to carry dry light foods) our preferred emergency food is canned goods that don't need cooking & don't need added water. (If you can get past the jokes, then Baked beans fit this criteria particularly well).
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We also carry, Extra fuel & Oil. 2 or 3 spare tyres on wheels. A tool kit with tools (that I hope I never have to use), Air compressor & tyre gauges, X-Jack (exhaust Jack), Hi Lift Jack, Snatch strap, CB Radio and for extreme emergency use only, an EPIRB.
2021 update: Tried getting a new battery for the EPIRB but can't as it has expired! |
THE SUPERVAN ESPERANCE
AUSTRALIAN BIRDS
In the Outback
Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected] or [email protected]
#Outback, #Touring #Exploration, #Camping, #Prospecting, #4WD, #4x4, #Offroad,