Western 4W Driver Edition 103 eBook

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BEFORE YOU HIT THE COAST,COAST INTOWe stock and fit everythingyou need to hit the wild blue yonder.Lights Cargo barriers Side stepsBatteries Winches Safety gearBullbars Roof racks Suspension upgradesDiff locks Nudge bars TowbarsCompressors Fridges CommunicationsDrawers Recovery gear Storage solutions Visit ourwebsite for the BIG picture The southern speciality store for all your 4WD touring accessories Stockist55 Solomon RdPh 9417 9930Jandakot WA www.coastal4x4.net.au

our way, first destination The Murchison snakes upstream frombreakfast at the Moreton our campsite.Bay cafe in Dongara. Asthe name suggests, there The birdlife on the river wasis a fabulous Moreton Bay fantastic (Nick).fig outside and they do asensational breakfast. inaccessible country, and we have made a couple of moviesKalbarri was absolutely we have put onYouTube forbursting at the seams people to enjoy, but usingwhen we drove through, them to gawk at neighbouringthere were people literally camps is just too much. I havecamping on the verges even been followed by one when weoutside the caravan park were on a trip down south and I waswith caravans and campers trying to find myself an isolated spot incheek by jowl inside. Not which to have a think. As they becomemy idea of a relaxing more popular and more and moreholiday when you’re close people start using them, I’m sure we areenough to sniff next door’s going to run into more problems.armpits. It was with sighs of relief that As a tool they’re wonderful devices,we turned off to MHS and trundledalong the river to our secluded camp Western 4W Driver #103 151site – well secluded enough, there werea couple of campers downriver fromus, but we couldn’t see them, let alonesmell their pits. Before long we had thetent up, tarp out, a glass of cold bubblesto hand and a tempting cheese platteron the table with the river flowing lazilyin front of us,the occasionalfish ploppingout for a look atus. Heaven.Until nextdoors sent theirdrone over fora look around,hovering infront of ourcamp for anuncomfortablefew minutes.That said,we did make their acquaintance thenext day and shared a very pleasantfew hours around a champagne bottlewith what turned out to be like-mindedpeople. We have used drones beforeon Campfire Escapes and they’re awonderful way of seeing otherwise

but snooping around on fellow campers will only lead to ill-feeling. I read somewhere once “Never put anything about yourself on Facebook that you wouldn’t be comfortable reading painted on a bus stop”. The same could be said for drones – imagine how you would feel if I stopped in front of your camp, set up my tripod and started taking close up pictures of you. There seem to be no boundaries any more, and that’s to all our detriment. Be warned though, Nick has just designed a bespoke slingshot which he will be packing on our next journey! I am absolutely delighted to report that I had a flat riverbank from which to debouch myself into my kayak, so no missed footing, no muddy bum and not a Dutch wink to be seen. We paddled downriver towards Kalbarri on We gave the windmill a paint job.152 Western 4W Driver #103

a gorgeous sunny day, a bit of a stiff in the kayaks at sundown and headedbreeze to paddle in to, but it kept the up river against the tide, bobbing backtemperature down and the flies away. down with the tide in the dark, just theThere’s something so calming about glow of our headlamps to guide us.being on the water, bobbing along and That was quite a surreal experience –admiring the passing world. We saw listening to the birds tucking themselvesa few goats about, very cute, but so in for the night, the fish lazily ploppingdestructive. On the non-goated side away in the water and the stars pingingof the river there were grasses and out one by one. I don’t know why weunderbrush, but on the goated side, hadn’t thought of that before, it was anbare ground and gnawed-at trees. extraordinary experience.There were hawks (or kites or ospreys, We followed the night-kayakingI didn’t have my glasses on) soaring experience by a little night photography.above us, intent on landing themselves Management had thoughtfully provideda feed and fish jumping, a photogenic windmill and water tankone opportunist takinga hurdle right across mykayak. Coming back toour camp was a doddle,the wind behind us andthe tide flowing our way.The next day we jumpedA magical Murchison moment at dusk. The galahs owned the water tank. next to our camp, great for getting galahs flying in for last minute drinks of an evening and an ideal opportunity to practice painting with light on the windmill. The only drawback was it WAS dark, I HAD had a few glasses of champagne and my tripod WOULD keep sliding all over the joint. However we had fun, got a few useable shots and I managed to get back to camp without sending my camera and tripod flying. The lens cap mysteriously disappeared, however, only to just as mysteriously reappear in the washing machine on Tuesday. Odd that. Western 4W Driver #103 153

Before too long our idyll was at an end We dropped in to Cliff Head North first,and it was time to pack up and piss off. which was a touch crowded, beforeWe had decided to take a leisurely drive settling on Cliff Head South. What ahome, leaving on Monday and camping lovely little corner to rest in, quite aat a 72 hour rest stop we had spotted large campsite, right on the beach andon the road up. After doing the tourist far enough away from the highway forthing at the Kalbarri gorges we trundled the traffic noises to be reduced to a dull roar. I was planning on cooking a Viewing platforms south of Kalbarri open up spectacular coastal vistas. chicken curry that night, but owing to the party atmosphere at our camp the night before, we had run the battery down a bit and the fridge temperature had risen just that bit too much for the chook’s sensibilities. It was summarily assigned to the bin and we nibbled on leftovers while I let Nick beat me at scrabble. We were home in time for lunch the next day, a much more relaxed way to travel if you have time on yoursouth, our plan being What a hidden gem Guilderton is.to stop at the PioneerMuseum in Greenough side. So much time in fact, that wenear the LeaningTree. made a small detour into Guilderton,That tree always reminds another scenic town which has so farme of someone who’s had escaped my attention. What a magicone too many Margaritas, little spot! We had a quick nose aroundso I call it the Margarita the river and up to the ocean lookoutTree. Unfortunately for before resuming our trudge back to theus the museum closes at city. So remember, if you have to leave3:30pm, so we missed out Perth late in the day heading north, stopon that one, shame because it looked in at Green Sandy Cliffy Cliff Cape Headinteresting. We have visited the old Cove, you won’t be disappointed.settlement across the road before and And I still haven’t seen Green Head.if you haven’t been there yet, you mustgo. Those lovely old buildings makefor great photos, but it must have beenhell on earth living there back in the daywith no aircon and no fridges. Not tomention the corsets and long skirts.This time our night’s destinationwas the variously named (by Nick)Cliffy Point, Cliffy Bluff, Cliff Knoll orWotsaname Cove, which turned out tobe Cliff Head (South or North).154 Western 4W Driver #103

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Carrah Farms and THE THINGS YOU SEE!Wildflower Walks With (Truthful)Our group turned up at Carrah farms,west of Calingiri, and were met by Phil BianchiSarah Mason, the dynamo behindCarrah Farms. She is so enthusiastic Twitchers will have a ball in this birdand full of energy she makes the paradise. Birds include Carnaby blackDuracell bunny look like it’s standing cockatoos, they nest on the property.still; we christened her Cyclone Sarah. Other birds include parrots, thornbills,Sarah soon had us tucking into morning robins, wrens, honeyeaters, weebills,tea: cups of billy tea or plunger coffee; nesting wedge tailwe also had a huge spread of scones, eagles, and otherjam and cream, cakes, slices, and birds of prey.ricotta and salt bush pastry triangles all We had twohomemade.The ricotta and salt bushtriangles are Sarah’s own recipe usinglocal salt bush she planted. Sarah alsooffers Wildflower Walks and HighTeasfor small groups, minimum of 6 and awesome walksmaximum of 12. (1.5 - 2 hours each) throughCarrah is 2,500 acres of which 30% is nearby bushland, and sawfenced off remnant bushland to prevent numerous plants in flower, justsheep grazing. Over 150,000 plants spectacular, and the varietieshave been planted to revegetate salt and the colours were amazing.affected areas and provide corridors Plants at Carrah include: spiderto link remnant patches of bushland orchids (many double headers),for native animal movement. Before dryandras, leschenaultias, cowcommencing the walks we sprayed slip orchids, blue china orchids,the soles of our shoes to prevent the donkey orchids, bossiaeas,spread of disease, in particular dieback. stylidiums, dampieras and acacias. We saw evidence of echidna diggings and we startled a rabbit that made off at the speed of light. It’s had lots of escaping practice because it usually has Sarah’s kelpie on its tail.The walks were superb and are highly recommended. For further details the website is www. carrah.com.au or contact Sarah on 0459 212 780. Carrah will grow and develop and soon will be a highly regarded destination. Naturally the best season for visiting Carrah is spring so you can Western 4W Driver #103 157

enjoy the best of the flowering plants, side goes the result would not be good”.birds and the weather. Overnight A few days later he rings and sayscamping is available by arrangement. because my cruiser was an IFS, partsWe had a great time around the weren’t readily available although therecampfire; we also had use of facilities was one stronger after-market version.in the old homestead nearby. Dogs are It turned up overnight, Arnie attemptswelcome. Plan your visit soon, at less to fit it, wrong part. “We’ve got to gothan 150 kilometres from Perth you genuine, it’s the only way out,” he says.could drive up Friday night and have a I agreed to pay what I thought was atwo night weekend.To my mind where king’s ransom for the cost of genuinecould you get such a venue with so parts (grrrToyota not Arnie). After all,much to offer so close to Perth?This and from my non-expert point of view,would have to be one of the classiest it was only a bit of tube with anothercamping trips available. shorter bit of tube welded at each end stuffed with a couple of bits of rubber.It’s Broken Since my rear upper tie rod end‘What’s this?’ says my goodmate Arnie, with only his legspoking out from under mybeloved 100 Series cruiser.My immediate thought washe’s spotted the front and rearshocks I bolted underneath asa way of carrying spares. ‘Inall my years in the suspensiongame I’ve never see a snapped rear problem, friends of mine were on a tripupper tie rod end.’ Deflated and with out in the back blocks when a 100 Seriesa sinking heart and $$$ signs buzzing in the convoy had the same problem,through my head, I meekly asked ‘What they took the broken parts out weldeddoes it do?’ Dragging himself out from them together using 12 volt batteries.under the cruiser he explained that it A bit of bush ingenuity, skills and lotwas part of the rear suspension and of patience later they were under wayother technical stuff but I did hear it again. A short time later the other endhelped hold the rear axle in place so it went out in sympathy. Now with thedidn’t roll forward when accelerating. experience of an F1 team they soon had“Bugger”, I thought.Then came the it out and welded up ready for fittingusual questions of were parts difficult again. My experience shows why youto source and when could he fix it. “Let should regularly look under the vehicleme see what’s out there. Drive home or have it thoroughly checked by anvery carefully and park up, if the other expert, especially when about to take on a major trip. I didn’t hear any noise;158 Western 4W Driver #103 there wasn’t a problem with driving the vehicle and because one end had swung away there wasn’t any clunking.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Audi has sweetened the luxuryend of the SUV market with aninnovative, sophisticated yetcomplex new model. NEIL DOWLINGdrives the latest SQ7, the high-performance sister to the Q7.160 Western 4W Driver #103

Classycockpit in avehicle withenough gruntto take on aPorsche 911. Western 4W Driver #103 161

t has seven seats, will outrun most and rather than rely on exhaust gas Porsches, haul 3500kg and can hit pressure to spool it up to speed, it the dirt like a proper 4WD. The Audi has a whopping 7kW electric motor to compress the air in milliseconds.ISQ7 appears to have it all – power The SQ7 is the first Audi to have the electric compressor but it will bewith the glory – and though it’s near- adopted to other models in the range,$155,000 price tag seems expensive, probably first with those that have ait’s value for money for a machine thatdoes it all. Expansive boot with up to 1890ltrs - all seats folded flat.How does this work? Well the SQ7 V6 diesel engine – applicable to the bigis the latest in the high-performance sedans and wagons such as the A6 –Audi models.That includes the S3, and then to other engine layouts.S4, S6 and S8 sedan and wagon That’s good news but there are somescreamers that usually get a much downsides. For one, it’s complex.bigger engine than their shopping For another, running a 7kW electrictrolley siblings. For example, the S3 motor reliably on a car’s 12-volthas a 213kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo- electrical system is not possible. Sopetrol engine while the entry level Audi has equipped the SQ7 with a 48-has an 85kW/200Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit.The same shoe-horning exercisehas been applied to the SUV range.The SQ5 SUV, for example, stuffs a3.0-litre turbo-diesel that is crankedup to 250kW/700Nm, a far cry fromthe base Q5 at 140kW/400Nm.Now the SQ7 – currently only with achoice of two V6 diesels rated from160kW/500Nm – gets a 320kW/900Nm4.0-litre V8. Because we want speed,torque, grunt and all the other buzzwords, two turbochargers aren’tenough.This has three.Yes, three into eight doesn’t goand that’s because, technically, thethird turbocharger is a compressor162 Western 4W Driver #103

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volt sub-system that exists to run the cockpit withTFT dials and screens thatcompressor and new-fangled electric can be changed at a button press to suitstabilisation (sway bars) system. the driver’s needs; leather upholstery;To spark up the 48-volt system, head-up display; LED headlights;which is an addition to the existing satellite navigation; Bose 3D surround12-volt system, the SQ7 getsa lithium-ion battery inthe boot.You have to admire thewagon but it’s not one you’dwant to restore as a projectin 15 years.The whizz-bang stuff aside,the SQ7 is very comfortableand obviously roomy, witha boot that expands from 154 Grand also gets you through-the- wheel GPS. Drive is through an eight speed auto.235 litres (all seats up) to 705 litres sound; real wood or alloy dash trim;(third row flat) and 1890 litres (second electric tailgate; and standard 20-inchrow flat). All seats actually do fold alloy wheels. Audi offers no-cost 19-completely flat so it’s easy to load cargo inch wheels with higher-profile rubberand even have a nap. for off-road work.The new wagon is the only Audi to DRIVING: At 5.1m long, it’s a bighave pretty much every safety item wagon – bigger in fact than aToyotaknown to man. Standard gear includes Land Cruiser 200-Series. But it drivesautonomous emergency braking – like a much smaller vehicle, partlythat stops the wagon at up to 85km/h because of the small, flat-bottomedwithout driver intervention and is one steering wheel, reverse camera andstep along the path to an autonomous front and rear park sensors for closevehicle – and rear-cross traffic alert, work, and the electrically-operatedside monitor, adaptive cruise control stabiliser bars that make it sit flatand traffic jam assist that will trail the through fast corners.car ahead through traffic up to A bit more about this system that isabout 40km/h. inherited in part from the PorscheConvenience items include a virtual Cayenne: Electric motors control the front and rear sway bars. On the bitumen where wheel articulation is not needed, these motors twist the bars to counter the G-forces when cornering. When they sense wheel movement, they will reduce the twist forces and Western 4W Driver #102 165



that increases articulation, ideal for Thanks to the electric compressorbumpy roads and obstacles away from that senses the pressure on thethe bitumen. It is an option that comes accelerator pedal, it will spin thein a package that also has a rear locking turbine to 75,000rpm in a mere 250differential and rear-wheel steering. It milliseconds. One of the downsidescosts $13,500 extra, or close to 10 per of a turbocharger is that it needscent of the SQ7’s price. Say it quickly lots of exhaust pressure to getand it hurts less. spinning and that sometimes takesThe wagon will tow 3500kg, has time – called turbo lag – and thisan impressive ground clearance of compressor means that’s no longerup to 240mm on the adjustable air a problem. It is so quick that, evensuspension, and has a payload of with its 2.4-tonne bulk, it is almostabout 700kg. as quick to 100km/h as a PorscheThe engine is a bloody beauty. 911 Carrera auto that costs about $100,000 more. Audi claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.2 litres/100km (13.9km/litre) but I’d say that’s extremely hard to achieve. Our average was 9.2 L/100km10.9km/litre). We Reckon: It’s a beauty and you’d get one to tow a van around Australia in a flash. It’s a breathtaking example of comfort and safety, technology and on-road and off-road competency. But it’s a complex machine that may prove expensive to maintain. Still, you’d be able to drag off Porsches while carting the family to the shops. Nuts ‘n’ bolts AUDI SQ7PRICE: $153,616 WHEELS: 20-inch alloyBUILT: Slovakia TYRES: 285/45R20; no spareBODY: Monocoque DIMENSIONS: (L) 5069mm; (W) 1968mm;SAFETY: 5-star (H) 1679mm; (Wb) 2996mmENGINE: 4.0-litre V8 tri-turbo diesel TRACK: front/rear: 1679mmPOWER: 320kW @ 3750-5000rpm GROUND CLEARANCE: 204-240mmTORQUE: 900Nm @ 1000-3250rpm WEIGHT: 2330kgFUEL ECONOMY TURNING CIRCLE: 12.4m(claimed): 7.2L/100km (13.9km/litre) APPROACH ANGLE: 23-degreesFUEL TANK: 85 litres DEPARTURE ANGLE: 13-degreesTRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic RAMP-OVER ANGLE: 14-degreesDRIVE: Full-time AWD, centre lock GVM: 3030kg diff TOWING (max): 3500kgSUSPENSION: Front/rear: 5-link, adjustable air springs TOWBALL DOWNFORCE: 350kgBRAKES: Front/rear: ventilated discs WARRANTY: 3yr/unlimited kmSTEERING: Electric-assist rack and pinion SERVICE INTERVAL: 15,000km/12 months

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CGAEAMR PTOIGNOG With Chris HarwoodFly-by-night and day their internships at Vegemite?). RRP’s are $279.95, $379.95 and $499.95The good folk at Oztent have released a respectively, with weights of 2.5kg,new range of tents called the Malamoo 4.7kg and 7kg.They all pack down toJourney series. Music to the ears is small small sizes, even the Journeythat they feature built-in flys! No more 3.0 is only 90 x 80 cm when folded up,struggling with an uncooperative, that is like carrying a bicycle wheelamorphous lump of material bearing around in your car. So there you are,no discernible relationship to the three good compact tents for those in atent in one hand, instruction sheet in hurry.Yours from Getaway Outdoors.the other, in that howling gale which Hot stuffinvariably springs up just as you openthe tent bag. The Journey tents come Don’t like being cold? Don’t likein 1 person, 2 to 3, and 4 to 5 person being wet? Don’t like collectingsizes, and they are all pop-up types firewood? Or just totallywith tunnel configuration, so they are incompetent at lighting fires? Welldouble-sided entry and exit. Just pull then get yourself a Companionthem out of the bag, release and peg LPG Gas Heater!This little unitout. Note that, peg out.This makes can pump out a whopping 10,800them different from other Malamoos. BTU’s, soAs usual with Oztent, quality is key, there iswith a 2 year manufacturer warranty. oodles of heat forThe fly material is PolyesterTaffeta 68D, everyone, and forfloor is Poly-oxford, and the fitted poles peace of mind inare fibreglass resin. a crowded busySo, the three Journey tents are the camp site thereJourney 1.0, Journey 2.0 and Journey are excellent3.0 (did the marketing department do safety features with anti-tilt shut off, an oxygen depletion sensor and protective front guard. Size- wise it stands a little over 30 cm high, 40 cm wide and 19 cm deep, and weighs 4 kg. Included in the $179 RRP is a POL Gas Regulator and a 1500 mm gas hose, which you connect up to a Western 4W Driver #103 169

POL Gas Cylinder that you have bought protect it when rolled up or deployed.separately. Good old piezo ignition will It uses the same mounting methodsfire it up, no messy matches, and you as other ARB awnings, either attachingwill be warm as toast in no time, but directly to roof racks, or to ARB “L”read the manual (RTFM for the texters) brackets. It looks a lot better than aand do not operate in the tent or soft-covered one on the side of yourcaravan, outdoors only! vehicle, and no spiders, nits or other uninvited guests can enter.Hard Core See more at arb.com.auIF you’re going camping, you’d be wise Cracker Trackerto have an awning in your kit.If you don’t, you could end up looking IS there anything more ‘Straylianlike a piece of walking biltong, so than a swag? Probably not. Swagsyes, you sure do need an were in use long before Vegemiteawning.They’re usually became the national gastronomicalattached to your fourbie’s icon and also before they maderoof rack but what if a Drizabones.tarantula has taken up Yep, the old stockmen would unfurlresidence within? Or a family of nits, their swags after a tough day andjust waiting to parachute onto your have a kip under the stars.Brylcreemed coiffure? If it rained, well, they’d get a washFear not, the chaps at ARB have a at the same time.solution: they’ve just released their Today’s campers still like theirlatest innovation: an aluminium swags, but they can do sansencased awning. the rain, cold and other not-so-Inside is a 2.5m x 2.5m awning, and wonderful things that can land onyou can open or close it with the one’s face while asleep.greatest of ease via its UV treated,marine-grade, quick release cords. Enter the AOS (thatThe awning itself is of ARB’s proven stands for300gsm, PU coated, waterproof and UVprotected canvas and abrasion-resistant Aussie Outbackmaterial has been added to better Supplies)Tracker Swag.170 Western 4W Driver #103 Tailor-made for warmish spots such as the Outback and tropical and northern regions of our girt-by-sea country, it has a waterproof, breathable canvas top to keep the moisture off. If it’s pleasant enough weather, you can sleep under the stars or have the protection of a fully enclosed sandfly and mosquito-proof mesh that extends right down to the zip. And that mesh is adjustable to let in

less cool should it become a tad frosty coupled with strong, load bearingin the hours after the coach turns into handles. It measures 1000 x 500mm,a pumpkin. All AOS dome swags come has end pockets and fits most brandswith shaped alloy poles so you can set of swags. When it’s not a carry bag, itthem up in about 2 minutes. opens to form a useful 3/4 size groundIncluded in the kit is a carry bag big sheet – and, would you believe, like theenough to fit the swag plus sleeping Tracker Swag, it comes with a bottlebags or pillows.TheTracker Swag is all- opener. Now that’s a sure sign of tru-Oz. It’s designed, cut, sewn and rolled blu ‘Straylia – unless you’ve opted toin WA with Oz-made foam and the buy rip-top cans instead. Check themmattress is 70mm solid-cut foam. AOS out on aussieoutbacksupplies.comhas also released its Swag ProtectionSystem, made of super tough PVC Cheers Bigears! The world is divided into two halves – one half can drink wine out of plastic cups, the other half cannot. Companion’s Primus brand is making a serious play to unite this divided world with theirTritan range of ‘glassware’. Made from Western 4W Driver #103 171



copolyester for toughness protect your expensive vehicle from and durability, they are such extremes, and there’s no better impact and shatter resistant way than via Solarscreens. like plastic, but have the look, The Oz-made window insulation feel, and clarity of glass. Hot products have been around for about or cold, your favourite bevvy 20 years and do a great job. goes in, goes down, and They’re individually made for most of when you’re done they can the popular vehicle brands, including safely go into the dishwasher RVs and caravans, and they comprise you recently installed in the not one, but nine layers. back of the Landcruiser. If So like a cat with as many lives, they you like to pour your first cling to the windows, keeping out beer of the day into an icy either the sun or the frost so you can cold tumbler, theTritans can get into Ol’ Faithful without gettingalso handle life in the freezer. Getaway scalded hands or an icy backside, andOutdoors currently have specials on the if you’re in a caravan, you can getStemless Wine Glasses at $9.95 each, 502 100per cent block-out Solarscreensml (18 fluid ounces) Beer Glasses at $11.95 so you won’t be disturbed by theeach, HighballTumblers at $10.95 each early morning light, and can sleep,and standard Wine Glasses at $10.95 each. uninterrupted, till lunchtime.Yours from Getaway Outdoors. Among those nine layers are one each of polyethylene, Mylar and Dacron. SoKeeping out the extremes there.The screens are quick and easy to install and roll into a neat waterproofMANY a car has erupted in flames bag when you need to see what’sbecause of a cigarette lighter or an outside, and are easily stowed away.aerosol of insect spray left on thedashboard on a hot-as-hell day. More at solarscreen.com.auAnd countless hands have been burnt Sofa so goodby a similarly warm steering wheel.Likewise, many a bum has been frozen Sit down, make yourselfin winter, many a key declined to go comfortable. Brought ainto or fire up the ignition, and so forth. Special Friend with you?In this part of the world the weather No worries, I’ll just bringreaches extremes at various times of out the Oztrail Galaxy Sofa!the year, cracking dashboards, melting Built for two, the Galaxymobile phones, and generally causing weighs only 6.1 kg, but canhead and heartache. support 240 kg, so if you likeSo if you have ‘arf a brain, you try to your Special Friends in Extra Large, the Western 4W Driver #103 173

Galaxy is built for you. Does your friend These cutting-have problems with over sweat? Don’t edge campingworry, the Galaxy has mesh sides for products foldextra ventilation. With holders for up to superstubbies, wine glasses, books or even compact size, weigha tablet, the Galaxy is not just a seat, next to nothing and areit’s a lifestyle on 6 legs. Getaway has the as tough as an angryGalaxy available for a RRP of $119.95. emu. See more at helinox.com.auTable for two? Focus!WORD is that Jenny Craig has a set, as Blazing their way through the pitch-do a great many people on the Weight black Outback nights are new LedenserWatcher program. products, the MT18 Hand HeldTorchWhich brings us to the latest from and the MH10 Headlamp.Helinox, experts in ultralights of the The MT18 is a torch for both the serious outdoor night-owl and those who arenon-aeronautic variety. seriously afraid of the dark! PackingThey’ve just produced a new camping an enormous 3000 lumens, but in atable and brolly, both sturdy, but with a tiny 171 mmcombined mass of a bumblebee. long packageActually they say theirTable One weighing onlyweighs about as much as two cups of 621 grams, thetea and is a natural partner for Chair beam from theOne camp chair, which everyone’s MT18 can lightfamiliar with. Or should be. up the nightIt assembles very quickly in unique to a range ofHelinox style, which employs shock 540 metres.This lamp is rechargeable,cord technology to help locate the poles so no lugging spare batteries, andinto each other and the hubs. when you pay your $399 RRP you getThe centre of the table has two the battery pack, a USB cable, adapterrecessed cup holders, but if there’s a and adapter cable. Oh, and a wristspill, the strong mesh surface material strap. For the tech-heads it has lowmakes clean-up easy. and high beam functions and differentOr you can get it with a HardTop. focus options, and for the customisersPacked weight is 970g. it is programmable for your own lightIt’s raining or scorching? settings.There is also a humungousOh, well, then you’d better get a decent warranty, which is either 5 years orbush-friendly umbrella and there’s none 7 years, depending which part of thebetter than Umbrella One or the larger LED LenserUmbrella Two. website you read.174 Western 4W Driver #103 Either way, that is a good length warranty on a high quality product. If you prefer to go hands-free out into that good night, then there is the MH10 Headlamp. At $174.95 it is a much cheaper option than the MT18, but you

AUSTUNE ECU REMAPPING SPECIALISTS WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S PREMIUM TUNING NETWORKwww.austuneecuperformance.com.au

still get the techy features, with an extra The lightweight,feature of a rear red safety light and folding panelsred and green colour filters.The MH10 have A-gradegives out 600 lumens of light with a monocrystallinerange of 150 metres, that’s a decent cells, whichoutput for something that weighs only we all know158 grams.This Ledlenser product is are morealso rechargeable, using the USB 3.0 efficient thancharging system, and comes complete polycrystallinewith rechargeable battery, USB cable, ones, andpouch, and those colour filters which they come in 120 and 160 Watt powerno camper can do without.The MH10 ratings. They have adjustable legs soalso has the full Ledlenser warranty, 5 you can make them get a good look atyears or extended 7 years. the sun and you can move them around a fair bit since they come with a 5mA boost from the sunny side Anderson-to- Anderson cable, which lets you take the solar panel off yourELECTRONICS fundi Redarc , well vehicle and move it to a sunnier spot.known for its range of solar blankets The other newie or newies, ‘cos thereand accessories, has just produced its are two of them, are the BCDC1225Dnext generation of portable solar panels and BCDC1240D dual input in-carto make happy campers even happier. battery chargers. One is a 25 ampBut that’s not all.There’s also an jobbie, the other 40 amps and theyaddition to Redarc’s in-vehicle battery- let you easily charge higher capacitycharger range. batteries or multiple battery banks.Let’s cuddle under the blankets first: Find your nearest WA Bullbars distributor online at176 Western 4W Driver #103

They have separate vehicle DC andsolar inputs, and will charge from bothsolar and the alternator simultaneously,though their built-in ‘Green PowerPriority’ feature means they willautomatically select solar charge first,taking the load off the Ol Faithful’soverworked alternator.Another new feature is the additionof a charging profile for Lithium IronPhosphate batteries (LiFePO4) whichare becoming increasingly popular.TheDual Input range will continue to chargeall types of common batteries includingAGM, GEL, standard lead acid andcalcium. Go to: redarc.com.au for more.A throne by any other nameWhen you think Emperor, you thinkNapoleon, right? And what wasNapoleon’s most famous quote?Yes that’s right, it was “Four legs good,two legs bad”.You must agree, when itcomes to chairs, four legs are definitelybetter than two. The Emperor comesfully featured with all four legs, plus extrastrong steel frame, 8 reclining positions,padded seat and back, moulded armrests, and side table with cup AND wine glass holder. A solid individual up to 140 kg can comfortably settle themselves into the padded 600 Denier polyester cushions of the Emperor, after forking out a respectable $149.95, happy in the knowledge that they have a full1 year manufacturer’s warrantyafter purchase.And if you’re scratching your head aboutthe Napoleon quote, it was actuallyComrade Napoleon, the pig from GeorgeOrwell’s Animal Farm. But never let thetruth spoil a good story. Western 4W Driver #103 177

AN IRONMAN INCANNING VALEThere’s a saying that if you plan to stand still Staff are also very chuffed with in business you’ll go their new showroom which follows backwards - which explains a national standard incorporatingwhy Ironman’s state office is lightbox imaging, cypress posts andno longer in Abernethy Road panelling to best show off the range.Kewdale. Fact is they were As you know, the Ironman range coversbursting at the seams and everything from car to camp so nextshifted the whole shebang out time you put in an order with any oneto Canning Vale. The shift tothe old Alan Bond site has beenbrewing for a while and a newfacility with three times thespace was the only option forIronman in Western Australia.Branch manager Janet Curlewisgave us a tour recently and thestorage is huge, theshowroom impressive.Racking now houses a minimum 500bullbars and around 140 canopies plusof course the entire Ironman range.Staff member Steve Gurman says theextra storage has led to a 30% increasein turnover with, in most cases, anext day turn around for orders whichshould please retailers at the coalfaceand their customers.

What makes an exceptional 4WD experience? 30OYverears All 4WD Servicing and RepairsKNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND PREPARATION.4WD Servicing and 4WD All Custom Work 4WD Tyres and Rims 2” & All CompetitionRepairs Power Chips Diff Locks Suspension Upgrades3” Exhaust Systems Competition Bars Nudge Bars AirbagsBullbars Side Steps Cargo Barriers Scrub BarsRock Sliders Canopies Lights Long Range Fuel TanksTow Bars Drawer Systems Awnings Dual Battery SystemsUHF Communication Winches Compressors Roof Top Tents & SwagsAll Recovery Gear Roof Racks “healthcare for your 4wd”

Mel, Janet (Branch Manager) and Steve are your welcoming committee. on down to the corner of Baile Road and Craft Street or call on 08 6254 4454 or hit the website: ironman4x4.comof their retailers you shouldbe assured of a quick andefficient supply- unless you’re looking for arooftop tent for a goose’sbridle which might take alittle longer.If you’d like to check out theCanning Vale complex, headCOOK DINNER WHILE YOU DRIVE...IN YOUR TRAVEL BUDDY temcaonpbndeiNtgrrwaogotwielutrhre12 VOLT OVEN 2cmhooodseelsfrtoom From heating pies to cooking a roast you’ll180 Western 4W Driver #103 wonder how you managed without your Travel Buddy. PH 03 5441 3388 For your nearest suppliers www.travelbuddy.net.au

PLANNED DESERT CROSSINGBY SOLAR POWERED 4WDT he Simpson desert is a category “1” desert like the Gibson, Sahara, and from September 1st, two Solar Gobi and many other famous Powered Suzuki Sierra’s will cross deserts in the world. As a world the Simpson!first the Aussie Outback Solar Challengewas formed to cross the Simpson in a Alan and Barb Johnson along with Markpair of Suzuki Sierra 4WDs and Denny French will be ably supported by a capable crew to handle the logisticspowered by batteries andrecharged from the sunonly. The attempt has beenapproved by Guinness WorldRecords (GWR) and will beattempted by two vehicles.While both are Suzuki Sierras,one is more high tech. Thefirst vehicle will run on fourhigh performance electricmotors with the latest Lithiumbattery technology while theother vehicle will be a moremodest low tech approachusing a forklift electric motor The outback power bowser.teamed with AGM lead acid batterytechnology. While this crossing has and the event will be recorded byYourbeen attempted before, due to weather 4WDTV, Australian Geographic, 4x4conditions it had to be abandoned. Australia and 4WDTV. Major sponsorsHowever, this will be the year it happens include Seriously Suzi by Piranha,Piranha’s Alan Johnson puts the Suzi Alfatron Electronics and discussionsthrough her paces. are under way with other likely sponsors.The real opportunity is for a major battery company to get behind the World Record attempt to be involved with major national coverage.The Suzukis have been carefully prepared and thoroughly tested in real world conditions to test for performance in hilly, sandy conditions.There has been a good deal of time spent working out the recharging times and total run times on each charge of the battery banks plus the square metres of solar panel required to recharge in a given time. Western 4W Driver #103 181

GET HIGHandDRY withTROOPY ROOFCONVERSIONThe Troopy conversion has to be the ultimate 2 sleeper overlandconversion available to off-roaders. It not only offers a super easy solutionfor sleeping, with the roof that flips up in seconds, it also offers internal living space.The internal bed follows the same line as the roof thus allowing standing and living spaceinside the vehicle. You’ll be safe and secure in a Hercules Troopy roof conversion.EXPEDITION TENTManufactured from high grade aluminium,the Expedition utilises 400 gram UV-resistant rib-lock water proof canvas, isinsulated with polyethylene closed cell foamand provides ultimate comfort in a 75mmhigh density foam mattress with zip-offcover. Optional access through 3 sideswith mesh screens all round to keep out thebiteys. You’ll go far with an Expedition. AVAILABLE FROM QUICKPITCH CAMPERS Address: Unit 1, 40 Berriman Drive, Wangara, WA 6065 Tel: 1300 136 964 www.alu-cab.com.au

IN WORKSHOPSUSPENSION CHATSo, you have the latest, shiny new 4x4, it’s got all the best quality with Ben Broeder accessories fitted, ready for that big trip with the caravan or to hit clearance, it is also important tothe hard tracks. But something’s not remember the vehicle manufacturer hasquite right. What was a proud, high designed and tuned the suspension toriding 4x4 now seems a little saggy. It’s work at its optimum for how you drivenot quite as enjoyable to drive around the vehicle away from the dealership,town or on the dirt, not to mention the or to only cope the with the ‘light duty’ground clearance you factory bars and accessories. As youthought you had doesn’t add extra weight to the vehicle suchseem to exist anymore. as bull bars, wheel carriers, canopiesSuspension upgrades arethe best way to rectifythese issues and one ofthe best bang-for-your-buck upgrades you cando to any 4WD.Whether it’s a new familytourer or a beloved bushbeast, suspension systemsare important to increaseyour ride control andcomfort. But beware, thereare plenty of salesmen outthere who will all have youbelieve their product is thebest. Do your homework,ask the right questions andyou will be sure to endup with the most suitablesuspension to give your4x4 a whole new level ofcomfort and enjoyment.Why upgrade you mayask? Whilst many peopleupgrade their suspensionpurely for extra groundNo suspension lasts forever,especially if it’s hammeredon a regular basis.

etc, this all has a negative effect on * Preferably a locally built product -Thisthe factory suspension, as it was not will ensure the highest quality standardsdesigned to work at its optimum with of both the materials and the finalthis additional weight. Keep in mind product, as well as ensuring a productthat on average a bull bar will weigh designed for Australian conditions.around 100Kg, a canopy around * Product Range – Not just how many90Kg and a wheel carrier/rear bar vehicles the manufacturer makescombination around 150Kg plus. suspension for, but how customised“I’ll just throw a set of helper air bags is the suspension solution for yourin” you may suggest. Whilst there vehicle? All reputable manufacturersis nothing wrong with goodquality air bag systems, bear Good quality kits will come within mind these products are everything you need.designed as a helper device Standard suspension will only last soto assist with extremely long in tough terrain.heavily loaded vehicles orvehicles whose load changesdramatically (such as farm utesor slide-on camper set ups).Air bag systems alone willcure the symptom of a saggingsuspension, but they will notsolve the root problem, whichis the vehicle’s suspensionsystem not coping with theload it is being asked to carry.Be careful not to confusehelper air bags with a full airsuspension system which has its ownparameters and regulations. Speakwith your suspension specialist whocan guide you as to the best solutioninvolving either or both ofthese products. Having a4x4 mechanical workshopvirtually at the end of theCanning Stock Route, AnneBeadell Highway and manyother tracks, we get to see ourfair share of what gear lasts,what gear doesn’t and wherepeople are either misled ormake poor decisions in theirsuspension configurations.Tohelp you find the best solutionfor your 4x4 we have puttogether a few points that youshould consider;Firstly, what to look for in asuspension manufacturer:184 Western 4W Driver #103

Now at: Unit 4,125-129 Welshpool Road Welshpool

will have multiple, sometimes Kits supplied without appropriateas many as 10 or more fittings can cause you to tear out brakeshock absorber and spring lines, ABS wires and breathers combinations to suit each on the tracks.model of 4x4 vehicle.Don’t settle for a ‘one size to you the make-up of their productfits all’ approach. and ask exactly what characteristics* Fitting kits – Does the make theirs better.There are some verymanufacturer have fitting seemingly minor differences whichkits to reposition brake make all the difference between aproportioning valves, ABS product that lasts months of hard usebrackets, sway bar spacers or versus years of hard use.tailshaft spacers to make up * Warranty and support – Ensure thefor the increase in suspension height product you go with has a decentand travel. If it’s a live front axle kit, warranty. Most reputable brands willdoes it come with castor correction offer a three year, 60,000Km warrantybushes?Too often we see cheaper kits on their suspension products. Alsothat lack these components which then ensure there is a good dealer supportonly cause problems further down network. If the worst does happen andthe track. something breaks, you want to ensure* Not all shocks are the same, not all spares can be close at hand.springs are the same – look closely at Whilst you are doing your homework,the make-up and construction of both it is also important to keep in mind aof these items, ask the dealer to explain couple of extra details: * In WA it is only legal to perform a What looks like only minor wear (fine suspension lift of up to 50mm without cracks on top bush) can cause big engineering approvals. Failure to problems on a trip. comply with this could result in your vehicle not being insured and being186 Western 4W Driver #103 deemed unroadworthy. *You may see multiple manufacturers quoting different lift heights for the same vehicle.This is where you should ask a few questions. It is not always possible to lift a vehicle the full 50mm. This comes down to constraints with drive shaft angles and wheel alignment specifications and tolerances. By lifting the vehicle outside the constraints you could very well be reducing the life and

Minor components such as this brake proportioning valve spacer make a huge difference between one suspension system and another.reliability of some components on your often we see overloading in 4x4s-vehicle. A reputable manufacturer will a modern 4x4 has loads of poweralways err on the side of caution and and you may not notice all thequote a ‘conservative’, not exaggerated, extra gear you are lugging around.height for their lift. You would be very surprised howAsk to see measurements from easy it is to be over the allowedpreviously fitted kits. GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) for your*You may need a diet – Well, not you 4x4. If you are over GVM you maypersonally (despite what your partner not be insured and your vehiclemay say), but your 4x4 might. All too is not roadworthy. Don’t forget to include caravan and camper ball weights, extra fuel/water and your gear in these weight calculations. Most dealers can assist you with getting an accurate weight for your vehicle. Now you have all your ducks in a row, you’ve picked the most suitable option for you and your fourby, it’s time to decide who is going to fit it - you or the dealer. Suspension is generally Western 4W Driver #103 187

pretty straightforward on any live components such as shocks and Uaxle vehicle with minimal tooling bolts. If this isn’t included with yourrequired. However, with modern IFS- installation, make sure you perform thisstyle vehicles it can require specialist check yourself or have your mechanicequipment such as strut compressors perform one for you.and torque wrenches. As with all things * As part of your regular servicing youmechanical there are also many tricks should check all bolts are tight, shockalong the way that without the proper bushes are fully torqued down, astraining and knowledge you may miss. well as checking all other suspensionSpeak with your dealer and they can components such as sway bar links,best advise whether you should give it sway bar mounts, control arm bushesa go yourself or not. Most dealers will and the like.offer to either pre-assemble struts with * Check for pitting or corrosion on yournew top hats, at an additional charge, springs. Particularly with coil springsor more often than not swap your corrosion can lead to failure of thestrut top hats over for you once you spring.The corrosion from either poorremove them as part of the kit price. quality material, production processesAgain it comes down to good locally or stone chips can lead to stresses inbacked service and support. Once the spring which increases the chanceyour suspension upgrade is installed, of spring failure. Your suspension is probably the * A stitch in time saves most tortured part of your vehicle. nine – Replacing cracked or poor looking bushesyou will have a completely new feeling won’t cost you a great4x4. Not only is it going to be sitting deal of money, but ifup nice and high, it will be much more those rubber or poly-stable and safe on and off the road. But urethane bushes failthat’s not the end of the story, just like completely it couldeverything else on your fourby, there cost you a great dealis ongoing maintenance required and more, or even leave youthings to keep an eye on. stranded in the bush.* Most suspension suppliers will There is a lot toprovide a free 500Km suspension check evaluate and researchafter installation – this is to re-torque when it comes to 4x4188 Western 4W Driver #103 suspension. As you can appreciate it is a very important part of your 4x4. It is probably the hardest working, most tortured part of your vehicle so it is important to use the best quality products. Do your research, ask the hard questions and you will end up with a great product that will put a smile on your face every time you jump in your fourby. LINKS: Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoldfieldsOffRoad/ Webpage: www.goldfiefieldsoffroad.com.au



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Proudly sponsored byCA PTURE THEM We Love Photography MENT With Graham CahillI’ve long thought a photo should make you feel something; sadness, to the foreground elements; heck it’s all happiness, confusion, wonder or been set-up to the letter, yet that darn as in the case of the photos I’ve noise factor has raised its ugly head.just browsed through from the recent See digital noise usual represents itselfCampfire Escapes Beyond the Holland as pixels of colour or grain in yourtrip….envy! The images in the portfolio image and is, as a rule, an undesirablemade me wish I could have tagged result. Noise tends to get worse thealong; heck truth be told they made lower the amount of light you have tome want to turn the damn PC off and work with, hence part of the issue withhead out right then and there. That’s this night scene. The technical reasonphotography done well in my opinion! for noise has to do with an unwantedOne that did catch my eye, however, fluctuation in the signalwas the night scene you see here. of electrons produced inNotice the grainy effect, a lot like order to convey light ontospeckles throughout the image? That the camera’s sensor. It canis a classic example of what is called be produced by a sensordigital noise. The image itself has been overheating, or issues withcomposed perfectly, it’s been lit from low light levels.an external source to give some light The main culprit, ironically, is high ISO settings when shooting in low light. The higher your ISO, the more potential for noise. In this example we have here, the ISO has been set to 1000; this is an extremely high ISO reading. The next culprit is sensor size; the smaller the sensor, the greater the noise potential. Mobile phones have tiny sensors and as a result, do not capture light well and have very grainy low light images. DSLR cameras are far better due to their increased sensor size. This image Western 4W Driver #103 191

was taken with a Canon EOS7D which ARB GOESalthough a cropped sensor camera,still has a good sensor size to help In a significant expansion of theirreduce noise. Perth network, ARB have appointedLong exposure times also introduce Off Road Equipment(ORE) as their“static” which can enhance the issue authorised stockist covering a largeof noise. Then you have to understand area of the Western suburbs.that grain from noise shows more This is a positive strategic move byobviously in shadow or dark areas ARB as it recognises the long termon an image. You can start to see the influence within the 4wd communityproblem we have with night shots now. of ORE and its owners, Andrew andThe real issue here is the combination Jacquie Fardon. Andrew started asof extremely high ISO (1000) with a a broom pusher with ORE 28 yearsvery long shutter speed (246 seconds)and relatively low light levels. I’d ago (the same year Western 4w Driverhazard a guess there was a fair amount kicked off) and by 2006 he had boughtof light in the night sky, perhaps from the company. Prior to this recent move,a fullish moon that was preventing the ORE’s business model consisted ofstars from really popping on this night, a wholesale division, WA agent forwhich makes it very hard to get them Australian-made Cub camper trailerswell exposed. More likely the issue istoo long an exposure to try and get the Owners Andrew and Jacqui.foreground exposed right, as the sky isactually over-exposed.However the trick here would havebeen to greatly reduce the ISO, downto under half the current value andalso decrease the shutter time greatly.Then add a greater light source to theforeground so it exposes faster, suchas popping a flash around a few times.This will greatly decrease the shadowareas where the noise might bemost prominent.What you will now find is that ratherthan getting the stars moving as theyappear to be doing in this image, youwill get them standing still, but theywill still be visible. In order to recreatethis image and get that star trail effect,it’s best to wait till there is no moonso the night sky is darker allowing forlonger exposures, hence letting thestars “move”.At the end of the day though, this nightshot (pardon the pun) still did whatit should, made the viewer very darnjealous! Good job…catch you all at thenext CFE Shutterbuggers trip!192 Western 4W Driver #103

WESTERN SUBURBSand retailing and fitting4wd accessories. Not a fast turnaround of jobs is assured,much has changed allowing customers to hit the bush onstructurally with a time with their freshly kitted fourby. Onslight rationalisation the side, Andrew partners in 4wd tourof products contrasted operation - Campfire Escapes which getswith a larger influx of him doing what he loves best as often asthe popular ARB range. he can and proving the products he sells.What has changed Not a bad gig.To see more, get onto theis the corporate ARB website: offroadequipment.com.auimage outside and or get out to the showroom atinside ORE’s premises 61 McCoy street, Myaree.in McCoy street,Myaree. As Andrewsays of the move,“It was a no-brainerreally. It’s great to be part of the ARBnetwork and offering a range of productsso popular with West Aussies. We’relooking forward to a strong future withthe brand.” ORE started as an authorisedstockist in January this year and hasseen good growth in sales, especiallyaround products like ARB’s signaturerange of bullbars, compressors, OMEsuspension, canopies and plastic tanks.With five fitting bays at the Myaree store, Western 4W Driver #103 193

The old copper trails COPPERthat straggle across the - RUINS, RAGGED HILLSmountains lying between wasn’t a skerrick of water in it, while the normally green grassy areas alongCloncurry and Mt Isa offer the creek’s shady banks had only a patchwork quilt of short dead grass. Itplenty of exploring and would make a magic camp when there was water in the creek and the grassfour wheel driving. was green! From here the route heads south overRon and Viv Moon give relatively flat country to then wind amongst hills dotted with copper minesyou an insight. that bear a strong female influence – the Lady Kate, Lady Rose, Lady Amy,T he track we were on wound along the valley, crossing infrequent creeks and climbing the occasional rocky hill as weheaded deeper into the labyrinth of theFountain Range, south of the BarklyHighway and southeast of the outbackQueensland town of Mt Isa.The mountains may be low aroundhere, but they are rugged and highlyeroded, their sharp-edged ridges ofhard rock cutting across the skylinelike the broken and shattered teeth ofa huge cross-cut saw. Amongst therocky ridges, squat scrub and spinifex-covered hills spill down to narrow,normally grassy valleys that bordertree-lined creeks. But on our trip latein the dry season, much of the groundwas bare and the grass dead, while anybush or scrub was wilted or brokendown by marauding camels.Our route had first taken us to thebarely discernible ruins of the RosebudCopper Smelter and the nearby dam onCorella Creek that once fed the smelterand the small township of Bulonga.Originally surveyed in 1914, the town,mine and smelter boomed duringthe war years producing over 20,000tonnes of copper ore up till 1917.Then,with the war over, the price of coppercrashed and the town went into asudden decline, never to revive.The dam on Corella Creek is rarelydry, but when we stopped by there194 Western 4W Driver #103

TRAILS& RUGGED TRACKS Viv checks out the remains of the largest smelter in the field.The track beyondHightville can be tricky. Western 4W Driver #103 195

Lady Jane and the Lady Ethleen mines, droughts water can still be foundamongst others. here, trickling over rocks and gurglingJust south of these mines are the amongst tree roots, in stark contrast toscattered remains of the town of the dry hot country that surrounded it.Ballara, the most obvious ruin being It’s not a bad spot to camp either, but itthe concrete plinth of the old railway is rocky and really only meant for oneplatform that serviced the town. or two campers.Wandering around here you’llfind the small cemetery and thefoundations of many buildings, butlittle else – most of the buildingshaving been designed like ameccano set and built so theycould be knocked down and thentransported to another ‘boom’ town,leaving little behind in their passing.Water for the town was sourcedfrom the Fountain Spring south ofthe town and today a good dirt trackheads that way along the edge of FpoaurcnhteadinlaSnpdri.ngs is an oasis in a Moulded slag straight from the crucible will keep itsthe Fountain Range, where slashes shape for millennia.of white marked where extrusions ofquartz had cut through the normal Copper had previouslyrich reds and browns of the mountain been discovered in therange. At the site of the spring a gash Cloncurry district of NWin the mountains allows water to seep Queensland in 1867 but thefrom deep underground into a dark tyranny of distance and poorpermanent pool, shaded by tall cliffs infrastructure meant nothingand green trees. Even during extreme really happened out here until the railway was pushed196 Western 4W Driver #103 west in 1913, when both the town of Ballara and the railway were established to service the aforementioned mines and the recently discovered Wee MacGregor mine further west in the rugged mountains. The country west of Ballara had been deemed too uneven and jagged for a government railway so the then recently formed MacGregor Cloncurry Copper Mines Ltd built a tramway to haul its ore from the isolated mine to the town, where it was loaded onto the government railway. While it boomed

for a while, the last train from Bellara Mining was indeed a tough andwas in 1927, and within a few years the dangerous occupation back inrailway line and the town had been those days!dismantled and the bush had begun At a lofty point a short distance laterto take over. is the centre of Hightville, where theToday the old railway route between mining company had its office andthe town of Ballara and the Wee there was once a hotel and a schoolMacGregor Mine is a 4WD track that servicing both the community ofbecomes more challenging as you head Hightville and Ballara, a few rockyinto the hills.The route stays on the miles away. A limited number offormed way of the railway line except concrete foundations here though onlyfor washaways and the like where the date back to the 1970s when the areatrack plunges down a steep edged creek was again worked for minerals andbank only to clamber up the other side there is little of substance from theand back onto the railway easement. earlier mining times.It’s a slow drive but never boring as the From here a minor and short track againcountry is quite spectacular around it. follows the railway line deeper into theAlong the way you also come to the hills and to a tunnel – the only railwaypoignant Hightville cemetery where tunnel in northwest Queensland. Beingthere are six graves, none of the built for an ore train of only 2-foot wideresidents of which died from natural gauge, there was no way the Patrol wascauses.The causes of death ranged going to pass through, so we stopped,from a mine bucket falling down a took a few photos, walked through theshaft, to one dying from inhaling tunnel and then headed back down theexplosive fumes, to theunlucky soul who narrow railway trail.drank rat Back at Hightvillepoison. the main trackThe patrol wouldn’t fit in the only railway tunnel in NW Queensland. Western 4W Driver #103 197

continues, leaving the old railway unique Maltese Cross stones.easement and climbing the main spine The track then crosses Cattle Creekof the stony ridge in a series of rock and the more substantial Corella Creeksteps, scrambling stones and small (normally a nice camp) before passingboulders, interspersed with short sharp a few old workings and mines justeroded gullies. Cresting the spine of south of the main highway, less thanthe mountains the downhill run was no 50km east of Mt Isa.easier and there were a couple of times Over the next few days we left ourI got out and walked the track picking camp and headed down a variety of dirtthe best line before putting the Patrol roads and tracks to other mining andthrough its paces. smelting sites and once vibrant towns.Finally we arrived at the Wee One of the bigger, more successfulMacGregor Mine with its sprawl of old towns in the region – before themining gear and concrete structures colossus of Mt Isa was discovered The track to Wee MacGregor Mine and established – was the follows railway easement for much of settlement and smelter of the way. Kuridala. Situated about 90km south of Cloncurry thewhere again plastic pipe and town boasted around 2000hosing marked the site as people at its peak and washaving been worked more initially called, Friezland.recently. Old tracks radiated With the coming of WW1from here cutting across the German sounding namesnearby hills to both big and lost favour and it gained thesmall mines, while a few new moniker of Kuridala.newer scars led to the gouge During its peak before 1920marks of bulldozers where the smelter produced manydeep scrapes marked where tonnes of copper, but withmore recent exploration had poor prices in the 20s thebeen carried out.From near here the main Moonie inspects the Kuridala cemeterytrack heads down a major - one of the largest pioneer cemeteriesvalley and becomes easier, in in NW Queensland.one place passing through asmall gem field known for its198 Western 4W Driver #103