E Book 109.

best pizzas I’ve ever tasted every Friday down to Erina Waters in Artimore Creek. night. It was at the Blinman “Pub in the This was altogether a fantastic two-day Scrub” that I learnt about PARs. Public drive despite the ice on my swag when I Access Routes are selected 4WD tracks camped out in localities as awe-inspiring through pastoral properties where station and remote as any bushie could wish. owners have agreed to free entry for the I’ll skip most of my highway travels public. They combine exhilarating, scenic following the old Ghan line up through driving with interesting destinations. Beltana, Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst, Maree Departing Blinman next morning in and on to Oodnadatta, then out to Marla thick low cloud on the Glass Gorge on the Sturt Highway, except to mention scenic drive, it was just as well there Farina which is well worth a visit for wasn’t much scenery visible as I had to the wonders being churned out from dodge countless road-hogging wallabies its restored underground bakery and bounding at me out of the mist. This the ongoing conservation work being route took me out to a network of PARs carried out on the stone ruins there by that proved to be one of the highlights volunteers, a project that has been going of my trip. Countless creek crossings on since 2010. Great to see such an effort and steep hill climbs on challenging devoted to preserving the emotive traces twisting tracks through the foothills of of this historic bush town. Other spots the magnificent North Flinders Ranges worth a visit if you’re passing through saw me at the fabulous ruins of the long- this way include the Peake Telegraph abandoned Nuccaleena copper mine. In Station and the mound springs that a State with a seeming surplus of stone controlled the route of the Overland ruins, this is an exceptional gem in the Telegraph, the Oodnadatta Track and wilderness. The PARs, often winding along on narrow creek beds gouged “Countless creek out by seasonal floods (these would be impossible to travel in wet conditions), crossings and steep hill also led me through Hannigan Gap and out to Patawarta Gap before I passed climbs on challenging the Artimore Homestead ruins and followed the bed of Erengunda Creek twisting tracks through the foothills of the magnificent North Flinders Ranges.” the old original Ghan Railway. My back went out along this stretch and I was glad to reach Alice Springs where I had a two-day spell. Between Alice and Katherine I was unimpressed with the historic towns of Daly Waters and Larimah. Both seemed to be just huge caravan parks to me. However I did find the old Elsey Cemetery fascinating and beautifully maintained. I obtained my Kakadu Visitor Pass ($30) in Katherine before popping in to picturesque Edith Falls for a look around. I also visited Umbrawarra Gorge before taking the Kakadu Highway turnoff Western 4W Driver #109 149

Our cruise past Pine Creek and following boat was that route out to Cooinda. ignored by After passing the adjoining birds and campground crammed with crocs alike. caravans and campers, A darter settling in to my luxurious dries off digs at the resort made me under the feel that maybe the expense northern was worth it. Next day I sun. visited the awesome Jim Jim A rufous Falls cascading down from the night heron top of the escarpment, then feeling slightly had a relaxing afternoon bird- conspicuous in watching at Sandy Billabong. the light of day. The ultimate high spot of my entire trip came the following morning when I arose early to take the daybreak cruise on Yellow Waters. The cruise boats ply these rivers and flood plains several times a day all year round and are completely ignored by masses of birds and crocs alike. This allowed us to get as close to all the wildlife as anyone could ever wish, while the encyclopaedic knowledge of our guide added to a truly unique experience. Determined to try a bit of 4w-driving in the National Park, I spent the afternoon on a track up the West side of the South Alligator River, checking out free-camping areas at Alligator, Bucket and Red Lily billabongs. Following gradually diminishing wheel tracks over mud flats out past the latter spot, I decided not to press on as I was very much on my own out here and would be in quite a fix if wheels broke through the surface. After executing a very careful three point turn I was retracing my route on firmer terrain through thick bush when there was a bang 150 Western 4W Driver #109

and a deafening squealing A glimpse of the Oscar Range as I from beneath the bonnet and passed through the Kimberley. dense smoke began pouring out from the engine bay. I around blind corners. I had to get two quickly turned off the ignition wheels onto the gravel for all oncoming and I must admit my hands traffic, and get right off the bitumen were shaking a little as I lifted for the many road trains transporting the bonnet. However, it was cattle to Darwin, a dangerous hazard. It just a broken air-con belt was actually a relief when the bitumen jammed against the pulley. ended and, whether I imagined it or A stick must have unseated not, the surface seemed to improve and broken it. I prised out the once I’d crossed into good old WA. remains, moved the Troopie Another phenomenon was an urge to to a shady spot and popped a new one reach home, so rather than spending on, then continued my drive feeling time wandering around the Kimberley much relieved that it hadn’t been worse. as I’d originally planned, I high-tailed it (This was the only vehicle trouble I had South. At journey’s end, after three and on the entire trip.) The day was topped a half weeks, I’d added 11,000kms to my off by a walk around the fabulous rock art odometer at a cost of less than $5,000 galleries of towering Nourlangie Rock, split more or less evenly between fuel then Barramundi for tea back at Cooinda and accommodation expenditure. before drifting off to a well-earned sleep serenaded by the restful calls of Curlews and Little Barking Owls. Exiting Kakadu via the Arnhem Highway I began the long haul home next day, camping in a very pleasant spot at Kathleen Falls before choosing to take the Buntine Highway down to Halls Creek. The top half of this highway was one of the worst roads of the whole trip. A narrow strip of bitumen with high vertical edges corkscrewed over crests and What’s in a name? with Ian Elliot Mount Disasterhad a query recently from Mike had his doubts about. My research Donaldson, President of the confirmed these doubts. Although Kimberley Society (the publisher of not far from Forrest’s route, he never visited it and it’s not shown on the plan Ithose fabulous Rock Art books) who of his travels. He makes no mention of the feature in his diary while in wanted to know how Mount Disaster in the general vicinity, nor is there any the Kimberley came by its name. This evidence that he or any member of his feature lies North of the Tarraji River party were involved in any disaster in on the former Oobagooma Station the region. I went to Cancelled Public and several sources suggest it was Plans and found the name absent on named during Alexander Forrest’s 1879 Kimberley exploration, a view Mike Western 4W Driver #109 151

all plans prior to 1890 in PRO holdings kind of commemoration of the receipt available on the internet. It is not of such terrible news. Newspapers shown on Cancelled Public Plans 11K were full of the North-West Pearling Nos. 1 to 3 (1884-1890) but pops up on Fleet disaster for months. The number CPP 11K No.4 drawn on 19/8/1890 and of schooners and luggers sunk in that cancelled on 16/11/1894 and is shown storm off 80 Mile Beach was great, and on all subsequent plans. Other features it was an event unsurpassed in WA’s shown for the first time on CPP 11K No. history. Mount Disaster at the time of 4 are the “Taragee” (now Tarraji) and Leeming’s surveys was just beyond upper Robinson rivers, both traversed the boundaries of Grant, Anderson & by Lands Dept. Surveyor George Edgar’s Oobagooma Station and was Waters Leeming in 1887. His Traverse later incorporated as part of that station. Point L26 on the Tarraji is only about I imagine their homestead would have 5km South of Mount Disaster so I’m been his headquarters during those fairly sure that he used this hill as a trig surveys. He traversed every river station and at least recorded the name, around this region and there are quite although pastoral lands were already Excerpt from Hema’s WA State map. taken up in this area at the time so the name a few. His traverse points are all shown could be connected to on CPP 11K No.4. His supplies could the lessees. I searched have been brought in from Derby by Trove for Leeming’s road (a track running along the South activities in 1887 side of the Robinson River had been and found that, after gazetted as Road No. 230 on 11 February returning from a trip 1886 and a road connection between to his parent’s home Oobagooma and Derby gazetted in 1891 in Melbourne he was was probably used much earlier) or sea sent up with Surveyor (luggers could enter a tidal inlet at the G.W. Nuylasy to the bottom of Stokes Bay and get up as far Kimberley to undertake as Robinson Landing within easy reach trig work, traverses and road surveys. of the homestead). If he was there in He is mentioned in May 1887 as being April, there is no doubt he would have not out for 14 in a cricket match in Derby received and read newspaper accounts between The Town and The Port and later of the pearling fleet disaster and I think he is mentioned in an article concerning that it is a pretty logical assumption that the survey of W.J. O’Donnell’s route this is what gave rise to this name. from Derby to Halls Creek. It appears he did heaps of traverses in some pretty remote areas but there is no mention of any disaster occurring and he and Nuylasy returned South in November 1887. A Trove search with the keyword, “disaster”, revealed nothing connected to the hill, the locality or the station in that year. However, in April 1887 occurred the North-West Pearling Fleet disaster with the loss of dozens of boats and some 140 men and it may be that the hill was given this name as some 152 Western 4W Driver #109



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POWER TO BURN... Part 2 INSTALLING YOUR BATTERY SYSTEM In issue 108 we kicked off this series with an information overload. Everything you need to know when considering battery options for your own auxiliary system. Now we need to integrate the new battery, or batteries into our electrical system. There’s plenty to learn here, so get your study face on! We already talked about different ways to accomplish the same mounting the battery in the end result. The purpose of each is to previous instalment. Now ensure your auxiliary batteries receive we have to cover selecting charge while the vehicle is running, a charger or isolator to manage the and that power is only drawn from auxiliary batteries, choosing the right auxiliary batteries when you switch wiring for the job, and making the the engine off. Let’s break these three connections with safety, durability and categories down and have a look at efficiency in mind. how they work. Solenoid Isolators, Electronic Solenoid Isolators Isolators & DC Chargers A solenoid is rather like a massive Three different names, for three relay, just like the relay that controls spotlights – but capable of flowing Western 4W Driver #109 155

hundreds rather than tens of amps. Redarc’s SBI- Think the old Cole Hersee solenoid, 12 for surge the big round cylinder shaped device. protected These were generally rigged to automated ignition power, sometimes to the oil activation. pressure switch. This way, the batteries would only link once the ignition was the two on, or the oil pressure built up. batteries In the past; people also used fully together for manual switches, like marine isolator emergency jump switches. starting if No need for your main goes flat. solenoids Voltage drop is not a problem here! Just bolt when the batteries are close to one this thing the another, and connected by proper size of a dinner gauge wire. plate to your Capable of flowing high current. transmission tunnel, run Great! So what are the downsides? battery cables all over the Compatibility with smart place, and alternators is out of the question hope you without modifying the system remember to switch the batteries The auxiliary batteries must be when you arrive at camp. No way I installed close to the main battery, could trust myself with that, I barely most likely under bonnet remember to lock my hubs in! Your batteries should be of the Neither of these are really suitable same chemistry for modern vehicles with computer The batteries will equalise when the systems due to the inherent danger of separator links up (your charged voltage spikes; with the exception of a battery will begin to drain into the few manufacturers who have created lower charged one) hybrid solenoids. Think products such as the Redarc SBI-12 or the What - there are different National Luna Split charge isolator alternators? (which actually incorporates a Cole Hersee solenoid). These take the basic Pre 2010, the fixed voltage alternator solenoid, add surge protection and was standard issue. But post 2010 some basic electronics to automate we started to see smart alternators, activation. The result is a solenoid that temperature compensating alternators links your batteries at around 13.2 and other practises related to volts, and separates them at emissions. These things are tuned about 12.7. to put out just enough to keep your There are plenty of reasons to consider starter battery kicking, so link up the simple solenoid isolator. They are: a second battery to it and you get Cost: The solenoid and wiring can terrible charging performance. Others often be had for under $200. may not charge it at all. More on this Simplicity: Your solenoid carks it, in a future instalment. it’s simple and cheap to swap out. Jump starts: Most of these can link 156 Western 4W Driver #109

Electronic Isolators outputs (typically two or three). To divide the charge between batteries These move away from solenoids and ensure charge isn’t leaching from and into relay switching. There’s one battery to another, installing a still a mechanical component (the diode isolator involves re-routing relay) but electronics play a larger alternator power straight to the role in managing the switching and isolator rather than going through the monitoring the charge. At the basic main battery. Some models will also end, these relays are surge protected, have an extra terminal to be integrated will connect your auxiliary to charge with your charge regulator, to keep at about 13.2 volts, and disconnect your alternator pumping power to the them at 12.7 volts. This is the category battery system. So why might you that your voltage sensing relay (VSR) choose a relay isolator? would fit into. At the higher end, a relay isolator may actually read the Cost. Just like solenoid isolators, auxiliary charge level and control relay isolators are quite input. Vehicle protection functions may reasonably priced. be present to safeguard more delicate Options for solar input on electronics; automatic current limiting some models. so that it cuts the power if overloaded, Capable of flowing high current. and even solar input. All are features If you choose a diode isolator, of the Piranha DBE180XS. complete isolation of each battery. There’s an interesting variant that I’d And some reasons not to: If choosing a diode isolator, voltage Piranha’s DBE180xs - a top end relay drop over the diodes is an inherent isolator with overload cut-out and problem. For quality diodes it may solar input. be as low as 0.3 volts, or as high as class as an electronic isolator, called 0.7 volts for cheap diodes. a ‘diode isolator’. This type of isolator Still not suitable for batteries contains no mechanical parts, yet installed at the back of vehicles is very simple. The core element to or trailers. these are the diodes; simple electronic Compatibility with smart components that allow current to alternators is still out of the flow only in one direction. The diodes question without modifying in an isolator are much larger than the system. you might find in a home appliance however. They are capable of handling DC Chargers the full input of your alternator and dividing it between a number of In cases where your auxiliary batteries must be installed down the back of the vehicle, or you’re putting a system in a trailer; you may have issues with voltage drop. This is one of the reasons that DC chargers are becoming so popular. In battery situations like the one mentioned above, a DC charger is capable of compensating for the voltage drop and delivering a healthy charge to your second battery. It’s essentially a smart charger designed for a 12 volt system which has dropped Western 4W Driver #109 157

in price significantly over the last eight draw off that battery; it won’t keep up. years or so. Can’t contribute auxiliary batteries Here are a few other reasons you might to cranking. choose the DC Charger: Slower charge than you’d get from the alternator alone. Most Much more efficient charging. Your batteries will live longer, and achieve alternators deliver 80 amps much closer to 100 percent charge. or more. 40 amps is Solar input. Many have usually the highest MPPT solar regulators output for a inbuilt, so you can DC charger. wire solar directly into the system. Converting Pesky low output current & voltage alternators are no creates heat; they will longer a problem! lower output if they get A DC charger will boost the too hot which means they output to suit the battery need plenty of ventilation. being charged. Not ideal under the bonnet. Handles dissimilar battery chemistries using unique charging profiles (very Battery Management Systems important for new lithium batteries). Eliminates problems with voltage These fancy buggers handle drop when installed correctly. everything to do with your auxiliary Some things which may be system. Mains power and DC charging considered cons: built into the same unit. You can Somewhat expensive. often run your loads through the unit Inability to supply high current. They as well, giving you information on supply usually between 20 and 40 current draw, voltage, hours remaining amps depending on the model, so at current load, and more. Some if you run equipment with a higher models even take it a step further with switching for individual accessories. the system Right, you’ve got the batteries, and plug installation. ISO standard 6mm the brain’s sorted. Now let’s get it all cable measures the cross sectional connected. Before we look at how area of the conductor, not including it works for each system, here are insulation. Automotive standard 6mm some general points that apply to ALL cable measures the cross sectional wiring installations. area over the entire diameter, so you may have 4mm of conductor and 2mm Wire Gauge: of insulation. This leads to problems! To make things more confusing, This is a bit of a pain in the anything over around 6mm tends backside, because there are different to be measured in the B&S (Browne standards everywhere. Take a 6mm & Sharpe) standard, which is the cable for instance; which is the same as the AWG (American Wire recommended minimum for a fridge Gauge) standard. Pay attention to the 158 Western 4W Driver #109

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ltiRonee5d0i.t Introducing the new bigger, more powerful 50 amp dual battery charger. The red line running down its back right away tells you there’s something different about this dual battery charger. It’s different all right. A 50 amp charging output makes it the most powerful in the REDARC award winning range. Click above for video. Read more

standards you are using, and find a Termination: conversion chart if necessary. Poor end connections lead to high resistance Fuses: – not good! Use a set of crimpers designed Every cable attached to a positive for the job to get the battery terminal must be fused. Even for very best result. As a separator based system, you’ll need you’ll be working with one as close as possible to the main pretty heavy gauge battery and wiring here, you’ll another at need access to some the auxiliary heavy duty cable battery. With crimpers. These can the high be quite expensive, so find a friendly amperage auto sparky who’s willing to crimp flow, your some cable with you over a couple of most likely beers. I won’t go into soldering these choices are connections, which seems to be a matter the giant MEGA fuse or a circuit breaker. of preference. It’s good enough for auto Make sure that inserting the fuses or manufacturers to only crimp, so that’s connecting circuit breakers is the last good enough for me. step of your install though, for obvious reasons. Solenoid & Relay Isolator Wiring Insulation: For a basic separator system, I would Never leave a cable join or terminal not consider anything less than 6 exposed. Grab some good quality B&S as a minimum. If you’re using a electrical tape, as the cheaper stuff separator with the jump start feature; tends to lose adhesive and come off go even thicker at around 2 B&S. They pretty quickly. Wrap every cable join in a can handle around 100, and 200 amps bit of that. Even better; use heat shrink! respectively. To be absolutely sure, and There’s also a nifty product by Dynagrip to compensate for voltage drop you will called Brush On Electrical Tape which easily find a wire size calculator online. dries like a rubber coating – I’ve used Redarc has an excellent one on their this to insulate terminals on isolators website. Here’s what a simple solenoid and circuit breakers with great success. or relay isolator install might look like: Cable Protection: Western 4W Driver #109 161 Wrap every piece of wire in conduit, and cable tie it until it can’t move. Conduit is also a good chance to make the installation look tidy by bundling many wires in the same conduit. Cable tie your new loom to existing wiring looms, chassis rails or solid brake lines and ensure they are well clear of hot or moving parts.

Isolator Wiring You’ll generally find an alternator power input, maybe a solar power You’ll need to know the maximum input, power output, earth for the alternator output, and also the battery, earth for the charger, and maximum output at each terminal possibly an ignition trigger wire. on your isolator. Typically an Gauge sizes required for wiring these alternator output may be 100 amps, units are usually called out in their so 4 B&S cable to the isolator would instructions, often between 8 B&S and do. If it is a twin output isolator, the diodes will divide the current evenly between the two; so a 6 B&S cable to each battery would suffice. Again, it all depends on the length of the cable run – you’ll find an online wire size calculator very helpful. As mentioned earlier, wiring up an isolator can be a little more complex. Here’s what your isolator install would typically look like: (top right) DC Charger Wiring The bundle of wires hanging off the back of a DC charger make it appear MUCH harder to install than it really is. Web: toodyayautocentre.com.au Heading Off? Registered Repairer MRB6464 Email us for our extensive list of 162 Western 4W Driver #109 pre-trip checks. Avon Valley Supplier of TIRES Email: [email protected]

battery it is managing. Here’s how the Projecta DC-DC charging system in my vehicle is set up (left): 4 B&S. As previously Parallel Battery Setups stated, DC chargers are able to compensate for Linking batteries in Parallel (positive voltage drop over long to positive) will add the capacity of the cable runs, but only batteries together, while keeping the on the INPUT side. voltage the same. In my case, two 58 Therefore, the charger Ah batteries fit nicely in the side floor must be mounted as and can be thought of as one battery. close as possible to the They charge together, drain together, and give me 116 Ah. Both batteries should be exactly the same. Well, we’re part way there! Now you’ve got the perfect battery installed for your needs, and it’s all hooked up to your vehicle electrical system. But how do we expect the alternator to fulfil our power needs all the time? We can’t. Which is why you’ll be learning all about alternative 12 volt power sources in the very next edition. Western 4W Driver #109 163

50 AMP ChargingLAT batteries are a fact of life. and the alternator simultaneously and They need to be charged up to do with inbuilt Green Power Priority it their job and while they are kept automatically selects the solar charge first, taking the load off the vehicle’s Fin good shape via alternators or alternator. The 50-amp charger is compatible with standard and variable generators, they quietly die if left voltage/smart alternators and can be alone for a week or three. Batteries go used in both 12 and 24-volt vehicle back a heck of a lot further than one systems. Designed, tested and made would think. in Australia, it can take any conditions Car batteries first arrived in Hudson cars our less-than-gentle environment can in 1918, but weren’t adopted by most throw at it. The BCDC1250D comes with makers until a few years later. nationwide backup which includes a In fact, the first battery dates back to 2-year hassle free warranty, technical around 250BC - we kid you not. Called the Parthian or Baghdad support and after-sales battery, it was found in an service. area of Iraq occupied by The company also the Parthians between recommends you 248 and 226 BC, use their online and comprised a dual battery vase-like vessel selector, which which contained a has been designed copper cylinder held in to help you tailor your place by asphalt. It was only necessary to add an alkaline liquid to ideal dual battery setup. complete the electric element. It probably won’t work a So did the Parthians have cars? Nay. Parthian, but it will certainly We could theorise forever, but to get give every other battery a Red back to what’s more relevant to the Bull-like charge. Ole! modern era, those bright folk at Redarc have just produced a new, bigger, more Redarc On-Line powerful 12-volt dual input 50amp in- vehicle battery charger. They call it the Only five on-line resellers BCDC1250D. It’s a modern device with a Australia-wide have been chosen red line running down its back and a 50- to represent Redarc in an on-line amp charging output makes it the most shopping format and autoelecoz. powerful in Redarc’s BCDC range. com.au is the only one chosen in It will charge all major lead-acid Western Australia. batteries and includes a lithium Now you can enjoy the (LiFeP04) charging profile. convenience of on-line shopping There’s also an extra charging stage for the BCDC1250D and Redarc’s known as Soft Start which has been entire range without leaving your engineered so that it can handle more screen, bonus! demanding applications. Go to autoelecoz.com.au for The BCDC1250D has separate vehicle everything Redarc. DC and solar inputs which ultimately simplify the installation process. The unit will charge from both solar 164 Western 4W Driver #109

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If any plant looks out of place THE ITCHY in our dry inland landscapes it’s the Desert Kurrajong Eora (NSW) word for ‘fishing line’ (Brachychiton gregorii). reference to these peoples’ use of Amongst the generally greyish the fibrous bark. The bulging trunks bushy vegetation, this tree of a number of species also lead overtops most of its neighbours to them being called ‘bottle trees’, and catches the eye with a and these do indeed store water in bulging trunk and dense canopy of large, bright green leaves shaped like an open hand. The species was named in honour of A.C. Gregory and is unusual among the ca 35 species in being a desert dweller- most are tropical trees of 20-40m height found in the Australian tropics in WA, the NT and QLD. Two species occur in Papua New Guinea, and several others spread down the east coast into NSW and Victoria. The common name ‘kurrajong’ is an adaptation of garrajun, a Daruk/ 166 Western 4W Driver #109

GARRAJUN Popular Botanics their wood, but bulginess varies quite considerably. Kurrajongs generally with lose some or all of their leaves in the Doctor Kris dry season. For some, this is an annual event, but others (including the desert bright red flowers in late spring, kurrajong) keep their leaves unless there before the growth of new leaves is a deep drought. Where the plants with the onset of summer rains. are deciduous, flowering occurs when These plants are hairy - tiny the tree has no leaves; as the flowers straight, branched or star-shaped are brightly coloured and relatively hairs occur all over the plants, large this event can produce a stunning including the bell-shaped flowers. The display, which lends some horticultural value. The Illawarra Flame Tree (B. tube of the flower’s bell acerifolious) is one example, has 5 pointed lobes at and is now grown worldwide. It the top, so they look like produces a spectacular show of a stars when seen face on. While a few species The desert kurrajong is have green flowers, a slimmer version of the most are either brightly bottle tree (left). coloured or white, and they may be blotched with bright red. Interestingly, pollen and seeds are produced in different flowers on the same individual. The tough, elliptical or boat-shaped and pod-like fruit splits down one side to reveal numerous seeds inside. These pods make perfect miniature boats for creekline regattas - but beware, they carry a kick! Among the seeds lies a loose mass of tiny, brittle star-shaped hairs. When the fruit splits open, these hairs are released, and if they contact your skin can cause irritation, itching and sometimes allergies. This is the source of a third name “itchy tree”, coined by generations of Aussie kids who experienced its effects. Western 4W Driver #109 167

OUR BIG BABY 168 Western 4W Driver #109

EVA By Bruce & Deb Shorter Our Nissan 4.2 diesel Ute with a Trayon camper on the back had served us well for over 12 years. We’d travelled the Canning Stock Route, the Anne Beadell, the Gunbarrel and many more tracks, named and un-named but we hadn’t had enough or seen enough of Australia by any stretch of the imagination. We love it ‘out there’. Western 4W Driver #109 169

e had taken a five-year hiatus impressed with the from 4-wheel driving to sail construction and the Queensland coast and New the way everything works. We WCaledonia but the backtracks and the wide-open spaces of Australia still wouldn’t change called. And so our search for a new ship- a thing. of-the-desert began. Retired from both VA modifications work and sailing we took the time to enjoy to the Iveco the research. We wanted something to suit our own needs and style of travel. For us King Springs and outback travel is about the journey and we heavy duty sway like to move on most days. We travel alone bars combine and rarely spend much time in one spot so to give the tall we knew we wanted something that was vehicle some safe, carried plenty of water, had stability on road. heaps of electricity, was simple to pack up and that could literally go anywhere, particularly across the mighty sand dune country. Having been bogged at Boggy Hole (really) on the Fink we also knew the value of a good winch. We travelled from WA to the east coast of NSW and Queensland to inspect vehicle builders and look at a range of models. We eventually settled on EVA [Expedition Vehicles Australia]. At the time of our trip east EVA did not have a finished product to inspect so it was a giant leap of faith when we made our decision In the cab suspension seating and to go with them. Justin Beall and Anthony a forward control driving position Parke made us feel confident enhance the height of the IVECO. with their engineering and technical knowledge and they had passion for what they do. They were enthusiastic and easy to work with, so we committed. Having said that, on the day we stepped out of the taxi at EVA’s factory in Queensland my heart was in my mouth. First glimpse and WOW! As I climbed the steps and entered the module for the first time nothing disappointed. I was like a kid with a new toy at Christmas. it’s now 8 months and 16000 kms later and we are just as 170 Western 4W Driver #109

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included increasing the fuel Passenger seat rotates to be part of the capacity from 90 to 270 litres, accommodation. Note the induction fitting adjustable King Coil cooktop. Over Shocks front and rear, progressive bump stops, In the cab there are magnificent sway bars front and back, diff suspension seats, [dial in your weight] and transmission breathers, and the passenger seat rotates 360 37 inch wheels, ECM engine degrees. There’s a tyre pressure mapping, an upgrade to the monitoring system on the dash, UHF water alarm plus additional fuel management filters and a 17500lb rear mounted winch with cradle that can be transposed to the front if required. In the cargo hold there’s a 3/4 hp compressor with air holding tank that handles tyre re-inflations super fast. There is a water pump to provide endless water supply from a stream or any nearby water source, a fishing rod tube, extra GPO’s and lighting but best of all there is a 30-litre drawer drinks fridge. Getting a cold beer at the end of a long drive couldn’t be simpler. CV BOOTSQTUOICFKIT LANDCRUISER SPLIT Suits 79, 80, 100, 70 series with solid axle front. $115 Prevent sand and grit incl post abrasion, water corrosion, pitting and seal damage to the swivel housing. Gearless Centre Differential eliminates axle wind up... for the best mining driveline. PH: 0352 722 844 E: [email protected] www.gearingdynamics.com 172 Western 4W Driver #109

radio and an Exogear mount for the Comfy bed across back, iPad on the dash. The EVA walk through cabinet on RH side extends into the module is the biggest in the up to be toilet and shower. business, so easy to get out of your seat and walk back into the module. at the touch of a button. The module has 212 litres of water and Kitchen is a specially a 100 litre grey water holding tank. 400 created lightweight design watt solar panels on the roof, 3 x 120 with soft-closing drawers amp deep cycle batteries and a 1600 that remain closed even watt inverter/charger. The roof is raised on the worst corrugations. The finish is luxurious. The fridge/freezer is a Webasto 130 litre together with a Webasto diesel stove and hot water / heating system. With huge storage under the lift-up double bed, an interior shower and toilet, TV and air- conditioning, it’s the complete comfort package in a compact unit. Having taken possession of the new baby we decided to go home to Western Australia the long way round. We thought of leaving the vehicle on the East Coast but the temptation to show it off to family and friends was too great. Under-bed storage can be accessed from either side. A quiet campsite in the Northern Flinders.

Exploring the tropical Imbil NP. via Thurston National Park to Bourke and the Darling River. From Dirranbandi We did a shakedown trip to Imbil to Hebel we hit some seriously wet National Park and we were glad we did weather that turned the normally dry, because getting used to the Iveco 24 dusty tracks to bogs but the new truck gear splitter box system required a bit coped well. The mud certainly took the of concentration. Debra, my wife and raw, new look off the rig! Further south navigator has a penchant for nefarious we loved Gundabooka National Park “short cuts” and mysterious “unused “ where we were completely alone and tracks. Day 1 saw us stuck down a deep saw clouds of wood swallows rising gully on the side of a mountain with me high in the sky at sundown. The walk trying to find the right gear to back-up to the distant range was wonderful. all the way out. I was sweating buckets The route along The Darling was very but the day ended with a beautiful wild dry and dusty in stark contrast to our campsite, a red wine and a running creek in the background. Before we left Queensland we wanted to see Carnarvon Gorge so we headed north and on the way stayed overnight at Cracow Beach, a swimming hole for the locals on the Dawson River. It was green and attractive in an otherwise dry cattle country but the bugs and all things that bite were fearsome at sundown. We headed down on the back tracks The big IVECO was dwarfed by the Big Crayfish. 174 Western 4W Driver #109

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earlier days. It’s amazing Nullarbor tracks tested the the extremes of weather overhead clearance. experienced when travelling big distances. It had been of the very steep sides of the sandy many years since we had track, but we did. Finally, another run been to the Flinders so down the now closed old Balladonia passing through SA we took Road where the corrugations and the a detour back up into that March flies were of mega proportions. beautiful range country. The On to Esperance, Albany and a sedate photo opportunities were run home to Perth. There’s no doubt irresistible and although we about it, our new vehicle is a rock star. stopped overnight to see the It’s a showstopper and we’ve enjoyed now busy Wilpena Pound we the many people wanting to talk with also found some wonderfully us and photograph it. The end of the quiet and natural campsites journey home for us is just in the north. Heading down, the beginning. we had great stops on the Eyre Peninsular at places like Coffin bay, Venus Bay and our favourite, the surfing spot of Sheringa Beach. Eventually however, it was down to the Nullarbor again, the inevitable fate of a Western Australian heading home by the quickest route. We have discovered that far from being “Null” or nothing, the Nullarbor can yield many secrets. We’ve always taken detours to discover the caves, the rockholes, the old fuel station at Koonalda, Wahgunyah conservation reserve and the old telegraph stations along the way. This time the Eyre Bird Observatory was a highlight for us. Coming down off the high plateau was spectacular and at one point we wondered if the “Tall Girl” would handle the extreme angles Just love the Flinders. 176 Western 4W Driver #109



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CAST INTO THE something as a fishing location. Boat and shore based anglers can do very MURCHISON well once they have the spot “wired,” to use the fishing parlance. Off shore sees The west coast holiday the mix of northern sub tropical and destination of Kalbarri is well southern species merge here, as the known to any West Aussie and waters mix. The iconic West Australian dare I say to many from around dhufish can be caught alongside coral the country who’ve ventured over this trout, red emperor and pink snapper side with a caravan or 4WD. It’s the whilst mackerel, tuna and trevally sort of place that attracts those looking species mix with the more southern for a variety of things to explore and Samson fish. And from shore there’s no enjoy rather than a singular attraction doubt that this area is home to some of and Kalbarri has that in spades – the the best tailor and mulloway fishing in National Park Gorge country, coastal the State. cliffs and interesting coastline, wildflowers, the town set on the river The deeper holes and snags tend to mouth of the Murchison with places hold the bigger fish. to swim, fish, boat, kayak, sandboard and more. Yes, its 600 kilometres away (Reckon that one’s a bit hungry JB.) from suburbia but for many the trip is worth every kilometre. Depending on your preference it’s always offered Western 4W Driver #109 179

Kayaking is a great way to explore and fish the upper reaches. The author with a Murchison River tailor almost in the middle of town. When all that fails or it’s time for white wash but this is only for those something different, there’s always who know what they’re doing and its the river. The Murchison is actually the usually best done with someone up second longest river in WA and whilst front casting and a skipper on the helm it might not pump out the volumes of steering the boat, motor running and the mighty Fitzroy, Ord or Fortescue in constant control. From Chinaman’s in full wet season flood, it does hold Point long casts from the rocks will water in its lower reaches year round. sometimes lure one of these tailor and It is navigable for a few kilometres at night, a mulloway. It’s the fishiest before becoming too shallow but canoe looking water around but doesn’t and kayak enthusiasts can take in long always live up to the promise. Just stretches of its meandering course inside the estuary or mouth there are effectively upstream almost to the deep channel sections to anchor up in a Murchison House Station homestead. small boat and soak a bait for passing A kayak will certainly give greater fish, cruising on the tide. Be wary of access to all of the best spots but from anchoring right in the middle of the an off road explorer’s point of view channel though because the big cray there’s plenty to check out via a whole boats won’t be too concerned about day trip or even overnight. Technically, “rockin your boat” with a big wake if camping too close to the town site you’re in their space. Again mulloway is of course not permitted but some and tailor can turn up in catches here good research with Google Earth or along with whiting and silver bream. good first hand advice from those in the know will steer you to the better sections of river that hold fish. Starting with the river mouth itself, there are good possibilities for shore casters or small boat anglers. The rough treacherous mouth section near Black Rock holds big tailor in the 180 Western 4W Driver #109

Murchison River mulloway for the author. The mulloway become a distinct than one tempting option. possibility in these upper reaches in the In years gone by it was not deeper channels, particularly at night. unusual to get up to a dozen The ideal situation is to use a sounder “runs” in one night session to locate the deepest sections of the when the mulloway were on. river channel or holes and anchor, Early Winter and Spring often targeting the incoming tide as the best produced the most consistent time to fish. A small live baited bream results but more recently it or whiting with the reliable pilchard has become difficult to find on another outfit will ensure that any them in prolific numbers. patrolling mulloway will have more I’ve seen freezer trucks pulled up at the wharf loading loads of crates of big mulloway caught professionally just offshore when they aggregate during spawning. Sad because they don’t have significant commercial food value. Venturing around the corner and a few hundred metres upstream on the side opposite civilisation provides some stretches of nice sandy bank to wander with a light flick rod in search Our Airbox could save you $1000s Airboxes made to suit your 4x4. 4 inch inlet and outlet allows unrestricted dust-free flow from snorkel through to engine. 6 Featherstone St PH: 07 4936 1588 Parkhurst, QLD www.fatzfab.com.au Western 4W Driver #109 181

of yellowfin whiting. The rising tide and tracks that follow its course is a decent the clearer sections will usually turn a challenge but there are some great few up on a bloodworm or river prawn, spots to explore. The best all round provided the pesky little juvenile silver option is using the vehicle to get you to bream or sand whiting don’t attack first. the best areas and then use a rooftop At the commercial boat pens and jetty canoe or kayak from there. on the opposite side (Fisherman’s You’ll need to follow the road to the Wharf) there’s a straightforward spot most northerly part of Kalbarri’s built up to fish from that provides a natural area where the bitumen will lead onto haven for a more recent convert to a gravel road alongside the water. The the Murchison – the mangrove jack. first kilometre or so will have the river Changes in water temperatures in in close view but after that it becomes a the last decade or so have seen more maze of riverside tracks, some of which northern species establish themselves will be deep, dry sand. Don’t be slack in this neck of the woods but out foxing and ignore the basic rules of deep soft them isn’t easy. They’re very wary of sand driving or it will give grief. As it is, these broad Follow tracks to get to some of the best spots upstream. any tell - tale bits of tackle connected to shallow stretches a tasty morsel. Fish with nothing but a up to 10 kilometres totally hidden hook embedded in a half upstream have some mulie or small fresh whiting, allowed braided sections to sink unweighted near the pylons. where trying your And when the hook up comes hang on luck for the wily and wrestle them out and away. The black bream may population is not big but continues to yield some success sustain itself it would appear, with the but typically they’ll odd jack caught throughout the year. be ravenous little Exploring the watercourse further juveniles that will upstream from here by boat is limited attack a small piece of prawn. The to about five kilometres by dinghy (up bream are definitely the main quarry to to the area around Goat island) hence target throughout the river upstream a kayak or canoe can be a great way to everywhere beyond the estuary. tackle things. Four - wheel driving the Fresh river prawn (and bloodworm) are without doubt the prime bait for 182 Western 4W Driver #109 black bream. At the right time of year it’s even possible to collect your own small shrimp - sized river prawns from the river bank areas with a dap net or simple homemade version fashioned from a coat hanger and old stocking. In tight next to the reedy banks there are often very small prawns or shrimp that can be quickly threaded onto a fine hook three or four at a time. Naturally any

bream around will scoff them. Soaking a bait for a black Further up (and accessible more bream, the Murchison’s most directly rather than following the prolific species upstream. watercourse the whole distance) there are deeper sections in A reasonable black bream the meander and around Stork from a weedy bank for a island, to Nanny Goat Well and young Marc Bormolini. Gregory Rocks, where careful surveillance will turn up some spin gear more suited to deeper holes and the occasional bream they’re an absolute snag of trees and debris that blast but catch and release provides the only given their poor eating perfect home for credentials. A very small bigger bream metal slice or whitebait or to hide out. prawn constantly and slowly Dropping a bait retrieved will attract them into dark shaded if they’re there. And if you areas or near find one, there will always these snaggy be another half dozen around. The other sections brings option is to go into Murchison House the best results. station and camp there exploring things These older downstream from there as a base and fish are very with the advice of the station owners. cunning and The Ed’s intrepid better half and co pilot wary so it’s not penned a great write up on this spot in unusual to find a previous issue not that long back and them pick up the it’s well worth a re-read. The owners will bait and move give specific advice and direction on off slowly so it where you can fish and tracks to follow pays to let the via a map that they make available. fish take some The history and intrigue of the place slack line before has been well documented and the river trying to set the hook. Be aware also and its sometimes difficult-to-get-to that bream will move according to flood surroundings have always held some pattern. If there’s been a big flush or mystery for fishos and off roaders alike. winter rains that change the salinity It’s certainly worthy of a look. levels, then many fish will move further downstream. The Murchison is also one Western 4W Driver #109 183 of the few spots where I’ve encountered populations of the enigmatic giant herring. (Elops hawaiensis) This sports fishing prize that can grow to well over a metre in length provide a great angling challenge. Powerful and explosive they will jump and race all over the place trying to throw the hook. Without being too specific, it has been in the shallower, more saline downstream sections and the summer months, when I’ve found them, sometimes by accident. On light

COOPER PROS ON THE HOLLAND Originally fitting Coopers 315/75 tyre, it’s important to look after them to R16 STT PRO to our 79 series get the best out of them, so we rotate Landcruiser a while back, we them at regular intervals and rebalance recently added a set to our newly during rotation. We also swear by built custom quad camper for a trip our tyre sensors (Sensatyre) which back to the WA deserts and along the are internal transmitters fitted inside Holland Track. Having the ability for the rims to monitor actual pressures, our tyres to be interchangeable simply but more importantly, internal tyre makes sense; not only when it comes temperatures. Having this information to carrying spares, but the fact we can at our fingertips means we’ll regularly also rotate them between the trailer adjust pressures subject to the road and vehicle given their load surface, our speed and the weight we’re carrying capabilities. carrying, ensuring we’re operating Our generation of STT PROs have been within the optimum manufacturer’s out a while now and the current set recommendations. on the Landcruiser has some 25,000 To see how they performed on our plus kilometres on them. But like any quad trailer, we recently spent a few 184 Western 4W Driver #109

TRACK From Linda Bloffwitch days along the Holland track from Hyden to Coolgardie. While it’s not a difficult track, it had numerous water and mud filled wombat holes after recent rains. This made towing a bit challenging at times as the track is narrow in parts and our trailer is wider than the wheel track of the vehicle. We also found tyre pressures played a big part on the comfort of the ride as the track surface is constantly changing. We encountered sand and rock, but other times there was a firm track base which would quickly change to sloppy mud. As wet as the track was, we used a variety of pressures depending on the circumstances to avoid losing traction with the trailer. The STT PROs have a very aggressive tread pattern with scoops in the pattern which we found helped clear out the mud and gave good traction, and the raised rubber ribs in the tyre grooves helped to push stones out of the tread. We used to joke that these were self-cleaning tyres. While mud terrains are notorious for chipping, this has been improved with the new silica compound, and there’s no doubt that running the right pressures for the conditions has helped by allowing the tyres to soak up the terrain and simply roll over rocks. As a tyre that’s designed for 80% of the time on dirt and mud, with 20% for road and sand, we get some road noise on the blacktop, but don’t find it a problem when we regularly rotate and rebalance the tyres. There’s no doubt they’re at home on the dirt, and since that’s what we crave, that suits us to a tee and we’re more than happy with our tyre selection. Western 4W Driver #109 185

SSANGYONG COMEBACK Korean car-maker Ssangyong From Neil Dowling makes a return to the Australian market after a two-year absence Standard across the board will sprouting three models also be a seven-year, unlimited with strong safety and equipment distance warranty plus a seven-year inventories. roadside assistance program and The three are the return of nameplates capped-price service. Musso and Rexton, plus the third small- SUV, the Tivoli. Prices start at $23,490 The Rexton’s entry-level EX wagon has drive away for the front-drive entry- a 165kW/225Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol level version though there are a few engine mated to a six-speed automatic all-wheel drive variants. More attention is likely for the Rexton and Musso. The three-version Rexton will be available from $39,990 drive away for a front-drive turbo petrol, then two all-wheel drive turbo-diesels. All Rextons are automatic, have seven seats and sit on a ladder-frame chassis. The Musso dual-cab ute is all-wheel drive with the same separate chassis and shares the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission as the Rexton. Prices start at $30,490 drive away. Ssangyong Australia said the new range of models will all have autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW). 186 Western 4W Driver #109



with part-time 4WD and a low-range rated at 3.0-tonne towing capacity. transfer case. But Ssangyong Australia said the Features will include lane departure vehicle was being worked on to raise warning, high-beam assist, AEB, FCW, that to 3.5-tonne to suit Australian dual-zone air conditioning, and Apple conditions and customer demands. CarPlay and Android Auto. The Musso also has a 6.75-tonne GCM. The EXL will come only with 4WD Standard features are the same as and a 133kW/420Nm 2.2-litre four- the Rexton with the addition of a cylinder turbo-diesel and limited slip differential and full-size seven-speed automatic transmission (with low range) licensed by Mercedes-Benz. It adds nine airbags, blind-spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and lane-change assist. The top-spec version is the Ultimate that adds heated and ventilated leather seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree camera, sunroof and an electric tailgate. spare wheel. The Musso EX has It adds new TPU seats, nine airbags, a six-speed manual or six-speed blind spot detection, rear cross traffic automatic transmission with part- alert and lane change assist. The range- time 4WD and low range and 17-inch topping Ultimate comes complete with wheels. The ELX adds 18-inch alloy heated and ventilated leather seats, 20- wheels, CarPlay and Auto, blind spot inch rims, 360-degree camera, sunroof detection, rear cross-traffic alert and and a powered tailgate. lane-change assist. There is also The Musso dual-cab has the same an Ultimate version with the extra drivetrain as the diesel Rexton and is gear of heated and vented leather seats, sunroof, 20-inch alloys and 188 Western 4W Driver #109 360-degree camera. The baby Tivoli comes in six versions including petrol and diesel, manual and automatic, front-drive and 4WD. The 4WD versions are the Ultimate and Ultimate Two- Tone with an 85kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission. There is also a XLV model in three specification levels that has a 245mm longer body for additional cargo room.

BLOODY THE THINGS YOU SEE! CORRUGATIONS With (Truthful) Corrugations, ripples, ridges or wash boarding, call them what Phil Bianchi you like, they would have to be the most despised part of any life I raced over the top of corrugations outback trip. They are probably the and sustained damage including: most misunderstood as well. Any destroyed shocks, torn shockie mounts, opinion on how they are caused or fractured inner guards, fractured how one should travel over them will battery mounts, wrecked tyres and start an argument that’s up there with hitting surprise ditches at speed; Cooper tyres v BFGs, Engels v Waecos I decided that in my replacement or dare I say it Toyotas v Nissans. vehicle, a 100 series, I would take a Some say that corrugations on tracks different approach. I now use lower tyre such as the Canning Stock Route, pressures and have reduced Gunbarrel or Connie Sue Hwy are speed to loping along at a caused by hard tyres, overweight comfortable speed like a vehicles and speed. Others say that grandpa (I am one). Since speed isn’t a factor and that the best using this technique I haven’t way to travel over them is at speed damaged any guards, battery so you skim across the top of them. cradles or shockie mounts, Another group claim you’ll wreck your wrecked any shocks or vehicle doing that and it’s best to lower tyres and have reduced my tyre pressure down to as low as 20 psi orthodontist’s bill to nil. (No and travel at a comfortable slower pace. new BMW for him). What’s the answer? Upon selling my While determining where you beloved 80 series, which earlier in its stand on causes of corros, note the following. At the end of every straight section of the above corrugated tracks, when drivers are forced to slow down because of tight bends, the corrugations disappear. The vehicle weighs the same; tyre pressures are the same as is the wheel base, tyre size etc, the only difference being speed. Some corrugations I have come across, I reckon are tall enough to have approach and departure angles, even cast shade. Others such as those on the CSR, I reckon are responsible for people running out of fuel because they are so tall they add at least another 200 kms to the journey. When on the CSR I lower tyre pressures to around 20 Western 4W Driver #109 189

psi and leave them there until coming there are numerous other issues I feel off the CSR three weeks later. I recall are involved: meeting two chaps seeking to crest a • Wheel base of vehicle; some vehicles dune in a V8 70 series, with dirt rooster tailing and digging tank traps, they will have both sets of wheels on top of struggled despite three tries to get corros; others would have one on top over. Feeling somewhat embarrassed of a corro and the other in the bottom. they let us through; we sailed over • Wheel diameter; the larger the wheel without a problem. Calling us over the the flatter the footprint. UHF they asked how we did it. Let your • Soil type i.e. sandy, gravel or gravel tyres down to around 20 psi we replied. and sand and how well or solidly When we met later, they said they still these are mixed. had some difficulty getting over ‘but Looking to the future, maybe we need letting your tyres down works’. Asking a university to develop a Phd program what pressure they used, ‘35psi, and offering studies in ‘corrugationology’. then we pumped them back up again!’ Logically they should have the course This is old school thinking; softer tyres based at Wiluna because the famous don’t have an increased puncture risk; CSR and Gunbarrel Hwy will be on its they allow you to absorb bumps and doorstep giving access to any amount negotiate rocky terrain and dunes much of injured vehicles coming off these easier and give you a far better ride tracks. Hopefully then we can once and and reduce the stress on the vehicle for all settle the question of causes especially suspension components. of corrugations. I dream of plodding On the CSR, tracks leading into Well along a badly corrugated track and 33 have numerous chicken tracks being diverted by a lollipop man created by drivers seeking to avoid because of workers, and hopefully spot corrugations. These corrugations a lab coated person, head down tail would have to be the biggest I’ve ever up, with protractors, lasers and every come across, it was like driving over ‘ometer’ in creation strewn around 40 or 50 kms of small logs spaced at them while measuring corros. Folks 300mm intervals. I also suspect that when touring the outback keep an eye corrugation formation isn’t only about out for ‘corrugationolgists’ lying down vehicle weight, hard tyres and speed; on the track. Hereabout is a photo of one at work; notice the hi-vis beanie. 190 Western 4W Driver #109

PTURE TCAHE Proudly sponsored by M We Love Photography MENT With Graham Cahill Mitre been to ENZED the bottom of the fiord is about 500m deep. These Stirling Falls are one of a When I saw ‘Capture the couple of places where tour boats stick Moment’ in our their bows under the falling water. latest mag, I was reminded of this Western 4W Driver #109 191 backlit photo I took in Milford Sound this July. Here’s the background: Milford was miss-named a sound. It is actually a Fiord, which is glacier carved. Typically Fiords have steep to vertical faces above and below the waterline, and a “U” shaped flat bottom. Sounds are formed by river action and have “vee” shaped channels. On the left is Mitre Peak, nearly 1700m high, with “The Footstool” this side of it. The knob on the right is The Lion, (1300m) and the “lower” hill behind that is “The Ramparts” with “The Hephalump” peaking at around 1500m. Between the Lion and The Hephalump is a dish shaped valley, a ‘hanging valley,’ formed by a tributary glacier, and this terminates in Stirling Falls, 150m above sea level and the main fiord. Near here,

To wash the Poms. Photos with or Now toddle off and see New Zealand’s without brollies are mandatory. There is Southern Alps for yourself. quite a downdraught generated by the I’ll catch you guys up one day. falling water (think chilled water-blaster) Cheers, and it is fairly cold in July. And the rest Ian Whyte of the year. The kids went forward for a quick photo shoot. I stayed in the stern. I absolutely love an image that holds my I was still bloody cold. attention, for whatever reason. In this So much for the background. case I was convinced I was looking at a This scene of Mitre Peak and tropical Asian paradise complete with Milford Sound is one of the most coastal vista’s and steamy, humid air…. photographed in New Zealand and I’m till I saw the snow-capped peak. I was not normally inclined to snap it myself. completely confused and was just about However, on the walk back from to Google snowboarding resorts the wharf to the carpark the Milford inThailand when it dawned on me that Mariner jumped out at me. It was a in fact, I was looking at New Zealand! really stand-out focal point - and I went That’s the beauty of light and the way in OMG: WTF’s the camera! which it can totally transform an image. Adding to the attraction of the In this case we are shooting directly backlighting is the mist to the right of into the sun (which has been cleverly the Mariner. It’s from the Bowen Falls. masked using that tree branch to great A large creek (if found in Australia it effect) which of course gives us a harsh, would probably be called a river) falls almost warm feeling to what is in nearly vertically and smashes itself actuality a cold place. In post-production over boulders with the downdraught I would remove the small lens flair carrying the mist out. There’s a lot to issues and I would also crop out the look at in this scene and the photo has bottom third to just above that water four horizontal areas rather than the line, leaving the vegetation only.This “normal” three. But that works as long would serve to bring the main image as top and bottom layers are balanced. into better position and get rid of the I wanted to use a filter for the sun. clutter at the bottom. Sometimes there are problems when Over all though, this is a difficult the sun shines directly on a lens. What situation to photograph and in this better than a natural filter: leaves? For instance it’s been done exceptionally both the sun as well as the reflections well….now I just need to get to NZ and off the water. In another photo I used try it for myself! the zoom and I like it for the improved Graham Cahill detail. However, I made a bollocks of it. There is only a little bit of foliage Well done Ian, you’ve won in the top right corner of it and it is a distraction, an irritant, in that it A $200 GIFT VOUCHER constantly draws your eye away from the good stuff, but doesn’t from hold your attention. I should have moved back 20ft or so THATS IT FOLKS! and framed the leaves so that they Email us a pic for some TECTIPS & were in the right hand third of the you could cwominpa@e$c2o0m0uVseoiumcahgeers!.com frame, like in this pic. 20 20 vision Email to: in hindsight. If you must know what equipment I used it was an iPhone 6. 192 Western 4W Driver #109

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Celebrating 50 Years of Landroving from Greg Bremner Black and Gold was the theme when inaugurating member acknowledged 92 members, past and present, with a presentation. The Chairman of the gathered on Saturday 22nd of Western Australian Four-Wheel Drive September for the Landrover Association spoke on the achievements Owner’s Club of Western Australia of the Club as a founding member of the (LROCWA) celebration of its 50th Association and presented the Club with Anniversary. Formed in 1968, the Club a framed memento. is one of very few similar organizations that has survived and flourished LROCWA can be proud of its for five decades. The long weekend achievements over 50 years of Club celebration, held at White Gum Farm, activities. The challenge now is for the Malebelling was attended by both past Club’s leadership to maintain existing and present members and with three members and attract new members so inaugural members in attendance and future generations can experience the a documentary visual presentation of joys of 4W driving and exploring the early trips and events it was a nostalgic Landrover way. weekend for those attending. Activities over the weekend were varied, including a fishing competition and of course some 4W driving. The primary motivation for selecting the venue was the 4WD Track and this provided a lot of entertainment for those watching as well as the adventurous few who tried out their vehicles. There was even an adverse conditions winching demonstration for a mobility challenged Landrover. A catered dinner for all attending on Saturday night was the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the Club over 50 years and the 194 Western 4W Driver #109

The hydrogen roadmap GOINGS ON WITH all its gold, diamonds, wool, nickel, wheat and a There’s a lot of whole lot more, Australia sure national interest has a lively export market. in the plan. “We’ve established But what about exporting some of our a strong network sunshine? Did we hear you murmur of partners and something along the lines of ‘surely you collaborators jest’ or possibly a cruder form of same? that support Fact is, our national science agency, current research the CSIRO, reckons an economically- and technology sustainable hydrogen industry could development soon be happening and it has produced initiatives right across what it calls ‘The National Hydrogen the hydrogen energy Roadmap’ to develop what’s needed to value chain,” Dr realise the full benefits of a Patrick Hartley said. hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel with Now if we all had hydrogen generators many uses, from powering vehicles, to under the bonnet, this could be a storing energy and it can service multiple remote re-fuelling station - no need for markets if produced using low-emissions expensive storage facilities. energy sources. The Roadmap says Oz hydrogen He knows because he’s the CSIRO’s technologies are reaching maturity, with Hydrogen Future Science Platform the R&D done and it presents a new Director. Now there’s a job title with export opportunity for Australia. a difference. A current barrier to market activation is “While much of the technology is at a lack of hydrogen refuelling stations a mature stage, there is considerable for transport, and the cost of hydrogen scope for further R&D to further improve supply for some applications. process efficiencies and develop new By 2025, clean hydrogen could be cost- applications,” he added. competitive with existing industrial The Roadmap, by the way, is sponsored feedstocks such as natural gas, and by 21 industry and government bodies. energy carriers such as batteries in many Roll on 2025, we say. applications, the CSIRO says. “Australia has a unique and urgent opportunity to turn significant natural resources, including coal, gas, and renewables like solar and wind energy, into a low-emissions energy product and ship it around the world – in some cases literally exporting Aussie sunshine,” chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said. “The Roadmap provides a blueprint for growing Australia’s hydrogen industry through coordinated investment to be globally competitive.” Western 4W Driver #109 195

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