Ebook 106

There was a lot of bull dust flying around this trip. If you can’t see the without a paddle. Which can be scary boiler at all, you can out here! Yup, you certainly need to be assume the lake has at prepared with good tyres and repair least 10 foot of fresh kits, communications and plenty of water in it. water. I’d say it’s right up there in terms The caretakers of “I’d be screwed if I got stuck here”. helped us choose an We got there eventually and it was adventure, heading out to the old Chadwin Tank, checking out the numerous dams, wells and windmills scattered about the property; and poking our heads down many a mineshaft. Following the trip notes spawned by the caretakers’ own adventures, we still managed to get completely lost searching for Chadwin Tank. Not that the distances were wrong, but you miss one turn off and next minute you’re up a dry creek bed DIRECT TANKSFACTORY hMeWraeAdhMeienWraeAdien FOFROWRAWTEARTE, DRI,EDSIEELSAELNADNWDAWSTAESTE Water Tanks now available for Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 Western 4W Driver #106 49

worth it!This concrete tank is below Have a chat to the ground level in a creek bed, obviously caretakers and find to catch plenty of water; and used to be your way out to completely covered to limit evaporation. Chadwin Tank. It was constructed for small gold mining operations in 1915, and records show it much as the gold it’s being charged at the equivalent of about being used to extract! $1.40 for 100 gallons.That’s almost as Before DBCA took it over, the tank had filled to the brim with soil. Conservation workers dug it out and built a bund to keep it being filled with silt again, but a bund wasn’t enough to stop a cow falling in at some point. There is now also a barbed wire fence surrounding the tank, the materials for which were pilfered from around the property. In typical form for a cocky, the barbed wire was actually pinched from the trenches in Germany after World War One! After rescuing the caretaker’s hat 50 Western 4W Driver #106

which had blown into the tank about Trying our luck with the gold pan five years ago we enjoyed a bit of and some soil gathered from various lunch under a shady tree at Sixty One locations. dam, before setting off on a dam and windmill tour; seeking out the old not far from a huge dam. We reached windmills and holding yards where we the conclusion that this must be Fifty poked around for interesting artefacts. Four dam, and joked around that one Taking yet another wrong turn, we could probably fire up that old grader found ourselves following two wheel with a bit of work. tracks in the dirt - with a nice spinifex As it nears the end of the day, we make mound in the middle to collect around our way back to the homestead via the our exhausts. Once again, I felt rather air strip; which is actually used quite remote. Eventually we burst out into frequently by local mine operations. a clearing where a decrepit grader sat The caretaker was greatly amused at Western 4W Driver #106 51

the return of the hat, but we were not amused by what looked like nasty weather on the horizon. Scurrying back to camp, we bunkered in and cozied up around a sideways campfire. Thanks for that wind. Still beats a night in front of the TV! Planning your own trip to Credo & Excerpt from Hema’s WA State map. Rowles? Here’s what you’ll need to know. The usual no pets rule applies, Property; but if you wish to camp near and so do fire restrictions; so be sure the homestead with access to toilets to check with the authorities if you plan and hot showers, the fee is $7.50 per on having a campfire. Firewood must night. Your nearest fuel and major be collected outside of the lakes area, supplies are located at Coolgardie, and so throw a bit on your roof rack. Camp it’s wise to be self-sufficient with your fees don’t apply at Rowles Lagoon fresh water supply. A pub feed is only or anywhere else around the Credo a 38 kilometre drive to Ora Banda from Rowles Lagoon if you’re keen! 52 Western 4W Driver #106

DEENGSIINGENEREEDD FFOORRPRSOTAEFCETITOYN Family Owned Australian Company Since 1958 $ 1380 1495$COMME4IRRXO4CNIMAALNDELUXE $IRONMAN 1150COMMERCIAL BULL BAR 4X4 • 50mm steel triple loop design PROTECTOR BULL BAR BULL BAR YEARS YEARS SINCE 1958 $ DELUXE ALUMINIUM 1980$ NO LOOP BULL BAR $1315 1495PREMIUM COMMERCIAL BUYLLEBAAR R S YEARS SINCE 1958 DELUXE BULL BAR • 60.3mm steel triple loop design • Suits Toyota Landcruiser and Nissan Patrol W4WDFP(3)010218 IRONMAN IRONMAN 4X4 4X4 www.ironman4x4.comY E ARS YEARS SINCE 1958 SINCE 1958 Family Owned Australian Company Since 1958

EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 4 EDITIONS APPY DAYZ Send us a happy snap Simply email us a happy snap* with no more than 50 words telling us where you were and what you were up to and you’re in the running to win one of ten Hema HX-1 Navigators. YWOIUN’RNEERA! Ben and Lea Payne A shower with a view! I would love to surprise my hubby with a Hema Navigator so we can find more secluded places like this one in the Gascoyne Region. This is one of his favourite camping photos! 54 Western 4W Driver #106

EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 4 EDITIONS WITH and you could WIN!Nail a 1of 4 Navigator in each edition or a 2 year subscription: Explore a new frontier 2 Year Sub! Colin Best Round trip from Perth WA up the great Central Warburton to Ayers Rock up to Port Douglas for Christmas on to Canberra for New Year back to Perth 12467 kms. Fantastic time - wild camels, brumbies, dingoes, emus, good trip. *email your entries to: [email protected] Western 4W Driver #106 55

2 Year Sub! Gino Rossi 2 Year Sub! This was taken crossing the Warren River mouth, followed by a successful first time run up both parts of Callcup Hill. Learnt a lot about my 4x4 and a great part of WA. 2 Year Sub! Bern and Ange Fennell Jeanette Johnson We love WA and our 2005 4.2TD PATROL. We get Dad and I found our way to the Lambert away every year for a decent trip. Centre, the centre of Australia. Dad was Been from one end of WA to the other but the excited to hit his golf ball from North to South northern country always drags us back. Love the and East to West across the centre of this climate and so many top spots and places to see. beautiful country. A new Hema would have JUST DO IT...Thanks for the mag. made the navigating to this point a lot easier, we used the old maps! 4 MORE HEMAS KEEP ‘EM COMING TO WIN! FOLKS 56 Western 4W Driver #106



1300AFN4X4 www.afn4x4.com.au

JEEP F WHAT’S NEW? E JEEP has rolled out its S T compact Compass to AWD versions - has auto, sand, mud Australia with prices and snow functions. The Trailhawk also rides higher thanks to a lift kit, starting from $28,850 has reshaped front and rear bumpers for improved off-road clearance, a and with an off-road black anti-glare bonnet, recovery hooks front and back painted red, hill competent variant, descent control, four underbody skid plates, a full-size spare wheel and all- the Trailhawk. weather floor mats. It has a 30.3-degree approach angle, 24.4-degree ramp-over Based on the Cherokee and angle and 33.6-degree departure angle Renegade - which sit either side with a 225mm ground clearance. of the new Compass in size - the The new Compass is based on the Indian-built wagon is available as a Renegade platform which has been front-drive or an all-wheel drive, three stretched to increase the wheelbase by transmission options and the choice of two engines. For serious travellers, however, the Trailhawk is the pick. Like the larger Cherokee, the Compass Trailhawk has a diesel engine and nine-speed automatic transmission driving all wheels. Instead of the Cherokee’s dual-range transfer case, the Compass gets a low-ratio crawler gear and adds the “rock” mode to the drive-select Selec-Terrain system that - for the other Western 4W Driver #106 59

66mm (to 2636mm) and length The drivetrains are: by 139mm to 4394mm. Despite the stretch, the new - 2.4-litre petrol with 129kW/229Nm Compass is 71mm shorter mated to either a six-speed manual than the old model and 30mm or six-speed automatic and front- shorter than the Patriot - the wheel drive. latter being discontinued and - 2.4-litre petrol (129kW/229Nm) the name retired. mated to a nine-speed automatic and In comparison with the all-wheel drive. Cherokee, the Compass is - 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 125kW/350Nm 230mm shorter in length with a nine-speed automatic and all- and has a wheelbase that is wheel drive.The Compass joins the other 64mm less. In Australia for the Jeep models with the “There and Back launch, Jeep Compass project Guarantee” that includes a five-year engineer Audrey Moore said transferable manufacturer warranty, the Compass was subjected to 25.7 lifetime roadside assistance and capped- million kilometres of testing - five times price servicing. Western 4WDriver will that of the previous Compass model soon test the Compass in WA conditions. - because it was being built in four plants around the world. All right-hand drive production comes from the new Indian plant. She said the Compass Trailhawk was “trail rated” - Jeep- speak for capable enough for testing at Moab but not yet capable of tackling the Rubicon Trail alongside the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler - that gave it one of the best off-road abilities in its class. The Compass is here in four trim levels - Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk - and has already gained the maximum five-star crash rating. ALL NEW WRANGLER For die-hard enthusiasts, the best are available though Jeep did a switch news will be the all-new Wrangler a couple of years ago from planning that manages to share almost a two-door to announcing a four-door nothing with its predecessor and yet model. We’ll find out more later looks practically identical. this year. It has been revealed that Australia will The 2018 JL Wrangler comes later this miss out on some key upgrades that year and in summary is significantly will be available in North America, lighter and more passenger friendly particularly the drivetrain choice. than the outgoing JK model. While its main market will get the Though the JL gets all-new bodies, they availability of the V6 turbo-diesel (also look the same - two-door and four-door in the Grand Cherokee) and manual - with one exception: There will be a ute transmission, neither are on the variant early in 2019. No other details 60 Western 4W Driver #106

shopping list for Australians. This “new” diesel comes from Fiat- At least not yet. Motori and has been available in the We will also skip the 2.0-litre four- Cherokee in Europe since late 2014. cylinder turbo-petrol version (probably It is expected to be moved into other just as well) which is an entry-level Australian-spec Jeep models. model for North America. Both the V6 and the diesel mate to an But we will be offered a revamped V6 eight-speed automatic transmission petrol with a bit more power - now (no manual) and drives through one of to 209kW at 6400rpm and 353Nm of Jeep’s new 4WD versions. torque at There has been some decent 4800rpm - and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel changes to the drivetrains, with rated at 146kW and 440Nm at 2500rpm. the next Wrangler receiving - in This replaces the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Jeep speak - Command-Trac and rated at 126kW/350Nm. Rock-Trac 4WD systems, new- generation Dana axles, a new Selec-Trac full-time two-speed transfer case, Trac-Lok limited slip differential, 33-inch tyres, a nd Tru-Lok electric front and rear lockers. More attention has been paid to off-road performance which makes a nice change in this era of leaning to on-road comfort and handling. Every Wrangler version will now be trail rated, Jeep’s highest award for off-road competency. All get skid plates and front and rear tow hooks and 17-inch wheels (Rubicon gets 33-inch diameter wheels). Western 4W Driver #106 61

The Rubicon also gets an electronic hardtops and a premium soft top with front sway bar disconnect feature that extra bows for lower wind noise. allows more wheel articulation when off Jeep is also offering different door and the road. windscreen options in the new model, The JL will have up to 750mm of water including a half door that is expected to fording; 272mm of ground clearance; an be available in 2019. approach angle of 44-degrees (believed But beneath the familiar styling, the to be the best in the production- changes for 2018 include aluminium vehicle business) with a breakover of used for the doors, hinges, bonnet, 27.8-degrees and a departure angle of mudguards, windscreen frame and 37 degrees; and towing ability is up to there’s also a magnesium swing gate. 3500kg depending on the variant. The sport bar is now body-coloured and The Command-Trac system comes welded to the body and now features with a 2.72:1 crawl ratio as standard on grab handles. some versions while the Rock-Trac on The cabin is redesigned with simpler the top-spec Rubicon variant has a low- controls and claimed improvements 4WD ratio of 4:1 and standard Tru-Lok to ergonomics. Upgrades include locking diffs. Externally, the JL looks a new centre console, push-button pretty much the same as the Wrangler starter, seats with adjustable bolster has for the past decade. It retains the and lumbar, and a fourth-generation patented seven-slot grille and fold- U-Connect infotainment system with down windscreen, round headlights Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and and an open-top experience that has touch screens from 5.0, 7.0 or 8.4-inches been improved with an electric top, two depending on the Wrangler version. TRACKHAWK (and more recently called SRT) on steroids, packing 522kW/868Nm from a First, an admission: This is not supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that it shares necessarily an off-road vehicle. with its cousin, the Dodge Challenger But it is a major stepping stone Hellcat. Let’s put this in perspective: It for Jeep as it expands its audience in will be Australia’s third most powerful both on-road and off-road pursuits and vehicle when it gets here in April. - quietly - as it outgrows its previous That is, it is third behind the powerhouse sibling, Chrysler. Lamborghini Aventador S and Ferrari The Jeep Grand Cherokee F12. But it does Trackhawk is a SRT-8 something 62 Western 4W Driver #106



those two can’t. It will seat five people, The “normal” version will be here in tow a boat or caravan and even go off April and Jeep parent Fiat Chrysler the road. A bit. It is also about one- Automobiles Australia said there are no sixth of the price of the Lamborghini expected delivery limitations. with an expected landing price of For those considering buying one and taking it off the bitumen, remember it $134,900 - cheap as chips considering has no low-range transfer case and it it can accelerate to 100km/h in only sits a bit lower to the ground than the 3.7 seconds. The Trackhawk will arrive Plain Jane Grand Cherokee. early as a limited-edition $154,000 It has an all-wheel drive system launch version - but those 62 units have designed to maximise traction, an already been accounted for after being eight-speed automatic transmission, sold out in September. electronic limited-slip differential at the back, Brembo brakes and active dampers. Standard equipment includes a leather interior; sports seats with heating and cooling functions up front; comprehensive infotainment system with an 8.4-inch screen, sat-nav, digital radio and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; 20-inch wheels; carbon- fibre trim; and big air intakes and wheel arch extensions. NORTHERN SUBURBS GO LOCAL!4W DRIVERS PH: 9408 6448 U2A/10 • Suspension/Upgrades PENSACOLA TCE, • Recovery Equipment [email protected] CLARKSON WA 6030 • Specialty Camping Equipment • General Accessories • Fridge/Freezers • 12v Battery Systems • UHF Radio/Navigation • Roof Racks • Bullbars/Side Protection • Rear Wheel Carriers/Towbars • Differential Lockers • Air Compressors and Tyre Accessories • Spotlights 64 Western 4W Driver #106

Ironman Under black powder coating. Also, it’s ADR compliant. Up there, it’s not going to Tow snag on anything – and it looks quite snazzy too. The cherry on top it comes THE last thing you want when with is a 50mm towball and tongue, just you’re towing a trailer, caravan or in case you’re serious about actually anything else towable and you’re towing something. traversing roads less smooth than the Mitchell Freeway, is for your towbar to snag on some unsympathetic outcrop or sand dune. Or the carcass of a deceased, unidentifiable something on the road. Which is why it’s a good idea to ensure your Colorado or Isuzu D-Max fourbie has a towbar tucked well up its nether regions. Such as the bar just developed by Ironman 4x4. It neatly fits in behind the back bumper, has a square tube design, a 3.5T rating, and Down 2 Earth CampingSN’T it interesting how numerals have crept into words? IFour wheel drive is now commonly known as 4WD – there’s even a magazine called Western 4W Driver, and one of the best new motoring websites is cars4starters.com.au. Which brings us to Down2Earth 4WD Camping. It’s a newish venture by a quintet of offroad and camping tragics devoted, among other things, to helping wannabe campers, first-timers, even experienced old bushies, make the right choice in picking the best swags and other Western 4W Driver #106 65

gear suited to their expectations – and people onto the right track budget. That includes backpackers, grey to experience the wonders nomads, mums and dads – anyone who of the great expanse that feels there’s more to life than driving lies just a few hours beyond a Camry from suburbia to the city and Nutbush City Limits. The back every day. Down2Earth, or D2E firm is also the exclusive for short, was set up in Hazelmere dealer for the extensive early last year and has pointed a lot of range of 4WD Supacentre products, which include Big Daddy swags, rooftop tents, awnings, driving lights, fridge freezers, solar panels, recovery gear and suchlike. Store manager, John Bova has 40 years of camping up his sleeves and his team at Down2Eearth 4WD Camping are all big on four wheel driving. So it’s good 2 know (ouch) there’s a guiding hand for anyone thinking of acquiring a 4WD (there we go again) and tackling the great Oz Outback. It’s just a matter of asking. 2B sure, 2B sure. Check them out at 463 Bushmead Rd, Hazelmere or Ph 9250 8566 to talk to a team member. Tough Steps IT”S a step in the right direction, one might say. they’re bolted to the body via strong Those alloy side steps, popular on steel brackets, so they’re easy to remove if you decide you want to polish every some 4WDs and upmarket SUVs, are nook and cranny of your fourbie. often more decorative than useful, but Kingsley Engineering has developed a real step – one the full length of the wheelbase – to make life better. The robust heavy duty body mounted steps, at present available for Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 double cabs, are of strong steel construction with heavy duty steel brackets. They’re finished in a high grade polyester powder coat with textured matt black finish for secure grip in any weather, fair or foul, and here’s another plus: 66 Western 4W Driver #106

They have their own name too: Or to simply apply another coat of Kingsley Rogue Side Steps. Why Meguiar’s finest to the Ranger or ‘rogue’? We don’t know, because they BT-50’s noggin. make perfectly good sense. Great for Also, when not being clambered upon, entertainment too, since they’re so the sidesteps provide excellent body long you can do bootscooting on them. protection from the detritus thrown up But most folk will use them to reach by the wheels. And they come with a whatever they want to up on the roof. three-year warranty. Destined to Pose starts at $169,990. What do you get? A Harmon Kardon MASERATI’S Levante SUV isn’t 900-watt, 14-speaker audio, full leather important from an off-roading upholstery with Zegna silk trim, perspective but it is indicative 20-inch wheels, electric tailgate, a of the enormity of the SUV trend and comprehensive safety kit, big boot and its seemingly unstoppable march into the best exhaust note in town. every corner of the car market. The Levante was supposed to share its The Levante is underpinnings with the Jeep Grand a big wagon, Cherokee - Jeep and Maserati and Fiat sitting at 5m and (some of) Ferrari and Chrysler long and and Dodge - all belong to with a 3m the same FCA family - but wheelbase sensibility got in the way. and 2.1-tonne So instead of a full- dry weight. blown 4WD Maserati, However, the Levante despite its size uses Maserati and weight, its components 316kW/580Nm including 3.0-litre the all- bi-turbo petrol wheel drive will run from rest system. to 100km/h in only It then 5.2 seconds (same as picks the Nissan Nismo 370Z) up some and yet claim 10.9 L/100km pieces from (9.2km/litre). its siblings, It is loaded with monitors that will notably the turbo-diesel engine from sense the wheel and suspension Italy’s VM Motori (also owned by parent action and work out if the vehicle is FCA), infotainment systems from on or off the bitumen and then change Chrysler-Jeep and the latest turbo-petrol the modes to suit the conditions. For V6 from Ferrari. example, it will raise the electronically- That’s what friends are for. adjustable air suspension if it detects an off-road situation, though the driver can The Levante is only for the well heeled manually control it from the standard with an entry price of $139,990 207mm ground clearance to add 45mm (diesel) and now the petrol V6 that Western 4W Driver #106 67

or, for city driving or when parked, are new to the Maserati brand and it’s down by 40mm. the model that has already captured the About 85 per cent of Levante buyers majority of the brand’s sales. Hex Sets from Da House ABOUT 300 years ago, when Perchance, Hare & Forbes Machinery people in Europe were persecuted House has just come out with its for religious beliefs other than Toolmaster Hex and Torx keys, in Catholic, many from the Rhine region metric and imperial, and they have no of Germany migrated to south-eastern connection with the good folk of south- Pennsylvania, taking advantage of eastern Pennsylvania other than more religious freedom offered by William Penn. than a few of them will He was a Quaker and have a set of those keys founder of the state of in their distinctive barns. Pennsylvania (which is The Toolmaster Hex and in the US, Edmund, and Torx key sets are viewed has nothing to do with as essential for every Transylvania or vampires). toolbox or workshop. Anyway the Germans The free-spinning brought their old world aluminium sleeve customs and traditions allows the T-bar handle with them, which included to continuously rotate, decorating their big Euro- making loosening or tightening screws quick style barns with colourful geometric and easy. patterns, which became known as hex The handle can also slide signs, or in Dutch, heks, both through the main body meaning ‘witch.’ left or right enabling 68 Western 4W Driver #106 greater leverage torque if required. They’re made of chrome vanadium steel with durable black phosphate finish steel tips, all three sets come with a metal storage holder that can be mounted to the wall. The metric sizes are 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm and imperial 5/64, 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8” Torx: T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45 and T50. More info on the Toolmaster keys on machineryhouse.com.au. But if you want a hex sign, you might want to try eBay – or take a trip to the US. Continued page 117



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REMOTE ROCK Wild INSCRIPTIONS Trax Readers may recall my description with Ian Elliot in our last issue of a surprise meeting with a suburban and “Jacky.” Domeyer says that, while neighbour near a couple of Peter Muir’s gnammas in a trackless and Wells was a first class surveyor, he was anaIaW“tluibsHtBLpnirhcs1tn.twenyi.uaAtcsare/itdlnMvtIasc3agtethl.thaelrtk/soWhnishoc3cipsmlenpn,Gbloeehf1iueestH,notxe.esiilzww”plholgcudo.dalzsMoiianalmrctweco,tssek..odenMdi”DsTttrhhinnaahocneeaoremCcck“mruelon“eiFopafntesayfaDflhusnmeefitvatpidrhtoeehe,hcpeefwseSymaSludiGrt.wieulwt,yGtdVherewehiwtiDaryemtahnehrhle.ynleooeaekT“danfhLronuwwndMt.eudfaaAiagstonitisshl.techdtakreaidntttrhedisepatcyfsnwwnbcothhoooasoeufaaeanoatbrmssbntrswtuwautaiwashxcehalsthritesahpimlhtagwvmswulohaheiotbit”osazttohenhhirnw.eaetk,iruhwssmr.hd,awtt”MeeeamvaiixnsnsccaipparseawwGohtitensutohihieodeslakelrohuimhilehtdcTpelanAtpihipdkiorhma’hendsoadoiu,anrnnledejsrrssohesmu.yetkrtysetsshueoosa“ivrelaneosttwagOrfrersrn,g.n”gafslthpratalieyeogldwaaovawrcdsSosetndyesuohepStroodseldarmis“elpuucfaetu,mihcoheiltetrdoeidhernsaainin”lntlsetyo,, surveyor who led the Elder Exploring to extreme drought conditions, before Expedition through the Ernest Giles heading westwards to the Rawlinson Range further West, naming it in 1892, Range. They also spent some months and his presence near these gnammas prospecting around the Warburton seemed to be well off the course of that Range. At one stage Domeyer and expedition as depicted on Exp Plans. Wells travelled from there to Wongawol However, squirrelled away in my 1980s Station seeking rations from Wiluna to Lasseter research notes I knew I had a re-supply the party. Their six months copy of Domeyer’s descriptions of his prospecting found no gold and the 1930s camel expeditions in search of whole party left Warburton for Laverton Lasseter’s mythical reef. A quick read on 19 February 1931. Domeyer states through that account revealed that, that this was “a very rough trip for when Domeyer first joined the Quest water,” as they went ten days without Mining Company Expedition at Coober a drink for the camels. In the end, Pedy on 24 September 1930, the leader Domeyer says he “sent up a signal for of that expedition was none other than the natives” one of whom came up the same Larry Wells, then aged 70. In and led them to water. If this sounds a addition to Wells the party consisted little strange, it should be remembered of Henry (“Harry”) M. Domeyer, that the Warburton Mission had been Ben McGillick, Spencer Gall and two established a couple of years earlier Aborigines from Oodnadatta, “Pompy” leading to more friendly relations with Western 4W Driver #106 71

the desert Aborigines than in was one great bog. When they got back earlier years. to Hazletts Well near Warburton they Nevertheless, Wells’ party’s waterless met Michael Terry, Jack Young and Bill route is curious when you consider that Bird who had just arrived by motor the missionaries travelled regularly by truck after a very muddy trip from truck between Warburton and Laverton Laverton. Incredibly, Domeyer reports, via an established chain of rockholes “it took them two months.” Just shows and surveyors Harry Paine and Hugh you how far the Laverton-Warburton Barclay were surveying an official Road has come in the 87 years since it road following this route in 1931. The was first surveyed. waters shown to Wells and party by the Aborigine summoned by their signal Circus Water may well have been the gnammas near where Mark and I met on 15 August Incidentally, Campfire Escapees who last year. From there Wells went South were on the Gunbarrel trip in 2016 may via Jutson Rocks and White Cliffs recall seeing Domeyer’s name up on Station before going in to Laverton the cliff face at the side of an impressive where Spencer Gall got drunk and lost all their camels. Domeyer took over as leader for the second Quest expedition when they spent another few months searching for Lasseter’s imaginary reef out East of Wade’s fledgling mission at Warburton. On that trip they had plenty of rain, in fact too much, as the country 72 Western 4W Driver #106

pool we visited out from the North not illogical. Consultation with Charlie side of the Rawlinson Range. Although Nicholson on the true identity of the our guide, Ernie Bennett, told us this pool bearing Domeyer’s name revealed was Giles’ “Circus”, I had my doubts at that this is “Tjutjuranyara” to the locals, the time. When 1:250,000 maps of this the Ngaanyatjarra people of Warakurna; region were first produced in the 1980s, also referred to as Circus Water. Charlie’s I recall that there were tremendous excellent research as a member of the problems in accurately identifying many 2012 Desert Discovery botany team and of Giles’ features in the Rawlinsons. his examination on foot of current and His “Circus”, I thought, should be past map positions for Giles’ “Circus”, closer in to the range than the feature backed by aerial searches, has left the we visited. A look through Domeyer’s pool we visited as the only candidate for journal indicated that, when he found Circus Water. this pool on 15 November 1932, he Charlie has informed me that Barry assumed it to be “Weld Water” as did Allwright, a former NT surveyor, prospector Harry Swincer who visited independently came to the same on 29 January 1897. However, Giles’ conclusion concerning this place original plan of the region confirms and wrote to the Geographic Names that his “Weld Water” was nothing Committee to have the location of more than an alternative name for his Circus Water re-assigned, a positional Gorge of Tarns or the watercourse that amendment that was endorsed in issues from that gorge. Early State July 2015. So, Mr Bennett had it spot plans showed both names so vaguely on during our visit and I owe him an that Swincer and Domeyer’s view was apology for my doubts. Western 4W Driver #106 73

What’s in a name? with Ian Elliot Sues Road and Sues Bridge So well-known to South-West bridge and the Blackwood was crossed travellers, I’ve often wondered at a shallow point known as Sues Ford. who gave this road and its The bridge was built several hundred Blackwood River bridge this metres upstream of the ford about 1966 name – and who the heck was Sue? and the nearby popular campsite has A short time ago, wildlife guru Kevin now been very much upgraded since Coate asked me to check this out the last time I camped down there in for him as he was giving the area a the 1980s. mention in his memoirs, a work that, It’s always interesting to chat with judging by his ripping yarns around the Kevin about the Forestry tracks that campfire, I very much look forward to have given so much pleasure to the reading. Kevin thought that both the road and the Kevin Coate at Sues Ford in 1956 before bridge had been named Sues Bridge was built. after the wife of his boss Editor and I and thousands of other but wondered if I could 4w-drivers over the years and it’s confirm this. amazing to learn how many of them he is responsible for forming and Kevin had been a forestry naming. One that gets him stirred up worker overseeing the though is Deefor Road in the catchment construction of State eastwards of the Helena River Forest access tracks West Reservoir (now Lake C Y O’Connor). and South of Nannup Kevin named it “D4 Road” after the and, in 1955, just before bulldozer they used and he dislikes the he arrived down there, form now shown on signposts. his boss, Ian Morison (yes, one “r”), had an old, overgrown group settlement track re-opened and formed. It was this formation that was named Sues Road. Apart from misspelling the surname, I found that Landgate’s Geonoma supported Kevin’s idea that it was named after Mrs Sue Morison, citing brothers Lyle and Alan Guthridge (respectively grader driver and bulldozer driver for the Forest Department), as sources. Kevin remembered the Guthridges as both had worked in gangs he supervised when cutting side tracks out from Sues Road. Back then, of course, there was no 74 Western 4W Driver #106

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RE-BUILT With Rob Robson In 1988 when Nissan launched their latest version of the Patrol – the mighty GQ, who would have thought that nearly 30 years later a new generation of 4w drivers are just as enthusiastic about its potential as we were way back then. Western 4W Driver #106 77

or those too young to remember spring engineers could only dream of. (gee they may not have even But what Nissan engineers and been a glint in the old man’s eye designers also did and what has been the reason the old GQ is one of the Fway back then) or for those who most popular 4WDs to modify and compete with (albeit with a few bits may not be aware, the GQ Patrol was and pieces from the GU), was to build a huge leap forward for 4WDs and in it strong. That strength is evident in particular Japanese 4WDs. Until then just about all the major components almost all 4wd vehicles in common of the GQ which in turn has gained it a use, apart from the Range Rover relied reputation for reliability and longevity on leaf springs to support the weight in the harshest of environments. The of the vehicle and to provide some sort chassis is strong and well designed, of articulation over rough ground - manual gearbox and transfer-case This new Patrol was equipped with are bullet proof as are front and rear coil springs! differentials - and that big LSD in the rear has a reputation for longevity second to none. All this plus disc brakes all round. The GQ had several motors during its ten years prior to the arrival of the GU Coils all round for superior ride – the pick of the bunch was the ever quality at the time. reliable oiler, the TD42. In its heyday a manual, TD42 powered, Custom piping to a water-cooled GQ wagon was arguably without peers. turbo dominate under the bonnet. These days the old GQ is still without peers but for a different reason. Sure, Anybody who has had much you could say it is a bit of a dinosaur to do with leaf sprung vehicles but for a younger generation or, for will know that they have their that matter anyone who wants a good limitations – great for carrying a strong 4WD without all the bells and load but when it comes to ride comfort and wheel travel there is a lot left to be desired – ‘Cart Springs’ pretty well sums it up. Nissan engineers retained the solid (live) axles similar to that of leaf sprung vehicles but in their place coil springs provided ride quality that could not be matched with a leaf spring set up. Plus, combining the coils with a five link rear and three link front to locate the axle housings, wheel travel, particularly in the rear, was what leaf 78 Western 4W Driver #106

whistles, at a reasonable price and First step - get the chassis out is easy to customise and modify it of the old body with help from doesn’t come much better than a Kangaroo jacks. Nissan GQ Patrol. that there is only one real way to learn Mat Fitch is one of those young and that is to get your hands dirty. So people who have embraced the GQ it is no wonder that Mat has learned as a way to indulge their passion for an awful lot about mechanics from 4wdriving and as a platform to build his Dad and has got pretty good at a very capable 4WD without having to swinging spanners! break the bank. Mat had been playing around with a Hilux making it into a Western 4W Driver #106 79 competition rock crawler - as young blokes are sometimes inclined to do when the 4wd bug bites. But the Hilux wasn’t much of a tourer and he was keen to do some camping and 4w driving with his mates and partner Rebecca. Money was tight but he got hold of a rusty old TD42 GQ that he figured with a bit of work would do the trick, but that was short lived when an accident on the Tonkin Highway pretty much destroyed the rust ridden body. Not to be deterred he got hold of another body which he admits probably had more rust in it than the one that had been written off but decided to swap the bodies anyway. Now to take the body off the chassis and replace it with another one – even on a GQ (which is easier than most) and in a workshop with a hoist and all the gear is a pretty big job but for a young tiler with not a lot of mechanical experience and to do it under the patio out the front of his and Bec’s house is something else. One saving grace was that Mat’s Dad is a mechanic and lives just over the road - but Mat’s Dad is one of those blokes who is happy to impart his knowledge and expertise but believes A rust-free RB30 body hangs in the carport ready for fresh underpinnings.

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As time went on the rust in the ‘new’ body got so bad that the gutters collapsed under the weight of the roof rack. Mat had had is eye on a pristine RB30 GQ that was just down the road from their home. Finally Matt negotiated a deal and it wasn’t long before it was in the front yard ready for another swap. Back in action with a rust- free body. is pretty darn capable as well then you’re not just going to put it back together with all the standard bits – now, are you? Cargo area set up for camping. Side compartment hides a hard-wired compressor and panel on RH door is a big drop-down table. This time Mat wasn’t cutting any Well Mat certainly wasn’t. corners. He stripped both vehicles A 5 inch suspension lift and 2 inch body down to their bare shells and lift, 35 “ Maxxis Big Horn tyres, coil chassis. Now the RB30 GQ has tower bracing, adjustable suspension some substantial differences to arms, front and rear winches, three the TD powered GQ so Mat and batteries and a dual spare wheel carrier his Dad decided that the best way to go about the swap was to Western 4W Driver #106 81 massage the RB30 body onto the original TD chassis. In doing this, one of their biggest hurdles was mating the wiring harness from the RB30 to the TD42. In the end father and son combined to rewire and build a completely new wiring harness. When you’re a young bloke hell bent on having a great tourer and one that

up the back were just some Roof rack houses a big light bar, of the mods. Under the recovery gear and rooftop tent. bonnet the ‘black top’ TD42 Bec contributed with an interior re-fit. has a massive water cooled turbo bolted to the exhaust ‘blood, sweat and beer’ to get the GQ manifold which in turn is back on the road. Both Mat and Bec plumbed to a custom inlet are passionate 4w drivers and love manifold. A modified injector getting out in the bush with their mates pump makes sure there is and their dogs and although they get plenty of fuel to complement around in a truck that can climb brick the turbo and manifold. Some walls they are seriously passionate custom piping to a GU air about taking care of the tracks, filter box supplies plenty of responsible 4w driving and leaving air to fuel the fire. Exhaust camp sites better than when they found gasses are whisked away through 3” them - good on you Mat and Bec. mandrel bent piping. Bec too has caught the bug and From a touring view point Mat between them they are building a has fitted the GQ with all the Hilux Surf for her - and surprise, essentials and a bit more. A set surprise it’s going to have a five inch of drawers and fridge slide in the lift and 35’ tyres! cargo area keeps all their food and cooking gear organised. On either side of the drawers is plenty of storage for tools and spares plus a hard wired compressor makes it easy to reinflate those big tyres. A drop down table on the rear door is perfect for lunch stops while Mat’s Dad has custom made an extendable LED camp light behind one of the spare tyres which provides plenty of light around the camp at night. The roof rack accommodates a roof top tent, awning, shovel and a 50” light bar. The interior of the RB30 body, like the exterior is immaculate thanks in part to Bec who in order to spend some time with Mat decided that she would help with the build by putting the interior of the GQ back together after Mat had stripped it out to complete the swap and fit the wiring harness. She’s done a great job. Front and rear lockers are sitting in the shed ready to be installed – when he gets a bit of time. All in all it has taken five months of, as Mat describes 82 Western 4W Driver #106

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YILGARN - A Aboriginal People found indispensable SPECIAL PLACE these amazing and interesting geological features. Their interest was I’ve just read an article regarding confirmed by that of the explorers, the proclamation of Bungalbin, notably the redoubtable Frank Hann the Helena and Aurora Ranges, as and his accomplices who depended a Class ‘A’ Reserve with special on granite domes for water and for reference to their place in the Western the food that they provided. Water, Woodlands. What a great idea – and because the impermeable granites not before time some might say. Just often contained the natural or humanly a brief glance at the landscape of the enhanced hollows and depressions ranges covered by this decision ‘on called ‘Gnamma Holes’ that stored the net’ will convince you of the worth the water from the infrequent rains of this special piece of Australia. Not for several months after the more only are there rolling hills edged by ephemeral streams across the the usual steep and colourful break- landscape had dried up. Food of course aways, but the flora is worth more came from the animal life that was than a quick glance. It will be no news also drawn to the permanent water to most readers that the South West sources just as were the humans. Then of Western Australia is home to some on several trips south of Kalgoorlie 10,000 endemic species of plants and through Balladonia and down to the this new reserve, falling on the limits sea at Esperance I was amazed to of this environmental zone is rich in its discover that a number of the granite own right as far as plants and animals domes had been the focus of desperate are concerned. attempts by settlers to establish for themselves a base for a productive I had been in Western Australia for only a few years before I was moved to write a more-or-less scientific paper on “Aboriginal people and granite domes” which you can find on-line if the spirit moves you. I had discovered for myself what I had long suspected, that Expansive views south from Helena and Aurora Range. Western 4W Driver #106 85

grazing property. Despite the nutritious iron compounds contained in them pastures and browse provided by the – mostly haematite, magnetite and relatively sparse vegetation around some limonite along with shales and the granites, these small ventures some fine-grained cherts. It was these invariably failed and were replaced latter sharp-edged rocks as well as the by much larger holdings that allowed striking colours of the iron compounds some use of many more than just one that attracted both Aboriginal people or two granites as ecotonal resource who used them in their every-day lives, zones. And large holdings were and mining ventures that quarried needed because the recovery rate of them for export. Palaeontologists, pastures and browse in the arid zones as well as geologists also became is necessarily very long. No time for fascinated by the spectacular banded recovery means eventual desertification iron rock formations that originated – look at the northern Sahara once part of the ‘bread-basket’ of Rome! Bungalbin, or the Helena and Aurora Ranges are of course not granite domes, and even a cursory glance at these landforms will convince you that they are close relatives of other banded iron formations, notably in the Pilbara. While the granite inselbergs have a basal grey colour, but may be Iron staining makes a dramatic stained red by small amounts of iron colourfall. This shot taken at 11pm. in the surrounding soils in which they were once enclosed, the banded iron Pan gnammas provided an formations are streaked red and orange ephemeral water supply to by the significant amounts of various local inhabitants. 86 Western 4W Driver #106 more than 3,500 million years ago once it was discovered that there were fossilised structures preserved in them that seemed to be informative about the origins of living things on this earth. Although the principal trees on the ranges are mallee forms of eucalypts and Inland White Gums, other less obvious plants also occur there, some of which are uncommon, rare or even

threatened species. This is not the observers who noted the successes place to describe these and readers and difficulties of the men who worked with an interest in the flora will have in this way – I heard less about their no difficulty in finding detailed lists families, but I suspect that among of the flora in the usual places. What them, social and family life was not is especially interesting about the anything to write home about. The flora of geological features like these activities of the woodcutters led to ranges and the granite domes dotted vast areas of the Yilgarn becoming across what geologists know as the ‘Yilgarn Craton’ is Some men’s trash is other men’s that around their edges, on treasure at old Woodline camps around what is generally called the the Goldfields. ‘apron’, there are distinct what is called ‘Second-growth Forest.’ changes in the flora and This has been a rather disparaging consequently in the animals term among conservationists, but let that live there, simply us agree that even a second growth because of the availability or tree produces oxygen on which we scarcity of water. And many all depend just as does the tree in the of these animal species are pristine forest. Following the woodlines isolated sufficiently from their often brings surprises especially when neighbours to have given rise you recognise a clearing that was to a distinctly different species obviously a camp once occupied by living in no other nearby the woodcutters and perhaps their habitat. I was most astonished families. Imagining what their lives to discover that a land-snail were like is informative and in some discovered in leaf litter on one ways uncomfortable, but not from the of the many granite domes on cab of an air-conditioned vehicle on which I collected them for a scientist a hot summer day. At such moments visiting the western Australian Museum during our explorations we often began from America, was a completely new a search for the dam or other water snail species deserving of its own supply that must have sustained the distinct name. Happily it was named settlement. On the granites, water after the location where it was found and not after me! Western 4W Driver #106 87 When exploring this part of Australia’s western third I found it interesting to imagine the lifestyle of the timber cutters on the woodlines on which small steam locos dragged wagons loaded with tree trunks to the hungry wood-fired boilers waiting to be fed at the pit-heads and around the open cut mines scattered throughout the landscape. Woodcutting was tremendously hard and hot work and over the years I listened to stories confirming this aspect of the lives of woodcutters told by the children of some of them and to some told by

“I love the shape of the eucalypts contribution of in the Goldfields...” these places, I am equally interested management was often obvious. Small in their vegetation. grooved channels directed water to an I love the shapes enlarged gnamma hole. of the eucalypts Little winding fences of rock slabs were in the Goldfields, cemented together to make runnels particularly the along which rainwater was directed Salmon Gums and into the reservoir; and interestingly, Merrits which at these modern barriers to water run- first glance look off often enhanced the efforts made like a parachute previously by Aboriginal people who whose passenger also knew that the water needed to be has just touched collected and stored against possible down. Scattered future drought. amongst them will It is fascinating to think that the ancient be few Gimlets, granites topped by the banded iron Morrels and formations which are only a few the occasional hundreds of millions of years younger Wandoo. Those who have yet to than them are amongst the oldest discover these drought-hardy wonders known rocks exposed on the surface probably think that I am writing in of our planet. I don’t want to sound code – but thus they are called for like the TV presenter Brian Cox, who better or worse. I admit I do not know has had words to say about this, nor the origin of many of these names, to copy David Attenborough and give but discovering them sounds like an you an interesting lecture about their activity you could pursue on a wet evolutionary importance and what they day in camp surrounded by a few mean for humanity – but both these reference books, or within reach of men have worthwhile and interesting points to make about such geological Looking east from Warrdagga on features and the place they occupy in Ninghan Station. the Earth’s timescale. Although I have a great fondness for the palaeontological 88 Western 4W Driver #106

an internet connection. I do hope you features of the varied ecosystems in have remembered to put in the solar the State that help to encourage our charger. Thinking of Western Australia lawmakers to protect such places, and as a vast flattish plain, it soon becomes our capacity to be able to visit them. obvious to the traveller, that even After all, there is no point in locking small differences in the height of local away such majesty in situations where landforms is important, not only for no-one can enjoy them. What would be navigation when paper or electronic our motivation to lobby for protected maps are in short supply, but also places if this were the case and we when going from one supply base to knew nothing of their existence? What another as was I am getting the case with “It is our appreciation of at is that Aboriginal special places people the landscapes and .. varied preserved and early ecosystems .. that help to for the public explorers must be encourage our lawmakers to who often accessible depended on protect such places, and our to the Aboriginal capacity to be able to visit them.” public if the guides conservation who were process is to not always have any meaning. acknowledged. Like most readers This is not difficult to understand and addicted to 4W driving in Western the dedication that the true adventurer Australia’s vastness, I have delighted in a 4WD shows to responsible track in seeing the expected mound appear usage, clean campsites and taking on the flat horizon and slowly grow rubbish away with them indicates our to become a range of hills. It is our love of the bush and the places we visit. appreciation of the landscapes and the I’ll see you in the Helenas some day! Western 4W Driver #106 89

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TESTING TRAIL From X DIESELNeilDowling NISSAN has brought a diesel engine back into the X-Trail range after an absence spawned by emission issues and compared with the old oil-burner, this one is streets ahead. We took it for a weekend run and introduced it to some So now the engine is a 2.0-litre unit dirt and it’s as competent as with a more lusty 130kW/380Nm - with the ongoing 2.5-litre petrol this torque available at 2000rpm - and alternative yet a bit more economical a claim of 6.0 litres/100km (16.7km/litre) at the bowser. compared with the outgoing engine’s claim of a 5.3 L/100km (18.9km/litre) Nissan previously offered a thirst. The new oiler is available 96kW/320Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel in only with a continuously-variable front-drive and all-wheel drive variants, and in the trim levels of TS and flagship TL. The problem was that the AWD was only available with a manual gearbox and all X-Trail rivals had automatics. Western 4W Driver #106 91

transmission (CVT) drive Though thirstier than claimed, the system that, to be honest, can diesel is a better drive than the petrol. be a bit frustrating to drive when attached to the petrol Dash layout is compact with all engine. CVTs operate - and controls easily in reach. I’m being really basic here - by slipping a belt around term to stay with the petrol. However, two cones. They cleverly for rural owners and for those who find the best position for the will appreciate the subtle driving belt on the cones (usually differences in the CVT operation, the right on the peak torque) diesel is actually a better drive. resulting in the best possible Standard equipment in the TL tested fuel consumption. CVTs also included autonomous emergency rely on belt slip to find the braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection. optimum position and slip AEB is actually standard across the equals heat. The problem - X-Trail range which is a brilliant move and this applies to pretty much to include this life-saving feature in a all CVTs when used in an SUV - is that family wagon. in more serious off-road conditions the The TL also gets blind-spot warning CVT’s slip makes the gearbox really and lane-departure warning, six hot and that can sometimes mean it will sense disaster and switch off to protect itself. This can happen in the petrol - which uses higher revs to achieve the same torque level - but is less frequent in the diesel. So the good news is that the test vehicle didn’t appear to worry too much about slow sand crossings and some gravel inclines, completing these without bailing out. On the road the box worked perfectly and there was less of the CVT “flare” (when slip occurs and the engine revs higher than normal to achieve forward motion) compared with the petrol version. As for the engine, it’s a much better unit than before. It’s quieter and less stressed but is thirstier. Nissan may claim 6.0 L/100km but the test drive recorded 8.9 L/100km - a little bit high for a compact SUV with two occupants driven over four days. This compares with the 2.5-litre petrol at 9.3 L/100km in similar conditions. Given there is a $3000 price increase of the diesel over the petrol, owners may find it more economical in the longer 92 Western 4W Driver #106

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565 litres of luggage space is delivered on a flat floor. Features like autonomous emergency braking are handy in this style of family wagon. Nuts airbags, reverse camera with predictive path guidance, 360-degree camera view, moving object detection (such as a pedestrian walking behind the car), satellite navigation, cruise control and leather trim. Nissan’s X-Trail range opens with a 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol front- wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission. This is priced at $28,490 and $2500 extra for the automatic version. It’s not recommended for anything other than bitumen. The TL tested here is $47,790 plus on-road cost. ‘n’ bolts Nissan X-Trail TL Price: $47,790 plus costs Turning circle: 11.3m Built: Engine: Japan Brakes: 4-wheel ventilated discs Power: Torque: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel Wheels: 19-inch alloy Transmission: Drive: 130kW @ 3750rpm Tyres: 225/60R19 Fuel economy: Fuel tank: 380Nm @ 2000rpm Spare: Space-saver steel Suspension: CVT Dimensions: (L) 4690mm; (W) 1820mm); (H) Steering: On-demand AWD 1740mm; (Wb) 2705mm 6.0 L/100km 60 litres Luggage: 565 litres Front - McPherson struts; Rear - multi-link, coils Ground clearance: 210mm Tow (max): 1650kg Weight: 1707kg electric-assist rack and Warranty: 3yr/100,000km pinion Servicing: 6mth, 10,000km intervals Western 4W Driver #106 95

S PINIFEX wispy stalks that project up to 3m from ampers venturing into the dome. The hummock is a tangled the drier regions of the mass of creeping stems that grow at the tips. It takes shape gradually, as P State sooner or later new growth at the surface piles up on top of older materials – given enough C(usually sooner!) become time, the centre can reach 2m in height in some species. Spinifex ‘rings’ are acquainted with the hummock formed when the oldest part in the middle dies and collapses. As the I grasses we call ‘spinifex’. stems and dead leaves break down and K Whether it’s a ‘spike in the new growth extends the edges, a circle Y leg’ accompanied by shouts or crescent forms. These can be large of ‘OUCH’ (or other, more – as much as 50m in diameter. More forceful expletives), frustration commonly, though, plant size is limited at having to clear a camp or because the hummocks are burnt. Fire an after-trip itching nightmare, itself is not necessarily problematic, eventually we all get a taste of as most spinifex can regrow from its spiny kiss. This is hardly surprising – underground parts as well as sprouting spinifex dominated grassland covers as from seed. However, the frequency of much as 25% of the continent, making fire affects the mix of species present it the most extensive kind of vegetation and sizes of plants: ecologists have in Australia, and it also occurs as estimated that an area with many understorey in mulga woodlands. And spinifex ‘rings’ can represent 25 years the iconic photos of rounded domes of of few or no burns, so take care with yellow-green grass on red dirt, rolling the campfires. Spinifex spines are off into the distance are truly a uniquely no joke and have earned the plants a Australian image - hummock grasses of bad reputation – one species (Triodia this kind are found only on infestans) is called ‘porcupine grass’ our continent. for good reason. The ‘spines’ are All of them belong to a single group Probably the biggest spinifex ring you’re ever likely to see. This one at Millar called Triodia, named for three ridges Range in the GVD. on part of the tiny flowers (true Spinifex grows on coastal dunes). Flowers are not colourful at all, but are produced in large numbers on long 96 Western 4W Driver #106

actually rigid leaves armed with a silica Popular tip. Young ones are soft and flat, but as Botanics the leaves age and dry out their edges curl toward the upper surface, with forming a groove and turning the Doctor Kris leaf into sharp spear. This rolling is an advantage for the possible that some people have an plant, as it minimises surface area allergic reaction it. Young plants of exposed to the sun and evaporation of some species (the ‘soft’ spinifexes) are water from the leaf tissues. The main problem for us is the silica tip, which palatable to stock, but in general can break off and lodge in the skin to Triodia is indigestible to animals later cause irritation or infection. other than termites – so the long-lived plants remain as a key Spinifex provides excellent shelter for component of their ecosystems. In small animals. addition to holding soil together The leaves also produce a resin, which against wind erosion, spinifex appears on the surface as small, hummocks provide shelter for sticky reddish-brown beads, and it is snakes, lizards and birds, seeds as a food source, and a multitude of materials used by people. Foliage has been used as a source of fibre for string, cladding timber- framed buildings, sculpture and constructing fish dams. The sticky resin is prized as an ingredient in adhesives, sculpture media, insect repellent and traditional medicines, and has been traded over long distances for millennia. It can even be used to make traditional sparklers. If you venture off the beaten track in a good season, spinifex seed will quickly clog your radiator. Western 4W Driver #106 97