Moreton Districts Off-Road Club
0422 857 900
  • MDORC
    • History of MDORC
    • Club Trips >
      • 4WD Parks
      • Belthorpe
      • Double Island Point
      • Fraser Island
      • Mt Mee
      • Socials
    • Driver Awareness
  • Join
  • Club News
    • Trip Reports
    • Photo Gallery
  • Magazines
  • Resources
    • Code of Conduct
    • Duty of Care
    • Track Ratings
    • Useful Links
    • 4wd Parks and Venues
    • Supporters
    • Member Resources
  • Contact
  • Calendar

 Crofters Estate - Deb & Ray

28/5/2016

 
We met at CJ’s at 7:30 and were on the road by 8:15 to head to what is known to many as Landcruiser Mountain Park, now Crofters. The idea of crofting stems from the Scottish method of renting out land to leaseholders known as crofters who pay rent or purchase the land outright generally for the purpose of farming.

We were so fortunate to me able to enjoy this weekend due to the dedication of Aleisha and Evan our amazing President and Publicity officer.

We arrived at the office around 9:20, all went through the administrative formalities then it was off to the camp area and pick our plot for the weekend. Camps set up and lunch had we left for the clean-up at 1:00pm. First area was Camp Road, there was quite a bit of rubbish spread over the lovely rolling hills, collected a few bags then onto the Pig Pen where there was quite a bit more rubbish to be collected, then by 3:30 we were at Cowan Falls, not a lot of rubbish found here then back to camp, quick showers and happy hour by the fire with a few games and nibbles

The games consisted of balancing a donut on your nose, perfected by Terri and Leanne then ping pong balls in bowls which Lyle absolutely owned, then jig the balls out of a tissue box tied to your back, well somehow I got roped into this one against a more capable contender Lilly. A couple more games, then it was time for the sausage sizzle supplied by Crofter’s in appreciation for our clean-up efforts. Once dinner was over it was back to happy hour around the fire which of course went for a few more hours as people peeled away 1 by 1 for some well-earned sleep and to look forward to the planned drives the next morning.
A new dawn and it is foggy, drizzling and overcast. Breakfast and clean up and we were off at 9:15am. Evan was taking 1 group to play through Test Track and Aleisha took a group to the Rain Forrest, and down Rav Ridge
EAs we set off Evan was in the little black jeep and had to abandon it along the road due to an unidentified noise

in the front end. (didn’t want to risk breaking wifie’s car he might not make it to the next morning). Into another car and on to Test Track. Tiny gave me plenty of warning as did a few other members and sure as day turns into night it held up to it’s name and claimed me as it’s victim for this day.
First injury was the tight turn up a hill over some rocks and I hit a mound on the right and de-beaded our front drivers’ tyre. First fail for our Patrol on this trip ….. haha ….. so it was reverse back and get into a position to assess the damage, all good just the outside bead, jack the front end up and pump up the tyre until it "pops" then air down and off we go again, thanks Tiny and boys. Very rocky terrain with lots of consideration to wheel placements.
On to the next challenging section, crawling over lots of rocks and boulders and up to a hill climb. Watched a couple of cars crawl up and have their little challenges then it was our turn, 6 attempts later it was time for our Patrol to back out and take the easy way. It is very interesting to note the differences between the vehicles and performances, from automatic to manual, short wheel bases to long wheel bases, locked and not locked, diesel or petrol, so many differences to understand and learn about. Just love the learning and sharing of information that comes with being part of this club.

Onwards through Test Track watching every car in front as they walked through and over the rocks. Reached the last pinch point just as we were at the end of Test Track, got out of the Patrol, did a reccy of the track watched a couple of cars in front manoeuvre their way through, yep all good and then it was our turn to navigate through the most challenging part of the whole track.
"Go left go left" was the direction but it didn’t seem to matter how much I thought I was going left that sound of side steps crunching on solid boulder you just know the boulder wins hands down. So the guys filled some holes with more rocks for traction and with every little inch of movement was the sound of my driver’s side step scraping and folding over the boulder.
The sound you know means uhuh that’s gonna need attention and repairing. The greatest things about this whole experience is the learning to be had and the support and help that surrounds you when you find yourself in trouble. Drivers’ side tail lights, both step treads and squashed exhaust pipe and we are great.
Back up the other side of the mountain to collect Aleisha’s injured Jeep and we continue on back to camp arriving back at 2:20pm. Aleisha’s group had been back since about 1:30 and had a couple of challenges to report but nothing too damaging or more challenging than a few spotters to help through some tight uphills and rutty tracks.
Another group gathered to go to Telecom Hill and Camp Road. Lea Lea’s Jeep tried a hill on Camp Road but it proved too good and they had to give in to the earth this time round. Back to camp by 4:30 and start preparations for Lyle’s birthday celebrations and our camp oven cook off, and another night of extended happy hour ahead.
Aahhh yum yum, the sharing of some great camp oven cooking, lamb roast, beef strog, tuna bake, lamb shanks, veges, birthday cake ……. great effort everybody, thank you, I know a few of us certainly ate our fill and a bit more.
Once again extended happy hour saw those who sat up late the night before went early leaving just 3 of us by 10:00pm very quiet night. Mind you the last of us went just after midnight.
Up early Monday morning and the view is foggy and overcast once again. Some pack up and leave early, and the rest of us have brekky and start packing up once the sun has come out and dried everything and we head down to the office to sign out at 11:15. Stopped at Kilcoy for lunch and 1 by 1 peeled off back to reality until next trip….
Another enjoyable weekend in the elements with a great group of people, thank you all …………



  Bribie island TRIP REPORT

28/5/2016

 
With all awnings out and the big gazebo up half of the group left for a nice drive up the beach to check out the sights with only one injury had (won’t mention who, hey Laura).  While half of the group were gone the remainder sat back and relaxed and soaked up the sunshine. All of a sudden a big gust of wind came along and next minute Deb and Rays fox wing awning decided it wanted to fly and off it went straight up and over the roof of the Patrol. The quick thinking guys left at base  jumped into action and assisted in bringing it back in line and folding it away and assessing it. Luckily only minimal damage sustained. No sooner had it all been sorted and packed away the other half of the group returned from their drive. The BBQ
started up and the sausages, meat and onions were thrown on. Lunch was served. Well done cooks! Nothing better than the smell of a BBQ cooking and what a beautiful location to eat.
With the temperatures rising one member decided to water down another. Let’s just say it didn’t go her way. Both parties ended up in the water and one covered in sand. However Leighanne ended up worse off than Evan (sorry names were going to be withheld however payment wasn’t received in time). Packing up after lunch at about 13:30pm everyone pitched in and it was done in no time. 4 cars left to the rightand headed for the exit while the other 9 continued on to the left and up the beach for a trip towards home via the inland track.
Just up the beach we had members from the other group inform us they needed assistance so our tail end vehicle went to the aid of them and others at the exit.  Beach goers were getting stuck and with no real knowledge on how to do safe recoveries our president lent his hand and gave some very useful advice while assisting.
The remainder 8 vehicles in convoy made their way up to the entrance and along through the soft cut up sandy track. All cars got through unstuck and ventured on. Along the track we all pulled over to wait for Evan and Aleisha to catch up. Our freezing cold leader was mothered by kitchen queen Deb who pulled out her table, stove, kettle etc. to make her a hot cuppa tea to warm her up. Looking up and we see is a dust ball rolling in. Evan had come across a lone maroon cruiser driver wanting to come out to play so decided to bring it along with him.  Setting off again in our convoy we headed for the exit to air up before our trip home. Great day was had by all. Thank you for another great trip everyone. See you all out and about next time
by Lyle Gillan

Picture

Invite to a Night with Tim Bates (information session on exploring the Victorian High Country)

10/5/2016

 
Picture

Presidents Report May 16

4/5/2016

 
Another month done and dusted what a busy month it has been . We have had camping trips to Kenilworth , Amamoor state forest with Jeepfreakz QLD. The Black tie dinner with Queensland club and the Special invitation to Crofters Estate.

Great to see so much happening I would like to thank everyone involved. With the nights now getting cooler it appears that there is now going to be more day trips than camping weekends. If anyone is interested in organising a camping trip please speak to Gary and get it in. Cold nights is a good reason for a bigger fire.
​

    MDORC News

    Club announcements, Trip reports and other news from the club will be posted here..

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Four Wheel Drive Queensland
    New Website
    President's Report
    Trip Reports

    RSS Feed

Picture
Home | Join | Club News | Calendar | Contact

ABN: 99 906 292 238
© 2014 Moreton Districts Off Road Club All Rights Reserved  
https://www.facebook.com/mdorc

info@mdorc.org.au​

PO Box 279
Kallangur, QLD, 4503

UHF CB: Channel 27