We all met on a slightly cool morning at McDonalds Yamanto for an 08:30 start. In all we had 7 vehicles and 14 members/visitors. The group comprised of:
Helen and David in a Nissan GU Patrol
Colin, Robyn and Ashley in a Toyota Hilux
Rob and Chris in a Discovery 4
Nick in his new Holden Colorado
Max and Wayne (Visitors) in another Holden Colorado
George and Mary (Visitors from the Nissan Club) in a Nissan GQ Patrol
Genny and Myself in a Discovery 3
Once we managed to get out of the car park (Yamanto was a very busy place as usual) we headed off up to Cunninghams Gap in The Great Dividing Range. On the way we had a quick morning tea at Aratula where there was some discussion on the correct pronunciation of the name. It was decided that the place is called Ara-Tu-la rather than Arat-ula. Whilst there some members of the group visited the Bakery and stocked up on breakfast and other goodies. Why Oh Why did we fill up with breakfast at McDonalds! The aroma was very enticing.
We then headed off over Cunninghams Gap and Great Dividing Range turning off the Cunningham Highway on to Spicers Gap Road and the Main Range National Park. Once on the track proper we aired down for the next section. It was a fairly easy drive as it was nice and dry but it would be very different in the wet. Our next stop was at a car park on the track where the track had been closed off to preserve the old cobblestones. Having parked up it was time for another morning tea and a close look at the old Cobb and Co route with it’s old cobblestones.
The Parks department have closed off a 1 mile (1.6 KM) section of the track to try and preserve what is left of the old cobblestones. The stones are very different to the cobblestones I remember from my youth. They were much more irregular in shape.
Next we headed on to the locked gate section where the first task was to rebuild part of the track. This was the section that the Toyota Club had to be winched up the week previously. Fortunate we were heading in the opposite direction and the track was downhill for us. The section we partially rebuilt was at the bottom of the hill where there was a drop off. The rebuilding should save the track from some damage in the future. The difference in the track inside the locked gate area was amazing. It was in much better condition than the part of the track that is open to the public.
After completing the locked gate section we then headed up to Governers Chair lookout where we had a marvellous view over the countryside. We then headed to the end of the track and a slightly late lunch. Lunch over we aired back up and headed for home.
I would like the thank Helen and David for organising the trip and providing us with yet another great day out.
Ivan Proctor
Photos by: Ash Doohan and Helen Duncan
Helen and David in a Nissan GU Patrol
Colin, Robyn and Ashley in a Toyota Hilux
Rob and Chris in a Discovery 4
Nick in his new Holden Colorado
Max and Wayne (Visitors) in another Holden Colorado
George and Mary (Visitors from the Nissan Club) in a Nissan GQ Patrol
Genny and Myself in a Discovery 3
Once we managed to get out of the car park (Yamanto was a very busy place as usual) we headed off up to Cunninghams Gap in The Great Dividing Range. On the way we had a quick morning tea at Aratula where there was some discussion on the correct pronunciation of the name. It was decided that the place is called Ara-Tu-la rather than Arat-ula. Whilst there some members of the group visited the Bakery and stocked up on breakfast and other goodies. Why Oh Why did we fill up with breakfast at McDonalds! The aroma was very enticing.
We then headed off over Cunninghams Gap and Great Dividing Range turning off the Cunningham Highway on to Spicers Gap Road and the Main Range National Park. Once on the track proper we aired down for the next section. It was a fairly easy drive as it was nice and dry but it would be very different in the wet. Our next stop was at a car park on the track where the track had been closed off to preserve the old cobblestones. Having parked up it was time for another morning tea and a close look at the old Cobb and Co route with it’s old cobblestones.
The Parks department have closed off a 1 mile (1.6 KM) section of the track to try and preserve what is left of the old cobblestones. The stones are very different to the cobblestones I remember from my youth. They were much more irregular in shape.
Next we headed on to the locked gate section where the first task was to rebuild part of the track. This was the section that the Toyota Club had to be winched up the week previously. Fortunate we were heading in the opposite direction and the track was downhill for us. The section we partially rebuilt was at the bottom of the hill where there was a drop off. The rebuilding should save the track from some damage in the future. The difference in the track inside the locked gate area was amazing. It was in much better condition than the part of the track that is open to the public.
After completing the locked gate section we then headed up to Governers Chair lookout where we had a marvellous view over the countryside. We then headed to the end of the track and a slightly late lunch. Lunch over we aired back up and headed for home.
I would like the thank Helen and David for organising the trip and providing us with yet another great day out.
Ivan Proctor
Photos by: Ash Doohan and Helen Duncan
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