Some excitement at the end of the Cape York trip today.
As we landed at Cairns Airport we saw emergency vehicles. We thought they were training, until they followed our Beechcraft Kingair 200 to the hangar.
It turns out the plane had a minor throttle issue and a full emergency was called. 2 fire renders, an emergency vehicle and 2 airport trucks.
Managed to photograph one if these rare wallabies this morning. Saw a brilliant male last night, but photographed the female today.
Saw an emu with chicks today and yesterday.
On the way back from the waterhole yesterday a baby kangaroo was out of the pouch. It was a special moment as it could hardly stand it was so young. It wobbled about and tried 5 or 6 times to get back into the pouch.
This shot is from Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges.
Located in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.
So far visited Scotia, Danggali and Chowilla.
Then old mining ruins, then Gammon Ranges NP.
Managed to get a few nice bird photos the last few days. Red capped Robin tucking into a grasshopper today.
Hope to get yellow footed wallaby while at Arkaroola.
Astronomy tour tonight. 5 hour ridge tour tomorrow morning. Maybe even a helicopter ride.
Lake Frome near Gammon Ranges.
It is official, the Adventure has taken The Doc to Worlds End. Photo of Burra Creek Gorge, Worlds End Gorge Road, off Worlds End Highway at Worlds End. In South Australia.
The final region of KI, the North Coast. Some special places in this part of the Island, Western Cove and Pebbly Beach being favourites. Read Report here.
There was a variety of vehicles crossing the Simpson Desert with The Doc including a Toyota Landcruiser 100 series, Landcruiser 200 series (a brand-new diesel V8), Land Rover Defender, 2 Toyota Prados, Mitsubishi Challenger, Nissan Navarra, Toyota Hilux and The Doc’s Nissan Patrol.
Early on in the trip one of the Prado owners was telling someone how his Prado was better than The Doc’s Patrol. The Doc enjoyed recovering that Prado two days later when it got bogged. In fact, both recoveries were by Nissans on Toyota Prados. Prados may have the LandCruiser name, but they certainly not LandCruisers. The Doc is glad he never bought a Prado. They may handle better on road than a Patrol, but they’re certainly not better off road. They are a long way behind the LandCrusier, Defender and Patrol.
In the steeper dunes and rougher parts of the desert, the leafspring suspension of the Nission Navarra and the Toyota Hilux meant they were struggling.
The Doc thought the performance of the LandCruisers (not Prados), the Land Rover and the Patrol were very good. Although the LandCrusier 100 V8 Petrol used a lot of fuel. The 200 series V8 Diesel used just a little more than the Patrol – impressive. But they cost a great deal more money than a Patrol, so they should impress.
The Challenger was well driven and did a reasonable job, but it is a bit small for The Doc’s needs.
The Doc leaves Broom shortly, first stop Perth, next Sydney. He is home late tonight.
Arrived safely.
While crossing the Simpson Desert our convoy passed another heading east to west. They were a group of 3 motorcycles. The Doc was “Tail End Charlie” (the last in the convoy) and stopped to tell the leader he was the last car. The leader of the other group said he was an AWC supporter and gave The Doc the thumbs up after seeing the stickers on the side of The Doc’s car.
Next week the Doc is off to AWC’s Mornington Sanctuary in The Kimberly, should be great.
A bridled nail tail wallaby this time, once thought to be extinct in Australia, but now thriving on AWC’s Scotia Sanctuary.
Managed to use back roads to get to White Cliffs. Main roads all blocked. Staying at the Underground Motel for the last night of the Simpson Desert trip.
Now have access to black top, so may need to come home early with all the road closures.
Managed to stay ahead of road closures out of Innamincka, but now trapped at Tibooburra. It is raining out here.
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