Tuff Truck Trip Report


On Thursday afternoon John, Fiona, Jake, Harry, Brad K, Matt and Nick headed off to Tuff Trucks. Upon arrival at the site Nick picked the campsite. Which was on the bottom side of Rowdy Hill, which he was slapped several times over the weekned for. Never get Ncik to pick a campsite. Upon the next convoy leaving Nowra consisting of Manny, Big Brad(AKA Mud Guts) and myself. Manny received a message 'Several people forgot things several things. Last minute minute shopping and departure was underway. A quick stop in Albion Park to pick up Nicks food and Brad K Ticket from Kassie.Up the M5, M7, M2 and on to the F3 at a liesurely pace, cant hurry Manny in the Patrol. Turning off at Freemans Drive and heading for Cessnock. We were nearly there. Upon arrival at Milbrodale, Manny took off into the prepaid lane to use Brad K's ticket. Big Brad and myself waiteed in the line to recieve our tickets. On arrival at the campsite, the decision was made since i was last on camp. Oh well. We basically arrived on site and it was time from work, directing traffic to campsites. Reliving the members that had arrived the day before. Upon being relieved for dinner for a short time, it was back to work, when we funally got the stood down at near midnight and was time for a queit drink. From there it wasn't far and we were all tucked up in bed. Tahnks to John, Fiona and the kidsfor setting up the tents, Manny and myself took up. During the night there were several loud bangs. Waking just about everyone except Nick. Every body was up up and breakeast was was completered,It was off to work we went. Jaming more and more campers into limited space. THat wasa the end or off our work done for the weekend. Now it was time to relax, spectate and have some fun. Now we had the lunch duties over and done with. Everybody was feed and watered, it was off to watch some events. After losing track of time, it as time to start preparing dinner. After everybody had a big feed of what everyone had cooked up. Fiona had food from a big roast, she had cooked up. So the motherly nature come out and began to force feed some more food into us. Although it as lovely that Fiona was just looking after us. It felt like we ere at home with our parents, there for Fiona is now known as Mum. THanks Mum!!!!! Mow we all took off to have a look at the mud run. Great to have a look at, got bored though. So Nick and myself set off in the search of phone service.Then headed back to camp for a few drinks.I went walk about and ending up chatting to several people from the Shoalhaven area. Possible recruitment for the club. Oh well off to bed now for some sleep. Morning had arrived and it was time to see some more. During spectating there was some really skilled driving, seeing the big white fridge (80 series landcruiser) land on its roof. Oh well back to camp to pack up and head home. We headed home down the Putty Rd. What a fun drive. Brad, Nick and Matt departed from the convoy around Colo, leaving the Rodeo, Patrol and Challenger to head home. Upon approach to Albion Park a quick seating change took place. Jake jumped back in the Challenger from the Patrol. On departing Albion Park we made a comment about the weather. Not good, rain and hail all the way back to Nowra, in some spots back doing 40km/hr. Finally we arrived home, all safe and well. A good weekend was had by all. Cant wait for the next one.

9.39am we all met up at Bewong servo. John & Fiona were the last to arrive, but Manny still had things to take care of at home so he met up at lunch time.
Any way, we all head off and turned right into Wandean Rd through Yerriyong State Forest then left into Perch Hole Rd where we stopped to deflate our tyres. The track was a little overgrown but not bad enough to scratch the sides of our truck. There were 3 small creek crossings [only a foot or so deep]. Then we arrived at the bottom of a short hill climb strewn with small rocks & shallow ruts. Above that, a small level area then another steeper section with larger stones, boulders & deeper ruts. Further near the top, the section that 4wdrivers usually take was eroded by motor bike use, so we had to dig out & winch aside a large bolder.
Brad led the way up & made it look so easy, then followed by Michael, then Norm. Ron in his truck took a few tries, but wasn

I’m new around here so I didn’t know about the rule that the last person to arrive gets the trip report. Anyway, on past experience, I didn’t expect to arrive dead on the meeting time of 9.00 am at Moruya and find I was the last arrival. People around here must really hate doing the report!!! Anyway, they say you learn by your mistakes. At this rate I’ll be perfect soon.

After having a commemorative photo taken by Jeff, we set off and headed west along Arulen Road. Our route was to take us in a circle around Deua National Park. We headed north then west and finally south before arriving at Bendethra Camping grounds around five o’clock. In about 6½ hours of driving between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm (allowing for morning tea and lunch breaks) we covered 114 kilometres. The driving was fairly straight forward for the most part. There were some reasonably steep inclines and declines and a number of creek crossings that gave me a good excuse to shift into low range. The day was uneventful in terms of anyone needing to be snatched out of trouble. The closest we came was when Ron stalled his Rover half way across a creek crossing. He got going under his own steam however. Ian tried to liven things up a bit by spraying tent poles along the trail.......

A Saturday trip was arranged for those new to the club and can’t necessarily make it to Sunday trips. This was the first trip that I had arranged so I did a reccy, well after heading down a road off MR 92 and down Wattle Tree track I came to an abrupt halt when Calymea Creek was running a wee bit full for my liking. A new route had to be found so I came by a local reference map but ran out of time to do much planning.




Well it was with trepidation that Sue and I set off to meet any brave souls at our meeting point. New member Tim Coombes was already there in his Diahatsu Ferosa along with companion Kylie. No one else turned up after 20 minutes extra waiting so we headed off. I had decided to try the Old Burrier Fire Trail as I had heard of it as a short cut from Danjerra Dam at Yalwal to the Burrier pumping Station. I had not been to Burrier for a couple of years and was surprised that it is now bitumen all the way. After Burrier it turned into the narrow, rough, steep road I knew that went to Coolendel.

From Neal Noble accompanied by his cook, Jo, and Jack and Wendy Kooij.

Neal wrote from The Alice after their trek up the Hay River, on their South to North crossing of the Simpson desert.

Day late leaving home, thought about a hamburger for lunch at Nerriga, wrong, the shop’s shut for May. Destination first night was a motel at Yass housing the Ewe and Me restaurant, if you haven't eaten there you have missed something special.Next spent 2 days along the river between Darlinton Pt and hay, the weather was lousy so spoilt the cook with another cabin stay. Turned off west of Balranald and headed to Mungo and Pooncarie where we camped for two days at Top Hut Rd before heading to Coombah Road House and then to the S.A. border.

Up to Yunta and then towards Arkaroola in the northern Flinders Ranges, turned off and went thru Parachilna, Leigh Ck and stayed 3 nights at Copley. On to the dirt proper and after Maree up the Birdsville to Mungaranie and turned off towards Kulmarina Station where Neale had his first embarrassment, he got bogged. Everyone had advised not to leave the track but because of the wet, some roads were closed. Came across water over the road, seemed to have a good side track but WRONG.