Sundown National Park - 5th to 7th of May 2012
Posted: May 9th, 2012, 2:43 am
Day 1 - Meeting at 9am at Aratula Shell, the group made their way down past Stanthorpe and turned into Sundown National Park. Though the weather forecast was for rain only a week prior, it was fine and sunny .... a great day to be out for a drive.
Once offroad, it was easy to see why the area is called the granite belt (the rocks belting into the underside of the cars
) The plan was to make our way to Burrows Waterhole campgrounds and set up camp. The happy campers were :
- Ben and 3 kids
- Alan and Tim
- Louis and Olivia and 1 kid
- Mark and Arie
- Scooter
- Greg and Ranae
- Tim and Tina
- David and Melinda and 4 kids
It already was approaching 2pm before we arrived at the campground. We set up tents, though a few lucky people brought their camper trailers, so setup didn't take too long. After a late lunch, the fire was started and people finally had a chance to relax. The kids were already best friends, and had a great time chasing each other, and throwing sticks and stones into the creek (and occassional at each other
).
Day 2 - The morning was 50% warmer than forecast. What were people complaining about? It only got down to 3 degree instead of the forecast 2 degrees. Though some people had their own fire pits, and the central fire area was a great place for people to come together and talk, and talk, and .... talk.
By 9am it was time for a quick trip around the Rats Castle circuit, and then be back in time for lunch. Well that was the plan. An uphill part of the track was a little difficult for those without lift-kits. Even the 'chicken' track had a risk of sliding into trees for some light panel damage. Dave and Scooter wisely decided to take the lower part of the circuit to meet up at Rats Castle.
Even the lower circuit had it's difficult part on a tight turn just before a creek crossing. But with enough road-building, even the Prado was able to pass without too much "visible" damage to the running boards. But when Dave and Scooter arrived at the creek crossing just before Rats Castle, they decided to avoid further damage and waited for the others to come around the circuit.
And this is where the fun began. The first Ford Ranger almost made it across. The recovery attempt lasted more than an hour, involved tow straps, high-life jacks, and lot of rocks, and just plain people power. And in the middle of nowhere, we still ended up drawing in spectators.
Eventually we were all on the other side and made tracks back to the camp ground for a late lunch. Most people then relaxed for the afternoon, though Ben and Dave's kids went along to creek and built up a stone crossing. Ok - Ben and Dave helped a little.
Day 3 - After packing up, we drove out of the park, but took a quick detour to Red Rock Gorge. This was a great place for lunch. With the vehicles covered in dust after 3 sunny and dry days, we made our way home ...... but not before all the kids stopped at the Bramble Patch for some ice-cream.
I also have lots of video of the trip that I'll try to share with the group. I even have the "bang" recorded as the first Ford crossed the creek at Rats Castle.
BTW - I have an excuse to go back ....... somewhere on the track is the license plate for my trailer.
Entering Sundown National Park
Driving along some of the mountain ridges offered some great views.
The camp was set up, and we had a flag up.
It was time to relax around the camp fire late in the afternoon of Day 1.
Day 2 - Time to try out the Rats Castle circuit.
Some creek crossing were easy. But you can see the amount of rocks in the area.
The uphill section on the other side of the creek was a real challenge for those without lift kits.
For some, it was all too easy.
Time to wash the car at Rats Castle.
And here the fun started. Even draw in extra spectators.
Notice the rock ledge behind the front wheel. And extra 2 iches in height would have made all the difference.
Recovery was eventually successful, and still not yet fully across the creek crossing.
With lessions learnt (and more rocks under the wheels), the second Ford Ranger came across with less scraping.
Needing to be careful to stay on the track while leaving the Rats Castle circuit
But everyone gave it a go.
Though some had more fun that others. (Best photo of the trip?)
Thinking about one last side-track before leaving the park.
Easy to see why the area is called the granite belt.
The view out across Red Rock Gorge.
Going home on day 3 (Monday - public holiday), with a few kilos of dust attached.
I think everyone had a great time at Sundown National Park.
Once offroad, it was easy to see why the area is called the granite belt (the rocks belting into the underside of the cars
) The plan was to make our way to Burrows Waterhole campgrounds and set up camp. The happy campers were :- Ben and 3 kids
- Alan and Tim
- Louis and Olivia and 1 kid
- Mark and Arie
- Scooter
- Greg and Ranae
- Tim and Tina
- David and Melinda and 4 kids
It already was approaching 2pm before we arrived at the campground. We set up tents, though a few lucky people brought their camper trailers, so setup didn't take too long. After a late lunch, the fire was started and people finally had a chance to relax. The kids were already best friends, and had a great time chasing each other, and throwing sticks and stones into the creek (and occassional at each other
).Day 2 - The morning was 50% warmer than forecast. What were people complaining about? It only got down to 3 degree instead of the forecast 2 degrees. Though some people had their own fire pits, and the central fire area was a great place for people to come together and talk, and talk, and .... talk.
By 9am it was time for a quick trip around the Rats Castle circuit, and then be back in time for lunch. Well that was the plan. An uphill part of the track was a little difficult for those without lift-kits. Even the 'chicken' track had a risk of sliding into trees for some light panel damage. Dave and Scooter wisely decided to take the lower part of the circuit to meet up at Rats Castle.
Even the lower circuit had it's difficult part on a tight turn just before a creek crossing. But with enough road-building, even the Prado was able to pass without too much "visible" damage to the running boards. But when Dave and Scooter arrived at the creek crossing just before Rats Castle, they decided to avoid further damage and waited for the others to come around the circuit.
And this is where the fun began. The first Ford Ranger almost made it across. The recovery attempt lasted more than an hour, involved tow straps, high-life jacks, and lot of rocks, and just plain people power. And in the middle of nowhere, we still ended up drawing in spectators.
Eventually we were all on the other side and made tracks back to the camp ground for a late lunch. Most people then relaxed for the afternoon, though Ben and Dave's kids went along to creek and built up a stone crossing. Ok - Ben and Dave helped a little.
Day 3 - After packing up, we drove out of the park, but took a quick detour to Red Rock Gorge. This was a great place for lunch. With the vehicles covered in dust after 3 sunny and dry days, we made our way home ...... but not before all the kids stopped at the Bramble Patch for some ice-cream.
I also have lots of video of the trip that I'll try to share with the group. I even have the "bang" recorded as the first Ford crossed the creek at Rats Castle.
BTW - I have an excuse to go back ....... somewhere on the track is the license plate for my trailer.
Entering Sundown National Park
Driving along some of the mountain ridges offered some great views.
The camp was set up, and we had a flag up.
It was time to relax around the camp fire late in the afternoon of Day 1.
Day 2 - Time to try out the Rats Castle circuit.
Some creek crossing were easy. But you can see the amount of rocks in the area.
The uphill section on the other side of the creek was a real challenge for those without lift kits.
For some, it was all too easy.
Time to wash the car at Rats Castle.
And here the fun started. Even draw in extra spectators.
Notice the rock ledge behind the front wheel. And extra 2 iches in height would have made all the difference.
Recovery was eventually successful, and still not yet fully across the creek crossing.
With lessions learnt (and more rocks under the wheels), the second Ford Ranger came across with less scraping.
Needing to be careful to stay on the track while leaving the Rats Castle circuit
But everyone gave it a go.
Though some had more fun that others. (Best photo of the trip?)
Thinking about one last side-track before leaving the park.
Easy to see why the area is called the granite belt.
The view out across Red Rock Gorge.
Going home on day 3 (Monday - public holiday), with a few kilos of dust attached.
I think everyone had a great time at Sundown National Park.
