Little Dip CP & Wyperfeld NP 4wd trips. *pics warning*

Here are some more pics and a little bit more detail on the trip.

First up I wanna say thanks to Richard for organising it, and thanks to everyone else for being such great and sensible company. Thanks also for putting up with my narrative and not asking too many difficult questions.

Before you all arrived, I spent some time along the Wimmera River between Dimboola and Jeparit. Here’s a pic of Dulagarl at one of my favourite crossings on the Wimmera…

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And before everyone else arrived, Phinzinza with his passengers and I were enjoying a rather subtle evening by Lake Hindmarsh…

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Next morning, a shot by one of the more significant waterholes on the Wimmera just south of Lake Albacutya…

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On the Western side of Albacutya, we had a group pic which there is already a version of, but here’s another…

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And on the track to Round Swamp, our camp for night two…

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Sunday morning at Round Swamp camp

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As others have pointed out, pigface was growing all over the place signifying decent rains of late. Good source of bush food this one – you can eat the fronds and the flowers.

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Now, at a decent sized dune along the track, it was time for some pics. Benny has already posted some that Kez took, and here are some from a different angle. I’ll try to get around to making some animated gif’s of these…

Everyone waiting for the signal to come up…

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And it was the ever intrepid Phinzinza who had the first crack (after I was already up of course)

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Next up was Adam in his rough and tough Brumby

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While waiting a bit I decided to enjoy the view to the West…

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Then it was Pedro’s turn in the sleek turbo Foz…

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Followed by RubyScoo

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BCoutback was next

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Then Subaruby

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Nachaluva (and his awesome lizard knowledge) was next

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And finally Venom the EZ 30D H6 lifted liberty

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Just love the surfboard in the desert!

While wating for some of the convoy to fix a flat, we stopped by a recently burnt area. Nice contrast in vegetation

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Once the South Australians had to go home, and BC outback and Pedro headed back to Melbourne, it left 5 vehicles to look around Wirrengren Plain at the north end of Wyperfeld National Park. It’s a very significant place, and its name is derived from the local word ‘Wirrenge” meaning “Place of many people”. It is a dry lake bed that last saw water in the 1850’s, yet there are still reminders of its wetter past such as this river red gum that I estimate to be in the vicinity of 800 years old…

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It marks the very end of the Wimmera Lakes system: after that there is mulga, mallee, pines and bulokes.

Once the other four vehicles left I was on my own in one of my favourite places.

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Some of those on the trip who listened to the Wotjobaluk story of the area’s creation might remember that I referred to this…

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(if you don’t know about it: sorry, you’ll have to come on another trip or wait for the book that Richard alluded to)

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Also, those who were with me might remember a little section of Outlet Creek between Lake Agnes (dry since I think 1912) and Wirrenge. This section of creek hasn’t flowed for around 100 years, but it still looks like it could.

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It retains reminders of its past such as this scar tree. There are over 400 such scar trees around Lake Agnes alone, and hundreds more along the Wimmera system. One day, they will be gone, so I like to get a photographic record of every one I see. I had been coming to this place for many years, but had never noticed this particular scar tree.

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The track rises there by a few metres, and close by the creek disappears into farm land…

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So from there, it was still reasonably early in the morning and I took my time exploring around Lake Agnes…

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…finding several excellent examples of the scar trees I previously mentioned.

I had talked about double sided scar trees to some on the trip, and I didn’t take long to find one…

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… and close by another (with my hat for perspective)

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It really is a fantastic bit of country, but one I didn’t want to take a full convoy on because we wouldn’t have got very far with all the things to see.

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I even found an old sign from the very early days of the national Park, which was the first such park declared in Victoria.

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From there, I followed the songline south tp Lake Corrong near Hopetoun, which had overflowed with rains earlier this year.

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And had attracted large numbers of Black-Tailed Native hen

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Weird bird actually. Shows up in thousands and then disappears.

From there I headed south to a familiar campground by the Wimmera River near Dimboola, and enjoyed a beer during a moody sunset.

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.

Home the next day.

Once again, thanks to everyone on the trip. I had a great time and I look forward to catching up soon.
 
I'll 2nd what carljwnc said :)
Great additional reporting & pics Dulagarl :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Epic trip lads, thanks for posting!!

Love the circle work of the H6 and the rooster tails of the Foz :biggrin:

Watching that video of the cars going up the sandy hill, I didn't think the cars would get up it. But obviously, a good amount of right foot sorted it all out.
 
You know what would be good...meet in the middle for a trip in SA so you WA guys can come over. We could have an epic Subie multi-state trip :cool:

Maybe Flinders Ranges...by far my fav destination :biggrin:
 
Nachaluva said:
You know what would be good...meet in the middle for a trip in SA so you WA guys can come over. We could have an epic Subie multi-state trip :cool:

Maybe Flinders Ranges...by far my fav destination :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I'd go for Gawler ranges, or maybe a beach trip to Wahgunyah which is west of Ceduna.

Top idea!
 
Nachaluva said:
yep sounds good...I'm in! lol

Never been to Gawler R. but seem nice from what I've seen. What are the tracks there like?
Click to expand...

Rocky, prone to washouts, but pretty good.

Reason I suggest it is mainly that it is a little closer than the Flinders for the West Australians, becuase it is west of Port Augusta and Kimba.

How about an even more rad idea: we meet the West Australians in Laverton and head east across the Anne Beadell Hwy? (Or meet in Coober Pedy and head west?)

https://www.australian-4x4.com.au/anne-beadell-highway-australia.html

1350 kms, one fuel stop, all offroad.

:lildevil:
 
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