Mallee Country

[sjm]

I've just spent a few days touring the Mallee - Wyperfeld and Murray Sunset. It was a good trip, and I got to play in some deep sand, my first time in this vehicle. Also my first time to get seriously bogged in it too. It performed much better than I was expecting, given it's stock, unmodified, and basically straight off the showroom floor.

Rainbow across Lake Albycutya, on the track that runs across the middle of the lake:

Then onto Wyperfeld, where I attempted to drive from Wonga campground north through to Underbool. The tracks started out okay, with no problems:

and I travelled about 26km from Wonga where I hit this dune (on Eagle track):

It doesn't look like much, but I had several goes at it, and couldn't get to the top. Eventually I got stuck:

Three hours later, I'd managed to move about 2 car lengths. The sun was on it's downwards arc, and not knowing what was ahead of me, I decided discretion was the better part of valor, and admitted defeat:

I guess the sign at the start of the track was true this time...

So, back to Wonga, then on the bitumen around to Murray Sunset and the Pink Lakes:

All in all, a good trip, I learned a bit about this car handles in sand, and I must say I am impressed by what the stock, unmodified vehicle is capable of.

 

[thunder039]

did you have the air pressure down at all?
beautiful part of the country the Mallee, Victoria is very lucky to have such a great diverse terrain

 

[sjm]

did you have the air pressure down at all?

Yeah, about 24 warm, but clearance was the issue.

 

[mr turbo]

Great trip report & pics sjm

The first pic with the rainbow is an absolute beauty

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[carljwnc]

Nice!!! Agree with mr t on the rainbow shot, fantastic!!!

What's up with the pink lake??? Salt???

 

[thunder039]

What's up with the pink lake??? Salt???

not 100% sure but i think its the bacteria in the water

 

[NachaLuva]

What's up with the pink lake??? Salt???

not 100% sure but i think its the bacteria in the water

Yep its a dried salt lake. The pink in these lakes normally comes from brine shrimp, but it may be bacteria, not sure.

That sand did look soft but it doesnt help help if you're dragging your belly...time for a lift?

 

[sjm]

They are salt lakes, and would normally appear white, but there is an algae present which secrets carotene, and dyes the salt pink.

 

[Dulagarl]

some of my favourite country. Thanks for the pics.

Surprised you got stuck on nth sth track (at Eagle track). I reckon if you'd dropped the tyre pressure to 18 you would have got through.

When was this? I was there a few weeks back.

BTW you are right about the beta carotene in the Lakes.

 

[waggaclint]

Look like ya had a great trip, that 1st picture is a good one hey...

 

[sjm]

Surprised you got stuck on nth sth track (at Eagle track). I reckon if you'd dropped the tyre pressure to 18 you would have got through.

When was this? I was there a few weeks back.

I spent a few days in the area this week, but got stuck on Tuesday. I made it fine along Dattuck Track, North-South Track, Ginap Track, but got stuck along Eagle Track, just before it reaches the park boundary. It looks pretty flat after that, so I'm sure if I'd made it over the dune I would have been okay. I might try it again after all the rain we've had, it should be holding together much tighter now.

 

[Ratbag]

Lovely pics, SJ.

Can't blame you for giving that sand hill a miss ....

 

[Sigmund]

Good trip SJM. Have driven past the park several times; should take some time to go in.

Couple of weeks back I had a go at 'Little Red' outside of Birdsville; my first sand driving too. Had a hoot. AT treads and low pressure made it a doddle.