The big lap - Australia

[suby]

bungle bungles - and cathedral gorge

We drove down to the Bungles, but did not drive to the national park as we had been told that the the corrugations and deep water crossings where bad, and did not want to wreck anything so decided to take the bus tour organized from the caravan park.

Cathedral gorge - all I can say is wow.

 

[suby]

bungle bungles - and Echidna Chasm

Echidna Chasm

I have taken up rock hugging...

 

[Kevin]

Beautiful!

 

[havachat]

We drove down to the Bungles, but did not drive to the national park as we had been told that the the corrugations and deep water crossings where bad, and did not want to wreck anything so decided to take the bus tour organized from the caravan park. QUOTE]


So how was the deep water crossing and how were the corrugations?

 

[suby]

"So how was the deep water crossing and how were the corrugations?"

Its hard to say without driving it. The corrugations where large and the 4wd buss had hard suspension, so think the forester would be more comfortable. I could not see the water crossings from the bus, so don't know. The bus driver remarked about Wicked campers lying at the bottom of the water, and remarks about razor sharp rocks.... I don't know if this was just idle chatter, or some truth in it.

You can camp in the national park, and it would have been better then the caravan park owned by the farmer who also owns the buses. I would have liked to spend more time, to take photos with a tripod etc but needed to keep up with the tour time lines ...

I would do more investigation if I ever get to do this again. We did see other 4WD's around the NP, so a lifted Forester could probably cross the water crossings. However many people in 4WD's where on the bus, that decided to take the easy way.

 

[suby]

Lake Argyle - Zebra rock mine

Lake Argyle is 20 times the size of Sydney harbour, with an overflow capacity of 70 time Sydney harbour. The lake crosses the WA and NT borders.

One place I recommend going to, is the "Zebra rock mine" just over the border in the Northern Territory. Zebra rock is sold as jewelery, and is geologically rare. This mine is the worlds only known current source of the rock. Additionally they run wetland boat tours on Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle is a Ramsar protected wetland, and the tour is fantastic to see the large number of birds it supports.

 

[suby]

Lake Argyle - Zebra rock mine 2

The wetland tour was one of the highlights of the trip.

This wedge tail eagle feasting on a magpie goose.

Lost its partner.

Sea Eagle

 

[temmah]

Impressive trip. Thanks for sharing the photos

 

[Grahame]

Thanks for the account guys. Wife and I about to head off for the Big Lap, prolly next year, in our 2011 Forester towing our 12ft van which we have just renovated. After reading your story have now definitely decided to lift it, stronger suspension and fit some AT tyres.

 

[Kevin]

Welcome aboard Grahame!