Campers Road Trips

[Camper]

Brilliant pictures Camper, really enjoying this thread.
The Amcat canopy you had fitted to your Ute, are you still happy with it ? And the 3M clear protection film, is it protecting the Ute as you had hoped ?

The canopy has held up well, doesn't affect the handling in high winds, no sign of the seal going and I love the shape, plenty of people stop and ask about it.

Small issues, the back glass does not seal properly against the frame, lets in dust but not rain, have got water inside when washing and poking the hose around, a little more rubber around the edge should do it for water but may need a positive pressure fan to keep the dust out. I would like to have a better way of closing/locking the glass from inside, this is something I will have to address going forward, may have to change the lock mech completely. Would be great if I can get it to lock remotely with the cars key fob.

The film is hard to say so early, certainly small scratches/chips have not appeared and I have heard a few strikes. I have Opticoated over the 3m PPF so not sure which is taking the brunt of small strikes but have had no paint damage.

[Camper]

Hi All,

I'm back safe and sound, had a great time, saw some brilliant movies and some wonderful country.

How is the van running?
Are you pleased with her?
Any issues or advice if I were to buy one.
Thought one day I may have to get one when I find the sandy I have gets too hard to drive

Cheers Kiwivan

The van is running perfectly, never a moments hesitation to start, sounds smooth and is still nearly 4,000km til the first service! doesn't get hot, no oil issues, no leaks, will cruise all day at 110 no worries.

I am extremely happy with it, I have never owned a new car before and have only driven anything less than 15yrs old as rental/work cars so may not be the best judge.

It is so easy to drive, get in, push the button to start, select drive and go... cruise control on the steering wheel, slap the gear stick into sport if you need a bit more power to make that gap, remote start, hill hold, crawl at 5ks, reverse camera, heads up display - The VF2 Black Edition really is the best Commodore going, not sure what the end of the year holds, but I can't see them doing any better.

If I had the parts bin to play with I would ask for radar for the cruise control so it automatically follows the car in front, I would love the seats from the HSV (ventilated, heated and magnetic ride suspension), the Limited Slip Diff off the V8s and maybe the ride change ability of the Motor Sport (sport, track modes that I would hack and change to dirt, gravel etc.)

I can see myself adding some of these parts as wrecks come up and towards the end of my 5yr warranty. Would like to get rid of some of the interior trim from V6 and swap for the Calais.

Only real downside I have found is the A pillar issue everyone mentions, it's big and it's in your sight line. However it means a 5 star safety rating sooo... not sure if I would change it. I raised my seating position and learned to look through the side windows more, it's only on extremely tight left handed corners I notice it now.

I was surprised by the lack of a full metal tray (photo's in my original build post), but I guess these really are more sport car than tradie ute these days.

I have given it a fair beating these past few days and it has not only held up but feels ready for much more. The handling is great, I am impressed by the feel in the pedals and steering wheel, when it does let go it is predictable and easy to get back.

I have been on smooth slippery dirt, gravel, sand, black soil plains, half made roads covered in crusher dust, gibbers (fist sized rocks), brand new tarmac and the stock tyres and wheels do a great job of putting the power down and keep me moving.

All in all I am loving it.

[Camper]

I shopped around a little and ended up at staying the Top Pub, great old wooden pub, still had some character, the wowsers definitely would not have liked some of the posters etc. on the walls.

I actually forgot what day it was (Tuesday) and asked the barmaid as I checked in and paid ($85 for the Family Room - "sorry love all I've got left, renovations") if they would have the State of Origin on tonight, those in the know will know Origin (GO MAROONS!) is always on a Wednesday, so I booked another night...


Had a few drinks with the Locals and a good nights sleep, the view from the balcony was astounding and only slightly ruined by the telephone and power wires.














How good is old mates house on the hill here, a dream of mine to have the only house on a small hilltop, and he gets to overlook the mouth of the river.

[wbute]

All good except for the wrong result in the State of Origin. QLD must pay the ref....

[Camper]

Went back up the lookout in the morning and had a look at the Wine Glass and Finch bay.

Wine Glass bay first;







Remember that boat from Innisfail? It's gotta be the same one right?





The path to Wine Glass bay, don't believe the sign it's more than 800m over the hill, I definitely felt the need for more exercise by the end.

[Camper]

So I am off to Winton in the morning, stay Fri - Mon and maybe Monday night in Longreach.

There is a film festival in Winton - Hollywood in the Outback, some classic and new Aussie films being screened in open air cinemas and in the old Town Hall, B list celebrities, Margret Pomaranz and like.

Winton is where Banjo Patterson wrote Waltzing Matilda, the pub he first performed it in is still running - the North Gregory Hotel. It's booked out but looks like I can get in at a caravan park down the road.
Winton is also famous for Dinosaur remains, the beginnings of QANTAS and Bushrangers.

Longreach is where Captain Starlight used to hang out, also a founding town of QANTAS and has the Stockmans Hall of Fame.

[Camper]

Finch Bay, my pick of spots around Cooktown, you can't camp here but great for a day trip/fishing.

The little creek running down the south end is fresh water and had plenty of fish, but would expect a resident Croc here, perfect conditions for a Salty.












I sat on this log for a while enjoying the sun and watching fish jump.








Here you can see my back up battery charging in the sun while charging my phone.





Looking North








These Rocks were really cool and the kind of spot you can imagine people coming to for a thousand years, good wind break and a little shelter.
























Can you see those bumps on the stone above?

Does any one know what they are?

They are golf ball sized, the effect is something like the dimples on a golf ball.
My best guess is a left over from when the stone cracked off the larger stones behind it plus a millennia of on shore wind erosion.


Looking South





This beach was nearly worth the whole trip! Look at It.

If you look closely at the southern end you might just be able to see a rooftop, someone has a shack here. Midway between the water and the sand dune, just inside the tree line.
Would love to check it out but figured if you're the type of person to build your shack here you probably don't want visitors.

The next morning I drove back west and south, down to the coast at Port Douglas and back north up the coast to Cape Tribulation, an easy days drive with a few stops along the way.
Top tip, the bakery cafe at Cooktown was brilliant, good food and great prices.

[Camper]

I nearly forgot, I had a look around at the boat ramp and tried some mystery tracks.

















Above is a screen shot of part of a 360 photo, just wanted to give you an idea of the boat ramp.
I reckon those locals that have their boats on the bank are brave souls, I would not get in the water here.




had a little fun on the way out






Followed the river bank around the back streets and found another little track





Ended up having to reverse out of here, thank God for that rear view camera





did find some sneaky camp spots for next time though












On the esplanade in town, cheeky seagulls trying for a snack.





How big is this Paperbark, biggest I have ever seen. From what I can tell Captain Cook would have pulled up right about where those boats are, fair chance this tree was here back then.





Another drive down the port

[Camper]

Headed back inland towards Lakeland again.



hard to believe this river breaks the banks most every year, water would be a good 10m below the bridge





This would have to be prime Croc territory, couldn't find one. No doubt they saw me.











The view from the Lakeland Roadhouse is spectacular, this is where you would head north again if you were going to the tip, from here to Nanum is rough but graded roads, 600km could take 15 hours

I went south







Back in the forest and heading down the range towards Port Douglas





So much cane


I stopped in at the Mossman George Interpretative centre (Ughhh!) but decided to go no further, you must pay to see the gorge, take a bus from the carpark. We visited here back when it was a dirt road and nobody bothered you.

I remember having a lazy family lunch on a boulder in the middle of the river.

Also it was grey and raining this time, so back in the car and head north





Had a quick look at Daintree Village, turned back and found a boat tour on the Daintree River $20 for 1 & 1/2 hrs - Bargain.





Snek 1, I was leaned out of the boat, under the snake for this shot, scaring the international tourists, those in the know will know it's just a green tree snake.





Snek 2, the guy doing the tour was picking these out from 200m away, I had no chance.








Hows the camouflage here, I would never see him








They lie in under these trees at the edge of the river








The ferry I would later catch across towards Cape Tribulation





Brave birds become dead birds real quick when there is a hungry Croc around, they tell me a 4m one hangs out by the ferry, after we dropped off the other tourists on some rocks there.





On the Ferry, feeling confident it wouldn't tip...

[Camper]

Off the ferry, small farms and plantations intermixed with forest











Back into Jungle Proper












Beach at Cow Bay, 3m Croc seen here earlier that morning, scared the horses (Tourists ride horses along the beach)









Made it to PK's, used to be the hottest backpacker party in the country, more families now











My room, basic, shared toilet/showers etc but comfy, only spent the one night.





Mangrove board walk





Actual Cape Tribulation, couldn't get out on the reef because of bad weather, the trip gets more mundane from here, got some fantastic photo's of Hinchinbrook Island, stayed in Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, flew down to Melbourne for a concert, Vanilla Ice and Salt & Peppa!

Will share more when I get back next week.


Have a great weekend folks