05-04-2023, 03:20 PM
"Stairway to Heaven" the access to the rooftop plateau....
...and where you come out
Next day we went out noodling for opal amongst the potch heaps.
White Cliffs to Pooncarie via Wilcannia and Menindee…Shake rattle and roll….
We looked at the map and decided to cut the corner and travel to Pooncarie via Wilcannia and Menindee on an unsealed road instead of going via Broken Hill/Silver City Highway.
The map showed a saving of 150 km by using this route....advice is to call a number and check on the local conditions before heading out.
First problem encountered...there is no Optus service out West....we headed out anyway.
Unknown to me, we were about to embark on the most bone jarring, kombi rattling, corrugated, potholed, bull dust covered expanse of dirt roads I'd ever experienced.
A better stretch.......still very unpleasant driving
We drove carefully, trying to find that "happy speed" that normally allows you to skip over corrugations......wasn't going to happen on this road. The corrugations have been stretched out by large 4wd's and trucks and then filled in with talc-fine, red, bull dust. At times the best we could manage was 35kph for 1/2 n hour. It seemed never ending as we passed shredded tyres and bits of discarded body panels that had obviously shaken off in transit. Large potholes filled in with bull dust were an unpleasant experience as we dropped into them with a loud thud.
Finally Pooncarrie came into site and we were back on a tar road.....still full of potholes but at least it was sealed. We went into the local pub for a well earned refreshment and asked about campsites. The Bartender told us about a Council run place that had 8 powered sites by the Darling River that they hold the keys for. We paid the minimal fees and headed off to the Pooncarie campground.... a top spot !
With only a few others there it was almost totally silent by the river. Sites have power and drinking water with good amenities provided by the local football club had hot showers for $1 (5min.) and clean toilets. Would definitely recommend this as a stopover for anyone.
...and where you come out
Next day we went out noodling for opal amongst the potch heaps.
White Cliffs to Pooncarie via Wilcannia and Menindee…Shake rattle and roll….
We looked at the map and decided to cut the corner and travel to Pooncarie via Wilcannia and Menindee on an unsealed road instead of going via Broken Hill/Silver City Highway.
The map showed a saving of 150 km by using this route....advice is to call a number and check on the local conditions before heading out.
First problem encountered...there is no Optus service out West....we headed out anyway.
Unknown to me, we were about to embark on the most bone jarring, kombi rattling, corrugated, potholed, bull dust covered expanse of dirt roads I'd ever experienced.
A better stretch.......still very unpleasant driving
We drove carefully, trying to find that "happy speed" that normally allows you to skip over corrugations......wasn't going to happen on this road. The corrugations have been stretched out by large 4wd's and trucks and then filled in with talc-fine, red, bull dust. At times the best we could manage was 35kph for 1/2 n hour. It seemed never ending as we passed shredded tyres and bits of discarded body panels that had obviously shaken off in transit. Large potholes filled in with bull dust were an unpleasant experience as we dropped into them with a loud thud.
Finally Pooncarrie came into site and we were back on a tar road.....still full of potholes but at least it was sealed. We went into the local pub for a well earned refreshment and asked about campsites. The Bartender told us about a Council run place that had 8 powered sites by the Darling River that they hold the keys for. We paid the minimal fees and headed off to the Pooncarie campground.... a top spot !
With only a few others there it was almost totally silent by the river. Sites have power and drinking water with good amenities provided by the local football club had hot showers for $1 (5min.) and clean toilets. Would definitely recommend this as a stopover for anyone.
Cheers,
Mark
It’s not oil, it’s sweat from all the horsepower !
Pit crew for : The Tardis - a ‘76 Sopru Campmobile
& Herman - the ‘71 White Low Light
Mark
It’s not oil, it’s sweat from all the horsepower !
Pit crew for : The Tardis - a ‘76 Sopru Campmobile
& Herman - the ‘71 White Low Light