10.6.2017 - Preparation and Planning = food, friends, fun and not much planning!

Sometime last year, the camping crew decided that The Big Red Bash - Music Festival, would be a great excuse for a getaway, with a range of other destinations thrown in for good measure.

Tickets were booked to the Big Red Bash and we were committed. Those 'in' for the 2017 adventure are as follows:

Meg, Stef & Milani - with the new Roof Top Tent
Jadon - with his new Range Rover and a few modifications to be completed to be ready to roll.
Steve and Carmel - towing a van this time!
Sarah and Michael - a new vehicle to be secured...purchase made and much fitting out to occur
Mary, Phil and Kate - a brand new Ultimate Camper and New Pajero - much fitting out to occur
John and Nicola - towing the Tvan, with the new Toyota Fortuner - some fitting out to occur.

Having a commitment , it was time to get together a few times, to sort of sort out some plans in between, BBQ's, Easter Eggs, Fireside chats.

Another new toy, Steve has himself a funky new Drone. Here we are fireside at Drouin, for a planning meeting.

With some significant between 'meeting' plans put in place and changes to weeks needed, who needs to do and see what...

The general outline goes something like this....

1.     Itinerary – Roughly!

a.     24^th June – Traralgon to Swan Hill via Echuca

b.     25^th June – Swan Hill to Broken Hill

c.     26^th June – Broken Hill to Cameron’s Corner

d.     27^th June – Cameron’s Corner to  Innamincka/Coongie

e.     28^th June  to 2^nd July – we have allowed for 3 days at Coongie and 2 days travel to Pandi Pandi but this is flexible and weather dependent.

f.     2^nd July – Pandy Pandy for Roast Night.

g.     3^rd July – Pandy Pandy to Big Red Bash via Birdsville

h.     7^th July to 9^th July -  Birdsville to near Lark Quarry (730km fuel range required)

i.      10^th July -  Look at dinosaur footprints at Lark Quarry then head in to Winton for fuel and (for those of us with 4 weeks or more) up towards Kynuna.

j.      11^th  July – Visit Combo Waterhole of Waltzing Matilda fame then on to Mt Isa

k.     12^th July – Mt Isa to Lawn Hill. We have a booking at Lawn Hill for the nights of 12,13,14 July

l.      15^th July – whatever..... 

North to Karumba for sunset and fish n chips before heading home.

Along the way Mary, Phil & Kate turn left and head for NT

Steve and Carmel will continue on touring towards Darwin.