4WD Days in the Eastern Goldfields
ROLY DIMER TOUR
Log Date: Autumn 2005
Tripnote: My wife and I recently travelled the Roly Dimer Tour following the trip notes as set out in the 4WD Days in the Eastern Goldfields of WA. We found that the trip notes and GPS waypoints to be “spot on” except for the following observations:
Near Koolyanobbing in your trip notes reads: “1.13km Xrds (haulpack road) (wpt 2G) Stop then KSO”. This spot has now changed in that when you cross over the haul road, there is a new track that bears right and the original track, as written in your notes, now bears to the left.
There is a large green sign showing direction, but it is poorly situated and indicates the road to take to be the right hand track. This right hand track will lead to BCG's site office and the road train maintenance area and main haul road.Between Koolyanobbing and Pittosporum Road, there are numerous sidetracks that have been created by the mining company personnel and can easily be confused with the correct track to take, but if one has downloaded the waypoints into the GPS, it becomes less confusing.
Another bad spot is between Pittosporum Rock and Ives Rock. The track in some areas is heavily overgrown and poorly defined and very rough with washouts, especially between Pittosporum Rock and Kurrajong Rock. Once past Kurrajong Rock the track is more easily defined but still overgrown with fairly deep washouts.
The Xrds at Ives Rock (Wpt 2U) are heavily overgrown and can be easily missed if care is not taken when approaching.
We also found the area to be extremely dry. Rock holes we found had dried up some time ago, so it would be advisable to carry extra water.
Many thanks for providing the information that enabled us to travel the tour with a minimum of trouble.
Michael Pratt
Atwell
LUIGI CAPPA TOUR - TRIP 12
Log Date: Summer 2004
Tripnote: In September, Peter Hewitson of York 4x4 reported that a gate at Wpt 12w on this trip had been fenced across. Since then our fantastic friends from Norseman, Mark and the very slim Jo (to say nothing of the dog, Dixie), have cleared the track along the fenceline to Wpt 12y. Future travellers will TR at 8.22km (Wpt 12w) and follow this new fenceline track northwards for about 5km to Wpt 12y where they will TR again, ignoring Wpt 12x.
4WD Days out of Perth
DOWN AROUND THE COALFIELDS - TRIP 5
Log Date: Summer 2004
Tripnote: Ashley Pearce of Bunbury has reported a large washaway making part of this route impassable. This water damage is at Yukon Road (trip note 0.04km XRDS with gate on RHS). This was always a fairly extreme section so, until volunteers from Track Care can carry out repairs, travellers are advised to TL onto Yukon Road and use Myles Road to exit onto South Western Highway.
Log Date: Summer 2005
Tripnote: 0.75km TR onto shoreline. At the time of writing, Wellington Dam is overflowing and the 770m of shoreline at this trip note is under water. We recommend you miss this section until the level drops. At 19.50km TR onto Wight Rd (Wpt 4) KSO instead of turning right and go 7.32km TR onto Falcon Rd. Further on at trip note: 0.41km XRDS with gate on RHS: Along this fenceline the track has deteriorated significantly due to people driving on it in winter. If you are relatively inexperienced at 4w driving, we suggest you turn left at this point then left again to head out to Myles Ave. Turn right at Myles and right at Mornington to get to South West Highway. If readers are interested in helping to repair this track over summer, call Nick on 9291 8303 to register your interest in having a weekend’s work and party on the track.
MOORE RIVER SANDPLAIN - TRIP 9
Log Date: Autumn 2005
Tripnote: 16.56km Sandtrack on RHS (WPT3) TR A gate has been erected here but can be bypassed by 4W Drivers using this book. The gate should be closed behind you. It is important that travellers stay on the firebreak and do not venture to the east as CALM is planning to release the endangered Western Swamp Tortoise into the nature reserve.
Log Date: Summer 2005
16.56km sandtrack on RHS. WPT 3TR. A report has come in this turn is still blocked. CALM agreed some time ago to remove the blockage so we will follow up and get it sorted.
CSR Deviation
Dawn Martin from Cunyu station has advised of a new track from well 3 on the Canning stock route running 20km to 3km east of well 3a. This well signposted track runs along the eastern side of a creek with tight crossings over a number of tributaries. The trackcare sign has been shifted from well 3a to well 3. Travellers will need to carry their own water through Cunyu as the CSR now does not pass any of Cunyu’s stock watering mills.Wanjarri Wanderings
Edition 56 page 21
Since I wrote the article on Wanjarri, access has changed. There is now a mine pit on the access road. The new access road is as follows: Turn off the Leinster Road as before and travel 2.9km east on the bitumen. Turn south (right) and travel for 4.5km then east (left) for 11km. This will take you past a bore, a few bends and the nature reserve sign. Then turn north (left) along the gas pipeline for 8.4km to get to the shed. Further down the track the western boundary track will change but I don’t have details of that at this stage. Garry Hearle.Bombs Away
We have just been advised the army intends to close permanently, access through the bombing range north of Lancelin to Wedge Island. This will require a deviation to the east or up the Beach. This is supposed to happen on the 1st Jan. 06. We’ll suss it out and keep you informed.
COLLIE CLIMBS - TRIP 10
Log Date: Summer 2004
Tripnote: Christina Gilbert of CALM advises that Sneaker Road, at trip note 1.83km (Wpt 11) on the above trip remains closed. Although the track has been upgraded, a prescribed burn has been prevented due to wet weather.
CALM has decided to keep the track closed until the burn has been completed, so travellers will need to continue on River Road and Wellington Dam Road to exit onto Coalfields Road.
Log Date: Winter 2005
Tripnote: The seasonal closure of Lennard track along the Collie River requires a deviation as follows:
5.33km XRDS immediately over bridge.
WPT 4. KSO on River Rd (bitumen)
3.08km T Junct. TR
0.69km T Junct. TR on Pile Rd
0.68km Track on RHS VR (1080 Poison Sign)
0.70km Trackon LHS KSO
2.22km Fork (top of Sailors Gully) BL
2.89km Fork BL.
1.15km Fork BL.
0.90km Track joins on RHS KSO
0.41km You should now be at: 0.53km. XRDS (Lennard Rd). Turn left along
fence line. Next note is 0.46km fork BL.
GNANGARA PARK - TRIP 13
Log Date: Summer 2004
Tripnote: Feedback from Patrick McNally has alerted us to a missing instruction in these trip notes at p.97 of the above publication. After ‘0.37km Xrds (Wpt 5): TR up hill' insert ‘0.13km Xrds: TR.' Sorry ‘bout that folks, from a red-faced Mr E.
A tyre sign has now been placed at the offending intersection - Ed
OTHER
DUNN'S TRACK
Log Date: Summer 2004
Tripnote: John Tucker of Hopetoun reports that the track is clean and dry with no water damage from winter rains. Creek crossings are rock hard at present and the wildflowers make a great show. He has also let us know that, due to problems with wild dogs in this region, CALM has initiated a Wild Dog Control Program along the track in addition to the usual 1080 poison program. This includes the use of firearms and steel-jawed traps treated with strychnine. Warning signs have been erected and travellers are advised to stay clear of signposted areas.
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For more information phone (08) 9291 8303