RodnSue

Thanks Russ such a great read. I'm looking forward to reading the next chapters & your trek north. cheers Sue

Hi Russ like wise. We shall call in to see you & Sue when we get there this year as well.....hopefully sometime in June. Perhaps whilst you're there, you could encourage the NP rangers up that way how wonderful the WA system of NP caretakers is & adopt their system instead of this silly Qld pre-booking with having 1/2 full camp grounds in reality when the online site says "Full" :-) Cheers Sue

Thanks Rod & Mavis for putting on another great gathering. Looking at your blog pics shows we all had a great time @ the NYE party & down by the river was pretty gorgeous for the few days we all were there as well, listening to the bleeting sheep, creek running & bird life was very relaxing :-) Will certainly be going back there again another time..... Sue

Chris, with chequerplate remaining shiny would mean that we're not getting onto the dirt :-) We would like to wish all Kedron owners & your families a very Merry Christmas & a Merry New Year too, with 2014 filled with lots of happiness, travel & safety. Sue & Rod

Hello Every one Some of you will know that Rod & I travelled to Canada & Alaska recently for 2/12. I have only just started writing my blog of the trip. For any of you who may be interested in visiting these 2 beautiful countries my new blog name is below in my signature. There are many, many more chapters yet to come with a selection of over 2,000 photos to add to it I hope you enjoy it Sue

Ouch, now I feel guilty Rick & Lea. I hope better times & health are just around the corner by early June for the both of you. cheers Sue

Hi Colin & other Kedron adventurers on the OutBack Way Tour We wish you all a fantastic & safe journey. We would have joined you but for 1 thing.....on 1st June (your start date) we're leaving on a jet plane for Canada - the western side that is for 8 weeks Hopefully we will meet up with some of you later in the year @ the next KOG gathering to hear all about your tour. Until then, have a safe & fun holiday Cheers Sue

Gini, wait 'til you get to WA....the whole state has lots to offer as well :-)

Hi Gini you're welcome to any info I can help with. The drive into Palm Valley was slow, but well worth it. The scenery along the track is beautiful. The last 2kms or so from memory are true 4x4, crawling over boulders etc. Our Patrol did it with ease. Some of the walking when you get there will depend on how you are on the day but if you stay in the valley, it's not too strenuous. There are magnificent 200 - 300 yr old Red Cabbage Palms & Cycads. If you're in the area & you have some more time, Roma Gorge is also worth a visit. There are many Petroglyphs at the end of the walk into the gorge. I don't think the walk was any more than a couple hundred mtrs. Roma Gorge is along the same road as Palm Valley. It is sign posted, but only at the turn off into it. (2011) I love looking at my pics for info when I answer some one's questions :-) Enjoy. cheers Sue

Hi Gini I agree with what Jacky Jacky says. We were there 2 yrs ago & think it is “Kakado” as well. I don’t know why folk say “Kakadon’t”. The place isn’t green like the brochures show, but this is now leading into the dry season & areas must be burned to keep the high grasses under some control against wild fire storms when lightening strikes next wet season. There are at least 3 or 4 National Park camp grounds to stay, approx $10 pp/n mid June 2011 (other than Cooinda & Jabiru caravan park – unless you need 240 volt electricity.) Gunlom Falls is about 10 kms slightly corrugated road to get into, but worth it. Camp ground is in front of the falls. There’s also Mardugal & Muinella Campground, that are closer to your next lot of touring. Gosh there’s another camp area closer to Ubirr as well on the NW side of the road, but I didn’t write it in my diary & remember name, but it is has more trees). Your van will be safe in all these areas. Mardugal & Muinella has more open areas for the solar panels. We’re a strange lot aren’t we – most other vanners want shade & we need sun  Twin Falls was still closed in mid June 2011, but Jim Jim Falls opened just few days earlier. (late wet season) The Yellow waters cruise is worth it – we did the sunrise cruise to catch the birds. If you like local culture there’s also a cruise up East Aligator River. We also did the Corroboree lagoon Cruise, staying at Corroboree Park for $15. (I’m a bird watcher, hence the extra cruises) Litchfield is also worth a separate trip. There are several places to visit there as well with water falls, cascades etc. From memory there’s at least 2 places to stay. I could be wrong. We stayed @ Litchfield Safari park for $10 pp/n. I think the other is near Wangi Falls. I hope this helps you. I hope that both you & Frank enjoy the experience & the Top End. Cheers Sue

Hi Rod & Mavis thanks heaps for all that info & the link, which has been down loaded & viewed. Your concise reply has provided the full picture when you consider all the choices. As you say, lots of add ons to have, with all of them adding to the pleasure, comfort & ease of loading etc. Have fun travelling to the Cape & I look forward in reading it as you go as internet service permits. cheers Sue

Hi Rod & Mavis Happy & safe travels to the both of you. Am looking forward in reading of your adventure to the Cape. There'll be no excuses for me as I've just signed in for updates on your new additions to the blog. I wonder how long the Stockmans Hall of Fame has been opened for as it was closed earlier this year due to financial probs? Must be running on skeleton staff, supplies & $$ it seems 'til the happy season is in full swing to at least light the place It's such a shame your experience there was marred as I thought it was great in 2011. You've brought back a few memories with a few places you've visited incl the free camps. We had a small feed of Red Claw from the river @ Boulia....even had to borrow a recipe from another vanner as I had no idea how best to prepare a nice feed with the 6 Rod caught. Rod wants to know what type / brand of kayak you guys have as Rod is seriously thinking of getting 1 as well cheers for now Sue

Great advice Sue (Webby) Cathy & Greg we also experienced the dreaded coffee jar & sugar spilling in cupboard whilst travelling along the GRR. Even our spice jars that were in a basket still spilled their contents with lids rattling open.. I then placed electrical tape across each row of the spices. We also had larger plastic containers of various sizes in cupboards & under the bed for liquid / pantry items that may eventually spill out. Some unused lids also acted as another precaution under the plastic containers... Cleaning up 2 litres of cordial that spills its entire contents after rubbing against a corner of another container is no fun. Re the extra gas bottle - if your fridge is like ours & is electrical only, then you shouldn't run out of gas with just 2 bottles. We only turned the gas on for a hot shower 10 mins before shower, the general cooking & heating water on the stove for morning coffee & washing up each night had our bottles last just about 3 months. Hopefully others can give you an example how long their 9kg cylinder will last. If you have any vents on the back of the van, gaffer tape them up too. (If this is the case, there is a cover that can be made to go over it, instructions are in hints & tips put up by Rod & Mavis) Have a great trip Sue

Hi Geoff I can't help you with the electric kettles, sorry. During our 1st shake down trip, we tried an old copper based kettle that we used to use on our camping trips decades ago. It took too long to heat the water, so we resorted to using just 1 of the saucepans with a lid that's in the cupboard to boil our water using the gas stove. It's less stuff in our cupboards to carry around by not bothering with the electric models. cheers Sue

Hi Tony & Leone welcome to a KOG who are a great group of people. We've just had our 2nd gathering & had a wonderful time. I can't comment on most of the areas you request info on, & I look forward in reading others replies for our trip that way next year. I can advise on 2 places...Lloyd Jones Weir - 15Km SW Barcaldine- site no* 346 in the Camps Australia Book. There tends to be many long termers there through winter, even in May, so I would advise getting there before 2pm is possible. Long Waterhole - 2km outside Winton on the road to Jundah. Site no* 359. We were camped there just for 1 night, but could have stayed a couple more it was so pretty & peaceful. Hope this helps you Have a safe & fun trip cheers Sue

Hi Muz & Jen I couldn’t agree more with the above comments re the GRR. I also recommend the Horizontal Falls flight. If you can, place plastic trays under the bottled liquids – we had a full cordial bottle pierced from a box of bread mix sitting just under it…what a blimey mess we had when we got to Hahn R camp…thankfully there was plenty of water in the river to clean out under the bed where the entire contents of said cordial bottle spilled. I wasn’t meticulous enough apparently with placing things under the bed. If you don’t want to pre book a van park in Broome, head off to the info centre in Broome between 10 & 11am. In 2011 they placed the names of the van parks & overflow parks onto a blackboard. I assume they still do this. Make a ph call to your chosen park before you leave the info centre to secure your spot as they may go quickly. We stayed at the Gun Club for $25 / night for all up 7 nights – 3 + 2 + 2 – the middle 2 nights we left the van locked up whilst we tented up at Whale Song on Cape Laveque. We didn’t require a powered spot & the amenities were clean. We weren’t crammed in like sardines, but there wasn’t any grass. Have a fantastic trip. The water falls at Manning & Bell Gorges were fantastic late July due to a late cyclone that year. Cheers Sue

Hi Russ n Sue many thanks for the link to a great read with the 1st installment of your travels. I think I'd be stir crazy after 9/12 of being continuously on beck & call to guests 24/7 too. You've certainly earned your much anticipated holiday. Will wait with anticipation to read more of your adventures. Stay safe & cool & I hope you have a ball. cheers Sue

Hi Steve & Kez how's temps in Alice atm? You'll hopefully find a huge difference when you get to Esperance. We were there in Nov 2011. The whole area is really pretty. I can't recommend a van park unfortunately, but avoid the Acclaim Pine Grove if you can. It's on the main road from Noresman & 100's of grain trucks pass through there from 0530 - 2200 going to the port that's on the western side of the bay Although it was harvesting season, things may have changed for now. The park is beautifully grassed though. I've also read on another van forum that the van park overlooking the shore line is rather squeezy & you're on dirt & folks giving the thumbs down for that reason. Will it still be school holidays when you get there, 'cos you may have to book ahead? As for Esperence itself...we loved it. The Lake outside town is lovely to visit. Esperence is noted for having some fantastic beaches. The "Ocean Drive" is a must do. Take your time & take your swimmers with you if you can. Start from the Lookout over town & you'll know what I mean when you view the many beach coves to the west from up there. Another great place to visit is Cape Le Grand. You may have trouble getting in there during the school hols & w/e as well, but it is well worth the stay for a few days. We stayed @ Lucky Bay, but some other folks may say the other camp ground as it's more secluded - it depends on your likes. I hope you love your visit to the southern shores of WA. We loved it all. cheers Sue

Retirement Home.....what retirement home? I don't plan on wanting a need for a retirement home in my later years... Now to those of you who are still working....no names mentioned :-) blink & you'll be retired too....time goes that fast Merry New Year to you all again, see ya in 3 wks Sue

Merry New Year everyone....was that a Merry start to 2013 with celebrations last night / today?? Am looking forward in spending some more time on the road this year now that Roddy has joined me in retirement as of last week. Am also looking forward in meeting more KOG owners out there on the road or w/e's gatherings, starting with Oz day long w/e. See you there Rod & Mavis & others coming along. Happy New Year Sue

Hi Reece Another vote for the the Diggers Stain & Rust remover. I used it on the checker plate & just the front of the chassis after our trip to the west in 2011. All areas came up beautifully with the dull red Pilbara stain gone. I couldn't be bothered with the rest of the chassis - 1 it's back breaking work & 2 it all depends on how fussy you want to be. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly like Richard mentioned. Hi Sue, yep, I think you've got dust in your eyes...lol. once you put your lovely van next to some of those somewhat non off roaders, you'll probably want a cleaner unit :-) After a while, you may want some shine other than the dullness from the Pilbara dust on the checker plate :-) Happy travels when you finally get away from that area. mmmm Geraldton, that'll be a nice sea change from Karatha. cheers Sue

Quote "Nike I referred to is the sports shoe, sports wear brand that has the motto "Just Do It". Not a bad motto for life especially when you get to my age! Alaska and Canada will be wonderful. Those polar bears will make our camels look timid! Don't sleep out under the stars!! Regards and thanks, Colin" end quote Thanks Colin ROTFL re the NIKE... not. Silly me I thought it must have been an acronym for something more meaningful to go along with "Just Do It"..... I do hope we see some bears...Brown, Polar, or what ever colour bear that won't matter to me. But we promise not to sleep out under the stars for this trip just in case we have an encounter of the not so desired kind. Seeing a camel along some of the roads would be special as well & we didn't see any on The Merennie Loop like other folks have Hears hoping for you in seeing some camels. cheers Sue

Hi Lesley & Erich I'm really sorry for the s-l-o-w reply. We didn't take any extra H2O apart from the vans full tanks - 180 L I think we have. The geocaching sounds like a fun way to go to stop at places you'd otherwise pass. Hi Colin, You can get some ideas from my blog pics if you have time to look. They're separated into chapters so you don't have to plod your way through too much to find what you need. I don't write too much either & let the pics do the talking. Am really sorry to hear about your friends. We never know what's around the corner for ourselves or those close to us. I have to ask as I'm rather uneducated on short hand.... what is a NIKE? I've always loved the motto "don't put off to tomorrow for what can be done today" Would love to tag along with you all, as I think it would be fun, but we have plans to go to Canada /Alaska next June / July. Perhaps another time. Have a great time Sue

Hi Colin, Erich & Lesley We did the Plenty Hwy last year with relative ease (it being our 1st off road experience) Tobermorey was closed last year, so we took 2x20L diesel in jerries as extra fuel. For safety we put $50 in @ Gem Tree @ $2.10/L. Our Patrol has 135L capacity for it’s 2 fuel tanks with consumption of about 20L/100km or a bit over. We got to Jervois mid afternoon from Boulia with a couple of tourist stops along the way. I think Jervois has fuel as well. Would you consider doing the Merennie Loop to see Kings Canyon? It is a beautiful place to visit & did the rim walk early morning as it needs a couple of hrs. We stayed @ Glen Helen van park for 2 nights on the way through to Kings Canyon. The 1st 45mins was pretty corrugated, but nothing fell apart. The next 1.25 hrs was as smooth as a babies b.. If you consider the Merennie Loop, the permit can be obtained from Glen Helen at just a few $$ (less than $10) Fuel @ Glen Helen was $2.06/ L. I can’t comment beyond Yulara, & The Olgas as we headed back to The Alice & then north to Darwin. Besides the usual spots around the West MacDonnells, we also visited Roma Gorge & Finke Gorge with Palm Valley. We also took a rough trip out to Rainbow Valley. If you consider going to the latter, I recommend you get yourselves an insect net to go over your heads / faces. Our backs were covered in little black bush flies. I hope you all have a wonderful trip. Cheers Sue

Welcome I and D to being a Kedron Owner. You won't be disappointed in your van. Our ATV is also our 1st van, & is only 16' internally, so we know what a beautiful baby you have The Kedron team have great after sales support. They don't mind a phone call from us owners, no matter how trivial the ?? may be. Do consider becoming a financial member (small fee only) if you already aren't & you will have the benefits of reading more in the other parts of this great forum. Also, Kedron owners have regular get togethers some where out there in this great country. Have fun exploring with your new baby cheers Sue