Steve and Kez

That's another vote for Mary Pools and Lake Ellendale. Also make sure you visit Wolfe Creek Creator and Old Halls Creek. If you require any info on the Kimberley, let me know as we lived in the region for 18 months.................. we also lived in the Alice region for over 2 years, so we can probably help you out there too. Enjoy your trip

If they are the grey plastic (Kedron) tanks, they will be baffled as that is how they promote them............................... that should sort your baffle-ing problem

Hi Tony, Mine are the STZ which has now been replaced by the ATZ. they are a 50/50 pattern. I have just put Toyo Open Country AT on the Patrol and I an very happy with them so far. But I have only done 7,000kms on them. They are a very quiet tyre also (but compared to the Cooper ST Maxx.......... A D9 Dozer would be quiet) and have been fantastic in the wet. Look forward to catching up when your back Safe travels

Hi Leon/Tony, Be careful of the BFG's as the new pattern is no where as good as the old. This information has come from two BF dealers who are customers of mine. Both are getting poor performance and niggling issues with them and both have stopped recommending them. I have Mickys on my GM but they are 18". They have only done about 12,000k but I really do like them so far. Very quiet and have an excellent load rating.

Did they throw in a set of ear muffs? ...........................you will need them as they are just as noisy as a full on MT tyre after about 10,000kms. Plus they are not a good wet weather tyre

Hi Jaap Don't forget you still have to add all the extras to the weight of the C/Chas ...... Air con, B/Bar, Tow bar, radios and all the other crap we all seem to carry and forget about. I tend to agree with Merv........................I don't think there is much difference . Certainly not 350Kg. P.S: Trust me, You don't need to be a millionaire to have have a Chev/GMC or F Truck as I have a GMC and I am so poor that I can't pay attention ................................But I guess it would help. By the time to buy a new cruiser and then spend all the money setting up with beefed up suspension, elec brakes and all the other stuff, you are not far off the price of a good second hand Chev/GMC or F Truck or even a new one as they don't require all the beefed up suspension, elec brakes etc.

What a rough looking mob........................ Just as well that you are in Tassie...............you will fit in. That big bloke in the front looks like a 6 fingered banjo player if ever I saw one, but at least he seems to have all his teeth.

Geezzz, The quality of people is starting to decline rapidly. Say g'day to Rick and Lea for us please

LOL ........................ "Queenslanders can be a bit different" ......................... That is an understated comment if ever I have heard one

Hello Kakadu, While I am reading this forum, I have to say...........................isn't it about time you cleaned your engine bay ...............LOL

Hi Bryan, Just to add a bit of confusion to this matter. ................ sorry When I first purchased my GMC, it did the same thing (Or so it sounds). I rang Victorian American Auto's who did the conversion and they told me it was a common problem with a main fuse (a big square one). They got me to swap one out until I could get to a Holden dealer. However in the meantime they sent me 2 (only required 1) and I replaced it and it has been perfect ever since. This may not be the same issue but it does sound very similar Cheers Steve

Hello Jono and Becky, Arrrrrrrrrrrr ................ the memories. We too were newbies to caravanning when we picked up our shiny new TE back in Nov 2010 and oddly enough there was a gathering at Kalbar the next day, which we attended and showed it off with pride. We also learnt a hell of a lot from the more experienced (OLD) people about the van and caravanning in general. Since that proud moment, we have just competed 6 years of full-time travel and working around Oz and had the time of our lives. I don't think there are too many roads and outback locations we haven't been and the faithful (now old)TE has done it all trouble free. You have made a wise choice and we know you will have a great time with it. Good luck with it all and remember ...................... If your not living on the edge..............................your taking up too much room Cheers Steve & Kerry

Thanks Guys, I often thought about doing it, but never got around to it..........................maybe my wife is right in saying I'm lazy???????? .................nah Great effort guys and thanks for sharing it ............................I can now tell her I finally got it done

Hi Guys, Lake Hart is good, but can be busy at certain times of the year. You may also want to have a look at Wiki Camps We also do use the Camps Book, but find Wiki Camps much better as it has user comments and has a lot more detailed info and pics. You can down load the app to your phone or tablet for a very small amount. It was $2.00 7 years ago so it can't be much more now .............maybe??????

Hi Road Runner, Glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in Middle Lagoon and Cape Leveque. It is a shame you never got to meet Tammy. You are right about Herbie, he is very easy going and is never in a hurry. Did you happen to get to Cygnet Bay and do the Giant Tide tour.

Hi Road Runner, I am sure you will love the place. Please say hi to Tammy at Middle Lagoon for me. I did forget to mention that while in either Broome or Derby, you must do the Horizontal Waterfall tour. At first you may think it is expensive, but I can assure you that it is worth every dollar and more. It is truly a "Bucket List" thing to do. It is a bit cheaper to do out of Derby but it is a shorter tour too. Seaplane adventures are normally the best guys to do the tour................ very professional, but i am sure there are others just as good. Safe Travels

Hi Taka, I have travelled from Kalgoorlie along the old rail line and then up the Connie Sue Hwy to Neale Junction and then along the Anne Beadell Highway into the Victorian Desert into the Tjuntjuntjura Community a number of times for work and it was always in a reasonable condition .....except for rain of coarse. But as you would know, conditions change from day to day. That's why I gave up asking people and just did it and deal with the issues if they happen.

Hi Chris, While I am not sure of its current condition, I can tell you that it has black top from Alice all the way to Atitjere (Harts Range) and they are continually upgrading it on the NT side ........Qld side is usually crap .......as normal. I travelled it every 4 weeks for work and except for wet whether, it was always kept in good condition ........NT side that is

Hello Ted & Hermy, The road to Cape Leveque is never really good, but it changes every day. There is only 86 kms of sand/dirt from Broome to Beagle Bay and then it is beautiful black top for the rest of the way. If you let you tyre pressures down to about 22-25 on the van and take your time, you won't have an issue as it is only firm sand ..... not rocky dirt. You cant take your van to Cape Leveque as they only allow camper trailers ........It is over rated anyway. The place to stay is Middle Lagoon. You can take your van no problems. The owner is Tammy (a truly lovely aboriginal lady and used to work for me) and the manager is Herbie. You will not regret going there....... it is spectacular. Ask her boys to take you crabbing and then ask Tammy to make Chilli Crab......................it is to die for. When you do go to Cape Leveque, make sure to pencil in lunch at Cygnet Bay pearl farm. It is first class food (try the pearler's samplers plate and a bucket of prawns). They also do a fantastic "Giant Tide" boat tour there. Try and do the "Out going" tide if you can as it is more spectacular then the "incoming" tide............. it is still amazing ....just not as much. Cape Leveque has always been "hit or miss" when it comes to food but they do do a great pizza and it is a beautiful place to watch the sun set as is Middle lagoon. If you do stay at Middle Lagoon, you must also go just down the road to Whale Song for a lunch. It to is a beautiful location and has fantastic food. There is also a whale research centre next door and they are always happy to see visitors as not many people know of it. Make sure you have a good set of binoculars as if the season is right, you can whale watch from the shore at Middle Lagoon and Whale Song. Plus, don't forget to visit the church at Beagle Bay and say hi to Father Hillary. There is also a fish hatchery at Bardie (One Arm Point) worth a visit and call in to Lombadina Community and drive onto the beach. It is the most beautiful beach you will see in the area. If you need any other info, just contact me as I lived at Beagle Bay for 18 months and managed the store there. I have dragged my van up and down that road about 20 times I recon and never had an issue P.S. you will need minimum 100lb fishing line if you want to go fishing. Any fish under 18 inches you use for live bait Cheers Steve

Hi John & Lynne, Welcome to KOG. I am sure you will love being on the road full-time. We have just finished 6 years of being permanently on the road and loved every second of it. once our house is built we will most likely go again. Travel safe and enjoy the ride

Tony, Tony, Tony............................ you have far too much free time and by the looks of it, you spend it drinking or "medicating". How could you not have got 6??????? I am beginning to understand why you moved to that aged care facility

Hello Colin, Have you consulted with Victorian American Autos ( as I believe they are the guys who converted it, from our previous conversation) as I have always found that they are extremely helpful and can source parts quickly and very competitively. They also carry a hell of a lot of stock (spares) as they have been in the business over 30 years. I have a some friends who have purchased vehicles from them and are of the same opinion Steve

Hi Mickanann, Personally I use a grease that contains Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly) (Black) , but any good quality Lithium Complex base (EP2) wheel bearing grease is suitable. Just make sure it is a reputable brand as in the big picture, grease is very cheap preventive maintenance Cheers Steve

FIFTY SHEDS OF GREY The novel “Fifty Shades Of Grey” has seduced women – and baffled blokes. Now, Fifty Sheds Of Grey, offers a treat for the men. The book has author Colin Grey recounting his love encounters at the bottom of the garden. Here are some extracts... Fifty Sheds Of Grey We tried various positions – round the back, on the side, up against a wall... but in the end we came to the conclusion the bottom of the garden was the only place for a good shed. She stood before me, trembling in my shed. “I’m yours for the night,” she gasped, “You can do whatever you want with me.” So I took her to Bunning’s. She knelt before me on the shed floor and tugged gently at first, then harder until finally it came. I moaned with pleasure. Now for the other boot. Ever since she read THAT book, I’ve had to buy all kinds of ropes, chains and shackles. She still manages to get into the shed, though. “Put on this rubber suit and mask,” I instructed, calmly. “Mmmm, kinky!” she purred. “Yes,” I said, “You can’t be too careful with all that asbestos in the shed roof.” “I’m a very naughty girl,” she said, biting her lip. “I need to be punished.” So I invited my mum to stay for the weekend. “Harder!” she cried, gripping the workbench tightly. “Harder!” “Okay,” I said. “What’s the gross national product of Nicaragua?” I lay back exhausted, gazing happily out of the shed window. Despite my concerns about my inexperience, my rhubarb had come up a treat. “Are you sure you can take the pain?” she demanded, brandishing stilettos. “I think so,” I gulped. “Here we go, then,” she said, and showed me the receipt. “Hurt me!” she begged, raising her skirt as she bent over my workbench. “Very well,” I replied. “You’ve got fat ankles and no dress sense.” “Are you sure you want this?” I asked. “When I’m done, you won’t be able to sit down for weeks.” She nodded. “Okay,” I said, putting the three-piece suite on eBay. “Punish me!” she cried. “Make me suffer like only a real man can!” “Very well,” I replied, leaving the toilet seat up.

So it is kind of like having a hamburger and a diet coke................. you know it is not really right,...........but you feel better for doing it .....................LOL At least the effort is more than most do.