Tolley

Chris, Thank you for your good advice. We actually travelled the GRR this time in 2011. We do have the two poodles so we cannot legally stay in the NP camp areas. That is no trouble as there are plenty of other options. We are not great fans of El Questro and now that the road from Kununurra is sealed all the way to ElQuestro I suspect we will like it even less!!! The laundry issue is not an issue as we have a front loader in the van. Today I spoke to a traveller wo has just arrived here in Broome via the GRR. He says that the road is great all the way to this side of HVS and then it is rough all the way to El Questro. We will start the GRR next Wednesday. Kind regards Colin

Jayson, my apologies for not responding sooner. The advice from Chris is spot on. If you scroll back through this thread you will find all the planning documents we used. Generally they are attached as pdf's. Please use them if they are of use to you. My only direct advice is "just do it". It is a good trip and you will love it. BTW, what sort of a rig do you have? Regards Colin

Wow! That is well done Andrew and Sally. I will gather that and keep it. A bit of fun, eh! We are in Broome. Had a couple of great sunsets with Jane and Grant on Cable beach. See pics attached. Yes, let's ensure we keep in touch. Colin and Gayleen.

Hi Lionel and Margaret, We are now in Broome. Be here until next Monday when we depart for Derby. We got close but missed. Better luck next time. Travel safely. Regards Colin

Andrew and Sally, great photos. It was fun and that Gemtree camp oven roast was delicious. I was so pleased when they came around with seconds! We are in Broome arriving yesterday. Coincidentally, Grant, Jane, Greg and Cathy arrived in Broome yesterday as well. We had a curry dinner together at Matso's brewery last night. Very pleasant. We will be here until Monday when we move to Derby from where we will make the Horizontal Waterfalls trip before heading along the Gibb RR again. All is good here and I hope all turned out well for you both in Sydney. Regards Colin

We would love to get with you at Cape K but, as explained, we cannot. Off into the Pilbra tomorrow. Gayleen went swimming with the whale sharks today and became very seasick. Big swells after the storms. However, she loved the experience. We will keep in touch. Colin

Hi Tony, How is it with the GC's? As you may have gathered the trip was just great. Everyone got along like houses on fire, a great bunch of people. The roads were better than expected. All in all a great experience. I am working on a trip report at present. The weather here has been ordinary for a few days - rain. Starting to clear but still poor to our north. Trust you are thriving. Regards Colin

Lionel and Margaret, We leave Exmouth on Thurs am headed for Tom Price. Will be in the Pilbra for three days. We will hit the coast near you but, unfortunately, Cape K where you are does not welcome Cherie and Moët, our two poodles! Don't they get it that they are poodles, not dogs!!! We will probably spend a night at Pardoo. Regards Colin

Hello Lionel & Margaret, Thanks for the info. We are sitting in Exmouth where it has ben raining quite heavily. Yesterday and the day before we have had 50-100 mm on each day! Hence we have extended our stay here until Saturday in the hope the rain will clear not only here but in the Pilbra and along the coast to Broome. We have not been to Cape Keraudren so I will have a look and see if we can include a visit as we go north. I'll keep you posted. Wow! The road to El Questro from Kununurra is sealed! That will make the Jayco's happy!! I know, from BOM that the GRR has had a good bit of rain with more in the next few days. Like all these things we will wait and see what is when we get there. BTW, caravanning in the rain ain't much fun, is it?? Regards Colin

Hi Nev & Penny, We are in the Ningaloo CP in Exmouth where it is pissing with rain! Had lunch with Grant & Jane in Coral Bay on our way past. The forecast is for widespread rain in the Pilbra and coast all the way to Broome over the next four days so we might stay put here until the end of the week. Looking forward to catching up with you as we'll as Greg and Cath. Regards Colin

Ian and Sue, I am really disappointed that I did not realize you we're in Geraldton! We were there, as were three other Outback Wayers, two days ago. I am now in Carnarvon, overnight, headed to Exmouth tomorrow where we will dive with the whale sharks. Thanks for the info on GRR. I have looked at the WA roads website but I would like to hear from a Kogger who has recently done the GRR. After Exmouth we are off to Tom Price etc in the Pilbra before heading to Broome and then Derby. Would have loved to have caught up with you in Geraldton. Regards Colin

Hello Koggers, I am in Kalbarri and heading north via the Pilbra. In a couple of weeks I have intended to cross the Kimberly via the Gibb. I am getting reports that the Gibb is/was closed due to some unseasonal heavy rain. Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the condition of the Gibb? I am familiar with the Gibb having crossed it in 2011. It was at that time like all dirt roads, good, bad and indifferent. Any recent information will be appreciated. Regards Colin

The Great Victoria Desert. This camp spot is called Desert Surf Central, an unusual name. While stopped here fellow Kedron owner, Mad Dog (KOG website name) turned up to say hello. They were travelling in company with others, not Kedrons. A great camp spot that we enjoyed. Regards Colin

Thank you Webby. It has been a lot of fun for me doing the planning and then getting to know and becoming friends with a great bunch of people. In the days ahead both Gayleen and I will miss the company of our group. May I also add my thanks to Stewart Tonks for the willing help he offered and delivered. The Pic below was taken yesterday afternoon on our arrival in Leonora, the end of our trip together. Regards Colin .

Hello Everyone, After what can only be described as a wonderful trip from Winton in Queensland we have arrived in Leonora, at the end of the Outback Way, with ten Kedrons covered in red stain and WA mud! Tonight we had a "Sunday Roast" at the Central Hotel in Leonora. Tomorrow, we disperse, sadly, as many good friendships have been made and we shall miss one another's company. The trip has been characterised by great scenery, wonderful campfires, a depth of group repair skills, many laughs, good weather and good fortune.. The trip was approximately 2,400 km of dirt roads through remote parts of our beautiful country. We had only two punctures and given we had 80 wheels on the ground, that is a good result. Over the next few weeks I, and perhaps others, will post some photos of the trip for all to enjoy. Should you consider doing the Outback Way? I think our group would shout a big YES! The attached pic was taken at dawn in a free camp area west of Warburton. Regards to all, Colin

Rick and Lea, Gayleen says she is with you. Bit of a bed bug my Gayleen! Koggers has it! A Koggel of Keddies! Regards Colin

Not too many neighbours out here. Our camp at Sleeping Woman, Along the Plenty.

Relaxing at Old Ambalindum HS East Macca's. Ian & Sue, looks like the wives club in the foreground

Having a brew along the Binns Track between Gemtree and Old Ambalindum Homestead in East MacDonnells NT. L to R, Maureen, John and Noel.

Dawn at Sleeping Woman, a line of hills, along the Plenty in NT.

A gaggle of Keddies west of the Middleton Hotel between Winton and Boulia.

Happy campers along the Plenty Road.

Happy Outback Wayers at the Qld NT border.

Hello, We are now all safely in Alice, doing our own thing for four days. Yesterday and today we had a great drive from Gemtree along the Binns Track. Everybody enjoyed the drive and the magnificent scenery of the East MacDonnell Ranges. What magnificent country. It is so ancient it is awe inspiring. Today has been restocking etc for Phase 2. It is spitting rain in Alice but I do not expect the rain to affect our plans. Phase 1 went too quickly, it was such an enjoyable time. We will have ten vans in Phase 2, across the GCR. If the internet permits, I will post some photos from Phase 1 from Ayers Rock in to next day or two. Can't believe how busy the Alice is with the Finke Desert Races happening!! Regards to all, Colin

Hello Everyone, We are in Gemtree. The Plenty Hwy was dusty but smooth except for the last bit as we approached Gemtree. We are sorry to learn that Erich and Lesley are withdrawing from the trip and we were all disappointed that they did not catch up with us at Tobermorey. As the Trip Leader I might be biased but I am confident that all participants would agree that we have had a great time. Good company in some beautiful country all sharing a great experience. This morning we are off to Old Ambalindum HS for our last night together before four days of doing your own thing in the Alice area. We have lots of great photos and I am sure some will appear on this site soon. Regards to all. Colin