The first white men to travel through this country were the explorers, John McDouall Stuart, William Kekwick and Benjamin Head. On 11 April 1860, whilst travelling north along the Hugh River they discovered a large water hole. Stuart named this waterhole Owen Springs. One of the results of this discovery led to the Overland Telegraph Line […]

Uncle Milton and I set off at a leisurely pace in the fresh coolness of a Peterborough morning, heading west. The town of Orroroo, slipped by as the name could slip off your tongue and we headed for Wilmington to buy fuel from our favourite outlet. We cruised over and down Horrocks’ Pass to see the […]

The fourth of December, year two thousand and two, turned out to be the day for chasing the shadow. They came from far and wide to see the moon block out the sun. Ceduna on the far west coast of South Australia became a mini city for a few days. Sleepy little Lyndhurst in the far […]

The bash plate that protects the underbelly of our Landcruiser scraped loudly over the jagged dolomite splinters, as we crunched slowly over the exposed limestone ridges. I inched the vehicle forward in first gear low range until it had cleared the obstacle. Then I had a quick look underneath. No worries, just a few marks, I […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1994 As we rush headlong through time towards the dawn of the 21st century a myriad of changes in technology and social structures are taking place. There is a concentrated push by governments of states and countries to develop infrastructures that will carry the populace through into the future, enhancing diversification […]

1994 Solo trek from Bililuna to Wiluna in Western Australia.  Some photos updated 2011 We did a Solo north/south crossing of the Canning Stock Route commencing at Alice Springs and along the Tanami Road via Billiluna Station in the north and visiting Wells 51 to 1 and on to the goldmining town of Wiluna in the […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine March 1993 Driving into the early morning sunrise along the scarp of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges you can smell the pure aroma of the Gidgee bush. This rugged part of Central Australia contrasts with the red soils of the ever advancing desert from the east. Scattered thickets of Witchetty shrubs, fuchsia, […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine August 1992. Some photo updates 2011 Back up! Back up! I called to my mates on the radio. Once again we had come to a creek at a point that was impossible to cross. I got out of the vehicle and walked through the six feet high spear grass to find […]

A waterfall in Central Australia!! Not many would believe you. But sure enough, there it was, hidden away behind a facade river gums, mulga scrub and acacia bushes. Fern Falls Forest   Although not a raging waterfall by tropical standards, a shower of water cascades gently down a series of small waterfalls. Located in the Chewings […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1989. Republished here 2002. Photos updated 2011 Like the Gagudju Clan of Aboriginal people, who spent the past millennia in the northern half of the Western Arnhemland and the Kakadu Escarpment, the Jawoyn people inhabited the upper reaches of what white man named the South Alligator River, to the north, and […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1988. Republished here 2002. Photos updated 2011 It took me more that a few minutes to catch my breath, and regain my composure, as I stood poised on a scraggy sandstone pillar on the edge of the Koolendong Valley. I had just completed a seven kilometre bush walk from our camp […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1988 Trust the Northern Territory Government to come up with a breakthrough in the conservation of our natural heritage. Far away from the hustle and bustle of southern politics and bureaucratic bungling all interested parties have had an input into the Territory’s newest conservation and recreation park. The politicians wanted it, […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1988. Republished here 2002. Photos revamped 2011 Has it ever crossed your mind to hook up that camper trailer or caravan to the rear of your four wheel drive, to attach the dinghy to the roof rack and to set off on a journey of a lifetime around Australia? Has it […]

Published in 4×4 Australia Magazine 1988 Squinting at a map of the Australian continent you will see a piece of land jutting out of the north western end of Arnhemland, almost as far to the north in degrees latitude as the tip of Cape York itself. This bit of landfall is Cobourg Peninsula. It is as […]

It was February 1988. Darwin was hot and humid and 1500mm of rain had fallen since September. Despite this, the Club decided to put on a day trip and young Tony put his hand up to be Trip Leader. Someone suggested Chewing Gum Falls, as it was only about 30km along the ‘Old’ Stuart Highway from […]