Day 4 – Skytrek

A damn cold night last night, and as we didn’t have the swags under the awning, they are covered in dew this morning.  It’s hard to find the motivation to get out of the nice warm sleeping bag, but needs must.

We got the key, and instructions to the 4×4 track “SkyTrek” when we check in yesterday, so at 9 we head off.

The track is meant to be about 80km, but is meant to take about 7 hours with stops, we don’t think it will take that long.

The first few km are easy, and we drive though some small creek crossing, and the creek gorges are amazing, the colours of the rock is a really deep red.

Then into more open grazing county.   We pass an emu, and a few km later Nick spots another one off the side of the road.  He jumps out to see if he can get closer.   He’s waving he hands around and the Emu is just staring at him.  Reminded me so much of Crocodile Dundee and the Buffaloo…..  Hilarious.  I’m later told is called “Fascinating the Emu”

We take turns in going first so that we not spending all our time in the other’s dust trail.

We stop briefly at an old shepherd’s hut, an old timber building with an old fireplace.   A wonderful old building, but not a place I’d like to spend the night.

We drive along this valley floor and the mountains on either size are amazing.  In the middle is this small hill.  We end up with this magnificent 360° views of this great countryside.

I’ve been taking photos and video from the phone mounted to the windscreen, but at this time, I remember I’ve got the GoPro and the Window mount, so I get this out and mount it outside on the windscreen.  We get some fantastic video.

The track meanders around.  We stop at the designated lunch stop, a wonderful place on a dry river bed.   We’re over 3 hours in, so that 7hrs is looking damn accurate.

We hit the last 15odd km where they suggest low range will be needed and not long after we’re at the foot of a huge hill climb.  Nick is keen to get some video of the cars making the climb so jumps out and starts running up the hill.  We see him stop just over half way.  Give him credit, I’m not sure I would have made it that far.  Anyway, finally in position we make the climb without too much fuss.

We make our way to the top of one of the large hills.  The view is just sensational, and we momentarily have mobile coverage.  So check a few emails, sends some txt and a call or two.

I survey the car, I realise I’ve damaged the side steps on some rocks, and made a bigger dent in the front bumper.  I know exactly where it happened.  I though I was clear, but obviously not.   Let’s hope it’s just superficial.

The track seems to get harder and harder, but finally we see the compound down in the valley.   While it’s been a absolutely fantastic drive, it nice to see the end.  We pull in around 4:40ish.  so yep, it’s taken about 7 hours.

Dinner and a great campfire and just before 7 the moon rises over the ridge