Posts Tagged With: 4wd

Preparing Peter Prado to be our Trusty Stead

So after working out (thankfully quickly) that getting a brake controller installed was a must, it came time to work out what modifications to Peter would have to happen, and the ones we want to happen. Again I had planed to blog as these decisions happened, but I will have to do it retrospectively. I will break them down into separate posts though, so don’t worry, you are not going to noticeably age by the end of this post.

Essentials:

Suspension, Electrics (Dual Batteries, Anderson Plug, Fridge plug in the rear), New Stereo and UHF, Second Spare Tyre

“Wants”:

Roof Racks, Awning, Rear Drawers System, Spotties, Snorkel, Steel Bull Bar, HF Radio.

I think we were pretty realistic about the essentials, except some of you may say the new Stereo is a luxury, but I challenge anyone else to attempt this trip without a working stereo. Only the AM radio was working on the Stereo it came with, fine for Jess and I who have finally given in to the ABC and Radio National (and accepted our transcendence into our 30’s, not necessarily gracefully!) but 2 hour discussions on the emerging economics of China vs South America and how it will effect the taste of milk is not exactly engaging content for sub-7year olds. And yes mum, before you say it, I know you drove across the country in a non air conditioned Sandman ute with NO stereo, and a baby on your lap, but, well, “Kids these days are soft”……there, I said it….

So time to raid the piggy bank, who had already run off squealing for the hills after the purchase of Peter Prado. We had to coax him back with the lure of 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards and a promise that we would not have takeaway ever, ever again.

Well, Piggy came back…… We celebrated with some Pad Thai and Yellow Curry…….silly Piggy!

Categories: Planning | Tags: , , | 4 Comments

Archer Creek Camp

Ok – a break from the nitty gritty of the around Oz trip – now a post to prove that we do actually do some camping!  When we brought ‘Peter Prado’ we decided to try to get away at least once a month to get our value for money out of owning a 4wd.  Our first trip was to Archer Creek Campground in the D’Aguilar National Park. http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/camping.html#archer_camping_area

Our setup - yes this was pre 'Karen Camper'

Our setup – yes this was pre ‘Karen Camper’

Archer Creek was great as it was less than an hour from home, there was a creek for the kids to play in (albeit the creek in front of our campsite was pretty yucky at the time we were there but it was only a short walk to the Broadwater Day Use Area with a lovely spot for the kids to swim around in), we could have open campfires and there were heaps of four wheel drive tracks and waterholes/walking tracks and lookouts to explore.  Oh – and a bonus – there were toilets and taps!

We had Matt’s brother and the kids’ cousins join us on this camp which always makes for a good time!

Swim/Bath Time

Swim/Bath Time

Campground footy game with the kids from the neighbouring campsite

Campground footy game with the kids from the neighbouring campsite

And the best bit about camping - the kids do the washing up!

One of the many good things about camping – the kids do the washing up!

Toasting marshmallow time!

Toasting marshmallow time!

Our first creek crossing!  Off to explore the 4wd tracks

Our first creek crossing! Off to explore the 4wd tracks

Rocky Hole - beautiful swimming spot!

Rocky Hole – beautiful swimming spot!

Somerset Lookout

Somerset Lookout

Bulls Falls - easy 1km walk in

Bulls Falls – easy 1km walk in

'The Gantry' - old logging shed.  Great picnic area with some easy walks around and the kids loved playing in the dirt under 'The Gantry'.

‘The Gantry’ – old logging shed. Great picnic area with some easy walks around and the kids loved playing in the dirt here.

The 'Grandkids' photo for Grandma

The ‘Grandkids’ photo for Grandma

And the best bit - tuckered out kids on the way home!

And the best bit – tuckered out kids on the way home!

This was definitely a fun and easy weekend camping trip not far out of Brissy!  Has anyone else been there? What did you think?

Categories: Camping, Qld Camping | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment