Mungo NP @ Easter 2013 - Trip Report

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pezimm
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Mungo NP @ Easter 2013 - Trip Report

Post by pezimm » Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:15 pm

I've been eyeing this place on the map for quite a while now, so the time had finaly come. The lovely wife and I decided to go on a trip to Mungo National Park this Easter.

We left Melbourne on Good Friday, early in the morning. Headed straight to Mildura on the Calder Freeway, then to Mungo NP through Arumpo Road. This road starts off as bitumen and then becomes a dirt road for around 85km until you reach the park entrance.

A couple photos of the way in - the day was glorious!
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Upon arrival, we were greated by a number of Emus. Even though I was doing about 30km/h and being very careful, one of them decided it would be a good idea to through itself against my rear wheel. Luckly, it must have bounced rather than underneath as it stood up and ran away.

The adventurous Emu:
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Soon after we made our way to Main Camp and set up our tent just to realise I had forgotten to get firewood, which needs to be brought in. So we enjoyed a wonderful sunset with an empty fireplace, but still feeling very lucky for being where we were, soaking it all in:
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Saturday morning was a bit overcast as we set out on to explore the park. There is a 70km track around it, properly named 'Mungo Track'. It starts from the visitor centre (which is increadably well appointed) and takes you across Lake Mungo - well, the lake's bed - first up. Here's us 'crossing':
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Once you get to the western shore, you get the beautiful view of the lake bed behind you and the famous Mungo Walls of China in front of you - but more about them later. Here's the view of the lake:
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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:31 pm

Continuing on the Mungo Track, we reach Red Top Lookout - the best viewing point of the lunettes in my opinion.

Once I pulled up in the car park, this Forester parked just behind us:
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Debatable taste on the wheels, but nicely lifted. It had King Springs on it, but since I don't believe they do raised springs for the SH Foz, I'm tipping it also had a 1in lift block set from Subtle. I tried having a chat to the owner, but he was busy with the kids, so I left him alone.

Once you get to the look-out, you get to understand what these lunettes are all about:
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My wife is still working on the numerous photos she's taken and I will share here what she gives me. She's very particular about the processing of her shots as an aspiring photographer.

Continuing along the track, we get to the next lake, just north of Mungo: Lake Leanghur. This is big open country business:
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After a few more kilometres, we were back at the visitor centre, and then the campsite. It took us the best part of 6 hours to do the lap, including stops for lunch and a couple sheep stations along the way. Extremely enjoyable day! And a well deserved beer and wine to celebrate it:

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Saturday night it rained what felt like 50mm. On Easter Sunday morning I found out from the ranger that it was more like 5mm... Still, we enjoyed a little more photo shooting around before starting to head back to Melbourne, where we needed to be on Easter Monday.

On our way back, crossed another milestone in the Forester's history: 100,000 miles, or 160,000kms as my odometers shows:
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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:37 pm

A final word on facts and figures:

We drove a total of 1440 kilometres, average fuel economy was 11.5l/100km, mostly due to the spare tyre on the roof while driving at 110km/h.

Quite a few corrugations on the long distance dirt road cruising caused my roof basket to crack and loose the back bar:
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So I will be getting a new one at some stage soon.

Overall, a very enjoyable weekend and a magical place. Highly recommend it to anyone keen for a bit of history and outback touring.

We'll be back there soon as my wife couldn't get all the photos she needed for the folio she's preparing on Mungo NP - not enough sunny days - and I'm not complaining at all!

Hope you enjoyed it!
Pedro.
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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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subybrumby
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Post by subybrumby » Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:17 am

Looks good mate..reminds me of some of the country in south west Queensland..hope you had a good easter. Thanks for posting.
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thunder039
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Post by thunder039 » Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:02 pm

awesome trip mate.
11.5l per 100km is pretty good considering the type of driving
thanks for posting
2004 subaru forester -gone
1999 subaru forester- no more :(
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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:36 pm

J. E. A. L. O. U. S.

Where was my invite? :p

Worth going back to? Might be a good one to consider for a future touring trip ;)

Cheers

Bennie
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Rodeo4jake
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Post by Rodeo4jake » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:51 pm

Thanks for sharing, I've been interested in having a look out that way myself. Will make it a definate after having a look at this.

Cheers Jake

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Post by RSR 555 » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:32 pm

Nice pics Pedro.. can't wait for the wife's ones.

I'm with you on those rims.. very debatable :(

What brand/make is your basket? maybe they make spares?
You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:30 pm

El_Freddo wrote:Worth going back to? Might be a good one to consider for a future touring trip ;)
It certainly was a great trip. I want to go back to explore further north, specially Kinchega National Park, close to Menindee, and Broken Hill area.

We'll set something up and get a big Subaru convoy up!

Cheers!
Rodeo4jake wrote:Will make it a definate after having a look at this.
You should, it's a great area.
RSR 555 wrote:What brand/make is your basket? maybe they make spares?
The basket is a modified Thule old release... I conceaded that I needed more room in the roof and bought myself a wire-mesh one from Rhino Racks. Plenty of room now!

Cheers,
Pedro.
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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:06 pm

Some more photos!

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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:09 pm

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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:10 pm

And the last one!

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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:31 pm

No photos work for me from your last three posts :(

Bummer.

Bennie
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pezimm
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Post by pezimm » Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:07 pm

El_Freddo wrote:No photos work for me from your last three posts :(

Bummer.

Bennie
Sorry, mate... Image server was no good (I was testing a new option). Back to the tried and tested one!

Pedro.
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GONE :( - Forester XT Auto - MY07 with all the goodies
Now occasionally driving a Ford barge...

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