From the Itinerary,
today’s trip was the Cobberas Trail over the bald hills, through
McFarlanes Flat track and Suggan Buggan, back to camp for happy hour,
will be a big day, AND it was. A beautiful day – perfect weather.
Nice early start – 8:15, and we were into it, slipping, sliding through
the camp’s personalised bog , um track. Some snatching required for the
Camry Prado (currentyly with two diffs) and Wombat. Down
McCarthy’s Track and onto Limestone Creek track, for the day’s first
creek crossing, and although there was some concern regarding the need
for a Car Bra – John was that you?, on this wet undies deep crossing
all managed to get through and give the vehicles a bit of a wash.
On we continued, ending up at the camping area in Lime Stone Creek for
morning tea, no incidents at that point although at least one of our
group missed our Trip leaders rather prominent figure in the middle of
the area and continued on – oh well.
After the tea break it was again down Limestone to the main road and
after a fashion, left onto Cobberas Trail for some fairly steep
descents, dotted occasionally by empty cars belonging to walkers, we
assume, needing more exercise than we did. There were a few trail bike
riders as well, with their support team and a roof rack straining under
the weight of the jerry cans. This track has great views.
MacFarlane Flat was the venue for lunch, and after a time the rest of
our group joined the crowd, following some issues with a breakage in
the rear shock absorber department. At lunch there was continuing
concern regarding Mathew’s need for a Surf board, but we are assured it
was intended for recovery purposes in deep crossings.
While we were there our most friendly and accommodating Park Ranger
arrived and after a chat had to take a photo of the line up of such a
prestigious group of quality vehicles. It’s unusual to see 14 Land
Cruisers in one place, especially on the Flat.
That was lunch and we were off and down the hill for a nice little bra
free water crossing where we met a group from the Central Coast 4WD
club and a scramble up the steep climb on the other side to
Ingeegoodbee track and up to afternoon tea at the helipad for some
great 360 degree views.
A bit of a look, a drink, and we were off and back on the main road for
a relaxing drive past Suggan Buggan, where a number stopped for a look
at the old school house. We met quite a bit of traffic on the road
(damn tourists ... hehe) and back onto Benambra Black Mountain Road and
right into Limestone Creek Track, McCarthys and into Camp at Charlie
Creek for happy hour, dinner and of course the fines for the day’s
indiscretions.
Kelly
The daily Run Sheet showing what was going to be tackled the next day..
Darren having a read of the Run Sheets - Front side is Muddy's awesome
signage
Ivan needing a hand over the step in the track coming out of camp
Wombat comes across Limestone Creek
One of the fast flowing creeks that we drove through
The Central Coast 4WD Club at the bottom of the Cobberas - just enough
room to pass - seems they were almost on the same itinerary - we saw
them again on a number of our day trips..
The steep pinch on the Cobberas Trail
This is actually an interesting little pinch - the photo of course
doing it no justice at all
Raff coming up the pinch - John waiting his turn
Ted comes on up
Nice shot of John coming up the Cobberas
Lunch spot at MacFarlanes Flat
Stacks of room for stacks of cars
Bush views
Craig coming down a rocky pinch
Compliments John Phibbs - number plate of old
Regrouping just outside Suggan Buggan
Meanwhile the team in camp were working on the track and carted half a
ton of small rock to shore up the boggy track.
Walter got into an interesting angle on the way back into camp
ended up needing a winch out from the front, with significant weight on
the steps on the high side to keep the horizontal angles reasonable!