3 Weeks In Tassie Home Page


Angela & Philip Bruce

Having been avid campers for some years now, traveled to Cape Leveque, W.A, and to the Central Coast, N.S.W. twice, we decided it was time to do some real 4x4 tracks and head down under to some of the best 4x4 tracks Australia has to offer. On Saturday 1st September we are heading off from Bunbury,W.A. for a 5 week adventure to Tasmania via the Central Coast, N.S.W.

 We will be traveling in our trusty, very reliable (so far anyway) 2002 Toyota Hilux, hasn't let us down yet.

A great deal of work has gone into our vehicle including a lift kit, long range 125 litre fuel tank, rear air lockers,9000lb winch, spotlights, 40 litre Engel fridge, 60 litre water bladder, UHF radio, Glind shower, roof rack, dual battery,side awning, all topped off with a Howling Moon Roof Top Tent.

 As you can see by the picture above and from our photo album, our vehicle is very well equipped for a trip such as this one. It needs to be in top working order as we will be tackling some pretty rough terrain, and completely on our own!!!!!

Getting There

Leaving early Saturday Morning after Phil finishes work (Baker, night shift), the car already packed, we will be heading to Esperence. This is approximately 8 hours from Bunbury and where we will be staying for our first night. From there, conditions pending, we will attempt our first 4x4 track heading East to Israelite Bay, then 4x4 North to Balladonia on the Nullabor. It will be an eye opener to see how much the Diesel is this time across!!!

We will be aiming to at least reach the S.A border on our second day. From there to our favourite place to stay in S.A which is Handcocks Lookout, just east of Port Augusta in the Flinders Ranges. We will then follow the Sturt Highway through Mildura, turning on to the Mid Western highway at Hay, the Newel Highway at West Wyalong to Parks. Follow the 90 through to the  Mitchell Highway to Orange, Bathurst & Lithgow. Turn off through Mt Wilson, Richmond, Wisemans Ferry, Kulnura, Wyong and arrive at Lake Macquarie, N.S.W Central Coast, by Friday 7th September. The reason for this stay is to surprise Phil's parents for there 50th Wedding Anniversary. The family has organized a surprise party for the occasion.

We will only be here for 2 nights then it is off down the Eastern Coast of N.S.W. and Victoria to Melbourne. We have only 2 days for this part of the trip as we are booked on the Spirit of Tasmania for Monday 10th September departing at 20:00.

Watch this spot for further updates and see just how close my estimates are compared to the reality. Unfortunately we do not have a lap top at this stage so our next update will either be at a library on the way or when we reach our family in N. S.W. This is going to be the best trip yet!!!!!