Land Rover 60th anniversary – cross Australia journey
August 19, 2008 by Paul Maric
Day 4
After just a few kilometres of pleasant roads, the corrugated dirt roads began. The roads simply worsened the faster you went, which meant adjusting speed accordingly was necessary.
The other battle we continuously faced from day four was dust from the leading vehicle. This meant keeping safe following distances and keeping an eye out for rocks and other obstacles.
Our lunch stop was Purni Bore. Dug by oil seeking Frenchmen, the bore was later sealed, but It didn’t take long for the seal to corrode and that’s when it broke loose. Pumping out water at around 89-degrees, it’s not safe to swim in due to the high temperature.
Aside from the worsening quality of the roads, there was now an issue with loose rocks from the roadside. Rocks the size of small bags littered the road and could easily puncture a tyre if hit at the wrong angle.
(notice the misspelling of ‘Purni Bore’ on the sign!)
Dalhousie Springs was the next stop from Purni Bore. After seeing no more than four cars a day, we received a bit of a shock when there was little room to stop at the Dalhousie Springs camping ground, not that we really cared, the springs awaited us.
The water from the source is about 65-degrees, while the water in the swimming area sits at around 38-degrees. The relaxing warm water was utter bliss after a long day of driving. We had an hour to spend there and nobody wanted to leave, if we hadn’t a schedule to keep to, I’d probably still be there now, floating around!
One hour later we arrived at Mt. Dare. Although it no longer runs as a cattle station, Mt. Dare Hotel was taken over by David and Melissa Cox who threw in their Melbourne city lifestyles for an outback change – yes, they seemed pretty sane when we talked to them!
Electricity comes from a diesel generator on a trip like this and Mt. Dare Hotel had diesel and petrol supplies which are available to the public. When we topped up the Land Rover fleet, we put through some $1400 worth of fuel – a new record for the diesel pumps.
The kitchen team at the hotel served up an amazing meal for our crew. It was refreshing to see the level of service and normality despite us being literally in the middle of nowhere! We stayed at the camping ground behind the Mt. Dare Hotel, which includes full toilet and shower facilities.
darkwater:
Freelander with its quality advanced 6spd command shift transmission that does 0-100kph in 8.9 seconds (0-60mph 8.4) aswell as being economical on the fuel would have to be the pick. WHereas the rubicon with its 4spd (if your going auto) is a bit sluggish and hard on fuel.
Big Jim:
Smack-on there with transmissions, also rubicons thirst has always been a major consideration. Standing at a pedestrian crossing yesterday a 4-door wrangler drove past (so it’s going to be a 2007 model), not sure if the driver has been servicing it regularly or it’s just been flogged to buggery, but all the wrong noises were coming from the engine bay. Sounded half a dozen rasps heading down a long metal slide. I’m earing on the side of lack of service or as some seem to think that a 4bie is just as cabable on the road as a beamer.
darkwater:
yeah the 3.2L i6 in the freelander is highly rated with good high torque.
“The DEFENDER is the shit when it comes to crossing through and around Aus and for going bush and hardcore offroading.”
^^^by that I mean its good. The 300 tdi equiped DEFENDER Im used to, has a top speed of about 135, that would be my only slight gripe. However its the type of indestructible engine that just keeps on going (a hard 310 000km without a problem). It cruises effortlessly at the speed limit. The new 4 would have to be better.
Big Jim:
If it was just me, myself, and I, a defender would be the only consideration – out asap smack down money for factory fitted modifications. However, I’ve got to tow a family of girls so comfort (road noise, egonomics etc) needs to be considered.
Believe me, I would really love a defender. Pity they don’t provide the swb. Could get that for fun.
Darkwater:
Post how the test driving and eventual purchase goes, Im interested to know. You should be able to talk them down a fair bit.
Big Jim:
Thank you for your interest and advice. I’m looking at a minimum of 6 to 12 month purchase time for either a defender or disco3, so please don’t hang on my post. When it comes around I’ll post on whatever forum associated with this or following articles or even on this site’s car review for the defender or disco3. Either way I’m getting a rattler. Sod a petrol – top end performance but bugger all down low where you need it when you need it for how long you need it.
Darkwater:
With the current new car market conditions- dealers doing alot of heavy discounting, its quite possible to get a big discount on a Discovery 4.0 V6 SE or the TDV6 Auto S.
Edaw: “Enjoy your X-Trail, one of only 2 soft roaders not made for girls.” Do you honestly think girls can’t drive offroad? Or are you saying LR and Nissan made vehicles purely for men?
GT2000: Just because something is popular, doesn’t make it good. Take Top 40 music, AFL, Neighbours for eg… Very popular, doesn’t make them good though.