Expressions of Interest - 4WD Weekend

[sheepie]

Hi all - looking to see if there's enough interest in organising a weekend 4wd'ing in the mountains somewhere around Sydney sometime soon.

We'd keep the group fairly small, and try to make it a good mix between easy/moderate 4wd and scenic locations.
Camping overnight on the Saturday (possibly Friday night if there's interest) and returning to Sydney late afternoon on the Sunday.

You'd need a reasonable 4wd - at least low range, would be fine with standard suspension. Not sure about soft-roaders though, we'd have to see what mix we get of interested people and vehicles

Let's know, especially if you have some ideas of locations (I have a few up my sleave). Let me know in your post what sort of vehicle, and what numbers - happy to make it a family weekend.

[surenj]

Great idea Leon. Great to have you back here.

No go here. I don't have access to a 4WD or know anything about them.

Good luck with this.

[dawesy]

I'd certainly be interested, my car doesn't get out enough. Good chance the other half would come along, she's up for going bush and I think I've converted her to camping!

I'm pretty booked up next month or so but I think things settle down a bit after that, will need to have a look at the calendar.

My ride is an old GQ Patrol, 1988 in fact. Has a 2in lift and decent tyres so it's pretty comfortable on most of the stuff we'd be likely to see. As for destination, we could do the Yeranderie run from out Oberon way down to Mitagong. I've also been meaning to get out to the Capertee valley for about 5 years now, though I believe it's pretty easy terrain out there.

[colin_12]

I would be interested Leon.
95 Hilux will go most anywhere.
Top idea

[Raskill]

Could be interested, depending on where the trip might go and work commitments. Be a good opportunity to give the Pajero a day out.

[sheepie]

OK - looks like there's enough interest in this to get it happening - I was hoping for about 4-5 vehicles, and that's what we've got!

Next issue is when - I'll have a good look at the calendar over the weekend and try to work out a date - stay tuned.

Undecided on location atm, will look into Yeranderie, as that's an area on my list of to-do's. Also keen on Sunny Corner up to Capertee, as that's an area I know is worth visiting from both a driving and camera point of view. Newnes is also a possibility, but that tends to get a little busy (maybe in winter it won't be quite so bad, who knows).

[dawesy]

Tend to agree re: Newnes, though winter might keep the number down and there is the Glo-worm tunnel to play in. Sunny-Corner up to Capertee could be good, been meaning to get there forever!

[Mr Darcy]

Late spark of interest. I, possibly we, would be interested, but while I have a 4WD (Landrover Discovery) I don't pretend to be able drive it further off road than the road to Kanangra Walls

[Ant]

Late spark of interest. I, possibly we, would be interested, but while I have a 4WD (Landrover Discovery) I don't pretend to be able drive it further off road than the road to Kanangra Walls

With Comms and the right crew around you, you shouldn't have any drama's. We used to have a Disco come out with us quite often and it pretty much held it's own amongst Pajero's and the odd Maverick.

[Raskill]

I found an old stock route last night. Runs from Gurnang/Jerong area (south of Oberon) down to south of Warragamba, joins onto the Wombeyan caves road that runs from Picton across to Taralga.

Dont know what it's like just now, the map it appeared on was circa 1980. I can find out more and post results.

[colin_12]

OK - looks like there's enough interest in this to get it happening - I was hoping for about 4-5 vehicles, and that's what we've got!

Next issue is when - I'll have a good look at the calendar over the weekend and try to work out a date - stay tuned.

Undecided on location atm, will look into Yeranderie, as that's an area on my list of to-do's. Also keen on Sunny Corner up to Capertee, as that's an area I know is worth visiting from both a driving and camera point of view. Newnes is also a possibility, but that tends to get a little busy (maybe in winter it won't be quite so bad, who knows).

Hey Leon I just wanted to get this back to where we can find it easily.
Yerrandrie was a let down for me as there is no access past the town for vehicles. The drive there had interesting scenery in places. Going through Jenolan and through to Kanangara and back out to Gurnang may be a bit more interesting. It is also one way to get you to the yerrandrie road. Some may need extra fuel or to fill up before coming along and going on to yerranderie as there is no go go juice out that way. We did a 600+ Km round trip that day.
It would be great to head out soon as this last bout of rain will bring on some cool fungi up that way if they got it.
Any ideas on the when yet?

[sheepie]

Any ideas on the when yet?

No, but I haven't forgotten this, just been a little flat out.

How are people placed around the 26th/27th June? (although I think Gary may have something planned that weekend by the looks of it).

As a first weekend out, I'm still leaning towards heading out to Sunny Corner - between Lithgow and Bathurst, emerging at Capertee. That is, unless anyone has any real preferences for somewhere else. Has it's advantages in location, varying terrain (nothing too severe) and I have now been there a couple of times so know basically where to go

[Raskill]

As a first weekend out, I'm still leaning towards heading out to Sunny Corner - between Lithgow and Bathurst, emerging at Capertee. That is, unless anyone has any real preferences for somewhere else. Has it's advantages in location, varying terrain (nothing too severe) and I have now been there a couple of times so know basically where to go

This is a pretty easy (read very easy) drive mate. Sunny corner to Capertee (via Dark Corner, Palmers Oakey and Turon Gates) can be done by a sedan. Some nice scenery though down along the Turon River, and in the hill country around Palmers Oakey.

[sheepie]

This is a pretty easy (read very easy) drive mate. Sunny corner to Capertee (via Dark Corner, Palmers Oakey and Turon Gates) can be done by a sedan. Some nice scenery though down along the Turon River, and in the hill country around Palmers Oakey.

Yip - although there are a few sections that are a bit of fun My aim isn't so much to try to break our vehicles, but have a nice couple of days out driving in some interesting countryside. There's a few reasonable climbs, and a few spots where the ruts are decent enough to get the suspension nice and twisted. Add in a couple of shallow water crossings and it should be a good weekend.

Am happy if the consensus is to go somewhere else - what do others think?

[Raskill]

I'm happy to do this route. Upside, which escaped me before, is we can finish at the Capertee hotel for an ale, and, if anyone is feeling like a further drive, the Capertee valley or Wolgan Valley is an interesting visit also.

[sheepie]

Anyone else have preference on weekend before I put this up on the calendar?

[colin_12]

That all looks pretty cool to me.

[dawesy]

Sorry haven't been around, still interested but wouldn't be likely to make it that weekend. I have a couple of photographic and social commitments that weekend unfortunately. I won't be offended if it stays on that weekend though

[sheepie]

No worries dawesy - if it's not that weekend then it's not going to be until at least the end of July for me - maybe next time!

Looks like it may be just me, Raskil and Colin. Am waiting on one of my mates to get back to me to see if he's interested, so maybe 4 cars at this stage - a good number.

I'll get something posted on the calendar in the next day or so with details, and maybe we'll get one or two more.

I'm thinking I'll camp over at a good spot around Newnes on the Friday night (welcome to join me), and then we can meet at Lithgow on Sat morning. Up through to Turon NP for Sat night, then back past the Wolgan Valley and out at Zig Zag railway on the way home on Sunday.

Some pics from the area I'm intending to cover: