My band and I "The Big Squeeze", did a gig in the Sandstone pub, and the landlord told me that every living soul in town was in the pub that night. WE had an absolute ball! happy memories of 1996
In 1982 - 1985 I worked with Clive MacIntosh who worked with Len on the Giles Weather station in the late 50's. In 2023 I went to Giles to see it with my own eyes - it was a great adventure for me! What a great place!
Hi Hugh, I've travelled that road (Great Central Road) many times and always make a habit of calling in just to have another look at the place. Thanks for watching.
Was fortunate to meet Mr. Beadell when I was assigned to Woomera AFS back in the 80's. He gave a very entertaining presentation to AFS personnel. A very, very interesting character!!
My dad knew Len well and did a part in one of his shows. Dad had a hypnotist act that was quite interesting and 'unexplainable'. He gets a couple of mentions for this in Len's book 'Blast the Bush.'@@mongreldogproductions
I used to live on Warruga Way in Wanneroo! I'm also a motorcyclist and have traveled across Australia 3 times. It is great to see these postings of yours. Thank you.
How clean are you!!! I guess that’s the difference between 2 and 4 wheels....plus the large swag and containers full of food. Very luxurious! Another great adventure mate, looking forward to part 2. Thanks 👍🏼
You forgot to mention the cold beer, steaks on the BBQ and sleeping in a warm bed (for a change). I could get use to this. Part 2 out later this week...watch this space.
@@k.whiking4372 lol...the only thing that i consumed from a can on this trip was cold Tooheys Extra Dry! Roast chicken, bacon, steak, fresh veges...I put on 5kg's. Thankfully, I'll be back on the bike in a few days and life can go back to normal (yuk!).
Thanks Steve. That brought back memories of 2002 “Year of the Outback”. My wife and I and my parents took the same route then went to “the rock” and Alice… fantastic. Thank you.
More than 40 years ago I rode a Honda XLX 250 solo down the Great Central Road from Uluru to Perth inspired by Len Beadell and Robyn Davidson's pioneering spirit. Not something I'd necessarily contemplate solo at 67, quite and amazing adventure. Great to see your video of the Gunbarrel, brought back a host of wonderful memories of the beautiful vast open spaces and endless skies.
So many tracks etched in the wide brown land . In 1975 , I worked the Eyre Hwy to the SA/WA border . There I worked with Dougie Stoneman . He was Len Beadells dozer operator . All those blokes were influential in my life. In Lens book about making the Gunbarrel he mentioned pumping up his flat tires with a hand pump that took about 220 strokes per tire. And he got a lot of flats .For constructing the Gunbarrel . He`d bush bash a straight line ahead of Doug and get to a sandhill and reflect a mirror back . Doug would doze the track straight to the signal. Land Rover maintenance went like replacing broken leaf springs with mulga branches and also cutting leather gaskets from his boot tongue. That was how resourceful those men were.
I knew a bit about how the 'Highway' was constructed...I've read a bit and listened to some audio books. Improvise, adapt, overcome (or die). Tough breed! Thanks for watching.
The real deal…nah, just a schmuck who enjoys filming the adventure and sharing it with others. Glad you enjoyed the journey. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
You’ve recently experienced some temperatures that we take for granted here in Oz. Glad you like the vid…next instalment out later this week. Thanks for watching.
Hi Roz, won’t be long and I’ll be back on the bike. Headed for the Tip of Cape York. Already panicking over the Mitchel River crossing at Dunbar. Watch this space.
@@mongreldogproductions yikes! Yep, that one is scary as, if it’s got water! It was scary enough when I crossed it with a narrow strip of dry on it! 😵 I’ll be hanging for that vid! 🤞😁🍀🏁
Hi J F, thanks for the positive feedback. It sure is a lot easier to deploy the drone when you are in a vehicle and not on the bike. I dont trust Dingos either...I wouldn't turn my back on 'em. Thanks for watching...next one out later this week.
I’m really enjoying this trip Steve,brother and I did the Central road a couple of years back and lost count of the number of abandoned cars by the wayside,cheers.
I've had bikes nearly all my adult life, including adventure bikes, but sold my last one 3 years ago, as I thought it was time to retire . However, after enjoying your videos, I am very inspired to get back into biking again, as I find these clips of the Australian outback fascinating. Here in the UK, I don't expect to come across any terrain like you have over there, but biking is biking ! I reckon one day, I'll have to make the trip to Australia, to maybe hire a bike & try a ride as part of a group. That's definitely a bucket list item for the future ! Great videos Steve, keep them coming .
really good, reminds me of when I worked in the NT for Grace, they owned the mine. I was working b4 that for Metana Minerals in the early to late 90,s and scored the job with Goodall Gold Mine just outside Adelaide River, NT, it was probably the best times of our lives. I remember the second last day at the Western Minings" village".
Steve , if you’re going to do the same route up to the cape as “shadower 75” but you on your GS , that’s going to be one hell of an journey! You wil be needing all your driving skills , that’s 4 sure ! Your vids never disappoint! Looking forward to that adventures ;-)) Thanks man !
@@kiwizz2177 shit...I just had a look at his Channel. That is definitely outside my skill set. I'll have to get imaginative to make my vids look entertaining lol. I'll need all the luck i can get. Even getting to the start point will be an Adventure (leaving from Perth).
Many good memories of Lake Mason, knew the last family to own it before it reverted to government, from memory they left in the late '90s. The youngest son and I are the same age, we got on well and used roam around the station whenever I was up that way, he moved to Canada to work on mines there and the parents followed some time later. Good to see that it is still in (relatively) good condition, although some of the outbuildings are derelict or gone now, used to be a 'bough shed' just outside of the kitchen door (just to the right) which was a nice cool place when it was warm.
Hi Pete, it’s always refreshing when viewers can expand or explain (or educate) about some of the detail in my vids. By the sound of it, it allowed you to go on a fond visit down memory lane and reminisce. I know when we visited we did so respectfully. The Club even repaired the flue in the shower block so we could all experience a basic bush shower with hot water from the chip heater (the shower block would fill with smoke without the flue). Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.
Very interesting. As you possibly already know, Steve, members of the BMWMCCWA did the Gunbarrel Hwy crossing in 1978 on road bikes. Two R90S' with sidecars and one R100/7 solo, with the Dutch rider having already ridden it overland from Europe. They had a dream run with no rain or breakdowns which cannot be said for NSW BMW club who did it East to West one year earlier and were stuck in mud for a few days.
I wasn’t aware of the club run. I did do it myself (solo) in 2017 (vid in my Channel) after Desert Raid to Rawlinna. I had to abandonedmy journey after attempting the Gary Highway to Kunawaritji after crashing. I thought the risks were too great to continue. I thought Geraldton Bore would be a good Desert Raid destination but I just know that some Riders will struggle in the sand and end up placing a burden on Emergency Services. Pity. Thanks for watching (again). 👍
Well thanks for that trip video... really great and being in the bush travelling etc is something I enjoy... but prefer it all on my own. Done quite a few real bush tracks and am doing the Connie Sue and WAPET track (via Heather Hwy & Gunbarrel). One thing... it always amazes me that so many people out bush collect huge amounts of firewood for a really huge fire and they do this stop by stop. Very few places have any fallen wood within a few hundred metres of their boundaries. Collecting firewood denudes the natural habitat that is essential for microfauna in the bush (insects, ants, small desert rodents, ground dwelling birds (some now endangered) etc. Dead trees etc serve as sight trees for birds of prey, as well as nesting ledges etc. Think long term of how many prey birds will starve cos they can't spot prey and how many babies will not b born because birds can't find their suitable nesting sites. Dead trees, bushes, branches etc also serve to stabilise dunes and sands etc. So if u must have a huge fire, take your own firewood please... and use gas stoves. And I am not a greenie... just someone who thinks that we should have a bit more thought about what we do and the after effects of what we do. About the dingo....not friendly, not tame but deadly dangerous! And utterly cunning. If they r hanging around it's because they are constantly on the search for food. And they WILL stalk you and they will attack. He was a scout: had he found a potential kill he would have called for his mates. When I was camping in my RTT in Rudall River NP a few years back I was bailed up by 4 dingoes during the night: Dad, Mum and the 2 kids. The alpha male was trying to work out how to climb into my RTT. I was only able to shift them when I squirted European Wasp Spray in the male's face and eyes (squirts a stream 6 feet and more!) and let off a hooligan's soccer horn. Their ears did not like that at all. So u do have to be wary around dingoes.
Hi ANDREW, thanks for taking the time to comment. I note you prefer on being on your own. I too, have done some solo travel both here in Oz and overseas. It does have its advantages. One of the appeals of travelling in a group is the social aspects. In particular, once you've pulled up for the day and can interact with one another. The fire becomes the social hub for most of the activities including cooking over the open fire or using camp ovens. That requires a considerable amount of wood for coals, especially when using camp stoves. Usually, the bigger the group, the bigger the fire. If you have a dozen people in the group you need a largish fire to keep the masses warm. If you are a single traveller i guess your needs would not be as great. Glad you enjoyed the vid...thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions But u miss my point. Firewood. The thing is there r alternatives to collecting firewood (in Victoria it is illegal to collect firewood from parks, side of road etc with big fines, as in most other states in National Parks). Gas is cleaner and takes up less space. U cld also use briquettes (from Bunnings) and old off cuts of timber from home. U can also use compressed wood bricks or BBG briquettes or heat beads. All produce the same heat and comfort effect. Also take up less room. U cld make room by not taking chain saws etc. Also u can keep very warm by wearing the correct clothing. A small fire can be as comforting as an unnecessary large one. A "rocket stove" is perfect for this. They can get hot enough to melt steel if u add a compressed air stream to the intake pipe. Most huge fires burn down to nothing in a very short time and all u have left is the smaller fire giving out the warmth u talk about. As someone who clearly spends a lot of time out bush, perhaps u cld be a better ambassador of how to do it without destroying what is in the bush. Some of the timber being burned on yr campfires cld have been on the dirt for 70 years and more: the tree itself may have been 30-50 yrs old before it died. And about interacting with others around a campfire...fair enough but in my experience they also become the problematic place where too much alpha behaviour presents itself, and disagreements about whatever...this is a big reason why I travel alone... no one to bug and bother me. Anyway....I am about to do the Connie Sue beginning April and then head to the WAPET track. Will pull up at the 80 mile beach. Going north from here doesn't look like an option atm given the flooding and bad road destruction etc so will consider a bit more dirt backroads as a way home when the time comes.... cheers.
@@mongreldogproductions well i guess cavemen & the indigenous had no choice. I dont c 2 many of the latter making unnecessarily large fires. I guess its like a policeman once told me: "you cant put brains into a statue".
I only really heard about Len when i started touring the Outback around 2009. I have since done most (if not all) of his roads and tracks now. I knew he was talented (even dentistry hahaha) but didn't know about his artistry. Thanks for watching. RIP Len.
Every time I met Len in the late 80s and early 90s he was always quick with a smile and a joke. It was a pleasure to know a bloke who was such a wealth of experiences and stories and yet so unassuming.
@@mongreldogproductions During down-times on the highway project, he used to paint water-colours of the scenery and the animals, as a form of sanity-protection, he told me.
I was fortunate to be able to call Len Beadell, "Uncle" Len when I was a just a very young kid and my sister was a flower girl at Len and Anne's wedding from memory. I think she still has pictures. My dad recalled he had such amazing stories to tell sitting around a barbie, unfortunately I was too young too recall. We lost contact when my family moved away but I made sure I read all of his books (and had some signed copies but they were lost to the ravages of time). Truly one of the last great Australian explorers and the Gunbarrel highway is still on my bucket list.
I certainly have a lotta respect for Len (and Anne considering she accompanied him out bush with Connie Sue). I visited their grave at Woomera last year and I have travelled most (if not all) of his roads and tracks. I hope I have done his memory justice (not that this vid is dedicated to him). Thanks for watching. RIP Len.
Tried that Ro tail in Fink a fews years ago, when we camped watching the race. Brought it from the store, it tasted real bad, will be looking forward to next episode to see how you handle it. Always enjoy your vids Steve.
Hi Alan, its all in the slow cooking. We didnt use any spices or herbs because I didnt want to mask the real taste of roo. We slow cooked it in the coals for 1.5 hours. Tastes like lamb. I had no complaints. Glad you like the Channel content.
@@mongreldogproductions Steve we saw a local lady living next to the store cooking some on the coals. She told us how to cook it, so we went back into the store and got a frozen one. Dam it tasted rank. Will give you a call later in the year when i am back in Perth and shout you a coffee.
That dingo reminds me of my dog (a dingo) they are a great companion. I found my dingo in the bush as a pup, she thought I was pretty good and chose to come home with me , must have been the food 🤣🤣 , fantastic video.
Hi Peter, glad you like the vid...do you need a licence to keep the Dingo??? I thought they had to have a % of domestic dog in 'em before you could keep one as a pet. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions Didn't know about the licence ,I moved to nz , took the dog with me and customs asked what kind of dog it was , I told them it was a kelpie cross ? !.
@@peterdawson7775 Are they as loyal as a domestic dog? I guess they would be. I rescued a stranded Dingo once...found himself stuck in a Well and couldn't get out. He was pretty angry and didnt have much longer to live. I rigged up a make shift ramp and he escaped. Gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
@@mongreldogproductions They are very loyal, smart dog, very intelligent . Funniest dog ever , could escape from the dog kennel by digging a tunnel under the corner of the shed then go and wait for me to come home lying on the front deck 🤔.She was a climber, would watch her climb the wire fence , would follow me up.the ladder onto the shed roof 🤣🤣, lots of fun that dog .
Just curious. When I was growing up it wasn't uncommon for people hitting tracks like this to put wire grills across their windscreens for protection from rocks thrown up by passing trucks. I know laminated windscreens are much better now, but you can still get a good gouge or crack in them that gets bigger and bigger with the passing of time. So why no interest in those grills any more? Also, I noticed an interesting mix of stand-alone tents, rooftop tents, and at least one trailer. Which do you think fared the better over the journey? Much as I'd like to take a camping trailer,I figured another set of wheels would add to the list of things that could go wrong, like punctures, as well as putting added strain on the towing vehicle over rough stretches.
Heavy vehicles still use them...they are fitted to the bottom third of the windscreen and angled downwaqrds. I think laminated windscreens have made the difference. The glass wont shatter like it used to, just chip or crack. Thanks for watching.
Those Dingos are cunning little buggers. I've had some experience with them in the bush. I reckon that one has found food left behind by, or possibly been fed by travelers before. It was also the scout for the pack it hangs with. Checking things out for a potential midnight raid.
Yeah, but the bush camp we stayed at was just picked out randomly...i dont know if people would've stayed there before. Still, he seemed to know what he was doin'. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions That's interesting. He may have just had no fear. I was surprised at how he didn't run when shooed away at first. He looked like he wasn't in need of a feed. From the footage he didn't look like he was skinny by Dingo standards.
Check her phone for long distance charges to a French Bulldog in Marseille. Great video Steve you recently did a total inventory of your 2 wheel supplies. How about a walk around your 4 wheel kit. Funny how most of the trucks are white. Thank you for sharing
Hi Joat, nothing to see here (in my 4WD). I travel pretty light and dont have too much fruit fitted to the car (unlike some of the others). I do have a fridge and that keeps my beer cold!
I was in coober pedy in the early 70s and I seen an old land rover come in with 3 wheels full of spinifex they had blown out the tyre wall and no spares leaft
I remember my father (who was a bit of a Bushy) telling me of similar stories. Thankfully, i haven't had to resort to that (yet). Thanks fore watching.
Y I was wondering the same thing. A Citroen all the way out there! However up until maybe 25 years ago utes and 4wds were much less common and people used ordinary cars on some of these roads. I still explore the outback in my 2wd Ford Falcon.
Loving your journey out there , great content and well done 👍 , what app or programme are you using to draw the yellow line on the map to outline your route ? It comes over great and we would like a similar tool for our own family travel videos . Cheers and safe travels
This is the App… www.relive.cc/?hl=en Have a play with it and experiment. The App is free to download but you can pay a little extra to get added benefits. Glad you enjoy the vid(s).
Do you not see John Wayne movies in Oz? When you stop for the night the wagon train is supposed to make a circle that you camp inside. You lot are really untidy in your parking :)
We suspect it was an accidental fire…he did not even have time to pull it off the road. Lithium battery exploding perhaps. Looked fresh…never did find out. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions Umm, however, the tires and wheels had been removed before the fire. There were no rims on the truck, just the trailer. It looks like the truck may have been stripped before it was set on fire.
Hi Trevor, navigation? There aren’t too many roads out there. I was following the bloke in front. On the bike I use a simple Garmin S62 GPS and paper maps. Some of the guys in the 4 WD Club have a lot of sophisticated, mounted systems but that level of tech is all above me. I guess if I was going solo for an extended time I might invest a bit more in the tech. Thanks for watching.
Read near all the Len Beadall books (Henry Lawsons kick that book out of hands irony for an author) . . & the main refrain was all the puncture repairs tubed tyres Landrover . . that said some don't learn & will go with lugger split ring (not rim) Toyota caper as like to be able to change the entire tyre easy . . well if the lugger rims are not rusted inside that is
Hi Ben, I've had experience with truck lugger rims...a lot less hassle instead of removing tyres from a standard safety rim. I have listened to some audio books from Len...interesting life! Thanks for watching.
Top episode! Very interesting the tame dingo phone thief, roo tail dinner and what was the story with the burnt out 4wd and trailer? At first glance I would have suspected insurance job or stolen vehicle, but seems very remote for such an expensive incident.
The guy had time to unhitch the trailer but still couldn’t stop his rig from burning to the ground. We suspect something like lithium batteries exploding or similar. It’s a loooonnng way to go to do an insurance claim. He didn’t even have time to get off the track. His holiday ended abruptly. Watch this space for part 2. Thanks for watching.
@@GringoLoco after I saw it I started to think…if it happened to me, what would I grab first. In my case, probably all my SD Cards so I can still produce the vid hahaha. It would make for great footage.
We suspect it was an accidental fire…he did not even have time to pull it off the road. Lithium battery exploding perhaps. Looked fresh…never did find out. Thanks for watching.
Happened end of May, It was my Mum and Dads Ranger and camper, they had been left behind when the fire happened. Eventually someone came looking for them. They got the camper off but because the jockey wheel was broken they couldn’t get it far enough away. They think it was either electrical or grass caught up somewhere, can’t remember what side the fire started on now. Never leave your mates behind!
@@Katov2 It was, they are still a bit traumatised by it all, the main problems they had was getting medical treatment. Laverton hospital wouldn’t treat them for shock, mild burns or give them the medication that had been burnt.
I see there are plenty of car parts strewn around in old wrecks. Pity many were burnt out. Now if we were a communist state there would be only one brand of 4x4 and no doubt there would be plenty more wrecks to choose parts from.
One was a Citroen....what were they thinkin'. Unless it was part of a Reliability Trail in which case it failed the test. Some classic cars out there. Pity. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions - I thought that was a Citroen, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time, after all, the map did say it was a highway...🤣
@@mongreldogproductions I actually drove a Lada in Europe, many, many moons ago - ex taxi - went well and handled the regular and deep pot holes well. Apparently it lived on for many years after that until my uncle sold it - he reckons the odometer had died a few years earlier at 720k km. Maybe it was a Wednesday car?
My band and I "The Big Squeeze", did a gig in the Sandstone pub, and the landlord told me that every living soul in town was in the pub that night. WE had an absolute ball! happy memories of 1996
i'm glad you enjoyed your journey down Memory Lane. Thanks for watching.
In 1982 - 1985 I worked with Clive MacIntosh who worked with Len on the Giles Weather station in the late 50's. In 2023 I went to Giles to see it with my own eyes - it was a great adventure for me! What a great place!
Hi Hugh, I've travelled that road (Great Central Road) many times and always make a habit of calling in just to have another look at the place. Thanks for watching.
2 wheels or 4, it’s always an adventure with you Steve! Carry on! 😂👍🏁
Big continent in a small world, Hey Roz 😉
@@justusgronts3882 hahaha yes indeed! 😂🙏🏍💨
Was fortunate to meet Mr. Beadell when I was assigned to Woomera AFS back in the 80's. He gave a very entertaining presentation to AFS personnel. A very, very interesting character!!
I’ve heard he was a very versatile kinda guy…and entertaining. 😀👍
My dad knew Len well and did a part in one of his shows. Dad had a hypnotist act that was quite interesting and 'unexplainable'. He gets a couple of mentions for this in Len's book 'Blast the Bush.'@@mongreldogproductions
😀😀😀@@bossdog1480
Really enjoyed this film, the commentary was excellent
Thank you….makes the effort of editing and producing worthwhile when I receive comments like this.
Very enjoyable watching another one of the Mongrel Dog Productions, glad you're back on the road, looking forward to episode 2.
Australia is such a unique place. I love to learn about it's history. I'm used to seeing you on 2 wheels Steve.
Hi Bill, I’m a man for all seasons, cycling, adventure riding, 4WDriving, you name it. If it involves travel, I’m there!
Always bloody fantastic videos Steve - but your Bike videos are the ones I truly look forward to!!
Then watch this space...
@@mongreldogproductions Religiously!
I used to live on Warruga Way in Wanneroo! I'm also a motorcyclist and have traveled across Australia 3 times. It is great to see these postings of yours. Thank you.
Glad you enjoy the Channel content…thanks for watching.
Always a little different adventure then on the bike but still good to be out there. Cheers 4 sharing sir.
Thanks for taking me along on your ride Mr Steve,as ever interesting and informative,Happy Trails.
Thank you…hope you enjoyed journey.
How clean are you!!! I guess that’s the difference between 2 and 4 wheels....plus the large swag and containers full of food. Very luxurious! Another great adventure mate, looking forward to part 2. Thanks 👍🏼
You forgot to mention the cold beer, steaks on the BBQ and sleeping in a warm bed (for a change). I could get use to this. Part 2 out later this week...watch this space.
@@mongreldogproductions What no Stagg chilli on this trip?
@@k.whiking4372 lol...the only thing that i consumed from a can on this trip was cold Tooheys Extra Dry! Roast chicken, bacon, steak, fresh veges...I put on 5kg's. Thankfully, I'll be back on the bike in a few days and life can go back to normal (yuk!).
Was wondering when the next one was. Sounds like I’m getting addicted to it all. Thanks.
Addiction is good….in this case.
Thanks Steve. That brought back memories of 2002 “Year of the Outback”. My wife and I and my parents took the same route then went to “the rock” and Alice… fantastic. Thank you.
It’s always nice to go down memory lane. I do love the harsh beauty of the Outback. Thanks for watching.
Unusual to see you on 4 wheels. Great video thanks.
More than 40 years ago I rode a Honda XLX 250 solo down the Great Central Road from Uluru to Perth inspired by Len Beadell and Robyn Davidson's pioneering spirit. Not something I'd necessarily contemplate solo at 67, quite and amazing adventure. Great to see your video of the Gunbarrel, brought back a host of wonderful memories of the beautiful vast open spaces and endless skies.
Hi Paul, glad you enjoyed your flashback to Memory Lane. Thanks for watching.
10👍/10👍 as always Steve
So many tracks etched in the wide brown land . In 1975 , I worked the Eyre Hwy to the SA/WA border . There I worked with Dougie Stoneman . He was Len Beadells dozer operator . All those blokes were influential in my life. In Lens book about making the Gunbarrel he mentioned pumping up his flat tires with a hand pump that took about 220 strokes per tire. And he got a lot of flats .For constructing the Gunbarrel . He`d bush bash a straight line ahead of Doug and get to a sandhill and reflect a mirror back . Doug would doze the track straight to the signal. Land Rover maintenance went like replacing broken leaf springs with mulga branches and also cutting leather gaskets from his boot tongue. That was how resourceful those men were.
I knew a bit about how the 'Highway' was constructed...I've read a bit and listened to some audio books. Improvise, adapt, overcome (or die). Tough breed! Thanks for watching.
Thanks Steve for another 30 minutes of fine entertainment. Great work mate really enjoyed that one
Glad you enjoyed this part of the journey...next vid out later this week. Watch this space!
@@mongreldogproductions good to hear Steve been a while between Drinks mate. Look forward to anything you post.
Love the video mate, very well done. Looks like a great trip! Looking forward to the next one!
Glad you enjoyed the vid...next one out later this week (fingers crossed).
Mate, you are the real deal. Brilliant stuff.
The real deal…nah, just a schmuck who enjoys filming the adventure and sharing it with others. Glad you enjoyed the journey. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Bloody good stuff, can't wait for the next episode 👍
Hopefully you won’t have too long to wait…
Another brilliant adventure Steve 🤙
Looking forward to see what happens in the next episode
Later this week...
Thanks for sharing the trip so far!
You’re welcome.
Great, looking forward to watching this👍
Gday from the UK watched all you bike videos, this 4 wheeler one makes a change, roll on the next episode!
You’ve recently experienced some temperatures that we take for granted here in Oz. Glad you like the vid…next instalment out later this week. Thanks for watching.
Great vid . .. some good advice too... great to see you on 4 wheels 👍
Hi Brett, 4 wheels is luxury compared to slummin' it on the bike. I'm just worried it might make me soft. Watch this space (wink, wink)
Another great adventure Steve! Enjoy & carry on! 😁👍🏁
Hi Roz, won’t be long and I’ll be back on the bike. Headed for the Tip of Cape York. Already panicking over the Mitchel River crossing at Dunbar. Watch this space.
@@mongreldogproductions yikes! Yep, that one is scary as, if it’s got water! It was scary enough when I crossed it with a narrow strip of dry on it! 😵 I’ll be hanging for that vid! 🤞😁🍀🏁
Brings back memories. Did it in a Range Rover and a Hill in about 2010.
Loved another MDP vlog Steve! Not keen on dingos hanging around! Great work! Super drone panos too!
Hi J F, thanks for the positive feedback. It sure is a lot easier to deploy the drone when you are in a vehicle and not on the bike. I dont trust Dingos either...I wouldn't turn my back on 'em. Thanks for watching...next one out later this week.
Great video Steve! It's got me thinking about Midnight Oil.
I’m really enjoying this trip Steve,brother and I did the Central road a couple of years back and lost count of the number of abandoned cars by the wayside,cheers.
Awesome . Love your work
I always watch your uploads, quality work
Thank you...glad you enjoy the Channel content.
I've had bikes nearly all my adult life, including adventure bikes, but sold my last one 3 years ago, as I thought it was time to retire . However, after enjoying your videos, I am very inspired to get back into biking again, as I find these clips of the Australian outback fascinating. Here in the UK, I don't expect to come across any terrain like you have over there, but biking is biking ! I reckon one day, I'll have to make the trip to Australia, to maybe hire a bike & try a ride as part of a group. That's definitely a bucket list item for the future ! Great videos Steve, keep them coming .
Hi Chris, glad you’re enjoying the Channel content. We are blessed here in Oz…adventure riding utopia. Thanks for watching.
really good, reminds me of when I worked in the NT for Grace, they owned the mine. I was working b4 that for Metana Minerals in the early to late 90,s and scored the job with Goodall Gold Mine just outside Adelaide River, NT, it was probably the best times of our lives. I remember the second last day at the Western Minings" village".
Great video loved it
I watched vehicles 50 metres behind and no dust beautiful conditions
Great video Steve awesome ride safe
Glad you’re back with a new video mate.
It’s been a while !
Hi Kiwizz 21, what can I say...I've been busy. Watch this space (hint, goin' to the Tip of Cape York in August). Thanks for your continued support.
Steve , if you’re going to do the same route up to the cape as “shadower 75” but you on your GS , that’s going to be one hell of an journey! You wil be needing all your driving skills , that’s 4 sure !
Your vids never disappoint!
Looking forward to that adventures ;-))
Thanks man !
@@kiwizz2177 I’ll have to watch his vids…I won’t be doin’ the Telegraph Track. I’ll be on the R1200. Too big and too old for the Tele Track.
Good luck anyway!
@@kiwizz2177 shit...I just had a look at his Channel. That is definitely outside my skill set. I'll have to get imaginative to make my vids look entertaining lol. I'll need all the luck i can get. Even getting to the start point will be an Adventure (leaving from Perth).
Always love your travels Steve, can't wait for next instalment.
Out later this week (I think). Thanks for watching.
Thanks Steve that was a good watch
Hi BTB, glad you enjoyed it...Part 2 out later this week (I think).
Another good one.
Looks like your front right brake line has come loose too BTW
Yeah, I noticed that while editing. It has since been fixed. Thanks for watching.
As always a good show
Grab ya gear, let’s go!! Good to see ya back Steve 👍🏼👍🏼
Hahahaha...I never left. Watch this space!
Enjoyable as always mate
Great to see you back on the road. Was wondering when your next adventure would start
I dont have a lot of downtime...so much to do; so little time! Thanks for watching.
Many good memories of Lake Mason, knew the last family to own it before it reverted to government, from memory they left in the late '90s. The youngest son and I are the same age, we got on well and used roam around the station whenever I was up that way, he moved to Canada to work on mines there and the parents followed some time later. Good to see that it is still in (relatively) good condition, although some of the outbuildings are derelict or gone now, used to be a 'bough shed' just outside of the kitchen door (just to the right) which was a nice cool place when it was warm.
Hi Pete, it’s always refreshing when viewers can expand or explain (or educate) about some of the detail in my vids. By the sound of it, it allowed you to go on a fond visit down memory lane and reminisce. I know when we visited we did so respectfully. The Club even repaired the flue in the shower block so we could all experience a basic bush shower with hot water from the chip heater (the shower block would fill with smoke without the flue). Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.
Nice video. Me and mate did it on motorcycles about 12 years ago, never again!
Hahahaha...so did i in 2015 so I can relate. Watch this vid.
th-cam.com/video/fLzmeppwN58/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions thanks mate will do
Dingo could smell the sausages and bacon looks to be a great adventure.
Those stars !!! Thanks
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
Something I have always dreamed of doing but it’s a long way from Saskatchewan Canada 🍻
Dingo's are like druggos, they'll steal anything that aint locked up or bolted down.. great vid :)
Glad you enjoyed the vid…thanks for watching.
Very interesting. As you possibly already know, Steve, members of the BMWMCCWA did the Gunbarrel Hwy crossing in 1978 on road bikes. Two R90S' with sidecars and one R100/7 solo, with the Dutch rider having already ridden it overland from Europe. They had a dream run with no rain or breakdowns which cannot be said for NSW BMW club who did it East to West one year earlier and were stuck in mud for a few days.
I wasn’t aware of the club run. I did do it myself (solo) in 2017 (vid in my Channel) after Desert Raid to Rawlinna. I had to abandonedmy journey after attempting the Gary Highway to Kunawaritji after crashing. I thought the risks were too great to continue. I thought Geraldton Bore would be a good Desert Raid destination but I just know that some Riders will struggle in the sand and end up placing a burden on Emergency Services. Pity. Thanks for watching (again). 👍
Mate at 8:45 "Ahhhh, Ohhhh Fuckk" I wonder what was going on there 🤣🤣🤣🤣 something cheeky
Well thanks for that trip video... really great and being in the bush travelling etc is something I enjoy... but prefer it all on my own. Done quite a few real bush tracks and am doing the Connie Sue and WAPET track (via Heather Hwy & Gunbarrel). One thing... it always amazes me that so many people out bush collect huge amounts of firewood for a really huge fire and they do this stop by stop. Very few places have any fallen wood within a few hundred metres of their boundaries. Collecting firewood denudes the natural habitat that is essential for microfauna in the bush (insects, ants, small desert rodents, ground dwelling birds (some now endangered) etc. Dead trees etc serve as sight trees for birds of prey, as well as nesting ledges etc. Think long term of how many prey birds will starve cos they can't spot prey and how many babies will not b born because birds can't find their suitable nesting sites. Dead trees, bushes, branches etc also serve to stabilise dunes and sands etc. So if u must have a huge fire, take your own firewood please... and use gas stoves. And I am not a greenie... just someone who thinks that we should have a bit more thought about what we do and the after effects of what we do.
About the dingo....not friendly, not tame but deadly dangerous! And utterly cunning. If they r hanging around it's because they are constantly on the search for food. And they WILL stalk you and they will attack. He was a scout: had he found a potential kill he would have called for his mates. When I was camping in my RTT in Rudall River NP a few years back I was bailed up by 4 dingoes during the night: Dad, Mum and the 2 kids. The alpha male was trying to work out how to climb into my RTT. I was only able to shift them when I squirted European Wasp Spray in the male's face and eyes (squirts a stream 6 feet and more!) and let off a hooligan's soccer horn. Their ears did not like that at all. So u do have to be wary around dingoes.
Hi ANDREW, thanks for taking the time to comment. I note you prefer on being on your own. I too, have done some solo travel both here in Oz and overseas. It does have its advantages. One of the appeals of travelling in a group is the social aspects. In particular, once you've pulled up for the day and can interact with one another. The fire becomes the social hub for most of the activities including cooking over the open fire or using camp ovens. That requires a considerable amount of wood for coals, especially when using camp stoves. Usually, the bigger the group, the bigger the fire. If you have a dozen people in the group you need a largish fire to keep the masses warm. If you are a single traveller i guess your needs would not be as great. Glad you enjoyed the vid...thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions But u miss my point. Firewood. The thing is there r alternatives to collecting firewood (in Victoria it is illegal to collect firewood from parks, side of road etc with big fines, as in most other states in National Parks). Gas is cleaner and takes up less space. U cld also use briquettes (from Bunnings) and old off cuts of timber from home. U can also use compressed wood bricks or BBG briquettes or heat beads. All produce the same heat and comfort effect. Also take up less room. U cld make room by not taking chain saws etc. Also u can keep very warm by wearing the correct clothing. A small fire can be as comforting as an unnecessary large one. A "rocket stove" is perfect for this. They can get hot enough to melt steel if u add a compressed air stream to the intake pipe. Most huge fires burn down to nothing in a very short time and all u have left is the smaller fire giving out the warmth u talk about. As someone who clearly spends a lot of time out bush, perhaps u cld be a better ambassador of how to do it without destroying what is in the bush. Some of the timber being burned on yr campfires cld have been on the dirt for 70 years and more: the tree itself may have been 30-50 yrs old before it died. And about interacting with others around a campfire...fair enough but in my experience they also become the problematic place where too much alpha behaviour presents itself, and disagreements about whatever...this is a big reason why I travel alone... no one to bug and bother me. Anyway....I am about to do the Connie Sue beginning April and then head to the WAPET track. Will pull up at the 80 mile beach. Going north from here doesn't look like an option atm given the flooding and bad road destruction etc so will consider a bit more dirt backroads as a way home when the time comes.... cheers.
@@andrewretsas5589 ….even Caveman had a fire as did our indigenous Aboriginals.
Enjoy the Connie Sue and 80 Mile Beach.
👍
@@mongreldogproductions well i guess cavemen & the indigenous had no choice. I dont c 2 many of the latter making unnecessarily large fires. I guess its like a policeman once told me: "you cant put brains into a statue".
That mandolin player is hot, Reminds me of a Perth band "Hobson's Choice".
Did that trip in early February 1991, didn't see another vehicle. Still remember the corrugations.
I met Len many times when working for the Defence Department.
He was also a good artist.
I only really heard about Len when i started touring the Outback around 2009. I have since done most (if not all) of his roads and tracks now. I knew he was talented (even dentistry hahaha) but didn't know about his artistry. Thanks for watching.
RIP Len.
Every time I met Len in the late 80s and early 90s he was always quick with a smile and a joke. It was a pleasure to know a bloke who was such a wealth of experiences and stories and yet so unassuming.
@@mongreldogproductions During down-times on the highway project, he used to paint water-colours of the scenery and the animals, as a form of sanity-protection, he told me.
@@terryjackson4538 out of respect, I will be visiting his grave tomorrow as I pass thru Woomera. Thanks for watching.
I was fortunate to be able to call Len Beadell, "Uncle" Len when I was a just a very young kid and my sister was a flower girl at Len and Anne's wedding from memory. I think she still has pictures. My dad recalled he had such amazing stories to tell sitting around a barbie, unfortunately I was too young too recall. We lost contact when my family moved away but I made sure I read all of his books (and had some signed copies but they were lost to the ravages of time). Truly one of the last great Australian explorers and the Gunbarrel highway is still on my bucket list.
I certainly have a lotta respect for Len (and Anne considering she accompanied him out bush with Connie Sue). I visited their grave at Woomera last year and I have travelled most (if not all) of his roads and tracks. I hope I have done his memory justice (not that this vid is dedicated to him). Thanks for watching.
RIP Len.
Dingo wanted Uber eats then hey.🤣🤣 Oh great video bye the way.
Tried that Ro tail in Fink a fews years ago, when we camped watching the race. Brought it from the store, it tasted real bad, will be looking forward to next episode to see how you handle it. Always enjoy your vids Steve.
Hi Alan, its all in the slow cooking. We didnt use any spices or herbs because I didnt want to mask the real taste of roo. We slow cooked it in the coals for 1.5 hours. Tastes like lamb. I had no complaints. Glad you like the Channel content.
@@mongreldogproductions Steve we saw a local lady living next to the store cooking some on the coals. She told us how to cook it, so we went back into the store and got a frozen one. Dam it tasted rank. Will give you a call later in the year when i am back in Perth and shout you a coffee.
@@alanlloyd2781 hahaha…maybe she was setting you up. You buy me a coffee…I’ll bing the roo tail!
That dingo reminds me of my dog (a dingo) they are a great companion. I found my dingo in the bush as a pup, she thought I was pretty good and chose to come home with me , must have been the food 🤣🤣 , fantastic video.
Hi Peter, glad you like the vid...do you need a licence to keep the Dingo??? I thought they had to have a % of domestic dog in 'em before you could keep one as a pet. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions Didn't know about the licence
,I moved to nz , took the dog with me and customs asked what kind of dog it was , I told them it was a kelpie cross ? !.
@@peterdawson7775 Are they as loyal as a domestic dog? I guess they would be. I rescued a stranded Dingo once...found himself stuck in a Well and couldn't get out. He was pretty angry and didnt have much longer to live. I rigged up a make shift ramp and he escaped. Gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
@@mongreldogproductions They are very loyal, smart dog, very intelligent . Funniest dog ever , could escape from the dog kennel by digging a tunnel under the corner of the shed then go and wait for me to come home lying on the front deck 🤔.She was a climber, would watch her climb the wire fence , would follow me up.the ladder onto the shed roof 🤣🤣, lots of fun that dog .
Love the sound of dingo’s.
Eerie…but typically Australian. I’ve never felt threatened by them but they do have a bad reputation. Thanks for watching.
Just curious. When I was growing up it wasn't uncommon for people hitting tracks like this to put wire grills across their windscreens for protection from rocks thrown up by passing trucks. I know laminated windscreens are much better now, but you can still get a good gouge or crack in them that gets bigger and bigger with the passing of time. So why no interest in those grills any more?
Also, I noticed an interesting mix of stand-alone tents, rooftop tents, and at least one trailer. Which do you think fared the better over the journey? Much as I'd like to take a camping trailer,I figured another set of wheels would add to the list of things that could go wrong, like punctures, as well as putting added strain on the towing vehicle over rough stretches.
Heavy vehicles still use them...they are fitted to the bottom third of the windscreen and angled downwaqrds. I think laminated windscreens have made the difference. The glass wont shatter like it used to, just chip or crack. Thanks for watching.
Those Dingos are cunning little buggers. I've had some experience with them in the bush. I reckon that one has found food left behind by, or possibly been fed by travelers before. It was also the scout for the pack it hangs with. Checking things out for a potential midnight raid.
Yeah, but the bush camp we stayed at was just picked out randomly...i dont know if people would've stayed there before. Still, he seemed to know what he was doin'. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions That's interesting. He may have just had no fear. I was surprised at how he didn't run when shooed away at first. He looked like he wasn't in need of a feed. From the footage he didn't look like he was skinny by Dingo standards.
Check her phone for long distance charges to a French Bulldog in Marseille. Great video Steve you recently did a total inventory of your 2 wheel supplies. How about a walk around your 4 wheel kit. Funny how most of the trucks are white. Thank you for sharing
Hi Joat, nothing to see here (in my 4WD). I travel pretty light and dont have too much fruit fitted to the car (unlike some of the others). I do have a fridge and that keeps my beer cold!
I've been waiting so long 😊
Hi H L Ph, I dont want to wear out my welcome by flooding the market. Watch this space.
@@mongreldogproductions you doing great ,can't wait for your adventures...cheers 👍
did that run in my kombi in 95.
The Dingos got me phone ….😮
I was in coober pedy in the early 70s and I seen an old land rover come in with 3 wheels full of spinifex they had blown out the tyre wall and no spares leaft
I remember my father (who was a bit of a Bushy) telling me of similar stories. Thankfully, i haven't had to resort to that (yet). Thanks fore watching.
Good to be out again
I dont have a lot of downtime...watch this space.
@23.10 OMG what is a Citroen doing in the outback of Australia! How remarkable! (yep sorry only impressed about the Citroen lol)
Maybe part of the ol’ Redex Reliability Trial…it failed.
@@mongreldogproductions Haha who knows!
Y I was wondering the same thing. A Citroen all the way out there! However up until maybe 25 years ago utes and 4wds were much less common and people used ordinary cars on some of these roads. I still explore the outback in my 2wd Ford Falcon.
Loving your journey out there , great content and well done 👍 , what app or programme are you using to draw the yellow line on the map to outline your route ? It comes over great and we would like a similar tool for our own family travel videos . Cheers and safe travels
This is the App…
www.relive.cc/?hl=en
Have a play with it and experiment. The App is free to download but you can pay a little extra to get added benefits. Glad you enjoy the vid(s).
@@mongreldogproductions thanks mate , we will give it a go - Cheers
the bulldust is amazing, finer than talcum powder, hey?
You sure that howling we heard wasn't from someone losing a cribbage game. They get quite heated when a penny a point is at stake.
Reminds me of Telfer WA
7:50 If they used to sheer a couple of thousand sheep here then it cant of been to bad mate.
Do you not see John Wayne movies in Oz? When you stop for the night the wagon train is supposed to make a circle that you camp inside. You lot are really untidy in your parking :)
The biggest consideration is where are ya gunna take a dump in the bush.
@@mongreldogproductions Portadunny?
Re: Burned out vehicle and trailer. Is this what happens if you leave your vehicle unattended in the outback?
We suspect it was an accidental fire…he did not even have time to pull it off the road. Lithium battery exploding perhaps. Looked fresh…never did find out. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions Umm, however, the tires and wheels had been removed before the fire. There were no rims on the truck, just the trailer. It looks like the truck may have been stripped before it was set on fire.
@@livewire.. yeah, you’re right. I didn’t notice that until you pointed it out. I’ll guess we’ll never know.
Never found Len's tree, hahaha
Just wondering what you use for navigation ,ie gps, suitable for vehicle and motorbike, apologies if you have been asked this before
Hi Trevor, navigation? There aren’t too many roads out there. I was following the bloke in front. On the bike I use a simple Garmin S62 GPS and paper maps. Some of the guys in the 4 WD Club have a lot of sophisticated, mounted systems but that level of tech is all above me. I guess if I was going solo for an extended time I might invest a bit more in the tech. Thanks for watching.
Read near all the Len Beadall books (Henry Lawsons kick that book out of hands irony for an author) . . & the main refrain was all the puncture repairs tubed tyres Landrover . . that said some don't learn & will go with lugger split ring (not rim) Toyota caper as like to be able to change the entire tyre easy . . well if the lugger rims are not rusted inside that is
Hi Ben, I've had experience with truck lugger rims...a lot less hassle instead of removing tyres from a standard safety rim. I have listened to some audio books from Len...interesting life! Thanks for watching.
I'm up for some roo tail stew!
I've never tried roo tail stew..I've always enjoyed it straight off the bone, a bit like eating a kebab hahaha. I might try a stew on the next trip.
Great video as always! What year is your Patrol?
Hi dp, I drive a 2008 Hilux crew cab...
@@mongreldogproductions sorry my bad!
🏅
Hi mate, which 4wd club please?
Wanneroo Wanderers…
Top episode! Very interesting the tame dingo phone thief, roo tail dinner and what was the story with the burnt out 4wd and trailer? At first glance I would have suspected insurance job or stolen vehicle, but seems very remote for such an expensive incident.
The guy had time to unhitch the trailer but still couldn’t stop his rig from burning to the ground. We suspect something like lithium batteries exploding or similar. It’s a loooonnng way to go to do an insurance claim. He didn’t even have time to get off the track. His holiday ended abruptly. Watch this space for part 2. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions pays to have a fire extinguisher handy! But probably would not have helped much in that case if it was lithium batteries.
@@GringoLoco after I saw it I started to think…if it happened to me, what would I grab first. In my case, probably all my SD Cards so I can still produce the vid hahaha. It would make for great footage.
@@mongreldogproductions a red hot video!
They had a fire extinguisher and it certainly wasn’t a insurance job!!!!!!!
Only a bushie could call that a highway
It meets all the criteria…no traffic lights, no stop signs and you can go as fast as you like…
Did you find out the story on the burnt out Ute and Trailer?
We suspect it was an accidental fire…he did not even have time to pull it off the road. Lithium battery exploding perhaps. Looked fresh…never did find out. Thanks for watching.
Happened end of May, It was my Mum and Dads Ranger and camper, they had been left behind when the fire happened. Eventually someone came looking for them. They got the camper off but because the jockey wheel was broken they couldn’t get it far enough away. They think it was either electrical or grass caught up somewhere, can’t remember what side the fire started on now.
Never leave your mates behind!
@@mongreldogproductions Is it possible to please get the footage of the Ranger?
@@missybee5725 Sorry to hear that, it must have been a terrible thing to happen good thing no one was hurt. (I hope)
@@Katov2 It was, they are still a bit traumatised by it all, the main problems they had was getting medical treatment. Laverton hospital wouldn’t treat them for shock, mild burns or give them the medication that had been burnt.
I am sure you played this song from "Midnight Oil"...
th-cam.com/video/pLsISKcFICA/w-d-xo.html
I see there are plenty of car parts strewn around in old wrecks. Pity many were burnt out. Now if we were a communist state there would be only one brand of 4x4 and no doubt there would be plenty more wrecks to choose parts from.
One was a Citroen....what were they thinkin'. Unless it was part of a Reliability Trail in which case it failed the test. Some classic cars out there. Pity. Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions Those Russian Lada's would've made it I reckon.
@@mongreldogproductions - I thought that was a Citroen, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time, after all, the map did say it was a highway...🤣
@@BenMitro You know why Lada's had rear window heaters in 'em...to keep your hands warm while you were pushing, boom tish!
@@mongreldogproductions I actually drove a Lada in Europe, many, many moons ago - ex taxi - went well and handled the regular and deep pot holes well. Apparently it lived on for many years after that until my uncle sold it - he reckons the odometer had died a few years earlier at 720k km. Maybe it was a Wednesday car?
Majority of the vehicles were white in colour, I’m guessing that’s just how it is, very interesting Vlog, ❤️🦘🦘🦘
White reflects the heat…gets bloody hot here in Oz. Otherwise, I can’t explain it. Glad you enjoyed the vid.