Adventure Rider Pilgrimage Through Australia's Outback - Exploring Derelict Roadhouse - Eps 5
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ต.ค. 2024
- Join this intrepid group of Perth based Adventure Riders as they embark on an across Australia adventure thru the heartland of the Outback on their quest to rediscover the natural beauty of Central Australia including Uluru, Kings Canyon, the Tanami Desert and finally culminating in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia with Gibb River Road being the highlight.
In this Episode, the group crawl over the abandoned Rabbit Flats Roadhouse; the source of many urban myths dating back years. They don't find anything unusual or out of the ordinary and so they continue onto the remote Aboriginal Community of Biluluna which is preparing for a funeral of a deceased Elder. It is then onto Kununurra where one of the group find themselves as first on scene for a serious motor vehicle accident.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!
![[UNCUT]“ฅนตื่นธรรม”ปะทะ“หมอปลา-ปู่มหามุนี-อั๋นโอกิ”สะเทือนกระทรวงเวทมนตร์ Iคนดังนั่งเคลียร์I10 ตค.67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/peMD_SAkwNc/mqdefault.jpg)
I am humbly overwhelmed…thank you to everyone who has enjoyed the journey so far and I am pleased I have been able to bring some really positive and memorable reflections as they venture down Memory Lane. I love this country and I really enjoy showing off the Outback. Thank you all!
Loving it. Thanks for sharing Steve.
@@mongreldogproductions thank you for showing it off, I used to be a tour guide in central Australia and nowadays stuck in Darwin. Your videos are a timely reminder to get back out there and kick myself in the bum to finish off that 4wd project in the shed.
Thank you mate! Keep it going
Always a good watch ol mate 👍🏻
My view.....all the shiny resorts lack the one thing people like us thrive on.....authenticity. Your videos are a case study in authentic outback motorcycle adventure. Love it and grateful!
We did the Tanami in 2009, camped at Rabbit Flat. It was a fantastic ‘roadhouse’. Their love story was even better, and they made a life in the desert. There was an Australian Story on RF a number of years ago. Absolutely amazing! I’m still amazed that they made a life for their family in the middle of the desert. It would have been hard and lonely. I remember there was a large pile of VB cans at the turn off to RF, Bruce would sell VB to the indigenous but they were not allowed to drink it within the property. Bruce’s wife was the tiniest lady , we bought fuel and when I went in to pay, she was so softly spoken and could hardly see over t he counter. That place has always stayed in my memory. Thank you for documenting this, I always wondered what would happen when they got too old. I know there was sons. Enjoying the vids!
It sounds like a fond memory of a time long ago. Glad you were able to reflect on the past. Thanks for watching.
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Bruce's wife was french and an artist. They had 2 boys, twins, who joined NorForce, ( army). I know their bore ran dry. They would have got a little too old to stay there. Yes, they also did weather reports.
When we did the Canning Stock route called into rabbit flat for fuel and some pies
The government cancelled there lease and they were forced to leave extremely sad fantastic people
Rabbit Flat was an amazing place, especially in1978 when you'd been on the dirt track from the Alice with absolutely no buildings or people around and all of a sudden there was the Rabbit Flat roadhouse. Bruce and Jackie Farrands were fabulous people who struggled with such harsh conditions out in the middle of nowhere. It was hard to believe Jackie moved from Paris (where she was born, to the outback of Australia). Something I thought might interest you was that they met while they were working on "Mongrel" Downs Station. We used to bush camp at the Granites which was just a disused second world war gravel airstrip.
Interesting to know there was a kinship (Mongrel) all that time ago. Spooky!
@@mongreldogproductions Possums🙂🙂
Another great series Steve. You just keep on adding to your long list of adventures and I'm sure everyone enjoys each and every video.
Glad you like them!
As a kid of 10 back in '77, had a family caravanning trip around Oz. Stopped for a looksy at Ivanhoe Crossing, Dad waded out a bit turned and said don't run as its slippery with algae. Well I ran slipped up landed on my chin, had to have stitches at the Kununurra hospital. Still have a lump to this day on my chin! Great trip Steve, keen for the next instalment!
For a minute there, I thought you were gunna say your dad was taken by a croc! Sorry about your chin but glad it was a worth a trip (pardon the pun) down Memory Lane.
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can't believe the amount of trips you get completed, great videos
Me neither…it’s almost an obsession. I didn’t give up work to watch daytime TV.
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Learnt a valuable lesson from this episode...its not difficult to take a standard sedan off-road, its getting it back on-road that is the challenge.
Looks to be a rental. I hope they got the extra insurance or they're in for a nasty surprise.
I always get an eerie feeling when you show those abandoned buildings, Steve. Really great series!
Glad you like them!
Awesome videos Steve. Many thanks for sharing them. Ditto: re: watching for the rider behind you. Even worse than a breakdown, a crash resulting in a rider being hurt and helpless until their dumbarse cohort wake up could be catastrophic. Words like yours are great reminders for riders to keep an eye out for each other. Anyhoo, carry on. 😁😃🤣
Great video and brings back memories of working through the Tanami in the mid 90's! When the Sturt Creek was in flood we'd have to drive to halls Creek via Lajamanu and Kalkarindji which generally was an easy drive than the Tanami Track.
We travelled on a coach camping trip, and camped just a hundred meters from the pub, in very long grass. When you walked into the pub the only thing i remember was the service window, looking like an old bank tellers hatch, with just enough room to pass small bottles of beer, and take your money. Well protected from the local customers.
I could imagine…I’m not even sure where the local Community was. Were they transients from Bililuna going East and vice versa??? There’s not a lot out there. I wonder how much a carton of beer cost back then 😂😂😂. Captive audience.
I paid $50 thirty years ago ....worked at the Granites
Great way to end the video and capture an audience. Thanks for sharing - fantastic trip.
Glad you enjoyed it
A bit of a shock to rabbit flat like that as i often think of the place. I spent a week there in 76 waiting for parts to come from Alice. I was also there a cupel of years later. That first room was added some time after that, had a copal of meals in the restaurant cooked by Jacqui. The camp site was down by the lagoon at the back and the was a windmill about where the tank is. And super petrol was on the hand pump bowser.
I’m sure a lot of blokes like you can recall stories and memories from a long time ago…good times I hope.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for taking me places I can’t go yet. I be retiring in 5 years and following your tyre tracks. 👍🏍️
Grab ya gear; Let’s go!
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Well, that was an unexpected ending!!! look forward to seeing what happens next!
Watch this space..
Lovely stuff. Been looking for the title of the book written by the Farrand's about their time at Rabbit Flat, which they ran for 41 years. Seems like beginning the sale of alcohol and cold drinks led to a number of unwelcome consequences.
Would not surprise me in the least…
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Channelling your ‘inner Steve McQueen’ at 9:47. Great series, again.
It was nice to ride without all the gear on out there…very liberating. 😀😀
Oh dear. Never a dull moment.
You got that right!
@@mongreldogproductions Some folks say the adventure doesn't begin until things start going wrong. And getting out of the sht is what makes for fun memories and good stores to recount some other time.
@@suzyamerica4679 You are in complete control, until you leave your driveway. After that, all bets are off. 😂😂😂
@@mongreldogproductions You must have nice driveways. Half the time, I stay in a place that's a mile away from pavement, with a lot of steep gravel in between. Going in and out on the RT has been interesting.
@@suzyamerica4679 Hahaha…you get the idea???
Reading through the comments really shows how you light up peoples memories. I've done some back country rides throughout SA and North West WA but nothing compared to your adventures..
Thanks for more satisfying videos and narrative. Really worthwhile for anyone interested with off the beaten track.
Thanks for the positive feedback and thanks for your continued support over the years.
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10.55 Nice drone capture of the sun's rays Steve, and thanks for the Grand Tour of Rabbit Flat.
I followed a couple of the links Wicki Leaks have on the place. The book by the people who lived there many years makes interesting reading. :)
Excitement there to close with!.😗
Hi Noel, Glad you enjoyed it. Next upload in a few days.
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Went through there on a ride from Weipa with 2 other GROWL members 20 odd years ago. Nice old European couple looked after us. He told us about a quartz field off the road to camp, nice spot, round white small rocks. We didn't even get dirty feet!.
It's so sad to watch this.😢
Hi Guys
Long time viewer Love all the videos awesome stuff.
We left Alice Springs to go straight up the middle of Australia
This was back in the late 80s, I saw a light & thought it may have been Rabbits Flat got up on my Roof rack then the light went off.
We arrived some 10 minutes later opened the door it was going on dark the door squeaked I looked in the VB cans were up to my knees.
You could not walk you had to drag your feet through the beer cans.
I saw a Buzza and sometime later a little old Lady came out with a candle she explained the Genset had broken down
They use to sell fuel by 1/2 a litre.
We were debating to stay there or hide in the bush.
A gold Miner turned up & said there was over 200 People here last night drinking & fighting.
We ended up had tea a sleep & left in the early hours of the morning.
No Problems told this story hundreds of times that brought so many great Memories back
Thanks again really appreciate your great adventures
Stay Safe Cheers
I hope you enjoyed your journey down Memory Lane…thanks for sharing.
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Good to see the drone back in action,adds a lot.
are you going to save someone?
another great video. I do enjoy them, thanks for taking the time to produce them 😎👍
That's the plan! Not all Superheroes wear capes.
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I worked out there in 1981, I met the owners, incredible people, an Irishman ☘️and a French woman.🇫🇷👩
Bloody hell Steve. That guy who went off the road is bloody lucky you were in the right place at perhaps the wrong time (for them)
I was a little surprised I was first on scene cause other people would have witnessed it before me I think. Maybe people don’t want to get involved. Watch the next vid…out in a few days.
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Have watched a few on and off but now I think I’m hooked, great video. Thanks.
Next upload in a few days time, welcome aboard.
Got diesel at Rabbit Flat road house in 1999 it flogged the crap outta my off-road camper trailer, love your video very well done
Thanks for the positive feedback…next upload is tomorrow (Saturday).
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Thx for documenting this great trip, spectacular to see the spinifex in flower
Glad you enjoyed it
Another brilliant video, thanks for sharing your adventures with us. 👍👍👍
Thanks 👍
FLAT NOT FLATS, FLAT NOT FLATS!!! But you're still a legend, that place was great when it was open
Go on, bust my balls. Gimme a break.
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Thanks for the efforts on these videos, I thoroughly enjoy them!
Thank you for the feedback. It makes it all worthwhile.
Ah Rabbit flat …
I stopped in there a couple of times back in the nineties
A French guy was running the place back then as I remember
He was a little unpredictable….
Sometimes welcoming…..
Sometimes not !!!!
Think he may have been out there way too long !!!!
Oh the memories!!!
I think he was an Aussie..she was a French National from what I can gather. Not important, glad you could travel down Memory Lane.
@@mongreldogproductions Correct Bruce was Australian, Jackie was French. They had a few children as well. Jackie I think for memory got sick, so Bruce was there by himself in the later years. He use to do manual observations for BOM. I use to work for BOM and current weather station is maintained every 6 mths or so.
Fun Fact, both his sons joined the Army and deploying to Timor, Afghastion etc etc
What a wonderful adventure ,pretty cool ,cliff hanger lol hope they are ok 😊
I hope so too! Next upload tomorrow (Saturday).
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Thanks for sharing, just fantastic to see more of the great outback. There's something special about the outback that can't be put into words!
Couldn't agree more!
I stayed there for a couple of nights in their last year, 2009, when I rode my bicycle to Halls Creek and beyond. Bruce was the most foul-mouthed bloke I ever came across, but he was an entertainer who had plenty of stories, some of which might have been true. They closed because they needed to put in new tanks to take Opal fuel, but the ground was solid limestone and needed plenty of explosives to excavate. He said for the amount of fuel they sold each year there was no way to pay for the installation. Jacqui was the calm one because he needed it. Don't know if they are still around, but they were in poor health back then.
I believe they moved to the Alice. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Steve ! Thanks for remaining so faithful to the job description There's no place like home
You are very welcome
Loving this series Steve, sittin here in Tokyo with a cuppa hiding from the rain fabulous episode again. Many more to come hopefully ?
Next upload in a few days. Tokyo??? I’m currently cycle touring South Korea and have been blessed by good weather.
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@@mongreldogproductions enjoy the good food over there Steve, I know i love tucking in to it when I visit 😄
Used to work with a guy who was part of the Rabbit Flat shutdown/cleanout, he had some tales to tell about the owner... Basically they stripped the site of absolutely everything usable.
Love your drone footage and melody. Recording mates riding their bikes gives another perspective.
Overall, awsome video of Tanami.
Sad about that last scene. hope guys inside are ok..
More to come!
Another great episode 😁 Thanx again for sharing.😁
Glad you enjoyed it
Bloody tourists made me chuckle .
Your videos never disappoint. Looking forward to finding out what happened with the car and driver 🍻
Coming soon!
Nice goin. Some Nice Corigations you had there. Could use one of thos blokes with the grader and caravan we saw in one of your last vids. Nice goin, glad Tom go thru there. Done well again, lookin forward to the nextie. Thanks m8, stay vertical Eh!
Next upload in a few days.
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Between you guys and workshop Wednesday my viewing is complete 😊😊
I’m glad we could be of service.
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Sad to see Rabbit Flat in ruins, visited there around 20 years ago, we had a beer and spoke with Bruce (Farrands) , he was an intelligent and well informed man. I hope he got to enjoy retirement.
Retired in Alice I think…never met him but would have liked to.
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Another amazing vid..
Bloody Tourists..
Tom what are you doing..
Amazing how the scenery has changed in 12 & not 18 days..
Lookimg forward to the trip home.. for the Adventurers that is...
More to come!
Blimey, wasn't expecting that ending 🫣 I spent a few miserable weeks picking onions in Kununurra back in the really 90s 🥵 😅
I’m really enjoying your adventures Steve. Almost makes me want to sell my road bike and get an adventure bike!
Go for it! It will open up a whole new world.
The Rabbit Flats roadhouse was in operation when I visited in the mid 1980's ( can't remember the exact time) . I drove down the to Rabbit Flat from Lajamanu via Picaninny Bore . The first two hours I used low range 4 wheel drive in the Toyota LC . I was pleased to have on board a local couple with their new born baby to assure me that we were on the correct track. I took them to Picaninny Bore outstation so the family could meet the new born baby. I did enjoy the day. Bruce
That sounds to me that you were really remote and had anything gone wrong it could have ended very badly. The Outback is very unforgiving. Glad you were able to survive that journey. What were you doing out there in the first place?
@@mongreldogproductions unless the road has deterioted, the track for lajamanu is used by the community there and should be a typical outback track.
Another great vid. You could clean up Rabbit Flats and have a reunion there ever year.
That's a great idea!
What spectacular country and it all looks in such good Nic following the rain. Those drone shots were ace 👍 a shocking end to that video, let’s hope all on board were ok
Glad you enjoyed it. Watch this space.
Great vid mate and spectacular country.
Old mate in the car n van was sitting way too close for all the dust. If you radio the trucks and let them know your steam past they will hold steady.
How do you find the 1250 on dirt … touring is perfect but soft stuff is it a bit heavy?
You need a particular skill set and it is a handful in the snotty stuff. It is a very versatile bike and is only limited by the skill set of the Pilot. It is perfect for what I do….Outback touring. I love it!
I was there in 77, the welcome sign had welcome to Rabbit Flat, population 2 was crossed out and a 4 was put next to it and it said we had twins 😂
Correct…
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@@mongreldogproductions I remember the lady was so sweet to us, the little shop was the post office, corner store (not on a corner), the hospital, the petrol station and the pastor if needed, 😂, what a really cool memory.
If your tail end Charlie carries something important, he's never left behind 😅
Steve, did the car leave the road to miss Tom? 🤦🏼♂️. Seriously I hope all turned out well for the occupants of the car.👍🏴
Hi Steve, thanks for this Ep which is Epic on a M/C.
25:45 I carry a small bottle of Oil of Cloves and an ear bud stick for application - stops tooth ache almost instantly. I also carry Amoxil for tooth abscesses; and a pain killer a little bit stronger than Panadol Forte.
The latter two are script only but an understanding GP will prescribe them, before journey's start, when the remote travel situation is well described.
Another tip - GPs can do 'tele' scripts - my GP is able to digitally provide a script to a pharmacy in a nominated town before I arrive; I call her and then I get an SMS when the job's done; show the SMS which has the script authority in it and the RSM's your uncle. Class 8 MAINTDEM satisfied.
There was no Pharmacy for about 1,500km where we were going but we did pick up some clove oil in the middle of bu* f*** nowhere at all remote community. It all worked out well in the end. Thanks for watching.
Great video, i really appreciate the effort you put in to make a great channel, even with a toothache....
Thank you very much!
Nothing worse than a tooth issue whilst on the road and reasonably remote!! 😮 I had to have first stage root canal surgery done in Broome back in 2015 (after the tooth got infected at Point Samson), then 2nd stage in Townsville 8 weeks later....only to get home 3 months after that to be told the tooth actually couldn't be saved and needed to be extracted!!! A very expensive exercise! Hopefully you got yours sorted!! 👍
Yeah, it was a positive outcome for me thankfully. I’m glad I live in a first world country.
Thanks for watching.
Itchy boots is getting a new bike. Very interesting discussion with the bike builder in latest vid.
What is an itchy boot???
google it
When Bruce and Jackie Farrands ran the Rabbit Flat Roadhouse it was a Godsend and a popular waterhole for all sorts of wildlife, including local indigenous folk. And it did get wild from time to time. So much so that Bruce would wear a handgun at times and be connected with Darwin for assistance should be needed... Army and Police. Truly the Wild West.
Ah, good times.
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Rabbit Flat Roadhouse closed at the end of 2010. Photos of its more glamorous days can be found online.
Correct…
Great video Steve ride safe
Thanks 👍
Very disappointed to see Rabbit Flat abandoned went through in 1988 and still have the stubbie holder
Might be worth some money on EBay 😂😂😂
@@mongreldogproductions you might be right original plastic with foam insert not many of them still around
Beautiful
Thank you! Cheers!
Good shit Steve , adventure season just starting here in NZ ❤
What great way to travel the outback
Great video mate. Luv following along on google earth.
Thanks 👍
Whoa! Just when you think everything was going smoothly... a car goes off the road. Lucky you were not in his path!
The Leyland Brothers were never like this 😳
They were Pioneers…maybe the first ‘Influences’ back in the day😂😂😂.
Another “ cliffhanger “ !!
Gotta keep ‘em hooked.
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What a way to finish this episode! An old fashioned cliff hanger!!! Love it and look forward to the next one! And one quick question. I have been watching your videos for a few years; how many ks on the clock of the GS?
More to come! 150,000km last time I checked. 😀
Had a laugh with the "poor prick in the caravan" comment. However the said poor prick could have backed of a couple of k's and enjoyed the scenery.
Most wobbly box "operators" would be dangerous towing a box trailer.
First to comment …. now I’ll watch it. 😂
Don’t have to say its good because I know it will be.
Geez, I hope I never disappoint!
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@@mongreldogproductions 😀😀
Ahh yes, the old 'MLOT' strikes silently (momentary lapse of talent / concentration)
You gotta agree…it is dark up there.
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@@mongreldogproductions 🕶🤣
By crikey talk about leaving us on a cliff hanger! BTW when are you going to do the CSR? Might need a lighter bike for that one though!
I’ve done the CSR…twice! But not on a bike. Too old for that shi* now. I’ll leave it to the young ones.
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Mate you’re getting too good at this. We’re going to have to start calling you Hitchcock.
I guess there are worse places for Tom to have his head. Anyway, nice vid. Thanks
No problem
Cracka episode. Shame about rabbit flats haven't been that way for many many years .
Wiki is good info on rabbit flats came to the media’s interest due to twins opened 1969 for tourist coaches coming through wow the ending though.
Correct…
Rabbit Flat no s haha 😝
Gimme a break…
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@@mongreldogproductions I live in Alice Springs, let me know when you’re in town again and I’ll shout you a beer or ten 😊
@@johnmaude5065 Alice is my second home, after Wiluna, Laverton, Warburton, Ceduna and a few other places on the map. You never know when you might get a knock on your door. Thanks for the invite.
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@@mongreldogproductions always welcome 🤗
They used to do a roaring trade when the drilling mobs were around, sad to see.
Probably the only blokes who could afford the price of the grog 😂😂😂
Hi guys, wow what amazing building haven’t been destroyed by idiots. Be wonderful place to be ever is pouring down rain and you needed a shelter and staying so glad still there and no one has burnt it down. Wonderful. Keep up the good work guys. Always enjoy the video clip from Logan City Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺 I’m on the big island 🏝️
I think those who travel the Outback have a certain respect for the legacy left by others. There are examples of that all around Australia. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Granites to billuna is the the only bit of dirt left on the tanami?
It’s a work in progress but it will be sealed to the Granites within a couple of years. They are also working on the road from Gt Northern Highway to Biliuna so you better get in quick.
Thanks for watching.
@@mongreldogproductions driven it a few times, it’s one of those happy & sad at the same time moments. Sure bitumen for the win, but it’s going to lose its “remote” feeling
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Geriatrics should be sticking to soft food?
It was the roo tail .
‘Geriatrics’…that’s a bit harsh!
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You couldn’t make this stuff up what’s next deliver a baby on the side of the road
Watch this space…
A short history on Rabit Lat can be found @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_Flat,_Northern_Territory#:~:text=It%20was%20established%20on%2014,Hill%2C%20now%20known%20as%20Kalkarindji.
I have been through Rabit Flat twice, first in 2002 and again in 2006. I believe that the twin boys eventually joined the army and were not keen on carrying on the family business. Also the fuel had to be brought in by road from Alice Springs and the business had to pay for the extra costs. Unable to match the price of other subsidised outlets on the track only dedicated travelers filled up there.
Thanks for the memories.
Tiger😎
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you enjoyed your journey down Memory Lane.