Hi there, I would like to do the Border Track (VIC-SA border) over the Easter weekend and looking for a group of keen 4wd'ers.

Track is due to open on the 1st of April but I will confirm with the authorities before so that there is no unpleasant surprise.

Plan would be to meet on Good Friday and drive up to Murray Sunset NP and spend the night at the Pink lakes. Do Border track on Sat and spend another night at one of the camp sites. Sunday heading back home and/or possibly extending for another day to do some more wheeling in Big Desert.

Requirement

  • Recovery Gear
  • Florian

  • Florian (Ze German) I am first-aid qualified Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 1 trips)

    GOING
    Myself only
    Honey badger (2011 Amarok)
    • 31" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch
  • Andrew

  • Andrew (McDUX)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    MCDUX TRUX (2013 Colorado)
    • 30" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Winch

Mark Townsend (tractorboy)
Have put down interested just need to check my work for over easter
02 Apr 2017
Richard (Sawyer478)
[Private Message Sent] - If you are GOING, please check your inbox.
02 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Mark Townsend (tractorboy) wrote: Have put down interested just need to check my work for over easter
Cool, cool...just let me know soon as possible so I can plan more in detail.
02 Apr 2017
Doug
Doug (mcsee)
Don't forget to log on to the Parks site and book a spot at the respective Campground ($12.00) and get a Park Pass for the Track ($10.00). Do this before you go so you don't miss a spot to camp.
02 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
Hi guys
I have not done the Border Track yet but I would love to do it.
My only concern is that,my Prado 150 is a stock standard and I just got a recovery point fitted at the front.I got pair of max trax,snatch straps,tyre repair tool kit,air compressor and that's about it.
My question is should the car be OK to do the Border Track or not really?
Thanks guys
Les
02 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
Doug (mcsee) wrote: Don't forget to log on to the Parks site and book a spot at the respective Campground ($12.00) and get a Park Pass for the Track ($10.00). Do this before you go so you don't miss a spot to camp.
OK,Will do,
Thank you Doug!
Les
02 Apr 2017
Doug
Doug (mcsee)
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/booking#Ngarkat Conservation Park

Book at the above web site.
02 Apr 2017
Doug
Doug (mcsee)
Les (4play) wrote: Hi guys
I have not done the Border Track yet but I would love to do it.
My only concern is that,my Prado 150 is a stock standard and I just got a recovery point fitted at the front.I got pair of max trax,snatch straps,tyre repair tool kit and that's about it.
My question is should the car be OK to do the Border Track or not really?
Thanks guys
Les
Les,
Your vehicle should be fine, but you will need to air down before you start (18psi) then reinflate when you finish. You will be in a group, so just follow the instructions of the leader. Enjoy your trip.
02 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
OK,Thank you for the info and the reply Doug.
Regards,
Les
02 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Hi Les,
Do you have some decent tyres, a good A/T tyre should do? My Amarok is also just standing on 31' BFG A/T tyres but that was good enough for going through Big desert and Wyperfeld. You have a proper recovery point and not just a towing point, please make sure of that. Otherwise I think you should be alright. I haven't done Border Track yet but heard that it is not very difficult. There will be some deep bog holes somewhere at the end but there will be ways to go around them. Hope this answers your questions. Will you be coming from Melbourne?
02 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Doug (mcsee) wrote: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/booking#Ngarkat Conservation Park

Book at the above web site.
Thanks for the info Doug.
I hope that over the next couple of days at least a few people will confirm they are coming and I will arrange booking for the campsite.
02 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
Hi Florian

I got everything stock standard on the Prado including the tyres.
I have been to the Little Desert once before and aired down to 20psi and was no problems at all.
The recovery point is not the tie down points it is an aftermarket proper recovery point.
Yes,I'll be coming from Melbourne.
So,what do you think?
Regards,
Les
02 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Les (4play) wrote: Hi Florian

I got everything stock standard on the Prado including the tyres.
I have been to the Little Desert once before and aired down to 20psi and was no problems at all.
The recovery point is not the tie down points it is an aftermarket proper recovery point.
Yes,I'll be coming from Melbourne.
So,what do you think?
Regards,
Les
I reckon it depends on the weather mate. If it starts raining and the track gets wet it might get very slippery for you. If its stays dry i think you should be fine if you air down.
02 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
I was thinking the same thing,in dry condition should be OK but in wet probably not.
OK,Thanks for you reply Florian
Les
02 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Hi guys,

Over the next couple of days could those of you who want to come please change their status from "interested" to "going".
I need at least 2-3 cars to confirm so I can book the campsite for us and get the park pass.

Cheers,

Florian
03 Apr 2017
Dave
Dave (Stoops) Premium Member
Florian (Ze German) wrote:
Les (4play) wrote: Hi Florian

I got everything stock standard on the Prado including the tyres.
I have been to the Little Desert once before and aired down to 20psi and was no problems at all.
The recovery point is not the tie down points it is an aftermarket proper recovery point.
Yes,I'll be coming from Melbourne.
So,what do you think?
Regards,
Les
I reckon it depends on the weather mate. If it starts raining and the track gets wet it might get very slippery for you. If its stays dry i think you should be fine if you air down.
I have just had a group on the Border Track and we had vehicles aired down to 15psi for the hard climbs. You will need to go lower than 20 that's for sure. And a big climb in Big Desert we had very capable vehicles with experienced drivers down to 12 psi.
03 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Thanks for this great advise Dave. Much appreciated! So far most of the peeps who have expressed interest for this trip just have average cars, including myself. Will be a challenge if we go but i will let that sink in...airpressure below 20!!! :)
03 Apr 2017
Thurstain
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Hi Florian,
As Dave said definitely under 20psi. I started with 18 PSI and ended up the last challenge in Big Desert going down to 10 PSI. I would not worry much about clearance and stuff but tyres definitely need to be good. Highway terrain tyres can't handle low pressure as their sidewalls are not strong enough.. also if it rains, the sand will compact down so it will give you better traction on sand, however parts of the tracks will flood and become very muddy (clay) and there is no way you will do them with anything less than decent all-terrains.

Your Amarok with 2 inch lift and 31's A/T should do every challenge no problems. Just make sure everyone has at least rated recovery points on their vehicles, snatch straps and rated shackles. Winches in the desert are useless (not much to winch off unless you use other vehicles as anchors)

Also having an air compressor to air up after the track would be great. As you don't want to drive on the road with low air pressure to the next servo. Our group had lots of capable vehicles and mostly experienced drivers who drove on sand before, most of us made it up every challenge, sometimes taking a couple goes. You need to be prepared as it's a very remote place. Also make sure that no SUVs come. All cars should have Low Range gears.

Have fun. We just came back from there yesterday and wish I was still there haha!!
04 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Thurstain (Tcm9669) wrote: Hi Florian,
As Dave said definitely under 20psi. I started with 18 PSI and ended up the last challenge in Big Desert going down to 10 PSI. I would not worry much about clearance and stuff but tyres definitely need to be good. Highway terrain tyres can't handle low pressure as their sidewalls are not strong enough.. also if it rains, the sand will compact down so it will give you better traction on sand, however parts of the tracks will flood and become very muddy (clay) and there is no way you will do them with anything less than decent all-terrains.

Your Amarok with 2 inch lift and 31's A/T should do every challenge no problems. Just make sure everyone has at least rated recovery points on their vehicles, snatch straps and rated shackles. Winches in the desert are useless (not much to winch off unless you use other vehicles as anchors)

Also having an air compressor to air up after the track would be great. As you don't want to drive on the road with low air pressure to the next servo. Our group had lots of capable vehicles and mostly experienced drivers who drove on sand before, most of us made it up every challenge, sometimes taking a couple goes. You need to be prepared as it's a very remote place. Also make sure that no SUVs come. All cars should have Low Range gears.

Have fun. We just came back from there yesterday and wish I was still there haha!!
Hey mate,
Thanks for all that great advise. Much appreciated and I will certainly take that on board :)
I have been wheeling my car a fair bit through the Mallee and just a few month ago I did Big Desert, Wyperfeld and Murray Sunset NP so I kind of know what to expect.
I will make sure that everybody in the group has some decent tyres, proper recovery points and all the recovery gear. I am a pointy-headed German and never go out bush under prepared, haha :)
Thanks again and all the best!
04 Apr 2017
Les
Les (4play)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Hi Florian
I withdraw from trip,seen that I don't have the appropriate tyres.
Anyway,you have a great trip.
Regards,
Les
04 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Les (4play) wrote: WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Hi Florian
I withdraw from trip,seen that I don't have the appropriate tyres.
Anyway,you have a great trip.
Regards,
Les
No worries mate. Ye, we don't want to risk it. Maybe next time.
All the best.

Florian
04 Apr 2017
Spencer
Spencer (Thebozman)
Hi florian, Just clicked interested, I don't know anybody on this website so wasn't sure if you only wanted people you know. Also is this trip dog friendly? Cheers Spence.
04 Apr 2017
Steve
Steve (4WD_LYF)
Spencer (Thebozman) wrote: Hi florian, Just clicked interested, I don't know anybody on this website so wasn't sure if you only wanted people you know. Also is this trip dog friendly? Cheers Spence.
I doubt it would be seeing as border track is a NP.. I could be wrong though as I have never been
04 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Spencer (Thebozman) wrote: Hi florian, Just clicked interested, I don't know anybody on this website so wasn't sure if you only wanted people you know. Also is this trip dog friendly? Cheers Spence.
Hey mate, there are no restrictions. Anyone is welcome. Dog friendly might be an issue because most of it is a NP and i dont think dogs are allowed in there.
04 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Hi all,

I have just uploaded a info doc for the region and the border track. Have a look if you want to have more details on the track and camping spots.

Cheers,

Florian
04 Apr 2017
Thurstain
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Hi,
Dogs are not allowed. I wanted to bring my dog in the last trip but that whole area including Big Desert, Ngarkat and the surrounds is no pets allowed. Lots of 1080 baits around and wild dogs.. not a pet friendly place for sure.
05 Apr 2017
Steve
Steve (4WD_LYF)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason:
06 Apr 2017
Bryan (dunny4)
Hi Florian,

Are you still going on this trip. I will be in Berry SA on friday. I was going over to Melrose for the landrover show but my mate canot make it.
What time are you leaving pink lakes Sat morning, woukd be keen to catch up to you guys and tag along. Where are you going to join the border track.
12 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Hey mate. Lucky you are writing i was just about to cancel the trip due to lack of people.
I am still keen to go and if you want we could do border track on Sat together. Does your car meet the requirements? If you are keen then let me know by tomorrow afternoon so we can pay the park fee.
Cheers,

Florian
12 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
If anyone still wants to go then now is the time to let me know.
12 Apr 2017
Bryan (dunny4)
Florian (Ze German) wrote: Hey mate. Lucky you are writing i was just about to cancel the trip due to lack of people.
I am still keen to go and if you want we could do border track on Sat together. Does your car meet the requirements? If you are keen then let me know by tomorrow afternoon so we can pay the park fee.
Cheers,

Florian
Car meets just about all requirements, typical Defender problem is that there are no front rated tow points. But that has not stopped me yet.
I could meet you at Pink lakes around 10 sat and we could check out murry sunset and boarder treck sat and sun. Im not going home untill monday.
13 Apr 2017
Florian
Trip Leader Florian (Ze German)
Bryan (dunny4) wrote:
Florian (Ze German) wrote: Hey mate. Lucky you are writing i was just about to cancel the trip due to lack of people.
I am still keen to go and if you want we could do border track on Sat together. Does your car meet the requirements? If you are keen then let me know by tomorrow afternoon so we can pay the park fee.
Cheers,

Florian
Car meets just about all requirements, typical Defender problem is that there are no front rated tow points. But that has not stopped me yet.
I could meet you at Pink lakes around 10 sat and we could check out murry sunset and boarder treck sat and sun. Im not going home untill monday.
Man, that would be sick! I already didn't think that I would find anyone but if you are up for it I am sure we will be fine with 2 capable cars.
I think we would have to organise for park fee and book a campground at Border track today (if still possible) but I am happy to improvise if needed.
It would be myself and probably a mate of mine coming. I think we should have a chat on the phone mate....will write you my no. in a message....
13 Apr 2017
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TRIP COMPLETED

1 GOING, 6 Interested
1 adults
Trip Date
14-Apr-2017 (Fri) to 16-Apr-2017 (Sun)

Meeting Point
Maccas Calder northbound
9:00 AM (Fri, 14-Apr-2017)

Organiser
Florian

Florian (Ze German)

View my trips