"Hello all,
We are excited to share with you the Big Desert trip we have planned for the long weekend from the 10th to 13th of March (Fri to Mon). Please be advised that Friday is not a public holiday, so you may want to organize a leave.
The Big Desert trip is aimed at experiencing the desert driving environment for the first time. The distance we will cover is relatively long compared to your normal high country trip. We would like you to test your vehicle and gear, as well as how you can pack and organize the trip.
Day 1
The trip will start early morning on Friday, meeting at Maccas in Bacchus Marsh
https://goo.gl/maps/cR9DeRVc2jfRZpHm8 at 9 am. It will take about 2.5-3 hours to get to Stawell
https://goo.gl/maps/WeKLBKSGmzQk9zv39.
From Stawell, we will continue westbound and head towards Nhil
https://goo.gl/maps/apFG7fe6CunkwBdm8, which should be a small town and our last fuel stop (1.5 hours).
We will then continue our journey to our destination right in the middle of Big Desert called Big Billy Camp
https://goo.gl/maps/MnF6ASkNux3EKffFA.
We hope to arrive at the camp by 3 pm. We will decide whether we will just set up camp or continue on one of the desert routes (4WD) called “Route 3”, which is about a 2.5-hour (45 km) loop.
Day 2
We will break camp at 8 am and head from camp to the start of Route 2. Route 2 is a 100 km, 5-hour desert track. Once finished, we will either continue on Route 3 (if not already completed) or continue on Route 1, which is a 100 km, 3-hour drive. Please note that we will try to simulate the experience in Simpson desert where we will not base camp, but rather have a rolling camp, so please be prepared to pack and unpack your tent/swag every night. We will discuss the plan for Day 3 during the night around the fire :)
Day 3
TBA
Day 4
We will head back to Melbourne.
In total, we expect the longest distance without a fuel stop to be about 700 km, mixed high and low range (and some 2wd). So if you can carry enough fuel without refueling, it would be ideal.
That’s it! Let’s count down to the trip and make sure it’s well prepared.
Note: I am the trip leader and co-plan with Adam. So, as a small house rule, when I am leading a trip, if possible, I will make the final call, especially around safety. I am not obligated or responsible for your safety or security. I co-host and plan this trip voluntarily. Please make sure we have mutual respect, and if needed, lend your hand to help out, especially if we are in an emergency or recovery situation. I know most of you on this trip, and I am sure this group has a lot to offer, and everyone is nice and friendly."
Food:
- BYO food and drink (let's see if we can share our meal too)
The fine details of the trip are here. Please add your emergency contact details and your vehicle/gear details if you can.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vzDfbiqNBpQ0SbbJNNWVr3zfPO8gFR3dbYQZEjhCstQ/edit#gid=0
Requirement