Boys trip exploring goldfields tracks NT Australia

[Scott Murray]

Well myself two mates and two dogs just got back from an awesome 3 day 2 night camping trip exploring some old tracks and mining ruins near Pine creek.


The damage to the vehicles was kept to a minimum with some common sense and some road building to cross wash outs caused by the last wet season, though I did scrape my rear left lights on the tray bending the housing a bit (easily fixed once home) and ripped off a mud flap on my rear right again easily fixed. My mate bent his battery box at the rear left of his hilux tray with no damage to his spare battery.


Day 1

After driving as far as we could we came across our first wash away section of track.


The first wash away caused the only damage of the trip, and both at the left rear of each vehicle.


Checking out the damage to ensure the battery was not leaking or contacting anything.


https://flic.kr/p/Xg6UES]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/XvZ53M]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/XiSFP8]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


Inspecting one of the wash aways, you cannot see it but in the grass is a washed out section where your drivers side tyre would be an inch from a 3 ft drop off. And after building it up a bit we decided to take a different safer line.


https://flic.kr/p/WUVqVw]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/WUVyd7]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


Plan B – Me tackling the safer line.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/WhCGev]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr

Here you can clearly see the track on the left and our diversion Plan B on the right.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

And another nice wash out.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Not only did we have wash outs, we also had tight sections between trees.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr



Near the end of the day we came across our first mining relics.


https://flic.kr/p/WdK2V7]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/WTrkVo]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/XeAUYS]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/XquPUd]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/XeC51N]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/Xqw3Ju]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr


https://flic.kr/p/WdGkdu]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr

 

[Scott Murray]

Day 1 Cont'd.

Then our first camp spot was after some challenging but fun 4wding. Luckily we found a spot close enough to the river for easy access, but high enough to keep a safe distance from Salties. It was even shallow enough for a dip and cool off.


https://flic.kr/p/XeDtnL]Untitled[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/]Scott Murray[/url], on Flickr

But we were not alone, we had company.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

After a few quick photos this fella was released.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Now was the time to relax.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

After a cool down in the river we hiked the rolling hills for more ruins.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

 

[Franck Alcidi]

Awesome stuff Scott!.... Where abouts near Pine Creek was this? Wouldn't mind going there to explore myself :)

 

[Scott Murray]

Awesome stuff Scott!.... Where abouts near Pine Creek was this? Wouldn't mind going there to explore myself :)

Hey Franck glad you like it so far, Day 2 coming soon.

As for the location, for now we have to keep it a secret, but if you go exploring you will find awesome places and things out Pine Creek way (Google Earth is your friend).

 

[Scott Murray]

Day 2.

We were up nice and early, and after a nice cup of coffee we head down to the river for a quick refreshing dip before heading off to our next destination which even we do not know where camp will be.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Us accessing the exit of one of the washouts which we came down the day before (oneway in oneway out).

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

After negotiating the numerous wash outs we investigate a new camping site, it looks awesome and the way point is saved to file.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Even though the grass is still long here I think with enough people it can be knocked down.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Tank enjoying the cool water.

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[Scott Murray]

Day 2 Cont'd

Later on we find more old ruins and machine parts.

Old drill rig

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

A big lone Water Buffalo, these are the ones you need to keep away from. They are very dangerous and tempermental.

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An old holden rusting away.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

This is us getting phone signal so we can set up and re-sign back into the DJI Drone, we were bloody lucky to get good signal here.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Camp at the end of day 2

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A few beers around the camp fire.

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Feral cats are an issue in Australia, we do our little to help the native animals.

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Another introduced pest 'The Cane Toad' they have poison glands on their back and kill anything that eats them... That is unless you only eat the leg!!! Not sure what did this but something has gotten smart. The toad was still alive aswell.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

 

[Franck Alcidi]

Hey Franck glad you like it so far, Day 2 coming soon.

As for the location, for now we have to keep it a secret, but if you go exploring you will find awesome places and things out Pine Creek way (Google Earth is your friend).

Yeah no worries mate! Completely understand. I'm trying to find secluded spots my myself to get away from all the tourists that are slowly destroying some of our prime areas (Litchfield is a classic example). If you ever want someone else to tag along though please let me know and if I can get out, more than happy to come along and keep my mouth shut :)

Cheers and love day 2 as well. Some beautiful spots you have found :)

 

[Scott Murray]

Yeah no worries mate! Completely understand. I'm trying to find secluded spots my myself to get away from all the tourists that are slowly destroying some of our prime areas (Litchfield is a classic example). If you ever want someone else to tag along though please let me know and if I can get out, more than happy to come along and keep my mouth shut :)

Cheers and love day 2 as well. Some beautiful spots you have found :)

No worries mate, I have a few that you might like. For example back of Butterfly Gorge (just out of the park) swimmable area that you can take dogs.
With me living in Jabiru I have to drive out of Kakadu to take my boy camping, be it Arnhem land or South...

Will keep you in mind for next trip.

 

[Franck Alcidi]

No worries mate, I have a few that you might like. For example back of Butterfly Gorge (just out of the park) swimmable area that you can take dogs.
With me living in Jabiru I have to drive out of Kakadu to take my boy camping, be it Arnhem land or South...

Will keep you in mind for next trip.

Awesome mate!... Might have to hit you up on the spot behind Butterfly Gorge. I want to try and get one or two more weekend camp trips in before the wet sets in. I suspect we might have an early one too given the amount of clouds that are already starting to build up and the lack of decent cool weather this year.

 

[Scott Murray]

Day 3
Today we have a slow start, after a few coffee's and a pack up we are on the road around 11am
Driving for a bit down rough mining tracks we come across what seems to be a wheel from an old steam powered machine, the spokes on it are huge and we discuss what it could be from.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

We come across more open abandoned mine shafts. These can be dangerous so I do not suggest standing too close.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

A section of open track, but not without its steep up's and downs.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Ans after 3 days of slow driving we get back on to the Stuart Highway and our first stop is at the Lazy Lizard in Pine Creek, where we chat and say our goodbye's. And start planning our next trip out in the NT Goldfields.
My boy Tank was happy to get onto smooth roads and have a sleep.
Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

 

[rlhydn]

Awesome trip, thanks for sharing. Was the rifle primarily for the cantankerous buffalo or...?