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We welcome any comments about our business or website. Ken Williamson did the Desert & Lake trip. Ken had this to say about his experience: Just a short note to say thank you for the opportunity of accompanying you and your group on our "trip around the block" from Alice Springs to Birdsville then down and around Lake Eyre and back to Alice via the Oodnadatta track and by popular request a return visit to Dalhousie Springs in August. The beauty of the deserts after the earlier rains and the magnificence of the Simpson landscape provided an all new experience for me. The overall experience was enhanced by the unbelievably informed and ongoing commentary provided by the experts in the group. I found the other group members to be great travelling companions with whom you could eagerly look forward to the evening campfire each night in the fantastic clear air of the desert. I should also mention that the high standard of technical expertise available to support the group was greatly appreciated and made the overall trip a much more enjoyable experience. Regards, Ken Williamson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Antony Kaouklis came along on the 'Desert & Lake 2000' trip, this is what he had to say: From city slicker to desert rat in under 2 weeks. We had a great time and saw things that, up until then, we had only read about in off road magazines. Direct Four WD Awareness knows the desert like their own back yard, and treat it accordingly… A great trip! After living for nearly 30 years in inner-city Brisbane and getting no closer to the ‘real’ Australia than a 3 day trip to the Darling Downs, it was with some trepidation that my partner and I made our way to Alice Springs in our 1979 Datsun 200B. It was obvious that an off road vehicle was needed if we wanted to see the ‘real’ Australia and after acquiring a 1986 Patrol we set off for a trip to Kakadu/Darwin. It soon became obvious that there was more to see and more to off-road driving than our skills would allow. An advert in the local paper Direct 4WD Awareness promoting an upcoming trip through the Simpson Desert to Birdsville was the catalyst for the most exciting trip of our lives. After attending an information night during which Jol explained the route, costs and vehicle needs we decided that it was too good an opportunity to pass up. The next 2 weeks were hectic ones for us as we bought the necessary gear for an extended (for us) desert trip. Desert passes, maps & guides were all pored over as we tried to learn as much as we could about off road driving (desert style) and the places that were on the extensive itinerary. During this busy period we had got to meet and become friends with several other people who were going on the trip too. Some where locals who had been with Jol on previous trips, others (like us) were newies to off road driving or new to Central Australia. The cars ranged from the u beaut Jeep that Jol was driving to the pumpkin Patrol that was to be our home away from home for the trip. The day arrived and after tying ribbons to our antennas we set off for our adventure of a lifetime together with 7 other cars. Names like Santa Teresa, Old Andado, Mt Dare, Dalhousie Ruins which had until that point been just names on an itinerary schedule soon became real. Days were filled with one amazing sight after another. It had been a wet year and as a result the desert revealed its magic carpet to us (flowers in full bloom). We quickly gained new insights and skills in driving through (and over) this new terrain. Our group of travellers soon became a close-knitted unit as we came to depend on each other for advice and mechanical help. The 2 way radios and well-planned breaks allowed us to share information and experiences. Comments like did you see the dingo on the side of the track? or where do you think that camel was going? and why did it take me 3 tries to get over the sand hill when you guys did it in one? became the norm as we chatted over the radios or stopped for our breaks. The well-planned halts to the days driving gave us plenty of daylight time to prepare camp for the night. Once the tents were up and the timber for the fire collected it was all hands on deck to prepare the evening meals. Vegetarians like us have it easy as we don’t have to worry about keeping the meat fresh. But I was amazed to see how organised and versatile some of our fellow travellers were with their camping fridge and ovens. Once dinner was over and everything was spick and span and stored away we slowly congregated around the open fire. It was here that we exchanged information, told stories, joked and had a great time under the brightest most fantastic sky imaginable. First timers like us looked forward to these chats as we were able to ask questions about driving techniques, bush repairs and generally getting to know a bit more about the area we were driving through. Arriving at our destinations (Birdsville) was appreciated if only for the hot showers, but the best part had to be swimming in the hot springs at Dalhousie looking into the reply surface of the water at the rising sun. We met great people, saw fantastic sights and learned some useful driving techniques. Oh what a feeling ..........................[obviously wants a new Toyota] |
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