It is not a secret that there is always something new to learn regardless how much 4WD experience someone already poses. Add to that having a new car that has just been introduced in Australia that nobody knows really how (good) it performs in challenging situations.
I also wanted to get my wife involved more in 4WD-ing so thought that a training course might lift her confidence and boost enjoyment of the off-road experience.
I booked a bush driving course with one of the local well established training providers. It was a full day training course in the hills east of
Perth that included bush driving through some rough, rugged, steep and loose
terrain. That was a perfect opportunity to safely play with all
available traction features in FJ Cruiser.
The course covered :
4WD Systems & Selection
Gravel Road Driving
High & Low Range selection & use
Automatic & Manual Techniques
Rutted Tracks
Uneven Rocky Crossings
Mud Tracks (I'm not fan of cleaning the mud afterwards so skipped this one)
Steep Ascents
Steep Descents
Wheel placement techniques
Using Spotters
4wd vehicle features (Where Fitted) including Axle Diff Locks, Traction Control & ESC
We all met in the morning at the petrol station next to the turn-off to York at Great Eastern Highway.
There were around 10ish cars. Almost all popular brands were represented ie. SWB and LWD Jeep Wrangler, new Mazda BT-50, two Toyota Hilux-es, Mitsubishi Challender, etc.
After a welcome speech by two instructors and a short overview of the plan for the day, we departed to the famous Powerline Track. We stopped at a flat ground with few dried ruts used to demonstrate clearance and basic bits about traction control. This was really an easy start.
Heading into bush via some local tracks which are not normally publicly accessible.
The first serious obstacle was a rutty climb where we supposed to test how the vehicle behaviour differs when different traction features were used.
FJ Cruiser done this so effortlessly that almost spoiled spectators enjoyment and expectations to see some struggles.
The next obstacle was used to demonstrate importance of having a good spotter when driving over large rocks.
We continued into bush and stopped at a dry but very steep gully. I estimate side slopes were a bit over 40deg. This was something that I was personally looking for as an opportunity to push Calimero and see how the car and tyres will perform. I dropped tyre pressure to about 22 PSI hoping to get most of traction out of Mickey Thompson STZ.
Early afternoon we stopped for a lunch at a nice spot in the local woodland.
It was a nice day out and fully justified the money spent. FJ Cruiser was undoubtedly one of the most capable vehicles on that day and did everything with so little effort.
For the first summit of FJ Cruiser Club Australia muster point was chosen to be small town Arkaroola Eco Camp in the middle of Gammon Ranges, South Australia. The summit drive itself was planned to take four days including approximately 1400 km off road driving across Gammon, Flinders and Gawler ranges while camping along the way to a small South Australia coastal town called Streaky Bay. This was actually meant to be tracing the same track used for shooting famous Toyota Australia FJ Cruiser promotional video "One Way In, One Way Out".
All packed up and ready to go on 2764 km trip to the meeting point in Arkaroola.
Afternoon's drive was straight to Norseman where stayed overnight. A very cold morning the next day. 0C while re-fuelling in the morning for Nullarbor crossing really felt like that.
On the way to Nullarbor was the famous Australia's the longest straight road.
Stopped at Eyre Bird Observatory. The track was rough and rocky but nothing FJ Cruiser could not handle in a comfort.
Stayed overnight at Madura Roadhouse which was ok place for such a remote location. It took few hours in the morning to reach Eucla at the border between Western and South Australia.
These are some indications about distances from this to some other places.
Eucla museum was a nice place to spend a little bit of free time browsing old telegraph equipment and memorables.
After re-fuelling headed toward Australian Great Bight, hoping for some nice photo opportunities. Weather wasn't photo friendly at all with lot of overcast but managed to get some photos during a short sunny breaks.
Crossing Nullarbor wasn't boring as I expected it to be. Really busy Eyre highway haven't left much of attention free. Driving more into South Australia and there was a noticeable difference in vegetation.
A typical Australian interstate highway panorama.
The next overnight stop was in Ceduna before heading up north into Flinders Ranges. The morning's light rain created nice photo opportunity with sun breaking through the clouds and a rainbow hanging above the town main jetty.
On the way out of Ceduna came across a fellow FJ Cruiser owner who didn't hear about FJC Club Australia before so I used the opportunity to introduce both the club and the event I was heading to.
On the way to Port Augusta passed through small town Wudinna that hosts an impressive monument dedicated to Australian farmers.
Driving by the iron ore pit at Iron Knob
After staying overnight at Port Augusta a tick morning fog announced close proximity to the ranges.
After a short drive out of Port Augusta climbing on to Elder ranges began.
Short stops at Quorn and Hawker
Heading toward Elders ranges.
Left bitumen to drive through famous Moralena track and was greeted by a local gatekeeper.
View of Elders ranges from Moralena track.
A panoramic shot of Elder ranges from the Black Gap
Typical track surface while climbing to Black Gap.
Visiting a working station at Beltana and the abandoned historic town.
It was already late afternoon when arrived at Leigh Creek for the last overnight stop before the Summit meeting at Arkaroola. Had a spare hour, just enough for a quick visit to Arona Sanctuary and a local man-made lake.
The level of excitement started to rise in the morning. One reason was a bit over 2500km already clocked and the start of the official Summit just a day away. Also I was leaving black top that I wont see again for another 4 days and approximately 1400 km.
All track were open and weather was slowly clearing. All looked promising.
Made a quick stop at Aboriginal town Nepabunna for short break.
Crossing a half dried creek on the way to Arkaroola.
The late afternoon finally reached Arkaroola Eco Camp. After a quick catch-up with the club members from other states it was time to setup the camp before the nightfall.
A cold evening wind with an extra chill factor as my roof top tent was high of the ground.
The plan for the first half of the first day was to tackle a local extreme 4WD track across Gammon Ranges. The second half of the day we supposed to drive via Lake Frome down to Wilpena Pound.
As planned around the midday we headed toward lake Frome for an group areal shot. The video was made by a small camera mounted on a remotely operated helicopter.
It was quite late when we arrived at Wilpena camp ground so setting up the camp was a night-shift work. The following photo was made the next day morning, already packed up and ready to go.
This is the track map of the first day's 300km.
The summit's second day was the most ambitious with almost 500 km planned to be driven from Flinders Ranges down to Mt Ive station where we supposed to camp the second night.
A short break for tyre pressure check up.
Abandoned homestead of The Three Sisters was a pick for launch stop.
On the way to Mt Ive station the road was really good (looked like recently graded) and allowed three digits speeds at times.
Turn off to Mt Ive station couldn't be missed with this distinctive submarine.
Camp ground at Mt Ive following morning just before departure.
The map and track details for the second day.
The third day's plan was to drive across Gawler ranges down to a small coastal town called Streaky Bay.
As we left Mt Ive weather worsened and rain followed us most of the time. Luckily roads were in s good condition so no one with AT tyres had any issues.
In a convoy we headed to Lachlan Point for an official group photo. As we are getting closer to the ocean wind was becoming stronger and rain turned into showers coming down in 1/2 hour intervals.
Fitting all 30 FJ Cruisers in the limited parking space took some time.
...and one of the official group photos.
At the end of the third day we arrived at Streaky Bay's camp.
The map and details for the third day.
The last day supposed to be more relaxing and fun with no long drives. The focus was more on socialising and everyone's preparation for safe return home.
In the morning we headed to Talia dunes, less than 100km south of Streaky Bay for just a half day fun in the sand.
The sand was still wet from previous day's rain so driving wasn't that much challenging as I expected.
All participants were divided into two groups based on sand driving experience so that everyone could stay in theirs own comfort zone.
Some dunes were quite steep and high but nothing that would cause any problems to FJ Cruisers.
On the way back to Streaky Bay for a get-together dinner and wrap up of the event.
The map and the drive details of the fourth day.
The summit was officially over and I still had approximately 2000 km to get back home.
A fog was following me for most of the morning while leaving South Australia.
So to conclude, this was a one of the biggest event for me personally of this kind. I also had a chance and privilege to meet bunch of nice people from all over Australia who all share the same passion for 4WD-ing and FJ Cruiser.
I can imagine the only one thing that could beat this would be...the next FJCC Australia Summit.
The trip statistic
Total distance travelled: 6242 km
Getting there (Perth to Arkaroola Village): 2764 km
