Last night we met a couple at the water tower who had been into Karlamilyi. They were staying in the caravan park so visited them this morning to get some advice. Before heading off spotted some finches on the fence. Found out later that they were Painted Finches. Would have taken a better photo if we'd known.
Margaret and Arthur organised their camping gear in the ute (they're leaving their van here and camping for the next few days). Their van is wider than the Quantum and we are aware that in places the track will be quite overgrown hence lots of scratches on the van. As the Quantum is no wider than the Prado we're hoping we won't suffer too much.
We have a long day in front of us so headed off around 8:30. To get to Karlamilia we drove initially on the Ripon Hills Road (sealed) and then the Telfa Mine Road which passes through Telfa Gold Mine Lands. The road was pretty good and watered in places to keep the dust down. Near the mine, we came to a boom gate. Had to check in, give our details and then were escorted past the mine. No fossicking here.
Once past the mine and on the Telfer-Talwana Track, (also know as the Kintyre track), the road deteriorated drastically - long deep washouts in some places, quite sandy patches in others, rough rocky bits and lots of corrugations. We were travelling between 7kph and 57kph so going was slow. In places, the washouts were so bad that there were detours in place - many with washouts themselves.
Arrived at the National Park boundary about 4:30pm and set off for the river after checking out the northern pump (our last water for a while) but decided it would be too dark when we arrived. Camped beside the road instead of pushing on.
No sooner had we set up when we noticed a heard of 20+ camels heading towards us. As soon as they saw us they stampeded off in the other direction.
Time to top up fuel and watch the sunset.
