BLACK DUCK CREEK

13 October 1996

Black Duck Creek was organised at the October General Meeting as a fill in trip, the details were not in the magazine. At the meeting point in Gafton we had Royce and Kay in the Turbo Tourer, Ron P and kids - Hilux, Phillip S - Diesel Hilux, new member Gavin McG and girlfriend - Brumby Sport with 14' wheels and wound up suspension, Rohan S MY 82 Wagon and myself - Brumby.

After driving for about 25 minutes through the Lockyer Valley, Queenslands main vegetable growing area, we arrived and had morning tea and then hit the tracks.

Black Duck is a similar set up to Landcruiser Park, but covers a smaller area. Gavin's Brumby was suffering from the old wobbly gear stick problem, he was having trouble finding gears, so he decided to park the Brumby and rode with Phil for the rest of the day. We climbed to the very top of the Park, via the roller coaster bumps, all you see is blue sky on the way up and then on the way down it is a seat belt hanger - good fun.

We continued travelling on the western loop, we had a bit of trouble finding the right track at the creek, but eventually found the right one. Our plan was to slowly wind our way back to the camp spot at the bottom for lunch, it has got all the facilities plus a shelter.

We turned on to a narrow gully track, which slowed our progress, big rocks had to be negotiated carefully. Ron became hooked up on rocks, he had to take another line. Up at the front I had sunk to the bull bar in a wet spot, since the big rains earlier this year a spring has formed. Rohan did a reverse snig to get me out. We all had to take another line. After this spot we had to do a sharp right turn up a steep rufted hill. It was here that Rohan discovered his right hand front strut had pulled out of the top rubber mount, he said he had this front end rattle for weeks and could not find the noise. It was not a major problem as it slipped back into place by itself. To be safe we towed him up the steeper parts. That worked well until we came to another steep section, with big holes and loose dirt. My Brumby did not have the power to get him through, so out came the hand winch.

After some hard work we had moved him enough to get him up. Royce was next vehicle up, he was going well near the very top, there was a loud bang. Royce had broken another left hand rear DOJ, too much power and suspension travel since the turbo's been fifted. He plans to fit front inner DOJ's which are bigger and stronger.

At this stage, Greg the owner, was nearby on his tractor slashing and clearing lantana, he offered to snig Royce up to the top. Next vehicle up was Phillip, who had no trouble, Ron was next, he had a little trouble on the very last hole, the tractor was called on again.

We all eventually arrived back at the bottom for a late lunch, where we set about to solve Gavin's gearbox problems. It was an easy fix, the gear stick being so wobbly had slipped out of the bottom pivot point. Royce said call into my place one day and we will fix it properly. As it was late afternoon at this stage, Royce, Ron, Gavin and Rohan headed for home. Phillip and I had had a quick look at a few more tracks, then called in to Greg the owner's house to pay and say goodbye.

Although we did not do a lot of 4WDriving, it turned out to be an interesting day. Thanks to everybody for coming along.

David Martin SC180