SUNDOWN AND BEYOND

Brass Monkey Weekend

Sundown Management Area And National Park Queensland

8-10 June 1996

Some Of The Sundown Participants

"Brass Monkey Weekend" was a most enjoyable excursion for the eight carloads of participants that headed to Sundown Management Area and National Park southwest of Brisbane. For most, the terrain of Sundown, and later Spicer's Gap, provided no insurmountable challenges as they ventured up the 'hard' tracks and crossed all the creeks on offer. For Beth and I, the weekend proved to be a baptism by fire on our first sortie with the Club in our unlifted L92 wagon.

Leading the push was Ron P with Kate, his 'Nervous Nelly' daughter who tried desperately hard to rearrange the Hilux rear bumper with her head. She came off second best but after a bit of first aid, bravely soldiered on in the navigators seat. Big John McK was there with two nephews who rapidly assumed the nicknames, 'Doormat' and 'Skippy'. They got a taste of how not to go up a hard track behind David M's Brumby when the Rodeo took a slide in the mud at Spicer's Gap and needed the only winching of the weekend. Ralph and Marilyn C shared a little of our ground clearance blues with only 13" wheels on their Brumby; but Royce 'Turbo' J, proved that his car really can climb up the side of a brick wall. Jeff and Sue K took their Brumby everywhere without getting stuck - a first according to Kate; while Phil S played Catch-the-Subarus in a late arrival with son Alexander.

Winching The Rodeo

Day 1 started with morning tea meet at Glen Aplin followed by a quick enroute sojourn into a couple of the wineries at Ballandean. A bit early in the day for serious wine tasting but we did have an interesting private tour of a small 'hobby vineyard' run by on of the local school teacher (can we do our homework at your house Sir?). Entry into Sundown offers a choice of two tracks - we went the hard way with a scenic detour to Red Rock Gorge. Thanks Ron! Lots of loose rocks, ruts and washouts - a great place to take an unlifted Subaru. Still, it doesn't cost as much to fill our petrol tank anymore ... and the sill panels? ... well I'll get over it eventually.

Camping throughout the weekend was at Burrow's Waterhole. A great place if you can get a mowed campsite. After a bit of milling about the park in search of alternatives, we eventually muscled our way into the crowded camp and forced some of the big, somewhat more Yahooish, 4WD fraternity back. Big campfires, toasted marshmallows and lots of snoring then followed.

Burrows Waterhole Campsite

One of the highlights on Day 1 was a dusk retreat from a suspect creek crossing during our search for an alternative campsite. Some big 4WDs had got stuck earlier so Ron decided we'd tackle that one in good light the next day. While heading back to Burrow's, our wagon blew out a sidewall, necessitating a wheel change on the rocky slope. The Pit Crew was led by Royce, who obviously thrives on any task mechanical. The remainder of the hill climb was quite exciting, at least for the crowd of Club Members who went scrambling like Italians after a Ferrari win when "Danny-The-Novice" entered the slalom part of the course near the spectator gallery. I think it was for that feat that I earned the task of penning this report.

After a chilly night, Day 2 saw the Club do the tourist circuit to Rats Castle and Reedy Waterhole. The C's Brumby and our wagon were wisely left in camp as we rode shotgun with other Club Members through creeks and bumpy terrain that would have certainly reduced our fuel tank capacity even further. The three creek crossing on Rats Castle circuit that had proved troublesome to the big 4WDs the day before proved no obstacle to the Subarus, although some judicious navigating over and around a few submerged rocks and a precautionary mounting of radiator blinds at one creek crossing was required. Jeff braved the creek without a blind and still didn't get stuck - Kate was again amazed! True to form, David M sought out all the hard tracks with Royce and Jeff in hot pursuit. Highlight of the afternoon was jostling for a group portrait shot at the Shearer's Quarters ruin near Reddy, while a hot shower tagteam event in front of the P's truck was enjoyed by all. (Sue - your photos from Shower Rose Cam will be ready shortly).

Creek Crossings

Day 3 saw a leisurely departure from Burrow's via the (alleged) easy route for some and the hard route for David M and Co. Morning tea was at the Beacroft Mine where signs proclaiming poisonous mining wastes ensured that we just looked through the fence. Our tow bar continued to grade the road for the vehicles behind as we set off for a lunchtime rendezvous at Ballandean.

Abandoned Beacroft Mine

The grand finale for the trip was a return via Spicer's Gap for Ron, ourselves (gluttons for punishment), David M and Big John. First up was a creek crossing (our first ever) where we managed to push water up to the bottom of the windscreen but otherwise got through unscathed. Lots of rocky washouts interspersed with mud wallows then followed. It was in this part of the journey that Big John chose to demonstrate to his wards, how to use a winch. Again we dragged our tail but got through with minimal coaching - although there were a few close calls. David just plodded on, untroubled.

On the track to Spicer's Gap

The late afternoon lookout at Governor's Chair was spectacular, and an extra night's camping at Spicer's for Beth and myself was great - but the rest of you Club Members can revel in that yourselves during the forthcoming trip in July.

Into and out of the mudpit

All in all, Brass Monkey was a great weekend. Thanks Ron!

Danny Williams SC412