SEQ Levuka June 2013 - Trip report

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Last weekend, we did a winter trip down to Levuka with some of the Pradopoint crew. Harry organised the day, (thanks mate), so I will let him fill out the other details.

Levuka (http://www.levuka.com.au/) is about 2 hours south of Brisbane, over the NSW border. It was a nice chilly winter start to the day when we all met up at the golden arches on the way, then a pleasant drive over the range. On arriving at Levuka, it looked wet , which was confirmed by the squelch as my shoes sank into the mud. It was time to swap into the boots as it was going to be a muddy day. We met Rosemary and Robert , the owners and what a lovely couple they are. Old school friendly and been on the property since birth. It was so wet, their nine tonne recovery tractor was bogged in the paddock. We were told , if you get stuck you are on your own. Least we came prepared with winches and maxtraxs. All of which got a workout during the day….




First stop was the test track on rosemary’s road to see what the ground was like. George was first to get into the mud.









Below is a video of Craig getting his very nice new wheels dirty in the mud. Nice driving Craig.
http://youtu.be/JG3iUYXUWFM

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Harry painting his wheels a nice shade of brown….



Nothing was stopping Craig’s black beast with it's new locker. After exploring the test circuit we headed up to the top paddocks that lead to the rainforest and took in some of the fantastic views over the valley



It was not long on one of the lower tracks when the first recovery began a deep mudhole.

What you cant really see was that none of the doors could be opened due to the banks on both sides. The mere spectacle of watching George , who is a big well built guy , stuck trying to climb out the window dukes of hazzard style had us rolling around on the ground laughing.



Cont 3

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As we couldn’t reach his front recovery points. ( more like no one wanted to wade into the deep cold mud and go underwater) Craig snatched George out backwards, textbook style.




Many muddy tracks followed but I didn’t get any photos sorry
We stopped up at the campgrounds for lunch. What a great setup they have ( was my reccee for a return camping weekend) . Nice hot showers (tested them) , flushing toliets (tested them) with plenty of lush green campsites with fire rings. With some good privacy as they all well enough away from each other. The birds were singing and it was just a glorious day with great company. Doesn’t get much better than that me thinks.




Harry looked somewhat nervous…..


Cont 4

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After lunch we went through some of the rainforest tracks. I didnt get any photos but it was very slippery and a lot of fun.
Later on after a wrong turn, no scratch that, lets just say Harry was exploring , we ended up down in a steep gully section. The Landrover with us, went in boots and all down a steep track into a muddy gully. Lets just say he didnt make it up the other side. Craig and myself crested the hill to see the landrover sideways up to its axles in the mud and stuck on a tree root . First try to get the landy out was with the maxtrax, but it was just too badly stuck. The angle, which was almost sideways meant we could not winch him backwads so he had to self recover with his winch fully extended up the hill. Then turn around and re cross the muddy creek gully . Then it was another couple of winches off different trees to get him back up the orignal track he went down as it was just so slippery with very little traction. Next was to get the other two prados out back up the hill as the winter light was fading fast. I dont have any photos but I am sure some of the others do as there was a few video cameras out to capture the moment in glorious high def….



The shadows were drawing long with some great late day veiws



Looking over the valley



Late in the day we ended back up at the home stead, to bid Rosemary and Robert farewell , have a chat and air up.


As the sun disappeared, the temperature dropped rapidly into a chilly night.


We all then went to the Woodenbong pub on the way home for dinner, a beer and have a laugh about the day. What a cracking little pub, good meals, friendly people and some interesting history there. Thanks to Harry for organising, a top but exhausting day with great company.

Cheers
Robert

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Nice report Robert. As Robert said it was a pleasant drive from Beaudesert, tracking SW on the Mt Lindesay Hwy. We made pretty good time, I could imagine this trip taking a while had we encountered nomads or a fully laden truck as there are very few passing opportunities over the quite windy range. It made for a spectacular drive as we passed close to Mt Lindesay and it's spectacular tiered summit, however it did take it's toll on some of the kids stomachs on the way...

(not my pic...)


The sleepy little town of Woodenbong lies just on southern side of the range which made for a good opportunity for a comfort stop.


Approx 6 km past Woodenbong is our turn off at Beaury Ck Rd and then it's an 8km drive to Levuka's entry point at Beaury Plantation Rd.
Here at last...


After registering and paying our fees at the homestead ($30 per car for the day), Rosemary pointed out the tracks that should be avoided due to the deluge that they experienced just 2 nights before. This was very evident at the homestead as the ground was oozing with moisture...
With our site maps in hand, we thought we would firstly venture to the test track for a little fun. I was "Tail End Charlie" for the day and being that Levuka is a working cattle property, I was grateful that I had SWMBO in the passenger seat to close all gates behind us as we passed through. I knew that it was going to be an interesting day as before we got all five vehicles through the first gate to the test track, Harry's voice came over the radio saying "ah, I think I'm stuck fellas!". Harry managed to back up and avoid the hole that had surprised him and we gingerly made our way to our next obstacle.

The ground was a little damp to say the least...


Contd...

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We all took turns through the test track which was a good way to start the day.
This track was certainly well used and well worn...


Robert entering the bog hole..


My turn (video grab...)


So the new wheel were christened. I'm told brown is the new black! (another video grab)


Contd...

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Robert "responsibly" clearing his tyres...


More valley views...


Heading out onto the tracks. There are wide open paddocks with varied terrain


to closed in rainforest of different levels of difficulty. depending on how long you want to stay in there. Then it was time for a lunch break. There are 2 main Camping areas at Levuka. We stopped at Camp ground "A" for a break.

The swing was very popular with the kids


Contd...

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After lunch we entered the rainforest. It was decided that due to the recent rain and the state of the tracks, we would not tackle anything too challenging on this trip and took the more gentle options through this section which had it's challenges as it was. Being Tail End Charlie left me little opportunity for pics from here but nonetheless, was kept busy at the wheel.

Entering the rainforest section.


Robert getting another underbody wash after exiting the rainforest.


We continued on, meandering across the paddocks in Harry's footsteps until we got to "that gully" where we spent the next 1.5 - 2hrs recovering the well stuck Disco4. This was a great learning opportunity as it gave us all the chance to practice our winch recovery procedures that were all text book style. (Again no photo's but I'm sure someone else can provide some evidence...)
So time got away on us and although everyone was keen to try another section of the venue, it was getting late (and cold) so we headed back to the homestead to Air up
and a quick chat to the owner Robert and thank him for a great day out. Levuka is ideally a weekend or long weekend trip to be able to make the most out of your visit. This was as Robert described, a recce for us, as we will definitely be back. In the Winter months, even though the camping sites are well setup, basing yourself at the local town (Woodenbong) would make for a good option also as the local hotel accommodation is reasonably priced and the food is great.
Airing up


Heading back to Woodenbong for a coldie and a warm meal before the drive home...



Thanks Harry for inviting the Mason clan along and thanks Levuka!!!

[DSS150 Find all posts View Profile Close DSS150]

Great write up and pics guys, looks like a top spot.

We are looking forward to heading down there for a few days once it warms up a little.

[DSS150 Find all posts View Profile Close DSS150]

Double post again, forum lag :/

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

I enjoyed the trip report including the photos, looks like you jokers had a great adventure!
The picture of "Robert entering the Bog hole" in post #6 is calender material.
Regards Troy

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Video added at end of post 1 above.

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

I have been busy with stock take and end financial year to write up the trip report so I would like to thank Robert for kicking it off and Craig with lots of photos and comments.

A lot of the photos I have are similar to those posted so I will add just a few more. Sorry about the quality of some as they are video snap shots.

Levuka lush and green

http://s5.postimg.org/8ttqczbjb/20130616_113610.jpg

Craig and Robert getting dirty

http://s5.postimg.org/si6o9r6zr/vlcs...h14m28s224.png
http://s5.postimg.org/sw809cr3b/vlcs...0h15m38s96.png
http://s5.postimg.org/ccabn41t3/vlcs...h17m34s109.png

After I took the wrong turn.....I mean went exploring down a grade 3 track in the wet the Disco took the plunge and got in trouble

http://s5.postimg.org/t2lpcg087/20130616_144222.jpg

Had to self-recover with the winch

http://s5.postimg.org/e7x3y9qnb/20130616_144232.jpg

Turned around and winched up the other side. Note the slide marks as the Disco lost momentum and traction then slid backwards.

http://s5.postimg.org/iehydlq93/vlcs...0h11m23s35.png

George about to get back up.

http://s5.postimg.org/u122eqdk7/vlcs...h22m17s129.png

Looking back in the afternoon light

http://s5.postimg.org/6ggdzpmhz/20130616_160601.jpg

Hazza

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Great pics Harry and you didn't drop the camera in the mud puddle
Did you ever get that one working again from last time?

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

Great write up! Would love to go here.