b'Sept 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 18/09/20229:37 pmPage 22 Club SpotlightMildura 4WD ClubPART 1ExploringThe Hay River Track & Madigan LineMay 14th, 2022. Trip notes by Glen fruit fly station.Second stop was at& DiRenmark to stock up on fresh fruit andWe won the toss for doing the trip vegetables and salad, all the greennotes for the first day of the trip and stuff so beloved by Robin (not).Notalso the nibbles for the first happy long after, our SA trip participant, Philhour, whenever and wherever that joined our small convoy at Monash.was going to be. The eager trip crew The rest of the mornings travel wascomprising our leader Robin, Leo and uneventful except for an unplannedMaureen, Jo, Adrian and Geoff and changeover of tail end Charlie thatus two (Glen & Di) mustered at came about when the Ranger lads7.30am sharp, opposite the Merbein missed a turn off.Mushroom Farm and after Suzette After a brief stop at Burra, weand Jann gave (an almost teary) send travelled through to Peterborough for May 15th, 2022. Trip notes by Robin off to the two lads travelling together our lunch stop and fuel up for the run After a good nights sleep, we arosein the Ranger, we all headed off on to Hawker, our planned overnight about 7:00am and after breakfast andour adventure into the wilds of stop. The afternoon run was again packing up, departed around 8:30am.Outback Australia.I cant be certain uneventful, and after Robin called the We took the back road to old Beltanabut I thought I caught a glimpse of days end and a bit of looking around where we stopped for morning teatwo trip widows having a little dance we found a suitable camp spot not far and wandered about the historicfor joy by the side of the road in the off the road (Nooltana Creek 13km township and railway stationmost ofrear -view mirror as we drove off.from Hawker) and settled in for our these are now private residences andFirst stop for the trip was the first camp for the trip, and not even not open for inspection.As Dr Philobligatory vehicle check at the SAthe sprinkle of light rain could had blown a tyre on the dirt road wedampen the spirits of our group. all aired down by 10psi.Old Beltana We had intended to stop at theBeltana Station (a Station Stay) forcoffee and some saltbush lamb, but itwas closed due to Covid.Wereturned to the blacktop and drovepast Leigh Creek to Lyndhurst to refu-el and a beer at the pub, now ownedby an ex -Mildura patron.Traditionally fuel at Lyndhurst wascheaper than Hawker, but this is nolonger the case.20 SEPTEMBER2022 TRACKWATCH'