kINKUNA wOODGATE TRIP

23-24 FEBRUARY 2008

This trip saw club members and guests venture out for 3 activities over the weekend. There was an option of a weekend sleepover of bush camping, a Saturday drive and a Sunday drive.

On Saturday, 2 cars left for Kinkuna National Park, Mark and Lyn were on a peaceful weekend getaway and Bob and Jane ventured out for a drive. Starting at 7.30am @ United Hervey bay – travelled via Torbanlea Mobil – arrived at Woodgate at 9am then on to Woodgate NP where it didn’t take long before we hit trouble. Jane was designated to walk the puddles, and was told to walk on the edge and went in up to her knees. We got through the next couple of puddles became more sticky. Mark approached a small water crossing but little did we know what was about to happen. With the front wheels on the waters edge he drove into the unknown and then the front of Marks car disappeared under water. The mighty Nissan required to be recovered. They were wet and smelly and nothing worse than water that had been stagnant for weeks. Back to Woodgate and then on to Kinkuna NP. Mark to the rescue Twice to other 4WDers out for a drive who hit some quicksand and was bogged down to the body. Eventually made it to the camping spot – where Mark and Lyn set up for the night. Bob and Jane travelled home.

On Sunday, 6 cars led by Chris moseyed up to Woodgate Beach for a spot of morning tea after which we headed into the NP. Heading to Mark’s secluded getaway was eventful. There was plenty of water after all of the rain from the week before and it seemed there was a competition to who could get the muddiest, do the best slide, go through the deepest puddle and get bogged! First bit of action was watching Boyd a visitor in his Holden Ute hit a puddle and almost submerge the whole rear end, from the back this looked pretty good! Next was Ken ‘aka’ Thumpr’s mission to get bogged. I think he must have thumped a bit hard through a boggy patch and down he went…stuck up to the doors. It took both Chris and Anthony’s cars to pull him out. Off we headed and after a short beach drive we found Mark and Lyn and stopped for lunch, a swim with a spot of fishing. It was great to see all of the younger members enjoying themselves playing tiggy in the creek.

After lunch with, 7 cars in convoy, we headed back onto the beach towards the northern most part of the National Park. From here we went back inland to find some more water to play in. The driving was either very wet, which made sure all cars were muddy, or very dusty which stuck to the already muddy cars. On the way home everyone agreed that after the dust a stop at Mamino’s ice-cream was a good idea. After great refreshments we were on the road to Hervey Bay when Mark had an electrical emergency. Yes his dunking from the previous day had wet the automatic ignition leading to blinkers and locks going a bit crazy.

A great day/weekend was had by all, thanks to the trip leaders Mark and Chris.

Submitted by Bob & Jane  and   Anthony & Helen