Wow, what a trip! Rover Park is one of the most enjoyable camping and 4wheel driving had by all.
Ten vehicles in all ...
Dave & Fern with son Daniel in Tonka Toy (Red Wrangler).
Rikk in Freedom (Yellow Wrangler).
Dave, Michelle, Ben & Josh (White XJ).
Kelly,Karen & Chuckie (Grand Cherokee)
Greg & Jen Team Jag(Green KJ)
Martin & Avril (White Prado)
Daryl, Parna (White Patrol)
Bree & Callan (White Patrol)
Brent, Simone & Kristy Lee (White Land Cruiser)
Zaac (Black Disco)
If I was to tell you there is a place on this earth that has, MUD, TRACKS, RIVERS, FLYING FOXES, A BMX TRACK AND HORSES, PLUSE MORE, you’d have to say Rover Park. To the delight of the Gold Coast Jeepers the long weekend trip was FANTASTIC.
Leaving from the Gold Coast to arriving at Rover Park we had a hassle free drive. The park itself has over 300klms of tracks, huge dam, animal farm, quad bikes and great camping areas ... not to forget cabins for those that want that little bit of comfort in their stay.
We hit the tracks pretty well as soon as we got set up, with myself leading the trip, but traveling as a passenger in a .... dare i say it ... Patrol ... ouch ... but for myself confidence there were 4 jeeps behind us. Just kidding Bree & Zaac. What seemed to be a big task last time here in navigating our way around this place, was all of a sudden easy! Just throw the map away !!! get on the two way and make out as if you know where you are, while on a second two way your getting turn by turn directions from Rover Park, costs a fair bit, but you come out looking like you know where to go?
The first stop point which was a short and easy walk to the Waterfall. The walk was great to the sounds of running water, which is something us Gold Coasters prey for. After we reached Paradise and took it all in, I stopped and actually realized that we now had to walk out. Now I did say it was only five minutes to the waterfall, what I forgot to say was, it’s all down hill, easy for most but to me ... well my motto in life is .... “WHY WALK IT, IF YOU CAN JEEP IT” ?
So here I was with Jen and Greg enjoying what little bit of breath I had, walking up this tiny hill where my ride was waiting only to be past by Dave Mills of all people, then Josh, Ben, Callan and then Kristy-Lee who by the way was wearing a nappy and getting ready for her third birthday next week.
Day two came and we all got ready for the Jeepers trip photo only to be caught short with Dave Mills looking at the cameras with the wrong end of life . More than i’d like to put the photo on the web, I can’t as its a Christmas card waiting to happen. The trip to the Copper Mines was a great trip, and scenic, only to be topped off with the trip down into the canyon, where 30 minutes before we stood on top looking down in ore of the view. After spending some time along the rivers edge we finally got all the cars turned around and headed out and back to camp where lunch was well overdue.
After lunch someone got the idea of a little play session in the mud! Now I know I had nothing to do with that, as I don’t play in mud. but it was worth watching for sure. Dave in Tonka “red wrangler” just drove in head first to the cheers of every one. This was followed by Zaac and then after great pressure from everyone I took mine through once, maybe twice or was it three times .... anyway I was forced into it !!! “ Muddy water kills engines” there .. i said it. But to the surprise of all and Greg who for some reason jumped into the passenger seat, Daryl ploughed his loved patrol into the depths of the mud hole with such force, he not only ripped his number plate straight off, but moved that much water from the mud pit was now half empty. Greg in the KJ and Bree in the Patrol made it look easy, while Zaac and Brent had some electrical troubles and Dave in tonka was considering going into hiding as his wife was soon to arrive from the Gold Coast where she remained behind to get her Black Belt in some form of “H.A.K.A” Husband Ass kicking Art and would freak at the condition of her ...yes HER ... jeep was in. Well being Jeepers and sticking together we all offered to give Dave a head start before telling Fern which direction he took off in till we realized we could head to the river to wash the cars ... well 2 hours later all cars were back to near mint condition.
After a night by the camp fire and tall stories with lots of laughs, we came to day three. Kelly decided to lead a group home via Bald Rock and I was leading a group for one last run around the Park and then home via the way we came. The run proved to be trouble for myself as I experienced electrical trouble and headed back to camp, while the others continued on to complete the round trip. After cleaning the engine and radiator of mud, we decided to head home via the way we came. Now I could end the report there and I dare say i’d cop flack from all that know, but I best say that what was to be a 3 hour trip home turned into an 8 hour delay due to Jeep Freedom “ yellow wrangler” loosing all electrics, power and confidence in ever getting home. Now I will say this one more time .... MUDDY WATER KILLS ENGINES ..... simple ... and I learnt the hard way. But I do have to say thank you to all the Jeepers that not only stayed with me, but helped me get home. And to Kelly, Dave and Brent who offered to come and get me and stayed in-touch with us all the way home. THANK YOU.
