Facts and figures

I like to keep some basic records of our trips.  If you’re interested in such things read on.

We were away for just eighteen days.  Our ‘round the block’ route firstly took us west and north through Mitchell, Longreach and Winton, then followed the Plenty Highway until we dropped south to Alice Springs.  South again for a while before we turned east to the geographic centre of Australia (Lamberts Centre), through Finke and Dalhousie Springs.  Eastward across the Simpson Desert to Poeppels Corner, Birdsville, Windorah, Eulo, Thallon and back to Brisbane.

• Total distance travelled – 5,400 kilometres (3,355 miles).
• Distance across Simpson Desert – 500 kilometres (311 miles)
• Fuel capacity – standard tank 45 litres, second tank 60 litres, two 20 litre jerry cans.
• 
• Fuel used – 637 litres (168 gallons).
• Average fuel consumption – 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres (19.9 miles per gallon) including crossing the desert in low range and lower gears which almost doubled fuel consumption. 
• Breakdowns – only one.  The metal ferrule at the end of a hose that transfers oil under pressure from the pump to the intercooler fractured and was fixed with two rubber ‘O’ rings.
• Failures – Gale force winds broke the sand flag mount and we lost the flag antennae.
• Tyres – No punctures.  We use Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tyres.  They’ve completed over 80,000 kilometres and still have serviceable amounts of tread remaining.
• Kim took just over 1,300 photos.

A final list.  The pies available at the Birdsville Bakery.  Not your usual menu I think you’ll agree.

Now it’s time for Vin Rouge to be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom, ready for whatever we plan next.  In the meantime, here’s wishing you safe travels, distant horizons and wonderful adventures.