This trip is planning to follow in the steps of Burke and Wills on allowed roads and tracks. The trip will start just out of Melbourne and wind its way via places like Menindee, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Birdsville, Boulia, Cloncurry finishing the northerly path at Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

It is expected most of the trip to be in high range along sealed roads and corrugated and dusty “tracks” – thus suitable vans that can handle badly corrugated roads can come along. Overnight stops will be a mix of National Parks and caravan parks with several rest days. 

After Karumba, we will travel to Lawn Hill National Park for a few nights and then end the trip in Mt Isa – those not wishing to go to Lawn Hill can leave the trip in Karumba. Participants can then make their own way home at their own pace and via their own route. 

The trip is expected to leave on 26-May-17 and finish in Mt Isa on 10-Jun-17. In June 2015, a book “Following Burke and Wills Across Australia” by Dave Phoenix was published. 

The trip will follow much of this book. For those interested in the historical nature of B&W, it is recommended to obtain a copy and read this book (the club has a copy in its library) – there are many books on B&W which can also provide the travails of B&W.

Departure – Friday 26 May 2017, meet at Lancefield (north of Sunbury) at 12:30pm – there is parking available in the main street of Lancefield – try to meet near the bakery – we will then travel a relatively short distance to Terrick Terrick NP to camp the night.

Itinerary – most days we will travel about 6 hours with rest days available at some spots (namely Mutawintji NP, Birdsville, Karumba, Lawn Hill NP). Main towns/places of interest that we will pass through include Swan Hill, Balranald, Lake Mungo NP, Pooncarrie, Menindee, Broken Hill, Mutawintji NP, Tibooburra, Thargomindah, The Dig Tree, Innaminka, Birdsville, Boulia, Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Normanton, Karumba, Lawn Hill NP.

Fuel – it is expected diesel and petrol will be available at most places – greatest distance between fuel stations is 650km (this assumes all places nominated to have fuel do have fuel). Melbourne to Karumba via our route is approx. 4,400 km.

Food and Water – as can be seen from our itinerary, we will pass through many towns – water may be scarce in many of these and food may be of limited choice. Ensure you are carrying adequate supplies.

Weather/Clothing – For May/June, Birdsville has a "mean" maximum of 25.8C and a "mean" minimum of 7.9C. Mt Isa has 27.4C and 11.5C; Broken Hill has 19.1C and 5.6C. Ensure you have appropriate clothing and bedding. Little rain is expected although much of the area had a soaking in 2016. Expect many flies in the daytime and mosquitoes in the tropics.

Cooking – do not rely on open fires – if possible and in suitable conditions, we will have an open fire. Bring your own fuel eg LP Gas.

Trip Leaders – Phill and Jane Collyer