UHF Channels

Click here for a link to a doc about UHF channels in OZ.

Hema Navigator Owners - Don't try this at home.

Yes OK I'm gadget junkie. I'm always messing around with my toys.

Even as a kid I use to pull things apart that were not meant to be. I just wanted to see how they worked.

Any way (I digress). I thought it would be cool to tweak my new Hema Navigator HN6 by using the OziExplorer Screen Designer to add a few features to the screen. In particular I wanted to enable the feature that configuration window for the Auto Log Book function.

I downloaded the latest version from www.OziExplorer.com, copied the HEMA-EziOzi2.par1 file made the adjustments and saved the file under a new name.

I changed the page file in the Navigator only to find that none of the Hema buttons were present so I couldn't change the the page file back to the Hema default one.

Stupidly I thought I would delete my file and that should trick the system in going back to the default page file. Nope. That just locked the system up. Sure it tried to load the default page file but it was looking for a file that did not exist. I'm guess it was a legacy issue. It obviously didn't cross anyone's mind that someone like me would be so adventurous. Turning my new HN6 into an expensive brick. Well almost.

I tried renaming a copy of the page file to default.par1 and a few other things but no go.

Another brainwave hit me to check the .cgf files to find the name of the file it was looking for. Sure enough lastpage.cfg said the file name was "Hema Navigator 1.par1" so I renamed a copy of the HEMA-EziOzi2.par1 file to this name and volla! everything back to normal.

It was only then I contacted Hema support and within a few hours they sent me a new HEMA-EziOzi2.par1 file with access to the Log Book configuration settings.

I've dealt with Hema a number of times and they have always been very helpful. Their after sales support is seriously good. Thumps up for them.

Trip Planner

I've put a copy of my trip planner on Google Docs.

Here's the Link

Hopefully its self explanatory.

Please comment here if you have any problems.

To use the sheet you will first need to copy it to your google account using File > Make A Copy.

Hema Navigator 5" For Sale

I've put my GPS on ebay: Link to Ebay Here

The Karavan Setup in 6 Minutes

I've added a new Video on setting up the Karavan.

Kimberley Karavan in the Aussie Bush

Added a new Video showing the Karavan in the Bush

Tallarook - Camping in Style

Last minute decision to go to Tallarook SP last weekend.

Great state park with loads of bush camping opportunities.

The Kimberly Karavan came into its own particularly for that last 100m when the going gets tight. The KK is the same width as, and tracks behind the Landcruiser 200 making it easier to get down overgrown tracks.

The KK also means we can leave almost no trace behind when we leave.

Even under the tree canopy the solar performed well - we stayed two nights and never got close to needing the Honda EU20i

Heaps of butterflies and apart from a few loud motor bikes we didn't see or hear another soul.

Fantastic weekend.

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Days 7-10

The remainder of the trip was spent in the Barrossa Valley.

After a morning ferry trip and a visit to to some family in Adelaide we arrived that evening in Tanunda which was our base for the next 3 full days.

Tununda Township

We stayed at the Tununda Caravan and Tourist Park which was a nice bit of luxury compared to Kangaroo Island and obviously with less privacy.

We spent some of the time visiting a few of the local wineries including Grant Burge, Two Hands, 

Kellermeister, Langmeil and Jacobs Creek.

The Barrossa Valley

 We also visited the Lyndoch Lavender Farm

And took a ride in a hot air balloon which was a real treat.

We loved the Barrossa and will most likely go back for another visit. Great place to relax and unwind.

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 6

I need to finish the posts for this trip. I've been carried away planning for next year's trip.

So back on the last trip.

Day 6 was our last full day on the island so we cramped a few things in, including:

Clifford's Honey Farm, Eucalyptus Distillery and Prospect Hill (below):

Then went via Charing Cross Road

To see Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Lashmar Lagoon:

Staying the night at Antechamber Bay - We went to the south side of the river where it was a very quiet, secluded camping spot. (albeit with no facilities).

2013 Trip Dates and Map

Slight change of plans.

We've decide to only include the top section of the CSR in the trip and to join the track from the east via Gary Jct Road. The plan is to get there in time for the May 10, 2013 Solar Eclipse.

Here is the trip map.


View LSL Trip Plan in a larger map

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 5

Day 5 was a trip back to Vivonne Bay to hire some sand boards for some fun at Little Sahara.

As it turns out there is a right way and a wrong way to surf these dunes.

This is the wrong way.

And this is the right way.

You need to be fit because there is no "ski" lift so its a trudge to the top of the dune for you 10 secs of thrills.

After returning the boards we travelled on to Kingscote to set up the van before a trip out to the Bay Of Shoals winery. They produce a nice local drop.

The winery over looks a bay which is a stark contrast to the south side of KI where the seas are rough and the wind fierce. The Bay of Shoals was calm and serene.

 A beautiful part of the world.

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 4

Vivonne Bay Camping Ground is really well set up with showers and toilets and the camp ground itself is well secluded and only a short walk to the beach.

Vivonne Bay is probably the most spectacular beach on Kangaroo Island and although the weather was not that great for us - on a nice day would rival the best beaches in the world.

So after a morning walk we left for the western part of Kangaroo Island.

First stop was Kelly Hill Caves a spectacular example of various types of cave formations. The guides are very knowledgeable and unless you are very claustrophobic this is a very accessible cave experience. Note the stairs at the entrance are very steep.

From Kelly Hill Caves we drove to Flinders Chase National Park Visitors center to plan the rest of the day. The Visitors Center is an informative and welcoming place. Its a nice café and the staff are very helpful in giving you he various options.

We decided to go to the remarkable rocks first.

See why they are called the Remarkable Rocks? A really interesting location.

From there it was a short drive to the Lighthouse and Admiral's Arch.

Before the road was put through the Lighthouse community was supplied via this Jetty and the supplies were winched up this slope.

Admirals arch houses another seal community - so it kinda smells. But another very interesting location.

Then it was back to the visitors center to book a camping spot. We had chosen West Bay a beautiful secluded bay on the western end of the island. (Oh that's why they call it "West" Bay).

Camping spots a few but we managed to choose a night where we were the only ones. It was this night we found out the Kimberley Karavan is not mozzie proof. Plenty of itching the next day.

But it was a small price to pay to have such a beautiful location all to ourselves.

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 3

Day 3

So after our morning walk to view the beach at Stokes Bay we drove south to Parndana. Nothing there at all except a local pub. It was wet so we kept going south to Vivonne Bay where we set up camp.

We then set off for Seal Bay to see the seals.

The weather was very windy with intermittent showers so there wasn't as many people around as might otherwise have been. We were fortunate enough to be the only ones wanting a guided tour at the time we chose so we were able to experience an intimate tour of the beach to get up close and personal for some great photos.

Then it was back to the Karavan after a quick coffee and apple strudel at the Seal Bay Café.

On the way back we went for a look at Vivonne Bay from the western point. The sea was rough and it was blowing a gale.

A week later someone was killed at this very spot - taken by a freak wave.

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 2

The weather wasn't great a bit drizzly in the morning when we were packing up so we really appreciated the Kimberley Karavan. One of my pet hates is packing up wet canvas - no canvas on the KK.

We drove to American river where we found our first Pelicans.

Then in to the metropolis of Kingscote. Nice little town with very friendly people.

Kangaroo Island is typical of many island communities there is a strong local cohesion but a welcoming of visitors on whom the local economy relies for much of their income. We had a similar experience on Norfolk Island 5 years ago.

We went to Stokes Bay via Sheps Studio. We liked Shep's artwork. Certainly worth a look. Find him on Flickr.

The trip to Stokes Bay was via Emu bay but Emu Bay camping ground was a bit too open for our liking. Whereas the camping ground at Stokes Bay was more secluded and the place more interesting.

Stokes Bay

Sunset at Stokes Bay

We had a coffee at the Rock Pool Café not bad at all for off the beaten track.

In the morning we went for the very short walk to the beach. To get there you have to walk through this narrow gap in the rocks.

But the beach is beautiful on the other side

Kangaroo Island & Barossa Trip - Apr 2011 - Day 1

Its about time I wrote about our South Australian Trip back in April.

We had a fanastic trip - the 1st multi day trip in our Kimberley Karavan.

Day 1. Travel from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island.

Straight down the main street (Western Hwy). Tried to out smart the GPS by turning off too early and ended up wasting time getting back on track but made the ferry in heaps of time.

Lunch at Bordertown

Nice break at Yankalilla Bay

This is thought to be the most expensive ferry in the world measured on a $ p/Km basis.

Nice sunset on the ferry ride over to the Island.

It was dark when we reached the Island. So we took the short trip to Browns Beach and stayed the night there.

Stay tuned more detail to follow.