Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

The Mungo Muster

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:08

“The Mungo Muster”

By Master Brewer

The inaugural SA/Vic/NSW/Qld Adventure Riders Pooncarie/Top Hut "Mungo Muster" was another opportunity to live the “wind in your face” freedom only dogs know.

Friday night's thirst quenching, chin wagging was to be based at the Telegraph Hotel in the historic Darling River port of Pooncarie, while Saturday's entertainment as guests of the Top Hut Station, situated a short distance from the ancient and archaeologically rich Mungo National Park; all complimented with fabulous riding in between.

Work commitments staggered arrivals over a couple of days with some unfortunate riders experiencing bone breaking accidents along the way. SA Adv Riders, Aussie Jase (KTM640), Bwvtom (Tiger) and myself, Masterbrewer (TDM 850 Adventurer) made an early Thursday morning escape from the city's concrete jungle in 38C heat for our first night's destination planned for the mouth of the Mullaroo Creek on Lindsay Island.

A quick squirt down the black stuff east to Walkers Flat on the River Murray, before attacking the "cool" dirt of the infamous Bakara Sand Track, known for its 5 kms of soft, loose sand while simultaneously running the gauntlet of marauding, ambushing native animal terrorist, hell-bent on attacking from bushes both sides.

The tracks opened up through fast unfenced paddocks past Bakara Well & onto Renmark.

As the temperature rose beyond 40C, we were greeted in style by "The Cougar" with ice cold beers in hand and a longing to join us for adventure.

After successfully reducing our core body temperatures with suitable fluids, we embarked on the historic "Old Mail Route" between Renmark and Mildura before turning onto Lindsay Island to set up camp and enjoy a refreshing swim in the Mullaroo Creek, beers in hand of course.

We were later joined in festivities by the "Three Amigos" HumanOne, Dogsbody and the right or more wrongly appointed honorable "Mayor of Mullaroo” Drago, complete with his short legged chesterfield mayoral chair, for a Bose' saturated night of alcohol depleting entertainment.

Chef Dogsbody was excelling as speaker … "Order in the house lads ... chops anyone?

The following morning was very solemn, for want of a better word, yet Drago was amazingly chirpy and off for a tad of trout fishing for breakfast while others were deep in thought.

The Cougar had his own ideas about power and authority in Drago's absence though!

After exploring the many tracks on the island, we headed back to Renmark, crossing the river and meandering the winding, sandy Chowilla Old Coach Road in search of the famous 'Suicide Bridge" which legend has it, was built at the wrong location and the contractor committed suicide off the bridge after authorities refused to pay him.

We continued to historic Todd's Obelisk, which didn't mean much to the lads by that stage as the temperature continued to rise, so we high-tailed up the tar to Pooncarie for refreshments and to start the real festivities. The walk from the Pooncarie pub to the camp ground some distance away claimed a victim or two that night, having apparently walked into a fence halfway home and staying the night.

The Pooncarie Races looked interesting, especially when the fillies run. (Unfortunately there was no photo available, but I have confirmed the date of their next meeting!)

Next day east, then south across the horizon filling ancient dry lakes of Mungo National Park, one was vigilant for the herds of emus, Roos and goats that seemed to take undeviated aim from hundreds of metres away.

Arriving at the sun blessed surreal Top Hut Station late afternoon, most set up camp in the shearing shed, otherwise known as the ministry of sound, snoring den of antiquities.

Delayed by their “socializing commitments” and collecting a very “Picasso looking” wreck, that will be a harder challenge than Chinese Algebra to repair, Drago and Dogsbody arrived in the replenished wagon of wisdom‟ which was immediately swamped by desperate, thirsty riders.

Next morning looking the best we'd seen him on the trip so far, not noticing the left over can of Chum dog food by the fire, Dogsbody quipped "Geez guys I really enjoyed last nights meal, it was so meaty ... who carved it?"

After saying our farewells and heading south past Mildura, the gnarly Adventure Riders were unceremoniously forced to huddle under trees near a well earthed power pole to be sure of course, looking decidedly awkward as thunder, lightning and rain came teeming down.

Searching for a suitable campsite, our OH&S officer was appointed to watch out for potential large falling river red gum branches.

Finally the perfect location was found.

Surprisingly not afraid of water, The Cougar waded across the "not-so-mighty" Murray River, egging on Aussie Jase, fresh from central Australia, to try his luck with the KTM. After settling down a bit, Jase set about building his “mansion for the night” in the drizzling rain, again! And again! And again, while all looked on in amusement. You couldnt half tell he hadn't seen much rain up north at Roxby.

Sunset over the Murray was just glorious. The final day, escaping with our lives after a few more loose comments about the Vics and water allocations, we headed for the border as fast as we could with wounds to prove the unrest caused or maybe it was just with hangovers. Following the previous nights storms we struck a very slippery section just before Loxton, which got the heart racing and the mud flying for some. After another hearty meal at the Loxton Pizza Bar, the Bakara Well tracks were attacked in reverse, with everyone thoroughly enjoying their high speed, hard packed twisty whoops through closed in undergrowth ever hiding the occasional Roo and emu to keeps wits alert.

The trip could not be complete without indulging in the delicacies of one extra country bakery stop on the final leg home at Woodside. Fabulous ride, fabulous riding buddies, fabulous friends old and new.

Life's good. “Masterbrewer”

Master Brewer's The Mungo Muster story goes in the draw to win an Epic Video camera and a set of Dirt Freak Gear thermals! We welcome all trail/adventure related stories, you can check out the deal 'here' Send em in!