Is Mitchell Falls Worth the Pain? The Worst Corrugations in Australia - Our Journey Revealed

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  • Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024

Комментарии • 115

  • @bigpete1
    @bigpete1 2 года назад +14

    Thanks for being honest in showing that outback travel is not always sunshine & rainbows!

  • @richardrichards5982
    @richardrichards5982 8 месяцев назад +1

    Historical reference: In 1990 the track between the Mitchell Falls turn off and Mitchell Falls was really just a track. It took me around 9 hours driving time to do the roughly 100 km. So there were really no corregations, just good old hard going off road track. I really enjoyed it (not sure if my passengers did!). In the end, most 4WDs handle off road track conditions better than the corregations you get on the Gibb River Road and the Kalumbaru Road, as long as you go cautiously and don't treat the experience as a vehicle race.

  • @westralianoffroad
    @westralianoffroad 2 года назад +8

    Corrugation is every 4wds nemesis. It is very stressful. Those red tails were stunning too by the way 😍

  • @captainfrank01
    @captainfrank01 2 года назад +8

    Did the same drive a few years back and it wasn't any better then, cap rock averywhere and several disabled cars along the road. IMO it is one of the worst roads I have ever driven in Australia, including Cape York and Central Australia. Do think the drive was worth it though, the falls were spectacular, although after a big and hot walk in we got a helicopter back!

  • @bluntobject4084
    @bluntobject4084 2 года назад +4

    I think that the voiceover saying how bad it was had more impact than seeing it.

  • @DavidMiller-se7pp
    @DavidMiller-se7pp 2 года назад +4

    Thanks for bringing back my memories of being there in 2007. Since I was riding in a 4/4 Bus I don't remember the issues with the road. The hike to the falls was one of the highlights of my 3 months visit to Australia . Rather than hike back I took my first Helo ride back to the camp site. The view of falls from the air was memorable. Your channel over the months has helped relive my journey. Thanks for all your doing to showcase your wonderful country . A very pleased Western Yank.

  • @peterguertler3357
    @peterguertler3357 2 года назад +1

    We did the same trip and thought is it really worth the road in, I must say 100% . We also booked a chopper flight out and it was worth every $. Mitchell falls left a mark in my life absolutely beautiful.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      It was really beautiful. Now that we are back home and I am in my kitchen wiritng this having a coffee..... Of course it was worth it haha 😅

  • @ronbell5892
    @ronbell5892 2 года назад +4

    Thanks for the reality check. This is such a huge drive for a swim. I will enjoy the efforts of other travellers and their camera skills. Such incredible cars the Toyotas.

  • @malcoullyatt9264
    @malcoullyatt9264 2 года назад +5

    Really great video, it is a credit to you both how well you capture the reality, beauty, frustration and enjoyment of life on the road in this great country.
    I like seeing little travel tips/ hacks keep them coming.
    Thanks for being open and honest about the emotions from fatigue, mechanical sympathy, anxiety and morale ups and down. Too many shows just have the highlights, take care and hope to see you out there one day.

  • @taranis616
    @taranis616 2 года назад

    I did the Gibb River up to Mitchel Falls in 1999, in a 1975 FJ45. Radiator bracket broke 3 times

  • @cruisin_our_country
    @cruisin_our_country 2 года назад +4

    Great episode guys, shows the raw emotions of that road.
    Bought back alot of memories when we travelled it in 2006 in our LN106 Hilux.
    It almost broke as as it did you guys.
    Our stainless water tank in the rear of the tub split the welds and flooded the tub and most of our stuff with no water left for camping till Derby.
    To make us feel better we treated ourselves to a helicopter flight. It sort of helped😂
    Nut thats the good and bad of travelling this great country. These things only make us stronger and more resilient I believe

  • @ouradventerousdays
    @ouradventerousdays 2 года назад +1

    Ours car is patrol Y62 😁. We unhitched our caravan and left it at Drysdale Station and camped in a tent at Mitchell River campground instead. The road from Drysdale Station to Mitchell Falls was very bad but the Mitchell Falls road itself wasnt so bad for us, perhaps on that day some sections were grades because there was road work. I think we went 2 weeks after u guys. From our personal experience, we think it worth the effort. Mitchell Falls was beautiful and we had fun swimming at the river.

  • @furtherupthetrack7583
    @furtherupthetrack7583 2 года назад +1

    Holly & Matt thanks for the video 👍👍👍

  • @timwilde4200
    @timwilde4200 4 месяца назад

    I used to work on the SA opal fields with tons of corrugations to drive over every day, and as you pointed out, there's really only two effective ways to deal with them to minimize the vibrations - drive REAL slow or go fast. Neither option seems palatable to most people so they try and find something inbetween. After a while I found from experience that you can cruise fairly safely at a 'fast' speed, say 80 - 100 (a speed which was also touched on in another comment in this thread) riding the crests and leveling out the harmonic, but with some provisions. Because road contact, in real terms, is fairly minimal the steering has to be used like a feather as the vehicle's virtually flying over the track, care has to be taken with drifting as it doesn't take much wind or slant to the road to get the car slowly skating to one side or the other, and finally, be prepared for one hell of a payback jarring on the corrugations if the brakes are applied hard. In practice I only ever drove fast on corrugated roads that were fairly straight and/or with wide predictable bends, and that I was reasonably confident were in conditions that had no unexpected ruts, washouts or potholes that could do significant damage at those speeds - that or I had a really good sight of the road ahead to mitigate those concerns. Obviously a lot of this doesn't apply to your experiences in this video clip as the road was a mongrel and fairly tight and twisting in most places, which wouldn't have allowed for faster speeds in a safe manner. With all that aside though, great video - hard to say 'no' to something as iconic as Mitchell falls, right? :)

  • @Phil_McAvity
    @Phil_McAvity 2 года назад +2

    My mate had similar issues with his Y62 driving the Canning Stock. It near shook itself apart, it just couldn’t cope with the corrugations.

  • @johnbode954
    @johnbode954 2 года назад +2

    We did that drive back in 1992 we had no trouble three people camped at Mitchell Falls in June July period it was so lovely no one around at all I’m glad we did the trip back in 92 then out to Kalumburu we had a great time there camped on the beach went fishing with the locals

  • @yusufsayed2119
    @yusufsayed2119 2 года назад +2

    Great drive over the worst road I have ever seen ,nice idea with the washing bag and let the corrugated road do the cleaning 😀 glad you made it
    Be safe and take care 🙂 Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦 🙏 😊

  • @DieselDave
    @DieselDave 2 года назад

    Had to giggle as it made me remember the joke about '40 series drivers thinking the Bruce Hwy was corrugated!!! Sorry, but there's a giggle in there somewhere. Great content guys. Cheers, dd

  • @HardstylePete
    @HardstylePete 2 года назад +2

    I know I mentioned it in the previous video but do try some hearing protection on the corrugated roads. It's amazing how high levels of sounds 80db+ can wear you out but also damage your hearing permanently.

    • @gnarwhaladventures5824
      @gnarwhaladventures5824 2 года назад +1

      Yeah we found getting all the small rattly things out of the cabin really helped with noise and fatigue levels as well.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      We need those BOSE headphones you wear in light aircraft 😂 then we could still chat.

  • @ItchyFeetOz
    @ItchyFeetOz 2 года назад

    good memories. When we did it they were burning those palms along the way, we were worried about the fuel catching fire too. I think we moved btwn 40-80kmh but there were huge hidden potholes then to deal with and we'd occasionally drop in with an almighty thump - it wasn't pleasant at all. We were 3 Land Rovers, no issues all the way we were very lucky, plenty of trucks had to be taken to the mechanic at the turn off - but would I do it again, probably not. It is definitely the roughest road on our round Oz trip.

  • @blake9358
    @blake9358 2 года назад

    I'm planning to drive along the Transline access road from Cook to Rawlinna and tour all the A bomb sites around Maralinga, then cruise on Len Beadell's legendary 6000 kilometres of inland highways. Apparently you can score Aboriginal art work like spears and carved boomerangs cheaply.

  • @str8shooter2
    @str8shooter2 2 года назад +1

    Great video, corrugated roads put a lot of stress on even a well set up 4wd.I generally don't travel any faster than 50km and run tyre pressure at around 26-28psi.

  • @willreed6231
    @willreed6231 2 года назад +2

    Not having a go at your mechanical ability, but bloody hell that other bloke is a life saver I bet your happy you travelled with him 😂

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      Oh yeah he's bloody good to have around. Carries all the tools, owns a 47 so knows it inside out. I usually know what the problem is, but there is a big difference between knowing the issue and knowing how to fix it 😅

  • @kisbushcraftdownunder
    @kisbushcraftdownunder 2 года назад +1

    I did it back in 2002 and the only mechanical problem was a cracked aircon line made worse by getting the side window smashed out at the falls car park mine and nearly ever other car was broken into and ransacked put a bit of a dampener on the trip

  • @batmanlives6456
    @batmanlives6456 2 года назад +2

    Hi Guys
    Glad you made it
    I see you think it may just be the worst track in Australia
    It’s certainly up there
    But so worth it when you get there!
    We were told no maintenance has been done for years …
    I felt it was tougher than the canning…
    70 k’s into Mitchell falls took us 3.5 hrs …
    And I would be too scared to do it any faster !
    The upside is when you tackle the CSR and other tough tracks they are all easier !

  • @TristanNicolas
    @TristanNicolas 2 года назад

    Thanks for that video, thanks for keeping it real. ❤

  • @AshleyPearceImages
    @AshleyPearceImages 2 года назад

    Great honest review and video. I’m still toying of flying in and out..but also want the experience of the drive. Loving the music you’ve used this video…stepping it up a notch guys!

    • @AshleyPearceImages
      @AshleyPearceImages 2 года назад

      The look on Holly’s face @ 14:00 says it all!

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      Its an experience that's for sure! Im pretty sure they are fixing the road completely so you might have a really good run in.

  • @lawrencebigg2181
    @lawrencebigg2181 2 года назад

    I feel for you guys, we did this back in August and seeing this just makes it clear how lucky we were. They were grading/repairing the road from the King Edward Campground to the Mitchell Falls camp ground and it at the time was the best bit of road on the Gibb. In contrast, the bit up from Drysdale was the worst! It was stressful enough for us in a Hilux, so can only imagine what it was like for you...

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      Yeah I have heard they are going to put a big effort into fixing it up. It was definitely one of those days where you're just waiting for something to go wrong.

  • @jezzfitz6141
    @jezzfitz6141 2 года назад

    Agree, worst corrugations we’ve ever experienced. There was no comfortable speed so we took it slowly. Met a couple in a Mazda BT50 who lost their bullbar due to metal fatigue through the bullbar mounts.

  • @Taf68
    @Taf68 2 года назад

    We went too Mitchell falls in 2017. Made it back onto the Drysdale track using fencing wire to hold the suspension together and nuts and bolts from out spare roof racks items to hold the body to the chassis. A hell of an experience and some good fireside stories but expensive to fix. But what the hell, we don't kit out our cars for trips to Coles do we; he cars all fixed again but the memories will last forever.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      Yeah I reckon there has been some car casualties on that road!

  • @murrayhunt6882
    @murrayhunt6882 2 года назад +1

    Absolutely it’s worth the drive in…Such a special part of the country!
    I was just up there in august in my old 75 series, it wasn’t too bad if I kept up around 70kmh…..also don’t be scared to dump the air out of your tyres, every little bit helps!
    Preparation is the key on roads like this.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      Yeah I think our tyres were below 20 all round. I agree slower than 70 was worse.

    • @finnsvensson4674
      @finnsvensson4674 2 года назад

      Tyre pressure are the answer. I have done many km on corrugations and always air down to 18

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      @@finnsvensson4674 yep as I said below 20 all round…. Honestly it was better but still horrible

  • @gnarwhaladventures5824
    @gnarwhaladventures5824 2 года назад

    We didn't do the Mitchell Falls road as we couldn't take the dog. We did the road up to Honeymoon bay though and it was pretty shit. I prefer to get a bit of speed on to smooth things out but then you have the obvious problem of carrying too much speed on very poor roads with lots of hazards...

  • @fel836
    @fel836 2 года назад

    thank you for shoring with me great trip in

  • @KidBiff
    @KidBiff 2 года назад

    Looks like Australia needs to invest in a couple of road graders! Ouch!

  • @HammerRocks
    @HammerRocks 2 года назад +2

    Yeah, corrugations is not fun but Mitchell Falls is breathtaking. It's good you stuck to it. I use a product called "Scruba Wash Bag" for my washing on the move. It's just like a dry bag with the biggest difference is the inside has hundreds of dimples to aid in cleaning out the clothes, and it has an air valve to aid in adding and removing air without having to open the entire bag.

  • @fatmanoverlanding
    @fatmanoverlanding 2 года назад +1

    Like cable ties (plastic & metal), and assorted nuts & bolts to bring as spares, I also bring several rachet straps to use as emergency fasteners. It could have been useful for your radiator mounting issue. They've also been known to temporarily keep in place an exhaust or two. Not a fan of corrugations too. I wouldn't be surprised if they've killed more 4WDs in the outback than any other. But sadly if you want to see remote and secluded places in Australia, you can't avoid them. Thank goodness the views at Mitchell Falls made it worthwhile. PS. Wonderful intro to this episodes. 👍

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      Yeah there were a few times I wish I took some ratchet straps.

  • @THEROADSMITH
    @THEROADSMITH 2 года назад +2

    Totally agree it’s the worst road I’ve been on.

  • @kennymepicadventures876
    @kennymepicadventures876 2 года назад

    Agree, near on most ‘orrible corrugated road you could expect to experience. Last year I threw a right rear axle bearing out at Surveyors Pool, thank goodness for the very very helpful rangers at Mitchell Plateau. New bearing kits flown in the very next day at trade price (no freight cost). On the way out and up-to Honeymoon Bay left front shock died and the team out there organised new shockies, so so helpful the folks out that way.
    kennym

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      wow that's pretty awesome they flew a bearing kit in for you!

    • @kennymepicadventures876
      @kennymepicadventures876 2 года назад

      @@OverlandTravellers a plane with a bunch or tourists was flying in. The Ranger knew that. That was only the beginning of the support the rangers provided. An epic experience even with those lows, as it seems you both agree.
      kennym

  • @dougneville9097
    @dougneville9097 2 года назад

    Thanks guy's,road well done but i felt so sorry for elsie.😥

  • @2UZFE
    @2UZFE 2 года назад

    New car or older is irrelevant it’s the preparation prior to going and washboard roads will test any vehicle , all in all you did well 😎👍🍻

  • @robbies4x4adventures
    @robbies4x4adventures 2 года назад

    Have travelled extensively, I can confirm the that road to Mitchell’s Falls is one of the worst. The road into the bungle bungles is on par or worse.

  • @raybourne5781
    @raybourne5781 2 года назад +1

    Yeah…. Worst road I’ve been on… took about 4hrs or so from the camp ground near that creek, the old Pajero got through unscathed through that road and entire Gibb river road and up to Kalumburu as well…. Caravan in tow only on the Gibb river road section with no issues with either.

  • @finnsvensson4674
    @finnsvensson4674 2 года назад

    I would really appreciate if u would talk about ur tyre pressures as that's the key to survive corrugations. A full pumped soccer ball will return to ur hand when bouncing it, let some pressure out and it will not come back to ur hand, if it does, let more pressure out.
    I would say 18 to 20 psi depending on car and load will make a huge difference, and it tyres should be OK.
    Love to hear ur reply😃

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      Yep we were a little below that I think, 18 in the rear and 16 or so in the front.

  • @paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674

    But.Hey....ohh man...did this in the early 80's...and survived with locking hubs in the 1982 hilux...hard 2 watch...😥😫😫😫

  • @cynthiakavanagh6972
    @cynthiakavanagh6972 2 года назад +3

    The short answer is…. YES! We drove it at the end of July this year after leaving our van at Drysdale Station. It was a shocking road last time we drove it in 2016 and it was shocking again this time. It looked like the grader had been along Kalumburu Rd, but there’s only so much they can do when the road base is so diabolical. That red, coarse gravel is diabolically hard!

  • @WesternAustraliaNowAndThen
    @WesternAustraliaNowAndThen 2 года назад

    Either walking speed or 80kph plus and nothing in between. Worst corrugations we ever drove on took five minutes to go up one side and three to get down the other LOL

  • @TheForthElement
    @TheForthElement 2 года назад +3

    theres a few reasons why the roads end up like this:
    1. peoples tyre pressures too high
    2. overloaded vehicles
    3. weight/sidewall ratio is incorrect: where peoples vehicles weight is too high for the depth of the sidewall on their tyres (EG 200series on standard 285/60r18s has less than 7inches of tyre sidewall - less if the tyres are deflated - and weighs 3350kg at GVM), causing tyres to not absorb as much as they could if it had taller sidewall
    4. people driving too quick for the roads condition
    5. modern vehicles are so advanced in their computer aided design to be 'smooth and comfortable', people can literally drive them till they shake to pieces and still be comfortable doing it, and damaging the roads further
    6. overpowered vehicles: 4x4s dont need to have heaps of power, you proved this in climbing big red with Elsie. it only allows people to transport more weight easier (when they are probally over GVM anyways), and accelerate to wreck tracks quicker
    7. vehicles weights not appropriate for tyre size: the heavier the vehicle, the larger diameter tyres it should have, so it can lower its ground pressure
    if everyone had a standard 2002 hilux and let their tyres down to 15psi on gravel and 10psi on beaches, corrugations wouldn't exist

    • @rawnature8148
      @rawnature8148 2 года назад +2

      You are one of the few people who seem to understand that chopping a 200 series, extending and doing a gvm upgrade is not needed. Keep it light and lower your tire pressure 101.

    • @PhilipBeresford
      @PhilipBeresford 2 года назад

      Also, use 4WD. You may not need it, but it reduces the damage done to the roads.

    • @droctagon3k
      @droctagon3k Год назад

      Wrong. Corrugations will ALWAYS exist where there are sprung, wheeled vehicles driving on them. Some of the things you mentioned above speed up the process, but there will ALWAYS be corrugations on soft / dirt road.

  • @robdotcom71
    @robdotcom71 2 года назад

    Lucky you have the Troopy now and you can put Elsie out to pasture.... :)

  • @paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674

    How can I do that with a Chic and survive...need travel 6mnths..Any tips and setups?

  • @darrenc4096
    @darrenc4096 2 года назад

    Ahh. Corrugations. The life of the party. 🥳🎉

  • @Scalihoo
    @Scalihoo 2 года назад

    It was worth it for us viewers :)

  • @sailingcitrinesunset4065
    @sailingcitrinesunset4065 2 года назад +1

    Tyre pressure 25psi for corrugations ?

  • @sebastianmessina3285
    @sebastianmessina3285 2 года назад

    Corrugations - you want to see corrugations, drive to the tip of Australia (Cape York) it’s a moungrel.

    • @captainfrank01
      @captainfrank01 2 года назад

      I've done both trips - these are definitely the worst!

  • @novondoiel
    @novondoiel 2 года назад +2

    I don't think I have a bra supportive enough for that bloody road haha

  • @selwyn500
    @selwyn500 2 года назад

    Any speed less than 80kph over corrugation will destroy any vehicle. You gotta get the vehicle to float across the corrugation.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      Yeah there is that point you start floating. Issue with this track there are lots of corners so you just can't get any speed up.

  • @jasonbarnes5605
    @jasonbarnes5605 2 года назад +1

    Wow, what a drive! Makes you think twice about spring and shock absorber choices. Any advice for the ultimate shocks for corrugations? I’m preparing a y61 and would like to do the gibb. Another great episode guys 👍

    • @reallyskeptical
      @reallyskeptical 2 года назад +1

      Done it last year. Towing a boat, Just make sure pressure in your tyres are good. Any reputable company would be fine.

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      Yep I agree any mid range to high end gear from a good reputable company should be fine.

  • @michaelhermans4753
    @michaelhermans4753 2 года назад

    Not everyone’s budget is a helicopter ride a worthwhile alternative?
    Another informative video

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      A helicopter might be cheaper than a tow truck and mechanics bill

    • @michaelhermans4753
      @michaelhermans4753 2 года назад

      @@OverlandTravellers only problem you can’t do your washing lol

  • @Wildernessadventuresoz
    @Wildernessadventuresoz 2 года назад

    Dirty clothes!no problem hit those corrugated roads 😂

  • @beanybeansable
    @beanybeansable 2 года назад

    17:12 wiggle wiggle wiggle

  • @naikvanderW
    @naikvanderW 2 года назад

    You are getting rather stiff here, old dude!lol

  • @93jummy
    @93jummy 2 года назад

    When all the roads are bitumen there isnt going to be much adventure far more people in far to reach areas

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад +1

      I do feel like there are less and less roads like this

  • @Shanes_Shed
    @Shanes_Shed 2 года назад

    Is it being to selfish to hope you where going to say it's not worth the drive? Be nice to have some extra encouragement to keep people away so these sorts of places are not so busy

  • @COSHAM77
    @COSHAM77 2 года назад

    surely cant be worse than steep point?

  • @terrysmith1307
    @terrysmith1307 2 года назад

    Maybe its time to prioritize the new vehicle you have been thinking about tke old girl needs to be retired

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  2 года назад

      We didn't own the new vehicle when this was filmed..... Trust me if we had it we would have used it 😅

  • @robcarroll2403
    @robcarroll2403 2 года назад

    😂

  • @brentmcd12
    @brentmcd12 2 года назад

    tyre pressures shock settings and the right matching speed , definitely looks like it's worth it ! 🏜️🌄🛻📹😎🤙

  • @OOOUZ
    @OOOUZ Год назад +1

    Drybag hack is actually 👍

    • @OverlandTravellers
      @OverlandTravellers  Год назад

      Yeah it was actually really helpful on a trip like this where you go through the clothes

  • @paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674

    But.Hey....ohh man...did this in the early 80's...and survived with locking hubs in the 1982 hilux...hard 2 watch...😥😫😫😫