Tuesday, October 21, 2025

esCarpade 2025 - Day 3 - Cobar to White Cliffs to Broken Hill

Morning in Cobar, Damo was up early doing some checks and balances... Bluey was looking good!

 


Gratuitous sponsor shot... thanks Minecorp!


This might have been the cause of the burning smell the other day...


Removed!


Oil checked, coolant checked, air filter had percussive maintenance to knock the dust out of it...


But first... coffee!


Nice mural in Cobar.


At breakfast... old mining equipment.



Hoges and Camp Quality CEO Deb Thomas, who gave Hoges a CQ shirt with the yellow squiggle Giggle!


Hoges, Damo and Deb.




At the motel, remember last night's post with the mining equipment statue?  Turns out it is actually an old mine shaft!


Safety first!


Under this thing...


Hoges getting the morning's route notes ready...




Driver briefing...



And we're off towards White Cliffs!




Coba... r.

















There were many kilometres of straight roads, with just a smattering of route notes!


Hoges may or may not have been asleep!













A few cars decided they wanted to overtake before the dirt section...  it was only about 30km away at this stage!






















































Here comes the dirt!











































After a whole bunch of dirt and grids, and bitumen and grids, there was finally a bridge!







Stopped at Tilpa for the official team photo, Damian noticed a noise in the steering.  The mechanics checked it out and gave it the all clear, but noticed that the coolant reservoir was cracked underneath - probably the corrugations earlier in the day.


After cracking the reservoir lid to release the pressure, the boys had a slow and nervous 128km drive to Wilcannia...  Straight and grids!



















































































































































































Made it to Wilcannia!!  The lunch venue at White Cliffs was still 94km away, and not towards Broken Hill, so the boys made the pragmatic (and very sensible) decision to make their way direction to Broken Hill... about 195km away.


Hitting the highway... cruise control set to 99 in the 110 zone to find the sweet spot where the temperature wouldn't get out of control... fingers crossed!























































And the boys made it to Broken Hill!!




Having ordered the part to fix Bluey on the way to Broken Hill, the boys went for a wander to the auto parts store to confirm it was to arrive at 10am on Wednesday, then took a wander around Broken Hill.  Hoges even met some tourists and told them about Camp Quality, receiving a $20 donation!

Palace Hotel - famous for appearing in Priscilla Queen of the Desert!


Damo and Hoges at the Palace Hotel...



The Social Democrats Club


Hoges channelling his inner Priscilla...


Union Parade happened in 1909...


A Hoges sized door...


Mine across the road if you please!


A Damo sized door...


Train!


This train was coming through the wall...


Safe Hoges...


Damo getting flattened!


Brilliant train mural...


Hoges getting flattened...

Back to the motel for a rest, a couple of drinks and to get their washing done before the crowd arrive, it's party night with tomorrow being a rest day!

Stay tuned for the dinner post!

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