We joined the “tagalong” in Port Agusta after travelling from Longreach (my home town) to Birdsville, Mungannie,Maree and Port Augusta. We had planned a big trip which we had been looking forward to for about two years.
We headed off to the Madigan Line which is one of the most challenging crossings of the Simpson. We passed through Woomera, Roxby Downs, Oodnadatta, William Creek and finally Mt Dare where our crossing trip was to begin.
It was as we had thought a very challenging trip, which we successfully completed when we entered Birdsville for the second time. We then went on to the Arrabury Station track via Haddon Corner and down to Innamincka where we were met with three days of rain and closed roads in every direction.We were scheduled to continue our tour on to Cameron Corner and finishing at White Cliffs, but it was decided to cancel this final leg of the tour due to the closed roads. Instead we decided that as soon as the roads became open again, we would travel back to Longreach.
About 80 km along the Arrabury road, our vehicle came to a sudden stop. We were unable to restart it. Eventually a good Samaritan came by heading to Innamincka, which was lucky for us as all the traffic was heading to Birdsville for the Big Bash. We got a tow back to Innamincka and spent the next six days there only to be told by the local mechanic that he could not help us.
Enter Club 4X4. We contacted the team and they assisted us with the $1,500.00 less $200.00 excess to claim on our off-road recovery cover. We had taken out our motor policy just before venturing on our trip to the desert. This policy benefit proved to be invaluable, as together with an amount from our RACQ roadside assist policy facilitated us to be recovered back to Longreach.
The problem turned out to be quite serious as the tension pulley on the timing belt had snapped of and caused catastrophic damage to our engine. This timing belt had been changed together with comprehensive servicing completed prior to commencement of our trip. We have purchased a recon head and it is currently being replaced estimated to be completed over the next fortnight.
We are extremely grateful to Club 4X4 for their excellent and very prompt service to help with the cost of recovering us from this break down dilemma we unfortunately found ourselves in. Thank you Club 4X4 for your specific insurance cover which saved our day.
We certainly will be renewing our policy with a greater amount when it comes around again.
