The first episode of the pilot "To The Top Of Down Under" Series. Filmed in 2009 - Penny, Bj, Amena & Crew venture out on the fist leg of their trip to Cape York. Teaming up with Gold Guru Tremane, the Mount Mulligan area north west of Cairns still has nuggets of gold hidden in the hills. Definitely 4WD country its time to explore.
Pilot Series - Episode 2 - 2009. Penny is running late after repairing the Rodeo to meet up with Steve on the Eastern Cape to go fishing first before tackling the Southern Telegraph Track. Its early after the wet so the creeks are deep and boggy!
After Dulhunty River the Telegraph Track ramps up with bog holes, more creek crossing, and waterfalls. Bj has a crack at Gunshot, which proves harder with a camper than he plans on
Tackling Nolan's Brook kicks off the final episode for this series, before the crew split into two group for two different ways to reach the mouth of the Jardine River. No trip to the cape is complete without the mandatory walk to the Tip. And a final push down a very boggy Frenchman's Track out to Chilly Beach. An EPIC way to finish the trip of a lifetime.
Series 2 kicks off as Penny and new TODU Crew member Jodie set out for the Gulf of Carpentaria. In central Qld are two locations Penny spotlights that don't see many tourists at all. Porcupine Gorge near Hughenden and Fountain Springs - just east of Mount Isa. Both are 4wd only and that means Jodie who is new to the 4wd scene needs to skill up quick to keep up the pace.
The Kajabbi Track north of Mount Isa has one last deep river crossing to be tackled before Penny pulls up in Karumba where she'll team up with Dale on the Pentana to stretch her arms fishing 100 miles offshore. Meanwhile Jodie starts the build of her GU Patrol ready for whatever Penny can throw at her.
Traveling west Penny & Jodie spend time with locals along the gorgeous Gregory River. Jodie learns some great tips about food preparation for long haul trips. And the Girls soak up the magnificent Lawn Hill. True Bucket List locations.
All the rivers and creeks are still up this early in the Dry Season, but it's the best time to be seeing this part of the gulf country. Doomadgee has a few surprises the girls check out before crossing the NT/QLD boarder and tackling the rocky & deep Calvert River. Penny also gives Jodie the low down on how to use and operate a winch.
Traditionally owned - Seven Emu Station tests visitors with a river crossing not to be toyed with before you even reach the front gate! But camping along the Robinson River with awesome fishing & crabbing right on your door step. We meet Frank Shadforth owner of Seven Emu, & Penny goes over pre trip checks.
The stunning Poppy's Pools is one of Penny's TOP FIVE locations in Australia. A thermal waterfall and safe swimming hole that is hidden away accessed only by a handful each year. In the vicinity of Cape Crawford, this is one of a handful of locations that make this area so special.
Lorella Springs captures everything a remote tourer could want all on the one property- a 1,000,000 acre property!!! Thermal Hot Springs, crystal clear swimming holes, 4wd, fishing & boating. We LOVE Lorella Springs. If it is the end of an epic trip, or just the only destination you want to get too, do not miss Lorella. Final episode of Series 2
Penny & Jodie are back smack bang in the heart of the Northern Territory. Ready to dive into the tough rocky tracks of Davenport Range N.P. its not long before Jodies Patrol starts giving her grief! But Penny's not stressed, in fact its a great time to grab out the 12 gauge for a bit of competition!
Penny & Jodie hook up with Ashley Garner from NT Coastal Fishing Charters. Finger Mark (Goldies), Groper, and Mud Crabs. Just your typical outing in the NT.
You always remember your first time. And Penny is super keen to get her first Barra. Ashley is the man with the know how and is keen to make her wish a reality. And the local Traditional Owners have a neat way to cook barra the old peoples way out at Blue Hole.
The 1,000,000 acre Lorella Springs stole Penny's heart on her first visit, so when she heard Rhett Walker was back on his feet, a bee line was made to visit and experience new spots freshly opened up for visitors.
Why would you drive 700km on dirt one way to visit Gove in Arnhem Land?
Series 6 kicks off with the challenge to be the first to drive to a sacred aboriginal site - the Nimbi Nimbi Sinkhole (Numby Numby). Only ever viewed from helicopters, this little known geological phenomenon is the destination, but it won't be reached as easily as first planned!
Its been 12 months since the Kimberley sent Penny home beaten and battered, but she is back to finish what she started. First off check out the new gear is up to the job on a shake down run.
The Drysdale NP has become over run by the scrub and the old campsites have been lost, but Ronny thinks he can find his way back in. Penny also whips up a sweet treat from the a plant growing wild on the river banks.
Access has been a boat only exercise but the top of the Oombi Track is only 12kms to these amazing falls. But like anything in this country making tracks is never easy.
We don't quit! One way or another
It has been overgrown for years, but the back road from Kalumburu to Pago is one hell of a track.....if you can find it. But is Ronny's inner GPS faulty?
Ad's is back with a plan for Penny. Take Pens new boat on a five day trip covering 600kms of coastlines and rivers. But this the wild East Kimberley, and it has its own plans for the Crew.
The weather has turned nasty and the Crew are forced to seek shelter in a wild unchartered bay for 5 days. But that means it's just a great opportunity to go exploring.
Munja Track - Mount Elizabeth Station to Jameson Arch. Often described as one of the tougher tracks in the Kimberley the Munja Track has been a long time coming for Penny and the Crew. Will this track live up to the hype? Also we take an in depth review on the second vehicle that are guest are driving this series.
Munja track is rocky slow going - but Bachsten Camp really makes the effort worth while. Bordering Prince Regent NP this spot is a wildlife mecca and has a waterfall that flows even in the driest years.
Not every epic exploration needs to be days away from civilisation. This episode Penny shows you what a day trip around Kununurra can include that isn't in the tourist brochures. Convict workings, swimming holes, river crossings, rock art and boat rides.
Ronny's back and he's been holding out till now to show Penny a place he brings his family on a hot day. On his grandmothers Traditional Land is a very significant spot call Harry's Hole.
Penny's time has run out this season in the Kimberley, but Ronny is keeper her here a little longer to visit his Grandpa Bruces land. Violet Valley will be the place to stay for traveller passing by heading for the Bungle Bungles.
From camping on the banks of Bow River the crew are pushing into the impenetrable Durack Ranges looking for away to the southern end of the Chamberlain Gorge. This rough country is taking its toll on Penny's Cruiser. But Violet Valley is the traditional land of Ronny's Grandpa Bruce.