Jack Absalom's: On The Birdsville Track

[@brucebird133]

How good was Aussie TV back in the 80s with people like Jack, Mal Douglas, Les Hiddens etc all showing us how good this place really is.. I've watched all their vids many times during lockdown... So relaxing and enjoyable. Not a product placement to be seen anywhere. RIP Jack, and thanks

[@alanm6454]

You are spot on Bruce. I feel that we were spoilt for choice when it came to watching adventurers in the 80s. You missed a couple from your list, so I would include the Leyland brothers, (of course) and Alby Mangels. I reckon if there was a TV channel just showing these lot I don't think that I would ever get off the couch.

[@brucebird133]

@@alanm6454 Bring on that channel now... would shit on 99% of the garbage on Tv now.

[@adrianpritchard5143]

Like both your comments Bruce and Alan, I hope to do the trip next year and then do a trip up centre and then down the west coast to Perth and then I have done some of Australia.

[@bas4903]

​@@adrianpritchard5143safe travels Adrian

[@dombarton2483]

Jack Absalom RIP...you are an Australian Legend!!

[@noelbox9809]

I can thank jack. Years ago was stranded in a remote spot flooded in by king tides from a storm. There for 3 days. Holden Ute battery went flat from using the interior light and radio. I remembered watching on TV how to start your car from a Jack show. The trick he taught was to jack up one rear wheel. The old cars had an open diff so all good. Lucky I had a mate. Got the mate to start to turn the tyre as fast as he could. I was in my ute ignition key on in top gear and popped the clutch. The old ute started straight away worked a dream . Slipped into neutral let her down and we were on our way. Never forgotten thanks to Jack.

[@fergspan5727]

Wow

[@robcourtney6154]

He was a kind man, we visited his gallery at Broken Hill just before he passed. He gave both my kids a coaster with his signature on them.

[@trr8794]

Iam from Missouri..grew up in the 80s.. man i miss it .. sitting down at the table eating dinner together..this guy tells it straight out...like grandpa..enjoyed it thanks

[@bas4903]

The train gave old Jack a bit of a heart starter😂

[@alfaman4113]

I love this guy so much, I have to watch his series in order to relax at night, every night

[@JamesPiccone]

I've watched so much of Jack Absalmon's lately I think I'm turning Aussie.

[@charlieroberts7775]

Welcome mate😊

[@JohnSmith-pd1fz]

Very informative in both historical and survival aspects for travelling in the outback. No mystique, no bullshit, no self promotion, just plain simple no nonsense facts.

[@jessesands4099]

John Smith Great words mate You said it in one!👌👍🤠🇦🇺

[@captainkaos754]

When jack passes away he should be given a state funeral. I watched jack with my farther when he was alive and still remember these episodes like they were yesterday. This is the Australia I remember before the government started giving the land away to the Chinese.

[@tkx86]

What an amazing man! Rest in Peace Jack. One of Australia's TRUE personalities.

[@rocketeerPM2500]

Jack Absalom is a bloody living Aussie legend -- and he can do a mean painting too. I saw this video years ago, must be late 1980's - early 1990's. But the motoring tips are still relevant today. Absalom's videos about this country are a must-see for all people thinking of travelling through the Outback. Thanks for posting.

[@newmo81]

Geoff bloody wanker more like it

[@chronocross7174]

​@@newmo81 says the guy who is a nobody that is unknown, no one cares, go flush a toilet and make yourself useful "newmo81"

[@PibrochPonder]

@@newmo81 you are a prick

[@jamesm3123]

My brother and myself do a trip every year thru the outback.Last year innaminka via camerons corner. This year birdsville via innaminka and home via the birdsville track.The following year cape york. Maybe. We used to watch jacks tv shows and always said we would do that one day. To see the places we used to see on tv is amazing. Thanks jack.

[@ImmortalInflames]

Met this legend for the first time about 3 or 4 years ago. So glad I did, even more so now.. Still hard to believe he died, he looked fit as a fiddle last I saw him and he mentioned he was planning another outback painting trip too!!

[@digisuboob]

i remember that soap and dust trick from when i was a little fella, one of the few things ive ever remembered. amazing to see it again.

[@MixMasterMark]

This is a beautiful snapshot in time. Thanks for the upload.

[@tonydownunder5703]

I forgot all about this bloke !! Watch all he's TV shows back in the good old days. How I see him on KZbin 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Ok !! Hear we go again 👍👍👍 great stuff. I do have one of he's bush cooking books and he sign it for me. Looking forward to watch them all again.

[@alphaone3704]

If the corrupt criminal politicians were legends like this bloke, it’ll be the best world 🌎 to live in!!!!

[@radioaustralia5070]

All the true real aussie icons and real men are gone now and we are left with snow flakes. RIP you legend

[@mjames4709]

Absolutely

[@garyking508]

How did he drive the Birdsville track without a $100,000 Landcruiser + $50,000 in mods?

[@judithschneider7000]

Big business to the gullible

[@alphaone3704]

Gary King. Easy, he drove a Mitsubishi Sigma.... I used to go bush in my dad’s old Ford XB station wagon!! That was a good car!!

[@garyking508]

@@alphaone3704 Come on. Everyone knows a car doesn't move on dirt unless 6 figures are spent on it.

[@jeremywestell7985]

Wow even after all these years some damn good advice , cheers Jack ! Bless ya mate

[@jackvaughan7577]

That had to be the most enjoyable three quarters of an hour I've ever spent in a long time Jesus I miss the Bush, and Australia Thanks Jack (R.I.P) Jack Vaughan Tipperary Ireland

[@IanL1]

Dirt roads and sandhills in a Siggy wagon, that's the way. My mum had an old Sigma exactly the same, I remember doing tons of tracks in South Australia in it as a kid.

[@biriani]

Been really enjoying these films of Jacks. Was a fan of the Leyland brothers as a kid but never saw these before. Brings back good memories from oz. x

[@boboconnor5861]

Was wondering what year this was made, and at the end in the credits...MCMLXXXV, which is 1985. What a great storyteller Jack Absalom is! I can see why he's a legend in the Outback.

[@markquast9482]

The last train out of Marree was in 1986 and the car Jack was driving is a Mitsubishi Sigma Wagon Model GH built from Jan 1981 to Feb 1982.

[@brucebird133]

Shame these great story tellers are all gone now... along with their stories.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

1.50 for a beer those were the days

[@jessesands4099]

Jack was one of the most informative experts on Outback travel and tips Love his advice on the doco! I went up the Birdsville Track in 1995 with a friend who has also sadly passed away as well! Just went up in an ordinary car got a flat tyre between Mungarannie and Birdsville! Also 60 KMs out of Bedourie got a hole in the Petrol tank so rushed back into Bedourie and an Aboriginal fella who worked at the Bedourie Shire council depot and he patched up the hole with this stuff called ribbon like play do or blutack that set rock hard!🤨🏜️🚗🛢️⛽🐪🇦🇺

[@desertdog8006]

Owning a home in Marree, this is awesome seeing the past in film

[@paulcoffey359]

Doin' the Birdsville track in an '85 sigma, absolute gold!

[@1969cmp]

Totally awesome that he is not in some mega 4WD.

[@occyman]

People used to travel in normal Aussie cars in the out back before ARB etc came along and convinced all these gullible city people you need to spend $40k modifying your $100k 4x4. ....I grew up far west NSW in a tiny town on the Darling River and yes we had 4x4 too but not everyone had them.

[@1969cmp]

@@occyman When we live in Marree, my folks bought a new Kingswood wagon (maybe a 74 model) from the dealer in Hawker. They wielded a metal plate accross the bottom of the car because the rocks from Leigh Creek to Marree. But we also toured the Flinders. We had that car in Whyalla and then moved to Alice in 83 and the car got pinced that same year and never seen again. Solid.

[@occyman]

@@1969cmp yeah cool...we were in Tilpa (far west NSW on the Darling). I'll be heading through Marree later in the year..

[@grahamwishart4832]

I travelled 26,000 kilometres around Oz in 9 months in my great '78 Kingswood HZ back in 1991. Never got stuck and never broken down..apart from dirt in carb 5 ks outside Wittenoom!... Great car. Had old blokes driving Commodores saying they wished they'd kept their Kingswood. Could go anywhere...

[@beardization]

I love this guy. Been watching his show all evening

[@PoshLifeforME]

How on earth he got around in that motor in that country is an amazement to me. Love this stuff.

[@occyman]

Not so amazing..people used to travel in regular Aussie cars in the outback all the time. It’s only recent history that the whole 4x4 industry was spawned to convince everyone they need to spend $40k modifying your expensive 4x4. It’s a rip off for gullible people.

[@PoshLifeforME]

@@occyman Yeah I guess so!

[@flatoutt1]

got to love these country people . reminds me a bit of my parents .they've got some go . it's a family affair with the whole family out there when hubby is putting those poly pipes in . takes me back ,to when mum and i were feeding sheep in the 65 drought . and like jack said ,what a great cop. he's got his heart in the right place .a true servant and mate. and just from how jack pulls the pipe in on his own initiative ,says so much about his character. he's been around a bit and knows the rules . everybody lends a hand when you can without being asked . you're always looking for a way to help.

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Jack is an absolute aussie legend!!!!!!!!

[@newmo81]

Vik Cebergs #greatsouthernoverland absolute cock head

[@stanglassman]

Those last words "One of the dreads of this county is bush fires" couldn't be more true at this moment in time.

[@billgoldly3962]

Great bloke ….. and Malcolm Douglas and Les Hiddins similar ….. but nowdays we have airconned vans and big 4WDs and we try to retrace the travels of the great Jack Absalom who did it in a bloody Sigma ! …. ha Malcolm was a bloody great man ! ….. I loved how he learnt so much from the Australian aborigines and documented it through his amazing videos for us ….. Les is the only one left of this trio …. BushTucker Man …. I would love to be in a beer session with these 3 greats!

[@paulgabolinscy2502]

Brilliant, thanks for posting.

[@bradleyweiss7287]

Thank you for your wisdom Brad Wellington Florida

[@Psygression91]

at 5:18 he gets frightened by the train horn lol

[@ndirangugichuki6260]

I saw that too.. but he still stood still, Mr Jack Absalom, legend in my books.

[@joshua86901]

Petrol Carby....Sooooo much easier than diesel or petrol injected.... love these videos

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Amazing. Truly. Who knew that Tom Cruise was a postman before Hollywood. lol.

[@Nic26482648]

A different Tom Cruise!

[@JimD-mb9bh]

A true mentor

[@davechristian7543]

Cant remember this show in the 80s , crazy 'who knows could be a lil demented theses days but man i had to laugh when he drills a hole in his petrol tank n then sets his tyres on fire 😝 😜😜 Haha wat a great show n a classic aussie from that time, sadly things have changed so much since then. 🙄 #Truelegend.

[@mrx-gn2zj]

Still see a few mid 80's sigmas around ! 👍

[@JohnSmith-vu6zd]

Serious? I haven’t seen one in years.

[@brendanwilliams7291]

Just goes to show how careful you need to be in the outback, very good tips especially about car maintenance, especially looking after tyres,

[@benwilkins2998]

Old mate is in a Mitsubishi station wagon. These days it’d be some wanker in a decked out Landcruiser sponsored by ARB, and he’d still get bogged.

[@kevinjones8496]

This was a great watch. I remember these series back when I was a kid. Looking to do Birdsville in another Mitsi (but a Triton). Did the Oodnadatta track earlier this year and it was a bit sad to see towns like Maree in its current state after what would have been huge heydays.

[@lukereynolds9907]

Might as well go in a sigma mate.. tritons are rubbish

[@edrivesfastcars7060]

I have a new respect for Tom Cruise. Who would have known?

[@jessesands4099]

LOL! Different Tom Kruse!😆

[@1969cmp]

Wow....I used to live in Marree.

[@jeaymason363]

BLOUDY BRILLIANT THANX AGAIN BOSS

[@Jesusandbible]

He is 91 - still alive.

[@ct1762]

doesnt suprise me. low stress, doing what he loves. good common sense. things that are lacking in most these days.

[@digisuboob]

far out imagine bumping into this legend out in the bush

[@86stackyj]

Unfortunately he just passed

[@embira4256]

:O So sad :(

[@jakartaman3365]

Sadly no more. Passed away in March this year, 2019. RIP.

[@skyking6989]

Now the children learn through satellite internet. Really amazing stuff. Sure love the Ozzies!!

[@daviddickson4015]

I road a push bike up the birdsvill track

[@martindiepolder737]

I remember a report in the newspaper - when I lived in Australia in the 60th - of an austrian couple, who had a break-down of their car on the Birdsville Track and they died.

[@prizecowproductions]

Well done legend Jack Absolom for a minute their I thought he was going to torch the Sigma.

[@mickgatz214]

@26:25 but Dad always said, "Son, remember one thing, Mitsubishi's don't break down!" LOL

[@Timberdoodle197]

Chuck Norris looks for Jack Absalom under his bed at night

[@holdenbrougham1923]

i was a kid when he done this , watched it at school , we had 2 sigma se , gh and gJ

[@samftr]

Checked the rego on the sigma he used in this episode and it was cancelled in 1994. Would have been cool if it was still registered

[@nathanrykers4577]

Ha , you beat me to it, I’m obsessed with rego checking vehicle rego from old footage.

[@wolffram1]

The best part? Today people spend 100k on a fancy 4WD and all the gear to drive the outback. Jack blasted up there in his 4 cylinder Mitsubishi! Awesome! 😂

[@geoninja8971]

Great video, great man.... but who would have ever thought you'd get bogged in a Birdsville Track sand dune in a Sigma?? :)

[@brendanwilliams7291]

I wonder what Jack would say now that the road up to Marree is fully sealed, no doubt it would make a huge difference to all motorists.

[@brendanwilliams7291]

Imagine what things would be like if the Birdsville Track was sealed, admittedly it would take some of the character of the track away, however it would make it easier to travel regardless of the weather be it dry or wet.

[@ben-vf]

On the police card ... Asks for drivers name (in block letters) Jack proceeds to sign his name like he has just completed a painting . Petty ? Yes ! Amusing ? To me anyway.

[@KolonelKrakazTimeMachine]

Teflon paint job on the old Sigma goes alright aye 😂👍

[@_____7704]

Haha imagine Jack once hes finished this doco, handing that back bloody Sigma back to Lonsdale - would be f***ed. :D

[@mickgatz214]

Hahahahaha, now that wassa a pisser of a comment!. Onya Bloke!

[@cdnsk12]

Why wouldn't Jack have a high clearance Ute, or a 4WD Vehicle for traveling the Outback?

[@matthewmoses4222]

Because years ago we all just drove our 2WD cars everywhere and managed. Take a look at an XW Falcon or HG Kingswood and you will see they were designed to drive on dirt roads, Australia had a lot of bush roads in those days.

[@davidstaff3106]

Thanks Jack......RIP

[@zeMasterRuseman]

To all the people saying you don't need a 4wd in the outback. That's true, but the roadside is also littered with abandoned 2wd's. Also I'm pretty sure the camera crew were in cruisers. It's not like he's filming himself with a gopro. Jack Absalom is a legend, but let's be real.

[@dkelly6492]

wish the birdsville hotel looked like that still inside

[@anthonygotz8788]

Very brave drill hole in gas tank middle of Birdsville

[@lacymcduffie1684]

Burn tires? You need a lighter first. In the 80s a few more people were smokers, many had one with them. And those people who got stuck in the dunes and cooked themselves in the sun. The first thing they did when they got to an outpost was drink alcohol, ( i think thats what he said) had a beer or something, which dehydrates you. Jeez, they were not thinking. The man who followed them should have stopped them, granted the damage could have already been done with or without a beer. But he should have said only water for awhile and got them some medical attention.

[@larjkok1184]

A SIGMA!?!? I wouldn't drive one of those to the shops and this guy is hitting the desert. Well done.

[@lukereynolds9907]

Oggy Oggy so true 😂👍

[@1969cmp]

I have a friend who had one and he still swears by them decades later.

[@pauldroop]

My first car. Absolutely bullet proof

[@johnbuckland626]

Does anyone know what car he's driving?

[@FredMcCubbin]

I have no doubt this bloke was the inspiration behind Russell Coight

[@dgordon9645]

4xxx and sausage roll $1:50 and $0:80 at the Birdsville pub I'm leaving now see you there jack. Australia out back you bloody ripper !!!!!

[@7artisalam7]

Your country considering mine is magical cause working hard to survive.....

[@jeffwilliams742]

Yep he crapped himself from the train horn

[@patrickjobling8676]

Miss the jack ..

[@peterkirgan6850]

Jack was ok ! There were a few out there that could imitate him but couldn't!! Rip

[@TJ_Beam]

Imagine going back in time and trying to tell Jack that there’s people today buy $100k 4x4’s and adding 60k in upgrades to do these tracks lol

[@bobeden5027]

How come Jack's car is always shiny?

[@MrBrentles]

Malcolm Turnbull with balls. Should have been Prime Minister

[@avi8r944]

The fella that died probably should have had water instead of beer. Alcohol may dehydrate a person further.

[@conqueringlion420]

Did my survival instructor just burn all his tires?😂 I think I want my $ back

[@AudioTones67]

Driving the Birdsville Track in a Sigma wagon, BECAUSE OF COURSE YOU DO.

[@rogerhector8323]

mate done it in a Ford Falcon no problems

[@paulcavka1375]

Legend

[@rogerhector8323]

RIP Jack

[@bobeden5027]

How come his car is always shiny?

[@stewb887]

+Bob Eden wax

[@grahamerae3502]

He didn’t need a big flash 4wd with all the crap on it to travel the outback

[@TJ_Beam]

Mission Slightly possible - starring Tom Cruise

[@clivegar1159]

well he can travel with more pressure then normal pressure , I have and always have my tires at 10% less then normal with out any issues for many years and many outback miles, more footprint for safety

[@twoblokesontheroad6499]

this is true. these days we have car/suv tyres that have thicker/stronger side walls thats built to run under inflated on outback roads. I wouldn't imagine it was the same back in the old days

[@zanyredonkulous]

as long as there has been tyres around there has been good tyres, people just dont want to pay for them.

[@johnniethepom2905]

If your car has 14 x185 tyres it might be an idea to put 8 ply commercial van tyres on .

[@geoninja8971]

And a softer ride too.... I like to subtract some pressure for gravel roads, keeps my fillings in place....

[@PrestigeWorldWide179]

Blokes a fucken ledgend

[@garyp4374]

That's funny when he said buy a place between Adelaide and Gawler it's all now cheap box houses

[@axios76]

What car is the guy driving? :)) Sorry, I am european:)

[@Berryservices]

Mitsubishi Sigma (GJ) SE station wagon

[@axios76]

Thanks!

[@jeffwilliams742]

axios12 its a sigma Mitsubishi

[@rocamoca8218]

When the car companies use to make cars to last now try that whit a tesla rip mr jack absolom he was the goat

[@charlieroberts7775]

Back in the days when people knew you did not need a 4WD to travel on the dirt.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

15,000 sq miles is about the size of Switzerland. For one privately owned farm. And that is not the biggest farm in Australia!

[@dalemiddleton7057]

My father got a new sigma wagon at the time unleaded petrol came out top car

[@Rob-fc9wg]

Vale John Henry Absalom.

[@lacymcduffie1684]

You would really need to keep those sheep out of that sun.