Trip Reports
Wilbinga 17th May 2009
It was a bit of a rush but the trip leader in the Frontera arrived by 9am for the meet-n-greet.
As expected, the 60 was already there, along with a repeat-visitor in the Rodeo. Members in the 100 series and in the Cherokee were also early and about ten minutes later the GU arrived. That made up the compact convoy for this trip.
The trip leader prepped the group with the day’s convoy procedures and we escaped north up Wanneroo road just on 9:30, the GU volunteering to be tail end Charlie.
It was a bit quiet on the radio to start with as we were all enjoying the country drive on this very pleasant, late summer’s day. A few kilometres later the convoy chatter came alive.
The convoy soon turned into Wilbinga road where we stopped to reduce tyre pressures for the trip to the coast. Fifteen minutes later we headed west, the sandstone road a bit rough in places, stopping again where the sand tracks started, to engage 4WD and raise sand flags.
Although well used, the track was still fairly sandy in places. The first sand hill was met and conquered. A few winding and twisting tracks followed, capstones navigated and some itchy and scratchy flora brushed aside we arrived above the beach for morning tea at about 10:45.
The sand was soft, the sea smooth, a gentle cooling breeze wafted off the ocean. Someone spotted a visiting seal just off shore, but maybe it was here for the craypots after all and not just to see us! A leisurely 40 minutes later we packed up and moved on. Rush! Rush! Rush?
Not much further on we came across a real roller coaster of a dip which was a lot of fun to fall into and even better to climb out again. There was the odd day visitor and overnighter blocking the track, but all made room for the convoy and we meandered onwards, passing unexpectedly through a small fisherman’s village in the dunes.
We pulled up at another scenic spot with million dollar views, to check the beach conditions for possible vehicle access. It looked soft and the beach narrow. We chose caution and kept to the tracks above the beach.
Presently we came across a large hill. The trip leader checked the far side for traffic via the side track and invited convoy members to test their hill climbing techniques. Some scaled the well used slope with, some would say, a modicum of skill, others just had-a-go until they succeeded or not. On the other side we all had a go, with nearly everyone conquering the hill. It was a good view from the top too.
Some more sandy twists and a back-track later, we took the plunge and headed onto the beach. It was soft; we found a wide area near the exit, parked up and settled down for lunch.
We shared our little bit of sandy paradise with some overnight fishermen (err persons) and the odd vehicle passers-by. Lunch was pleasant and leisurely. Some ventured to the water to paddle their feet. As beautiful as it was, the water was jolly cold; but still very, very pleasant. The general consensus was that, we were very happy to be there on such a perfect day.
We finally decided to tear ourselves away and with an appropriate dose of right foot encouragement, the whole convoy got off the beach in one go. It’s good to have some club experience to show you how and a few practice hills too.
Now just to be different, we wound our way through some twisty sandy tracks, meandering north as we were which brought us to the final challenge for the day. Two sandy bowls; one soft upper and one well used but tricky lower bowl. Venturing into the lower bowl we discovered some very soft sand.
Coercing the family fourby towards one wall of the bowl, suspension pounding a staccato rhythm across the sandy ruts, aiming for the optimum path, flying Cheetah-like up the deceptively steep slope, engine racing, sand grabbing at tyres, the rim of the bowl grew closer and then, up and over. It was still very soft at the top too, but momentum won the day and the family fourby came to a satisfying halt back at the rim happily surveying the vista far below (Ok not that far, but far enough).
Four more of the group successfully enjoyed the view from the top, but enough was enough and all descended the slope and agreed to move on.
We headed north again for the last time, then turned right at the ‘T’ junction, headed east on the usually sandy and often bumpy exit track until we finally arrived at Wilbinga Grove about ten kilometres later, where we lowered sand flags, disengaged FWD and re-inflated tyres. The trip was officially over.
After a final chat, we headed back down Wanneroo road towards Perth, slipping back into the sprawling urban 2WD environment; until next time. It was a good day!
Hide Report
As expected, the 60 was already there, along with a repeat-visitor in the Rodeo. Members in the 100 series and in the Cherokee were also early and about ten minutes later the GU arrived. That made up the compact convoy for this trip.
The trip leader prepped the group with the day’s convoy procedures and we escaped north up Wanneroo road just on 9:30, the GU volunteering to be tail end Charlie.
It was a bit quiet on the radio to start with as we were all enjoying the country drive on this very pleasant, late summer’s day. A few kilometres later the convoy chatter came alive.
The convoy soon turned into Wilbinga road where we stopped to reduce tyre pressures for the trip to the coast. Fifteen minutes later we headed west, the sandstone road a bit rough in places, stopping again where the sand tracks started, to engage 4WD and raise sand flags.
Although well used, the track was still fairly sandy in places. The first sand hill was met and conquered. A few winding and twisting tracks followed, capstones navigated and some itchy and scratchy flora brushed aside we arrived above the beach for morning tea at about 10:45.
The sand was soft, the sea smooth, a gentle cooling breeze wafted off the ocean. Someone spotted a visiting seal just off shore, but maybe it was here for the craypots after all and not just to see us! A leisurely 40 minutes later we packed up and moved on. Rush! Rush! Rush?
Not much further on we came across a real roller coaster of a dip which was a lot of fun to fall into and even better to climb out again. There was the odd day visitor and overnighter blocking the track, but all made room for the convoy and we meandered onwards, passing unexpectedly through a small fisherman’s village in the dunes.
We pulled up at another scenic spot with million dollar views, to check the beach conditions for possible vehicle access. It looked soft and the beach narrow. We chose caution and kept to the tracks above the beach.
Presently we came across a large hill. The trip leader checked the far side for traffic via the side track and invited convoy members to test their hill climbing techniques. Some scaled the well used slope with, some would say, a modicum of skill, others just had-a-go until they succeeded or not. On the other side we all had a go, with nearly everyone conquering the hill. It was a good view from the top too.
Some more sandy twists and a back-track later, we took the plunge and headed onto the beach. It was soft; we found a wide area near the exit, parked up and settled down for lunch.
We shared our little bit of sandy paradise with some overnight fishermen (err persons) and the odd vehicle passers-by. Lunch was pleasant and leisurely. Some ventured to the water to paddle their feet. As beautiful as it was, the water was jolly cold; but still very, very pleasant. The general consensus was that, we were very happy to be there on such a perfect day.
We finally decided to tear ourselves away and with an appropriate dose of right foot encouragement, the whole convoy got off the beach in one go. It’s good to have some club experience to show you how and a few practice hills too.
Now just to be different, we wound our way through some twisty sandy tracks, meandering north as we were which brought us to the final challenge for the day. Two sandy bowls; one soft upper and one well used but tricky lower bowl. Venturing into the lower bowl we discovered some very soft sand.
Coercing the family fourby towards one wall of the bowl, suspension pounding a staccato rhythm across the sandy ruts, aiming for the optimum path, flying Cheetah-like up the deceptively steep slope, engine racing, sand grabbing at tyres, the rim of the bowl grew closer and then, up and over. It was still very soft at the top too, but momentum won the day and the family fourby came to a satisfying halt back at the rim happily surveying the vista far below (Ok not that far, but far enough).
Four more of the group successfully enjoyed the view from the top, but enough was enough and all descended the slope and agreed to move on.
We headed north again for the last time, then turned right at the ‘T’ junction, headed east on the usually sandy and often bumpy exit track until we finally arrived at Wilbinga Grove about ten kilometres later, where we lowered sand flags, disengaged FWD and re-inflated tyres. The trip was officially over.
After a final chat, we headed back down Wanneroo road towards Perth, slipping back into the sprawling urban 2WD environment; until next time. It was a good day!
Hide Report