Wilbinga 22 February 2025

Participants Don and Jane Patrol (trip leader) Paul and Ben Prado Simon and Di Cannon Kelvin Pajaro Chris and friend Prado Colin and Raelene Prado Sandra and George Pajero Stu and Michelle Pajero Shane Triton Wilco and Silvia Lexis Roger 76 series Landcruiser (tail)

The track in from the highway was dry, dusty and corrugated. Thanks, Dave, for the red squiggles and extra notes on the map; no one got lost. At the planned meeting point we dropped tyre pressures, put up sand flags, filled in paper work, welcomed everybody and had a short driver briefing.

Due to the long dry period that we have experienced a drive on sand was always going to be a challenge. The previous week, in the pines with Tony, the sand was extremely soft. What would today bring?

As we drove along the track, I spotted a large soft rutted sand dune and asked everybody to follow me up and over to give an indication of what the driving conditions would be like as we progressed. The convoy went up and over then up and over from the other side back to the main track. There were a couple of refusals but not need for recovery. A second attempt with more oomph was sufficient except for one who said “Stuff it!” and drove around the hill.

The tracks are narrow and winding with plenty of blind corners and numerous tracks branching off the main track. Our plan was to stay on coastal track and drop down to the beach for lunch break but some were keen to try driving on the beach.

The beach looked very inviting as somebody from the shacks was already fishing successfully. Shane found another way to fish – talk nicely to someone who has already caught fish. He came away with three live tailor which he promptly gutted and stashed for tea that night. Some were a bit squeamish about the gutting.

My idea was to take a quick drive along the beach looking for an exit point. Past the rocky outcrop there a dead end. With a little help from traction boards, we backed out and returned to the main track. Past the fig tree we headed back towards the beach for that quick beach run.

This did not happen as the beach was super soft and a major recovery was required. Despite driving hard along the edge of the dune, the car slid off the track onto the beach. Out with the traction boards – but no success this time. Every move backwards brought us closer to the ocean. And the tide seemed to be coming in.

Shane carefully backed towards us and suffered the same fate: he too slid off the track towards the water. Now there are two vehicles bogged with an advancing tide. No one else was prepared to come near us. Sensible people. Eventually a daisy chain of five vehicles was formed and there was success. Phew.

A big thank you to the people who responded to my calls for assistance; digging, supplying traction boards, lowering tyre pressures and eventually towing us back onto firmer ground. Somewhere out there are two traction boards buried deep in the sand but a better option than losing a vehicle.

We left the beach and continued our drive along the coast tracks briefly stopping for a play on a steep dune and sand bowl. Again, there were refusals but no need for recovery as extra oomph saved the day while some found another way up. We exited along the fence line which has become very rocky in places and intensely bumpy in others. Anyone have seasickness tablets to hand? At Wilbinga Grove rest bay we pumped up tyres and farewelled friends and visitors.

Thanks to Wilco, Di and Paul who contributed photos and videos. We hope you enjoy them. It highlighted the challenges of beach driving and the value of driving with other people and having recovery gear.

Regards Don and Jane