Beachport - Robe and back (New Years '13)

[Les PK Ranger]

Nick, his wife Deb, and kids rocked up at our place 0745, and we were off shortly after.
Headed down to Strath where we were meeting Luke at 0900 at the servo.
Went via Sunnydale Road, but it had been really well graded recently.

Met up with Luke, and we headed down Parker Road then a shortcut via Hamburg Rd to take us to Langhorne Ck Rd.
The Ford there had a sign near it, Road Closed or some such thing.
I could see it was just a little bit of water over it, so, challenge accepted !

It was a pretty much straight run down to Beachport, stoped a few times for people to have a stretch / toilet breaks, the kids to have a run about, and checked out local conditions at Salt Ck Roadhouse.

Got to Beachport just after 1400, straight to the end of Bowman Scenic Drive, aired down, and onto the coastal section from there.
Nothing too exciting here, a little bit of beach driving, some nice dunes to ease into it.
We had stacks of time, so headed past the Beachport Conservation Park campsites turnoffs to a nice spot in the dunes on Crown land, about 1km short of Millicent Buggy Club.

Just before the camp, Nick was a tad back and missed our route, going onto a beach instead, got bogged a couple of hundred metres up.
There were others 50m further on bogged too, so it was a nice soft beach.

We got the call Nick was stuck when we were in the dunes, and with Luke staying put, I went back and onto the beach to help him out.
Driving towards Nick, it was getting dicey, so I pulled off 50m or so before him, and went to help him Maxtrax back to where I was.
It took 5 or 6 goes, but the Maxtrax worked great.

We ended up camping where I had left Luke, and it was an excellent campsite, well sheltered and free.

We had a little fish, but no luck.

Next morning we headed into Millicent Buggy Club, had a nice tour around through the dunes a while, and found a huge dune.
Nicely peaked, I went first and got stuck, needing just a little snatch back from Luke.
We took the top off the crest with spades, and I again went over, this time no dramas, scraped it off a bit more as I went over no doubt.
Luke followed, then Nick.
We all had a few goes, Luke getting stuck having a go the other way.
This time I snatched him back with a little help with traction form the Maxtrax.

Leaving the buggy club, we generally followed the marked dunes tracks, having a go at the beaches here and there . . . at this stage, the beaches were pretty good driving.

We were going well time wise, so after setting up camp and a bit of lunch we went off to do Long Gully to Erringtons Track, heading east along the beaches.

Little Dip wasn't too bad, but Erringtons Beach was at its finest, soft and very difficult driving.
We were running around 17psi since Beachport, and dropped to 12 when it was obvious this was needed.

I was up front with Anne in the passengers seat, followed by Luke, and Nick was bringing up the tail end.
Nick sang out on the radio he was stuck on Erringtons, and might need a hand, but with no way of turning around on the beach, Luke and I got to the end before I went around back to the west end of Erringtons again, then back again (third time) to pull up in front of Nick.
As it was, we Maxtraxed him out fine, and with the lower pressures he got through no probs.

We drove out Errington Track to Nora Creina Rd, then back to Long Gully Track, and camp again.
Great little camp spot.

Next morning we met up with Scott and family at camp, and headed back to do Erringtons / Little Dip Beaches again, this time east to west : )

We were aired right down still, and it was much easier going this time, even though conditions hadn't changed.
Scott was running higher pressure than us, but did the beaches no problems.
Getting off Little Dip Beach was another matter, after a few goes, more airing down was needed to get up that one.

With a few stops on the way for the kids to have a run, and us to have a fish, we had a nice beach lunch on the last beach, then headed into Robe about 1330.
Said goodbye to Scott and co, and Luke who was headed home to then continue his break up the Riverland.

Nick and I stocked up on booze, ice, and a few staples, then headed to Long Beach to follow this around to Boatswain Point, then to Wrights Bay campground.
Very good beach as expected, tide was low enough to go around a little rocky point just south of Boatswains (in July we had to drive over this with great care), and we took a track right up near Boatswains, then followed secondary dirt to Wrights.
Unfortunately Wrights Bay has cut access off in front of their property, otherwise, it would be possible to drive all the way around.

Tried some fishing at Wrights, but the tide was that far out it was rock pools for 100m or so.
Put a soft lure on and had a try for a flatty, but not so much as anything interested.
Wrights was packed, beach camping would have been better, but still for $3 a head it's got a bit of protection if needed, and the toilets for the girls (even though it smells pretty bad).

Next morning we made it a few kms when Nick had a bit of bother on the beach, a couple of goes with the Maxtrax got him up to a higher track no probs, and away again.
The rest of the drive to Cape Jaffa was softish, but no problems for 12psi.

After getting around the new housing developments there, we got onto the highlight beach of the trip . . . hard, wide, calm water, just perfect.
It could have been QLD beach right up to Kingston.
Stopped, fished, kids loved it.

Got to Kingston before lunch, and said see ya to Nick and family.
They were heading home, think they'd had enough 4wdn : )
They aired up while we snacked a bit, then headed off.

Anne and I had a campsite booked at Kingston Cara Park . . . not a bad spot, and the missus (and I) needed that shower !
Otherwise, it would have been beach camping for sure.

New Years eve, so had a table booked at a local pub.
A great steak for Anne, and Garfish for me, but got outta there before the DJ started.
Had an early night about 2200, went to sleep listening to some early fireworks, and after that NOTHING disturbed me !

Next day was calm.
Anne was keen not to do the beaches.
I was keen to continue the beaches. : /

I promised her it would be the same, at least until the Granites, so she went along with it.
I'd aired up to 20psi all round the day before, and was happy to start with that on the beaut beach north from Kingston.

We took to early exit, and after checking the drain outlet, crossed this to continue along towards the Granites.
Heaps of people beach camping both sides of Kingston, but this side, there were 2wds with caravans ! All sorts of things, many had huge setups, couches and all (hope they take them home with them !).

The Granites came soon enough, and we decided to push on to 28 Mile Crossing as the beach was still great.
The Granites is about 17km north of Kingston, 28 Mile around 43km, so we had around 25km to go.
About the 25km mark the wide hard beach was showing signs of softening and narrowing, and about the 30km mark we'd slowed from avg 50km/hr to 25km/hr.
Aired down to 17psi and kept going, checking out nice spots behind the dunes on the way . . . many people camped in there, but heaps of spare spots to have to yourself.
I suppose the last 10km was a medium grade soft beach, and that was it . . . we got off, not that tempting to go on alone this time round.

Aired up to 28psi at the 28 Mile campground entry point, then followed the Old Coorong Rd to the hwy, then into Salt Ck.
A right turn there and we headed up to Messent Conservation Park for a drive through to the Dukes.
Nice little park, the driving is like a flatter Border Track, some sand, bit of rock in places.
Saw Emus, and lots of birds.

Some pics below . . . other pics are here . . . https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/106964412619734833356/albums/5828682037936297553

Thanks to Luke, Nick / Deb and family, Scott / Trish and family, had a great time sharing this trip with you all for at least some of the time.
.
.

 

[mac_man_luke]

Here are some pictures from my phone.

 

[80lover96gxl]

Some nice pic's there mate.
Looks like you guy's had great weather aswell.
Glad you guy's had a great trip, looking foward to the write up Les.

cheers,
Brian.

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Okkkaay, updated with report and pics.
.

 

[nightscale]

Thanks les for organising the trip we had a great time were alrdy organising the next trip. Was awesome to finally test the paj out and found out that the suspension in it is crap and in need of some tlc but that happens.

And it wad great to meet everyone every one as well.



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Les PK Ranger]

No problems : )
Can't wait to see a few of your pics on the big Canon !

Catch you later.

 

[shane 45]

Good report Les it good seeing families out enjoying the great outdoors. Sorry to hear you didnt catch any fish mate but thats why it called fishing and not catching. the photos look great.

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Thanks Shane, yeah, we tried a few places, just fishing with softies or poppers, but no takers.

Love that SE coast, but now I think it's time to move on and explore some other places, maybe a coorong trip and do some looking around from 28 Mile to the mouth, that would be by myself though, as the missus definitely hates beaches.

Gotta get at least over to the west coast sometime, but I think it will be inland trips for the rest of 2013.

Mid March will be Bushys, late April must get back for another look at Hope Gully, and a Googs Track / Gawler Ranges circuit is on the cards for the cooler months mid year, maybe a 2 week trip that one and go the coast drive along the way.

 

[shane 45]

Keep us informed les would like to do a west coast trip been there a few times no and enjoyed them a lot. We are hoping to get to hopes gully this year and do a coule of weekend trips it depends on me getting another job soon.

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Good luck with the job hunting then Shane.

Trying to work in Hopes for April Anzac Day looong weekender.
That is a Thurs, so by taking a Fri off work, going to make it T-F-S and come home Sun morning.

I reckon Googs / Gawler Ranges would be great for mid winter, or maybe early Spring to get a look at the wildflowers and birds they bring in. Yeah, Sept might be good for that.

 

[smitty_r51]

Nick, his wife Deb, and kids rocked up at our place 0745, and we were off shortly after.
Headed down to Strath where we were meeting Luke at 0900 at the servo.
Went via Sunnydale Road, but it had been really well graded recently.

Met up with Luke, and we headed down Parker Road then a shortcut via Hamburg Rd to take us to Langhorne Ck Rd.
The Ford there had a sign near it, Road Closed or some such thing.
I could see it was just a little bit of water over it, so, challenge accepted !
.

sounds like a great trip out...you were within spitting distance of ours when you did the creek crossing on Hamburg Road...i have only ever looked at it from the other side and didn't fancy risking it....assume it was an easy crossing

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Yeah, could see 99% there was nothing hiding in there, and just a foot or so deep I reckon.

 

[Swaggie]

Kool pics there Les...Been meaning to get over there a few times.just saw an aerial view of Robe tonight on TV..It looks different to how i thought it was (Better)...

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Yeah cheers Swaggie . . . it is ALL good mate, believe it. Every bit of coast is a gem and I reckon the dunes driving is the best around too.

If you do plan to come over, put up a request for info in the SA trips section (or PM me) and you can get some ideas on a trip to suit your time frame.

There's just so much you could do, all the way from the far SE to the Murray mouth.
Most of it is best done in Summer with care.

You could probably do a 1-1/2 to 2 week trip and do most of the coast without making it too much of a rush.

Me, I seem to like moving on each day and making new camps along the way, but you could also easily have a comfy base camp at a few cara parks and go out and do it all in day drives.

Good to do it with another vehicle, maybe you'd be coming with others, or some of the locals could join in for a section or two.

 

[Swaggie]

Yeah cheers Swaggie . . . it is ALL good mate, believe it. Every bit of coast is a gem and I reckon the dunes driving is the best around too.

If you do plan to come over, put up a request for info in the SA trips section (or PM me) and you can get some ideas on a trip to suit your time frame.

There's just so much you could do, all the way from the far SE to the Murray mouth.
Most of it is best done in Summer with care.

You could probably do a 1-1/2 to 2 week trip and do most of the coast without making it too much of a rush.

Me, I seem to like moving on each day and making new camps along the way, but you could also easily have a comfy base camp at a few cara parks and go out and do it all in day drives.

Good to do it with another vehicle, maybe you'd be coming with others, or some of the locals could join in for a section or two.

Yeah Les Thanks a lot mate will do !

 

[Boofdtl]

Thanks for the pics and report its a top spot down that way we head down every cup w/e..

Thanks

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Cheers Boof, Melbourne Cup weekend would be great for you guys, a little quieter with the locals toiling away : )

 

[sa_on_patrol]

haven't been on the forum for a month or two, just realised i haven't put any photos up, I'll do it later today

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Would be good to see some of yours Scott . . .

 

[LowLux]

Looks like a weekend of fun end excitement. Cool pics too, look great on the retina display.