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