Trip Location: Beachport & Surrounds Accommodation: Beachport Southern Ocean Tourist Park
Day 1: Saturday 8th March – Beachport to Robe (50km)
The adventure kicked off with a stunning drive from Beachport to Robe, covering a mix of beautiful tracks on and off the sand. The weather was perfect, making for an enjoyable day of off-roading. However, the journey had its share of excitement as we managed to lose half the crew!
We had a fairly big briefing Saturday morning on what the sand conditions were going to be (very soft), and we had to drive to those conditions. Today we had 22 vehicles for Beachport to Robe, leaving the Caravan park at 9.00am and heading onto Scenic drive past the Salt lake, then turning right into the beach area and straight into the soft sand. You could feel how soft the sand was as your vehicle was working a lot harder, trying to get plenty of Momentum up to keep on top of the sand.
The sand dunes areas were closed off so we had to proceed along the beaches. On the beach, off the beach. We found a good spot for smoko on a quiet spot at the end of a beach.
We headed off again heading down towards Nora Creina. Nora Creina is now blocked off to the public, so you have to use the by-pass track. With so many vehicles down there for this particular weekend it was well used and full of wombat holes. The first 4 vehicles made it through and then a tractor came down to fix the track up which really split the convey up. Some of us waited at the turn of back to the beach for about 30mins. We all gathered together again and we headed in, now getting close to lunch I was looking for a spot. We had a real soft section to go through and about 4 vehicles went down and got bogged in the soft sand. About 10 vehicles headed to the next beach as the others had a big Recovery. We found a spot for lunch and had a good swim while we were there. The other members had lunch on the other bay. After lunch we all met up again and headed up past Lake Eliza when we had a heap of vehicles coming the other direction and one of our vehicle’s didn’t wait so 12 vehicles got lost and took a wrong turn and headed to Robe instead and had waited for us at the Robe Hotel. The rest of us headed along the beach, then turned off right up the big sand dune and headed into Robe. At the parking spot we aired up and everyone headed back to Beachport. The day ended with a well-deserved meal at the Beachport Hotel, where the highlight was an incredible $120 Seafood Plate for one man – Nathan!
Day 2: Sunday 9th March – Beachport to Southend (20km)
Southend is located 27km north of Millicent and 20km south of Beachport, hosting one of the largest Rock Lobster fishing fleets on the Limestone Coast.
The drive presented a totally different ecosystem compared to the previous day. Our trip was briefly delayed by a flat tyre before we ventured into Lake Frome Conservation Park, where we had fun playing on a massive sand dune.
Sunday morning up to another beautiful day, we had another briefing on why its so important to wait at each turn as you can lose vehicles very easily.
Off again at 9.00am heading Southend way, I was told not to go in the first entrance as it’s very soft sand, so we found the 2nd entrance and headed in there. The beach was really good hard sand, the closer we got to Southend the sand became soft again and more Momentum was needed to get through, we had our tyres at 15 psi. Making it to Southend we went through town then turned into the Cunundra National Park. One of the Jackaroos got a puncture and that had to be changed. Driving past McIntyre Rocks we turned left to the Big Massive Sand dune, we stopped for a break climbing the Sand dune, with great views! Off again we headed on the back road and we come up to a dune which is a lot off fun to climb. Most vehicles made it over and some had to be Snatched over or Winched out. We made it onto Geltwood Beach for lunch, some already had their lunch by the time.e we got there. The tide was coming in so lunch was cut short. We had 10psi in our tyres for the drive up Geltwood beach as the sand was really soft. With plenty of Momentum we made it through and out at McIntyre beach where Phil rolled his tyre off the rim, so we had to jack the vehicle up and pump the tyre up. Back out to Southend and we stopped on the beach and had a very injoyable swim. Back down the beach to Beachport and to the Caravan park.
A couple of beers went down before heading to the Beachport hotel for another top meal.
Day 3: Monday 10th March – Racing Against the Weather – Robe to Beachport
As the trip came to an end, some members began their journey home, while others opted for one last adventure, flying to Robe before making the return beach trip to Beachport. With the weather closing in, the drive turned into a race against time. Meanwhile, Tanya caught some gnarly waves, and a few of us had an unexpected encounter with a rip—an exhilarating way to wrap up the trip!
Not long after making it back to the Caravan park a storm was brewing up of the Coast, heading our way it hit Beachport, with drops of rain big as 50 cent piece, then the lightning and thunder hit and we had the best lighting show all night.
Overall, the trip was a fantastic mix of scenic drives, off-road challenges, great food, and plenty of memorable moments. The Beachport region once again delivered an incredible 4WD experience for the Sandhurst 4WD Club. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Russ & Lou
Andrew
Nathan
Sharon & Phil
Mori & Raya
Geoff, Leanne & Maddie
Rebecca
Tania
Laura, Jack, Ben, Sam and Ava
Tony & Maddie,
Dave
Russell S
Jason
Deb & Rob, Kate & Brendan
Kelly
Justine and Milly
Michael & Alexia
Dan, Zoe & Ava
Phill Rattle
