Stockton

Hi Fyshtryker,
With your self admitted lack of experience I'd suggest accessing the beach from the Anna Bay or northern end. The sand is generally harder and the trails more open and defined.

I'd suggest you avoid the Lavis Lane access at Williamtown, near the RAAF base or more accurately, Metro Service Station. There'll be lots more traffic, buggies and quads included.

I usually drop my tyres to 16 psi and the Troopy does it easy. You'll see lots of people go screaming and I mean screaming by you at the access whilst your dropping the pressures but the little bit of time and inconvenience early will make your life easier in the long run.

The other thing I'd suggest is you travel no further south than the wreck of the Sygna on you first outing. The beach tends to get soft and short from that point onward. You're out to gain confidence, not break it.

I'd also suggest you carry your own very basic rescue equipment such as a snatch strap and shovel. People are more inclined to help someone who's made an effort to help themselves.

Also don't forget Port Stephens Council wants $5 per day or $25 per year for a beach access permit. Important thing to remember is the annual permit expires on I think the 31st March. (Mines on the windscreen and obviously I'm inside)

You'll find lots of Prado's on the beach loaded similarly to yours, enjoy.

What part of the world do you call home?

Geoff

Fyshtryker
The prado will handle it easily. Mate the best advice I can give you is to find a friend that can take you up there and run you through everything. There is a lot to learn about beach driving, its not rocket science but for the first time I think your better off going with someone who has been there before.

Now the rules
For first times, go in from the northern entrance at Anna Bay
-get a permit ($5 for a day)
-lower your pressure to 15 to 18 psi
-lock the centre diff lock
-the key to sand driving is momentum in saying that keep your revs a little higher then usual (in a manual).
-When going up and down dunes, go straight not across them.
-Try and minimise (don't use) your brakes, if you touch your brakes you will be diggging your truck out of the sand.

Thats the very basics. There are going to be exceptions to everyone of them rules but I'm speaking very generally.

Be cautious when driving in the middle of the day when there are no shaddows on the sand, sometimes you can't see drop offs until you are on top of them.

Once you know what your doing it can be a lot of fun dune bashing.

Tim

I'm in the same boat as you Fyshtryker. Will probably head out to Stockton for my first foray in the maverick as soon as I can afford an air compressor! My mate's dad owns a newsagency so im spoiled with free magazines, 4wd Monthly released an edition which was for starters. I think it was called something along the line of "4wd Monthly: Tips and Techniques" but dont quote me on that... I read that and it is a really really good starting point (or so I found). Hope that helps!

Fyshtryker

Some good advise so far so I thought I would ad my 2cents worth.

I have a prado which I took to Stockton 18 months ago (sand was a lot firmer than it would be in summer due to some moisture to bind it when I was there)

The prado is light compared to many other 4WD and floats on top of the sand with pressures around 18 (remember the 17" rims do not bag out as much as the 16" rims)

Do not turn sharply with low pressures as you could roll the tyre off the rim.

Momentum is the key but to much is dangerous you dont want to fly over the crest of dune to find it's a 20ft drop on the leeward side of the dune., I assume you have a manual which makes sand driving a piece of cake.

For your first dunes take the time to get out of the car and walk over it so you can pick your decent path, but for goodness sake give it a go (with caution) as you will find the car is far more capable than you are at this stage of you 4WD experience.

A sand flag (although I was the only one on the beach with one when I was there) may just save some one coming over the rise ans surprising the (well you know what) out of you. A UHF is also a good safety tool.

There is miles and miles of beach to drive and you fuel consumption will increase the softer the sand. I was getting in the high teens with a firm base so given it will be loose sand due to the dryness you will more than likely see fuel at 20's per 100k.

You will have a ball camping there but please take all your waste with you (even a bit of some other careless bastards as well helps keep the beach open) We saw bottles and crap everywhere when we were there (took two green bags full out with us form a day trip) Camp in the lows between dues and you will not get blown away if the wind picks up.

Read the books practice the tips and have a go as your confidence and skills grow you will surprise yourself how much you remember of what you have read and been told when you do it.

Minimum kit is would suggest

recovery strap (snatch)
Shackles (watch the front points on the prado as they are tie downs)
Shovel - long handle
tyre inflator - even a cheapy will get you by this time
Sand flag

Have a great Xmas in the sand

regards
Trevor

The day pass had gone up to $10 last time I was up there ?
I'm a bit of a novice at beach driving as well and I found it easier to drive on the track just behind the 1st little dune. In fact I found it easier to drive just about anywhere except on the beach itself, only because of the tendancy to follow ( no choice sometimes ) the other wheeltracks and to have to keep the revs and speed up in the softer sand on the beach.

Lavis lane entry is in my opinion dangerous when the place is busy on a weekend. Why they can't have an in and an out track is beyond me ??

But Stockton is a majic place, so get out and enjoy it before the greenies lock it up ???

Yep. Take a shovel and some recovery gear. Stockton is great but it could turn bad if you try to turn around going up a steep dune or you don't keep your eyes on the sand ahead.

We were there in late Nov and the sand was really soft. Pick a day when it's cooler and check out the tides. You've got more space on the beach if the tide is out.

Cheers/

As the others said, and..
I was there in Mid Nov and found the San driving to be a breeze. Even the dunes were easy. I found the sand to be power hungry but straight forward. Have a 100 series TD, so heavier than you and didnt look like getting stuck on the beach or the dunes. There were some that were too steep to get up, but you just back down them. Ran Cooper STT tyres, not the best for the beach, at 15PSI. We were on our own, went many more places than the tours go and went in via Anna bay and Lavis lane. Didnt find either too hard, but moving map PDA assisted in getting us across to the beach as you cant see it from Lavis Lane. We were there during the week and there was no tyre tracks to follow.
Make sure you take a shovel. Sand driving is simple, keep the power on, dont stop or turn suddenly, dont fight the steering, let it wander.
I find the Robe in S.A is more difficult sand driving, you sink in it much quicker

Regards
Ray

Plenty of good advice on technique.
In regard to camping, although the indigenous owners prefer you don't camp on the beach they won't stop you. Make sure you camp away from the tracks as there are plenty of night drivers including those who have had a few too many. There are some spots along the beach south of Lavis Lane up against the first dunes. Also some more up the back amongst the trees near Lavis Lane.
Have Fun.

HI there - i am going up to stockton on the 29th to stay for a few days - if your interested i can meet you there and help you out if you like. (levis Lane)

No point getting a day pass as they are $10 now and a 6 month pass is $15- so if you go only 2 times -- you have saved $5 ( which you will go a second time )

camping - most people camp near the beach - but this is very open to strong winds - we camp down the back near the tree line where the wind is less extreme and proberbly safer as where we camp isnt really an area that cars will drive through - and is only 2 min drive from the ship wreck.

when camping on beach - you will need LONG plastic tent pegs - in harsh winds you may need to double up on pegs on corners of tent --- remember to clear the first 2 - 3 inches of sand where your pegs go in ( to get to wet hard sand) and then cover over for extra support. ( big angles when placicng pegs )

Bring lots of plastic bags to take your rubbish with you. DO NOT PUT GLASS BOTTLES IN THE FIRE ( if you have one )take them with you - there is a bin at the entrance of stockton beach - I tell everyone that comes with me - IF you bring it in -- you can take it out.

Tyre pressure - most set theres to 18 PSI - i have found lower presure works much better - i run my nissan patrol at 15 PSI and have no probs going up some hills that other will struggle with.

TAKE A SNATCH STRAP - some people are funny about using there gear - so best to have your own.

AIR - there is a petrol station at levis lane ( very close to stockton entrance ) with about 3 air pumps - but during busy times you can wait up to about 40 min to fill tyres -- so if possible - take your own air pump - you will save time.

Bring your own water -

this covers the basics - i have been going to stockton for a while now - you will enjoy the experience. hope this has been of some help to you. if you want to chat further - let me know and i will forward my Mobile number to you

Boc