Kalbarri to Steep Point track (via Tamala)
Submitted: Monday, Mar 17, 2008 at 07:21
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kusanagi
Hi, we are looking into travelling from
Kalbarri to
Steep Point through the
Tamala property. Did anyone 'recently' went down this route? I had to look it up by using Google Earth and plotted it by hand in OziExplorer. Any info regarding the state it's in, if it is any fun, must see's etc. are more the welcome. (Will be using a LandCruiser and no trailer)
Reply By: Tony - Monday, Mar 17, 2008 at 07:33
Monday, Mar 17, 2008 at 07:33
I was in there Oct/Nov last year. The road into
Tamala Stn was very good. From there on it started to break up a bit, with some weaving around potholes.
The start of the 4WD section is sandy, so lower tyres are required. There is a
sign onthe road to say lower tyres. The most part is easy, with some caution on bends and curves.
AnswerID:
293054
Reply By: disco driver - Monday, Mar 17, 2008 at 11:08
Monday, Mar 17, 2008 at 11:08
Hi,
Unless things have changed a lot recently, the internal tracks through Murchison House and
Tamala Stations are private station 'roads' and permission from the station owner/manager is required to traverse through the properties.
North of Murchison House is the Zuytdorp National Park (absolutely no facilities at all) and then on to
Tamala and the
Steep Point track.
Coastal Tracks north from Murchison House through to
Tamala are generally
limestone caprock, extremely rough and uncomfortable to travel over. A fair part of it is 1st gear slow going (under 10kph) and everything in the vehicle gets pretty
well shaken around.
I worked in this area with for a Govt Dept for 10 years recently and believe me, Murchison to
Tamala along the coast is remote and unforgiving, little traffic, if any, and no facilities or
services (fuel, water etc). Mobile Phone and UHF communication does not exist at all. It should NOT be undertaken by a single vehicle alone without detailed preparation. Someone should be advised of estimated arrival times at
Tamala just it case anything goes wrong.
I hope this doesn't scare you off but this piece of country is not to be taken lightly.
Your best option is to get into
Tamala from the
Shark Bay Road and continue up to
Steep Point from there.
Sorry this is so long but safety is important.
Disco.
AnswerID:
293083
Reply By: Member - Michel D (Int) - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 01:03
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 01:03
Hi,
Seems to be some confusion here :)
If I am talking from
Kalbarri to
Tamala (and further to
Steep Point) I mean the track across the private property (along the coast for some 120km) and not the west coastal highway.
But as it seems, this is a bit slow going...
@ Disco Driver, when was your last visit?
I do take your remarks seriously and doubt if we will go that way ofter your comments, as we are not hyper-experienced desert dwellers and only are a one truck party.
If we would take off we would call
Tamala station in advance of course, if only to ask permission.
AnswerID:
293264
Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 01:31
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 01:31
Michael,
I worked that area from late 1989 to early 2001.Last visit was 2001 but track conditions will have changed very little since then.
All those tracks I referred to are private station tracks and are only smoothed by the stations using an inverted cattle
grid, and VERY infrequently at that.
Most of the other posters are referring to the track/road into
Tamala Stn from the
Shark Bay Rd and then the road/track through to Useless Loop and
Steep Point. These are more or less public access tracks and, as described, are quite do-able under most conditions..
Tamala to
Steep Point is worth doing and there is some great fishing in this area, but the other bit (
Kalbarri to
Tamala) is a very isolated rough track.
Hope that helps
Disco aka Tony
FollowupID:
558920
Follow Up By: Member - Michel D (Int) - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 02:45
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 02:45
Tony,
Thanks for your accurate answers, very helpfull indeed.
After your comments I noticed tht people probably mistook the track for the normal access road to
Steep Point. Judging from your comments we will just take the
Shark Bay rd followed by the
Useless Loop rd and then up to
Steep Point. Thanks for the advice!
FollowupID:
558921
Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 09:53
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 09:53
Sorry Michel (not Michael),
Do not miss
Kalbarri,
well worth a visit.
Try accessing
Kalbarri this way.
Geraldton,
Northampton,
Port Gregory then north up the relatively new coastal drive up to
Kalbarri, visiting the coastal gorges and
Red Bluff on your way.
Leave
Kalbarri and go out to the North West Coastal Hwy. (River gorges are worth a bit of time, but can be hot in summer) then north to Overlander Road Hse and
Shark Bay turnoff.
Have a good trip.
Disco.
FollowupID:
558941
Follow Up By: kusanagi - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 23:29
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 23:29
Hi Disco,
No probs, I work for a UK company and people mix up my name on a daily bases. So I listen to anything that resembles the sound of my name (I am based in the Netherlands)
We will surely visit
Kalbarri and will enter from south and will continue up north. Will
check your suggested route tonight in Ozi.
Hope the temperatures will drop a little soon as we will enter
Perth next week.
Thanks for all your support, much appreciated!
Cheers,
Michel
FollowupID:
559414