Back from Ningaloo :-((((

I learnt my lesson the hard way 25yrs ago on a beach where people camp. A thick layer of grey ashes on top but red hot coal underneath. Running around like the crazy fool I was then I burnt my foot enough to put me off work for 3 weeks. I'll never forget it.Hooroo

I can relate to that Ray. I was on a family camping trip as a teenager and wandered down onto the beach one day, stepping straight onto red hot sand. Someone had a fire going on the beach many hours beforehand and thought they'd done the right thing covering it over with sand to put it out when they left. I rec'd bad burns to both feet and needed continuing dressings and treatment for months afterwards, not to mention weeks off school.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Hi Andrew,

We love the place and will probably head back for a couple of weeks again next year. Our fuel economy for the trip was approx. 20L/100km's overall, but I couldn't tell you the break down between towing and not towing. On the trip up we were carrying a lot of supplies, water and firewood so we were heavily loaded. Coming home with out tanks almost empty etc our economy was noticably better than on the way up.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Giday Melissa,
We did that side of Aussi last year, Ningaloo reef is magic!! Out on the glass bottom boat, & goin snorklin,really beautiful.Of all the places on our trip around oz.the best was Kalbarri!!! veeeerry relaxing & heaps tido.Off on another trip [early August ,Top end, Gibb river, to Broome &EVERWHERE in btween,& if time [&money permits] will come home that way ,cant wait.......
might see ya on the track..
Phil.

Hi Phil,

Sounds like a great trip! Half your luck...Enjoy!

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Hi Tony,

The main track into the whaling station is well used and is now signposted so it was easy to find. Our only problem was that prior to going there someone told us there wasn't much left to see (still struggling with that one!) so when we arrived at the first beach and found an old boiler and a few rusty relics we thought that was it. Later we found out we hadn't gone far enough so we had to go back. We were also told later that there is an alternative, but less used south-bound track in from South Lefroy.

Anyway, it was well worth the effort with plenty to see. It's like when they closed down they just walked away and left everything to the elements. Of course, you wouldn't get away with it these days but it sure makes for an interesting attraction.

The main track in over the dunes is relatively easy with only a couple of soft patches but with a long steepish decent down the final dune that puts a lot of people off (the thought of getting back up that is). We met a couple of people who parked at the top and walked the last 300m in rather than tackle the dune. We had no problem in the Nissan with 25lb still in the tyres but we watched a Landrover Defender try to get up several times without success. He had about 15lb but just didn't have the torque to carry the vehicle to the top. In the end, he went back to the whaling station and drove south along the beach until he found an easier exit.

Anyway, we recorded the track on the GPS so if you would like me to email it to you, just let me know your email address.

:o) Melissa

Petrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Thanks Melissa, that would be great. It was a few years ago that I tried to find it so it sounds like the track has been opened up a bit.

My email is a.yates@bom.gov.au

Tony,

I'll get them to you in the next few days. Just gotta get hubby to transfer them from his laptop to my PC.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Hi Darren,

I'll get the waypoints to you in the next few days. Just gotta get hubby to transfer them from his laptop to my PC.

Re tyre pressures, recommend you have a good air compressor with you. Around the dunes and beach we ran at about 25lb (some we talked to were running as little as 14lb) and about 30lb on the north/south tracks along the coast for a softer ride over the corregations. Heading back towards the range where it is really stony we ran between 35-40lb.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Hi Scotti,

Glad to hear you had a good time. We spent a couple of nights in Kal on our way home but after Ningaloo we found it a bit too cold! Re the bogged Landy...does the heart good don't it :-))))

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper