Coorong NP- Robe to Murray Mouth crossing Coorong Lake

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 13:29
ThreadID: 64229 Views:3893 Replies:4 FollowUps:2
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Heading to Robe after Chrsisy and looking for information of a trek to the Murray Mouth through the Coorong NP, we will be travelling with 3-4 cars.
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Reply By: Member - Peter D M - Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 20:02

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 20:02
not sure of exactly what you want but i have driven from "the granites" near kingston to the mouth along the beach 3 times over the last 6 years. a great run as long as you have your tyre pressures right.
i have done this alone and any time i had traction issues let the tyres down a bit more and on i went. last year in early february came across a family that had come onto the beach only a few metres and bogged badly with road pressures. been there 2 houres and lucky i came through as i didnt see another vehicle on the beach, but it was mid week.
cant remember off hand the distance but over 100km drive each way.
also at certain times of the year access restricted but i think it is before xmas.

regards peter
AnswerID: 339552

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 20:50

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 20:50
About 100ks is right, each way, and very heavy going so extremely low tyre pressures are needed, and if you have any thirsty vehicles take extra fuel as some dont make it back.
This can vary a lot depending on sand condition, and there is quite often sand over seaweed so be really carefull.
We will be down Robe way after xmas too, but not doing the mouth run.

Cheers pesty
AnswerID: 339558

Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 23:41

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 at 23:41
The best access to the Coorong beach is at the 42 mile crossing which leaves a touch over 100km to the Murray mouth. Depending on conditions it can take between 2 to 3 hours each way. At times one can do 100 kph+ but there are always deep heavy sections that require 15 psi to get through. It is a long hard drive.
Being on the beach up to 6 hours can make it difficult to ensure one miss's high tide. We were almost driving in the water by the time we got back. You can also access the beach from just north of Kingston, at 28 & 32 mile crossings, as well as Tea tree crossing although that one may require fording shallow salty water.
Beach is closed from 24th Oct to 24 December north of Tea tree crossing for the Hooded Plover breeding season.
As mentioned take plenty of fuel. Many in our group were on empty when we got out using a surprising amount.
Best camping is at 42 mile crossing.
Cheers Craig...........
AnswerID: 339585

Follow Up By: gqjoke - Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 20:35

Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 20:35
Is it a case of follow your nose or are there any worthwile maps for this trek, we have been considering the Tee Tree crossing either on the way up or back. So true with the tyre pressures of sand driving experiences. Which cars had the trouble with fuel were they petrol or diesel, we have a couple of cars that are petrol gas with us.
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FollowupID: 607267

Follow Up By: Crackles - Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 21:00

Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 21:00
Yes it's just head north up the beach, no navigating involved as driving in the dunes behind the beach is not allowed. I'd only use the Tea Tree crossing as a backup in case the tide caught you out on the return trip as the salt water can be up to .4 of a metre deep & over 150m wide. (There are marker poles showing the route) It may be dry at the moment with the draught on but we didn't go that far up on the November long weekend when we were there last.
We had both diesel & petrol vehicles running low as we simply underestimated how long the 100km beach run would take & fueled up from Beechport where we were camped. Top up in Kingston & you should have no problems. What ever each cars worst fuel econemy has been is pretty much what you can expect to use as when we went I was flat out in my 100 series diesel for almost the full 5.5 hours of travel, sometimes doing 110kph & sometimes back to low range slogging along at 20.
Cheers Craig............
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FollowupID: 607275

Reply By: Louie the fly (SA) - Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 11:02

Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 at 11:02
Big tip - the Coorong is not like driving on a normal beach. Stay above the high tide. We pulled a guy's GU out on NYD 1995 - took my 4.2d GQ and a Diesel 60 series and he was only just below high tide but he was down to his chassis on one side. Spectacular place is the Coorong.

Louie
AnswerID: 339641

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