Cocklebiddy to Esperance

Hi Roger
In 2008 we (2 jeeps) travelled from Albany to Isrealite Bay via beach, dunes, national parks and bush tracks - we did as little black top as possible.
Although we were travelling east and not west, and we only got as far as Isrealite Bay before heading north via Gora Rd to Balladonia.
I can only give some advice on the part of your planned trek that we did. If you can check how wet it has been prior to leaving would be a great help. Fisheries Rd was nothing more than a continual bog hole (we went in October). Lots of boggy areas, plenty of water and in some parts the track was not even passable (we ended up on a great salt lake north of the telegraph station). We found the beaches we travelled to be firm and we were able to drive for miles. The dunes become a bit of a maze but we found our way. The weather was kind to us with sunny days and only sprinkles of rain.
Hope your trip goes well - I feel for those towing campers if Fisheries road is as bad as it was. But... that's what it is all about hey? Have fun - the scenery down there is amazing! I have pics on facebook page or our jeep club website has some too.
Enjoy.

Merryn

Roger,

Planing to do Esperance via Isralite Bay to Balladonia with a camper trailer at the start of June.
Did it in 07 without a camper trailer and as said a few bog holes after rain but found the track fairly hard sand so no real dramas.
I think there was a post earlier about the beach track to Cocklebiddy being a bit tougher and you need to watch the tides.

Hi Roger,
Graham Cahill did this trip several months ago and put out a DVD in 4WD Action worth a watch. I am planning to do the same heading east in October this year just booked my leave so I too need to start planning.

Its a good trip

Be sure to go to the Baxter Cliffs to see the memorial to John Baxter who trekked with John Eyre in 1841

The track is easy with some rocky sections along the Escarpment. No access to beaches along Perpendicular Cliffs. Good campsite at the Wylie Scarp Jump-down/Jump-up.

Watch out for high tides and ponded water on the beach past Bilbunya Dunes and air down to around 16psi. on 4bies and 10psi on trailers and stay off the seaweed. Probably best to head inland before Wattle Camp and take the OTLT. From there you WILL scratch your 4by but you shouldn't get bogged!

Hi All,

We would love to do this trip ourselves but is it a track that can be done on your own with an offroad camper or does it require at least 2 cars? We are fully self sufficent and have a winch etc and have plenty off offroad experience.

We have also watched the Graham Cahill 4wd action dvd on this track.

Hi everyone thank you so much for your replies it will help in planning for this trip. Regards Roger