The hidden cove, 4×4 access only
On a recent getaway with the camper trailer in tow, I decided that we needed a detour on the way home that involved some good wheeling. With a couple of days up our sleeves before the Monday grind would return, I decided to take Bec on her first real bit of off-roading. For those that know McBrides Beach the first 50m of the track is a good bit of fun. Plenty of flex if you’re coil sprung, big wheel lifts if you have an IFS 4×4. Would this scare Bec? Would she take it in her stride or scream a little while we take the 1km track down to paradise? Only time would tell.
16psi – it just works
After a brief stop in Forster to top up on some refreshments and snacks we headed away from the population. To a nice little cove in paradise for some beach camping. With the proven camper trailer in tow we headed out towards Cape Hawke. Rather than take the right up to the lookout we took the left to the start of McBride’s Beach Trail. I dropped the tyre pressures in both the ute and camper trailer to 16psi. That’s my go to pressures in my 4×4, it just works.
The first 50m sees us dipping into the first hole, there is a flatter bypass section, but why would I do that? This brought on Bec’s first comments of ‘who would do this for fun? This is not normal behavior! Previous Next
this isn’t normal behavior
As this was my third time down I wasn’t worried and proceeded to let Bec know that this isn’t normal behavior and I’m far from normal (smiley face). This is where I like to go to escape the masses. Also being a Thursday afternoon, we may be lucky to have the place to ourselves like I did back on a solo trip in late February this year.
all the firsts
It was a different experience for me this time, my first time down here with a camper trailer, and Bec who’d never been wheeling like this before. I talked her through it so she knew what was about to happen. I explained how First gear Low Range and me only occasionally pushing the brake pedal was normal. She settled into the rhythm and begun to enjoy the experience. I don’t think it will be too long before she wants to get behind the wheel and have a crack. The first part of the track down to the split between the harder track (go straight) or the easier track (turn right) was a lot more rutted then when I last drove it. After the school holidays and October long weekend, no rain, the track was pretty dusty but still grippy.
keen to hit the spot
We took the easier track on this decent. As there are two parts on the harder one where it may have been a bit tricky in the tight spots with the trailer. Besides, we were super keen to get down, setup and relax to enjoy this beautiful spot. On hitting the sand, it was a bit on the soft side but this wasn’t an issue until I was turning around in the camp spot where we started to bog down. A quick pressure drop to 12psi worked a treat and we were setting up and having a drink in no time at all. Previous Next
sounds of the ocean
Seeing as we had the camper with us, 100lt of water and the instant gas hot water system, we treated ourselves to a nice hot shower, some fresh clothes before it got dark. We then spoiled ourselves some more with a nice beach campfire, dinner cooking on the burners on the back of the ute, a bottle of red following a few CC & Dry’s we had earlier. Then we settled in for the night with the sounds of the ocean and only 4 other camping groups down there. Previous Next
sunrise, beach brekky and whales
The following morning, we peeked out the camper window to a beautiful sunrise. Bec was still amazed how beautiful this spot was and wondering how many more exist like this? Whilst we were cooking breakfast, she spotted a whale breaching to the north we weren’t quick enough to capture it. We decided to keep the camera and drone handy in case more were to pass and what we saw later was truly amazing! Bec got shooting on the stills while I sent the drone out on a mission. It was just amazing, it really did top off our morning. Previous Next https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBWJiGoFiVU
footage
With our camp all packed up and the site left cleaner then when we got there, we headed out the easier track where we took some footage. I was keen to do a bit more filming on the way out. There are spots where you can do some big wheel lifts. But we had other vehicles coming up behind us so we limited it and added some more in car which turned out pretty cool.
Check out our footage here… https://youtu.be/Zinuv72QYZc YouTube – Beers Gears and Lowrange Words: Jereme Lindsell
Pictures: @Trickydevil_Offroad and @imagesbybec
******************** History & Facts *******************
McBrides beach is located within Booti Booti National Park
Booti Booti NP was created back in 1992 and covers 1,566ha of scenic coastline, beaches and rain forests.
It’s name was derived from the Worimi aboriginal word ‘butibuti’ meaning ‘plenty of honey’
