Text Box: Tips to help you enjoy. 1 The bird is easy to avoid, simply drive below the high water mark. 2 Drive on formed tracks , not on the vegetated dunes 3 Lower your tyre pressure accordingly. 4 Quicksand is not just a story it does exist and is not easy to see till its too late. Quicksand occurs randomly on the beach and the lead vehicle will find it or wake it up. The second driver needs to watch the wheel marks of the lead vehicle and if they deepen or appear to be floating its time to stop and plan a way around depending on how much beach is exposed. 5 River crossings on the beach need to be checked for a firm clear bottom (no rocks). The depth can vary with wave action and waiting and watching, as the ebbs out can be time well spent. Also consider if it has rained inland as the water level may raise after you pass and your return journey may be halted. Which means you could be there for two days or maybe two weeks. 6 Also remember the basics of 4wd operation and avoid travelling alone Text Box: This gives nature a chance to prepare some different weather. Touring the West Coast is a unique experience with driving challenges that must be respected if your trip is to be a happy one. To operate a vehicle in the Arthur Pieman Conservation area a permit is needed, these are available from the Parks and Wildlife offices situated on the approach to the township of the Arthur River. Camping with services is also available at the Arthur River, Check with Parks on other camping in the area. The track beyond Temma Harbour is where the action starts, it is narrow with a variety of terrain to keep you amused. But beware you may not be alone. Trail bikes, 4 wheelers, horses, cattle, walkers and 4wd vehicles can spoil your dream. The track varies between sand and gravel with numerous creeks and waterholes to negotiate. Generally the section of the track to the northern and of Sandy Cape Beach is Considered easy, but can be very difficult. Once on the beach the variety of hazards increases with the introduction of quicksand, bull waves, river crossings and the dreaded hooded plover. Its is also a safety issue for everyone to have a flag as high a possible on the front of a vehicle and being red in colour will also be seen on approaching hills, dunes, corners and other tight fitting tracks. The quicksand can some times be found by watching the vehicle in front and easing water coming up out of the sand where the tyres were rolling . Keep on moving and who wants to go first? Don’t stop right beside a vehicle in Quicksand. You should always have ropes etc, in the vehicle ready for a quick tow. Text Box: THE WEST COAST IS CALLED THE EDGE OF THE WORLD BECAUSE THE NEXT LANDFALL TO THE WEST IS SOUTH AFRICA Braddon Four Wheel Drive Club PLAYING ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD CAN BE FUN OR CAN END IN TEARSText Box: How a Braddon 4WD Club member feels about the wild west coast, our backyard Visiting the Edge of the world many conditions will be encountered. Mainly the weather a simple fact but your future could be changed. As common sense will prevail as rain or sunshine the water factor as in rain, creeks, waves, rivers, bog holes and quick sand on the beaches are a major factor in how your trip finishes at the end of the day. This area of Tasmania is an unbelievable scenic experience and the driving experience is as enjoyable as could be encounter anywhere in Australia as you will need a certain skill that many people opposing our lifestyle do not possess. At the Arthur River you need to fill in a registration form to drive on the beach at the Parks and Wildlife office located at the side of the road as you enter the township of holiday shacks. Heading south past Temma the tracks becomes a total different awareness of driving as the track is only one vehicle width except in a number of situations were the track allows vehicles to pass. So you really need to be aware to watch out for motor bikes, mountain bikes, four wheel drives of all descriptions, horseback riders, cattle, walkers and maybe small animals. The surface is sand, rock and mud with many water crossings with quicksand on most of the lower beach levels as well as elevated landforms. It is advisable to have local knowledge of this area. A trip to the start of the Sandy Cape Beach is pretty safe, but to venture further on it can be very different each day. Always take warm and more cloths for each person and extra food as we do, who access this area many time during the year. Drive on the track as we do not want new tracks started as we need to respect the geology of the land. Be seen a red flag on the front of a vehicle is a good idea. A camera is a must for the passenger as seals, penguins and many types of birds could appear. A trip to the Wild West Coast or The Edge of the World or Braddon Country, you will never forget and want more.

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Text Box: The resistance which sand offers to the tyres of a vehicle makes sand driving entirely different to any other type of bush driving. The key to driving in soft sand is flotation which is gained by a combination of low tyre pressures and momentum. Keeping the vehicle riding on soft sand without digging in or stalling, often requires plenty of power. Gear changes are often made at higher revs than normal situations. Try to keep away from the salt water. The tide in this area is very unpredicted as large waves roll up the beach to surprise any unaware motorist. For safety reasons mount a 3 metre flag above ground level on the front of the vehicle. Drive on existing tracks with a selected gear to minimise wheel spin without over revving the motor to stop ruts being formed on the track. Slow down on crests of small and large hills because of approaching vehicles. On the beach be aware of hidden obstacles and creeks as you will not see some sand drop offs till you are nearly upon them, so watch your speed and momentum.

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