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After two years planning tag-a-long time had finally arrived. It was going to be interesting actually meeting in person the people we had been corresponding with and talking to on the phone. Rodney & Maree Dick, Mick Russell, Russell Coleman, Anne & myself, had spent the March long weekend at Camp Elsewhere making ready for the influx of visitors, and relaxing and having a good time of course. Tuesday 14th of March at 9a.m.we met at Godfreys Beach Stanley. The group consisted of two couples from Victoria, one from Tamworth one from Sydney, one from Brisbane, and five from Mackay. Ten visiting vehicles plus four from our club. After introductions a very happy convoy set off for our first stop at Dismal Swamp. |
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After an enjoyable couple of hours we then headed for camp. The crossing on the barge at Arthur River presented somewhat of a logistical challenge. Camping and driving permits were collected while waiting for the barge then Mick ran them back to the ranger station. As soon as we had three or four vehicles on the south side of the river Russell escorted them to camp and so on until all the visitors were at camp The group was very impressed with our campsite at Camp Elsewhere. After establishing camp Rodney led a short trip we called a prologue, to The Edge of the World on a beautiful West Coast afternoon. By this time Rod’s offsider for the trip, Neville Dunn had arrived. We then drove the sandy tracks out to the Bowl. From there a sight-seeing trip around the beaches and shacks back to camp. This was a good introduction to the West Coast for the group who were all impressed by the scenery. A good night was had around the campfire that night with lots of good conversation as we all got to know each other Wednesday morning, another glorious West Coast morning, Rod led the convoy heading down the track, destination, Sandy Cape. First stop were the aboriginal carvings just south of Temma. Heading further south we stopped many times to allow the visitors to take photos. Debbie Fairbrother mentioned later that she takes between two and three hundred shots per day “ phew!! ” .The visitors were impressed with the voluntary track work the club had undertaken. They also commented on the obvious rapport between the club and “ Parks ”.We arrived at the Cape without incident, more obligatory photos at the lighthouse. |
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Back to the beach at Native Well Bay and south to the dunes. We parked on the top of a dune. It was an absolutely spectacular morning and to see the looks on our visitors faces when they saw the awesome view made all the work worthwhile. Fair dinkum, Mary Horner was so excited her feet were not touching the sand. The weather was so good we decided to have lunch on top of the dune. Some of the fellas decided to have a play in the sand Dave Horner ended up minus first gear in his Landrover. We split the party here, some headed further south with Rodney and Mick, the remainder heading home with Russell and myself. We had some trouble when we came back to the beach at Pedder River as did Rodney's group. The sand between the river and the dunes was very soft, however we all made it back to camp o.k. The next day Wednesday we broke camp early 8a.m. heading down the Western Explorer to Corinna . The weather had changed in true Tasmanian style, with steady drizzle and much cooler weather. The group were enchanted by the scenery, mist filled valleys and cloud shrouded mountains contrasted perfectly with the previous days blazing sunshine. There were many photo stops as we wound our way through the mountains. It was after one of these stops that Rodney's immobiliser in the cruiser decided to immobilise permanently. This was a cause of some consternation, until Micks timely phone call solved the problem. Mick had to go the long way round because of the length restrictions on the barge at the Pieman River. Eventually we made our way to Granville Harbour. I had a little trouble trying to get the van over one of the dunes and had to reverse down and go around through a waterhole . |
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After establishing camp at the grassy area near the tide monitor, the convoy headed for Pieman Heads. We had a great run along the beaches and up the inland track until a couple of bogs and waterholes caught us unawares. Snatch straps were deployed and regulation recovery happened as a matter of course. Again the scenery was the cause of much discussion, I guess it’s something we take for granted. We had a cuppa at the shack settlement at the heads and then headed back via the Conical track. It was here that I managed to get the convoy lost by taking a wrong turn. I was perched precariously on top of a rock with nowhere to go, when it dawned on me that this is not the track. It should be noted that Anne had been saying for some time that this is not the right track. With a bit of track reconstruction and carefully guided reversing, we were able to extricate the Patrol without damage. Thanks Russell. The remainder of the trip back to the camp was achieved without incident. By the time we arrived back at camp the weather had turned nasty in true West Coast fashion. This ruined the planned last night together around the campfire. Next day we broke camp and headed back to Zeehan where we left the vans and camper trailers and proceeded to Climies Track. Travelling from South we drove into Granite Creek where the bridge has collapsed, we decided not to attempt the ford for various reasons not the least of which is the distance our visitors needed to travel to get home. Returning the way which we came we drove into Trial Harbour and then up to the lookout overlooking the township. |
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Then lo and behold a quite large helicopter appeared, did a circle above us then proceeded to land in the backyard of the fire station directly below us. That was quite a spectacular way to end the trip. I look forward to the time when we can conduct another tour of this type meeting like minded people and making new friends. Ken Viney |
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As a Precursor to the 2006 National Four Wheel Drive Gathering in Hobart the Braddon Four Wheel Drive Club volunteered to conduct a pre-Gathering tagalong trip to thr West Coast of Tasmania. Following is my report on the trip, enjoy. |
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WEST COAST ADVENTURE TAG-A-LONG Trip Report By Ken Viney |
