DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Hi there!

I'm planning a trip over to Albany and Esperance this christmas holidays in our new Prado. I know of a few 4wd tracks in the area but could anyone point me onto a few others, and what equipment would i need?

Around Albany I'm planning on heading to Torbay Head as it's the most southern point in WA, access is 4wd only so it sounds like fun, has anyone been up there? We're spending 7 days in Esperance and also looking for some 1 day trips so if you can suggest something.

Also, since I'm new, I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right section?

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

1 WEEK ?? I have traveled that area many times over many years and always find tracks I haven't traveled on ... Whilst in Torbay have a look at Shelly Beach , not much 4wd'ng but a beautiful spot . From Albany to Esaperance a bit out of the way but Bremer Bay is a must with heaps of exploring in Fitzgerald River National Park also Hopetoun has quite a few little hide aways to explore . And the beach run from Esperance to Cape Le Grand National park and then a day or a few at the National Park is worth while .. The problem is that coastline is to my opinion in the top 3 most beautiful bits of coastline in Australia and every time I find a track that takes me to a beach I stay there for a few days with original intentions of being elsewhere . So dont make a planned trip just play it by ear .... And as far as what you need I always just carried the basics snatch strap , compressor and just used my common sense always remember that steep boggy decline that takes you down the beach maybe the only way out ... And it can get bloody boggy in some spots , but the Prado always pulled through

[KybraBoss Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close KybraBoss]

Re: DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

We live in Esperance so we get to play here all the time. the time your planning is peak tourist time so the beach tracks are always badly chopped up. We don't go anywhere without Staun tyre deflators, Maxtrax, and a compressor. We also carry snatch straps but are hesitent to use them unless we know the other group well and haven't used them since getting the Maxtrax.
If you know some locals the horse caves track is a good half day run close to town, shoal cape is easy access with good camping but last time we were in there it was a bit nasty for camper trailers.
MT Ragged is a challenge at the moment, a rollux was recently recoverd from a puddle that turned out to be nearly a meter and a half deep, that track should be dry by christmas time but recent fires mean nasty tyre eating burnt stumps close to tracks

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

I just came back from a long weekend at Esperance (Cape Le Grand). As Kyraboss has pointed out it is peak tourist season and all the campsites out Le Grand and Cape Arid were booked solid. Israelite Bay was closed due to bush fires. You may experience some difficulty in finding somewhere to stay unless you head out into the dunes east or west of town and find a hidey hole there. The DEC rangers are pretty quick to push people out of unallocated camping areas.

Wiley Bay was nice and flat and hard so there was no need to deflate tyres - there was even some backpackers in a an old Magna driving out to Le Grand.

Torbay Head has conveyer belt rubber to drive on for some of the distance and it is madatory to deflate your tyres. Having lived in Albany for 6 years I can also tell you that it will be chockers too, just like Denmark, Walpole, Bremer, Cheynes, etc. All them city folk heading down for some clean air.

49% of Kalgoorlie head to Esperance over Christmas, the other 49% head to Perth/Bali etc and the remaining 2% stay at home.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Re: DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

had an awesome trip, cape la grand was excellent but as you guys are saying even an old magna could get through most of it as the sand is so damn hard. Rossiter bay was much softer but no real hassles.

I really liked the cape howe trip, bit short but challenging for a newby like me. Parts of the track were difficult, especially the unexpected deep holes which could do some damage if driven over. I guess it was all about clearance and wheel placement. The suspension lift would have made it much easier i think.

All in all very good holiday, and can anyone beat 30min to frenchmen's peak from the carpark??

[KybraBoss Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close KybraBoss]

Re: DEC 26 - JAN 4 - ALBANY - ESPERANCE

...All in all very good holiday, and can anyone beat 30min to frenchmen's peak from the carpark?? [/quote]

only with a helicopter :wink: