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mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
  
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| Stockton Bight Sand Dunes - Nelson Bay |
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Hi everyone,
I'm heading up to Nelson Bay (NSW) in a couple of weeks with the family and am seeking information about any day trips that I should attempt. Is anyone familiar with this area and if so, then can you suggest any sights that are worth visting? Someone has suggested the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, but am not sure if this is something I can tackle on my own or not?
Cheers
Moby What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
85 Range Rover
01 Disco Series II
05 D3 V6SE, Bonatti Grey, 19"alloys
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 17th Sep 2007 1:58 am |
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davo
Member Since: 09 Jan 2007
Location: sydney
Posts: 36
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I have just had a weekend away that included Stockton beach.
If you go in from Lavis lane the sand south to the Sygnia wreck is quite firm, if you head North the sand is softer.
Please run a max of 18psi in the tyres ( just avoid sudden tight turns ) and select the sand option on terrain response and turn off the DSC. with DSC on the throttle response can be a bit doughy. Take a shovel and a snatch rope even if travelling alone or with friends -better. Common sense will dictate what you can and can not tackle.
The D3 as we all know is brillant at everything. Though one can not hide the weight and particluarly in a dune climb she can sink a bit if the speed is a little shy.
have fun
David 
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| 17th Sep 2007 6:13 am |
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mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
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Thanks Davo,
I'm travelling alone and am cautious of getting stuck somewhere without having someone around to pull me out. There is tag-along company that operates in this area but charge $130 for me to drive my car  . Sounds a bit rich for only 2hrs but it does include some training?  . is it likely to be that secluded or is it more like Burke st during Xmas shopping?
Finally, is there access to air close by once I've finished on the sand or should do I need to bring a compressor?
Cheers
Moby What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
85 Range Rover
01 Disco Series II
05 D3 V6SE, Bonatti Grey, 19"alloys
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| 17th Sep 2007 7:26 am |
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davo
Member Since: 09 Jan 2007
Location: sydney
Posts: 36
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Mate there is always someone around to help pull you out.
only that what level of experience have they had. Alot of people get themselves into trouble using snatch straps to recover stuck 4wds. if you use your gear you are in control, just remeber that generaly only a light tug is enough to pull someone out from a belly out stuck situation in the sand. Do not be put off going. Often a fail to proceed is on an acsent on a dune. Just stop take a deep breath and back down the fall line if you know what I mean. If the car gets on an angle to the dune face trouble will follow (or roll ). Avoid those pits in the dunes that look like giant ant lion traps sort of a reverse cone. The wind vortexs there and the sand can be very soft and with little run up one can get caught. (Take your mind to the Paris Dakar footage). Also as you lip over the top of a dune do not stop at the lip as a belly out can occur on the crest of a drop off. Stop a few meters from the drop and check it out. Rember a dune can not be steeper than 34 degrees as the sand will not hold after that, except around trees and grass you should'nt drive in those areas anyway. on stopping try to stop facing down hill, its much easier to get going again. There is mobile phone coverage and CB radio of course
The Metro Sevice is a couple of Kilometrs from Lavis Lane, we just drove there carefully to put air back in. We also had air compressors but hey line of least resistance and all that. Thats where you get your pass. I' m not sure on the Nelson bay side. Google it for info.
The Stockton really are worth visiting the scale of the place will blow you away
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| 17th Sep 2007 11:58 am |
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mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
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Thanks David,
Sounds like excellent advice.
Cheers
Moby What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
85 Range Rover
01 Disco Series II
05 D3 V6SE, Bonatti Grey, 19"alloys
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| 17th Sep 2007 11:23 pm |
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Baggy
Member Since: 11 Feb 2006
Location: sydney.....in the land of oz
Posts: 183
 
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Moby,
You need to register before you go on the sand - I think there is a service station not far from the northern entrance where you can do this and then you're free to go. Haven't done it myself yet, but was up there several months ago for a 'conference' - we went quad biking on the dunes...............THAT was fun!!!
Vic '11 TDV6 - Stornoway Grey.... still lovin' it!!
REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASSES.......Eat more BEEF!!
Addendum: Red wine goes REALLY well with BEEF
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| 18th Sep 2007 11:18 am |
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Mr Andrew
Member Since: 28 May 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 128
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Hi, you'll be fine. I know the area very well, the D3 with lowered tyre pressure will be fine. Solo is no issue. The only way that you will get stuck is if you attack the big dunes, and these are totally discretionary - you have flat tracks on both the beach side, and just inside of the first minor dunes.
There's close air a both ends, and also the necessary permit.
Keys to drama free time here:
- lower the tyre pressure. 16psi is safe, and effective. If you do not lower the pressure, you will struggle given the weight of the d3
- dsc turned off, sand mode, generous use of accelerator pedal
- use low range. If you don't, the kickdown from 2nd to 1st, which will occur, is not helpful for momentum. Using low range closes all the gears up, and makes the car pretty unstoppable in sand. This advice is particularly applicable to dune entrance to the waterfront, ie from end of Lavis Lane, east until you get to the high water mark.
You will have a blast, but I will be even happier, I expect, up further north on a weeks holiday at Fraser Island
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| 18th Sep 2007 12:18 pm |
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mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
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touche' Mr Andrew,
Sounds like Faser Island makes for much wider grin.
Thanks for your advice, it's all good! just another great service provided by this forum.
Just a point of clarification is required though in refernce to your coment ".. particularly applicable to dune entrance to the waterfront, ie from end of Lavis Lane, east until you get to the high water mark.." I suppose a sketch showing what you mean here is out of the question? 
Cheers regadless
Moby What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
85 Range Rover
01 Disco Series II
05 D3 V6SE, Bonatti Grey, 19"alloys
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| 19th Sep 2007 6:39 am |
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Mr Andrew
Member Since: 28 May 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 128
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Sorry, I don't have a scanner handy, so sketch not possible. But try this, better still - maps. google.com.au Search for "Lavis Lane, Williamtown". This will allow you to easily see:
1. The service station (very white roof, use satellite view) at the roundabout (Cnr of Nelson Bay Rd and Lavis Lane).
2. Drive east from the servo (sealed Lavis lane), you can see the dirt carpark (ie, tyre deflating spot) at the east end of Lavis Lane.
3. From there, you follow the track south a bit (larger track, dirt, quite clear) before you take the 1st left (smaller, less obvious minor track) to head east onto the dunes and out to the beach.
From ground level, its clearly signposted. Check my gallery for some silly (but fun) dune ascents & descents.
Regards
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| 19th Sep 2007 12:23 pm |
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mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
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Excellent
Thanks
What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
85 Range Rover
01 Disco Series II
05 D3 V6SE, Bonatti Grey, 19"alloys
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| 27th Sep 2007 8:48 pm |
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