Round Australia Trek

[gum-nuts]

If you get down this way (1/2 hour south of Perth) I buggy on Lake Walyungup, the winter winds have been pretty useless, unless its raining or there is a storm, but if you pick your day you can have a reasonable go and I have been out a few times.

Usually once we get into spring the wind become more consistent (fingers crossed). The Freo Dr comes in the afternoon and I try and get out in the morning easterlies as that suits me and the family.

[andy666]

Looks likes you are finding some great spots around the country

What's the favourite so far?

[Tiger37]

Andy, difficult to give a favorite as some places like Yepoon are obviously good but there was no wind when I was there. So far the best location with decent wind has been Cable Beach in Broome.

Eighty Mile Beach, pictured below was ok. Just a very short walk across the dunes from the caravan park. Very wide beach at low tide but the sand was a bit boggy in places and in others covered in shells which would have been painful in an OBE! Now at Coral Bay. Yet to find out if you are allowed to buggy here as it is a marine reserve so intend to find out first rather than upset people. Will report on my findings.

[Chook]

South of Kalgoorlie is Kambalda and this is where Lake Lefroy is. 550 square kms of playground.

It's the very best surface in the world, short of ice, we have been told. A surface you have to ride to believe, it's like smooth concrete.

The entrance into the lake is 9 kms south of the T junction of Goldfields Hwy and the Esperance Coolgardie Hwy. It's 8 kms in from the road just follow the "land sailing" signs.

It will depend on how much rain we get before then and also the wind, which blows the water over the other side of the lake exposing absolutely dead flat, perfectly smooth, rock hard salt.

Our get together is Sept 28th 29 and 30 and I'll go up for 5 or 6 days.

It's land yachts, buggys and sometimes the odd pulse jet!!!!!

[Tiger37]

Thanks Chook. Can't wait to try the salt flats of lake lefroy and hope that it is dry and there are good winds when I get round at Kamalda. Very sadly I will be back to work in Canberra by late Sep but on current plans might get to Kambalda first week in September.

Have not had the buggy out here at Coral Bay due to marine reserve restrictions. There is a small salt flat but when I investigated they were playing golf on it so thought the better of it and left them to it!

[Tiger37]

Have had 2 more sessions. The beach at Karajini is not wide enough but winds were excellent and on shore. I found this grass strip along the beach front and being used to small grass areas in Canberra had an interesting session with lots of turning. The second session as can be seen from the photo below was on the beach by the light house in Geraldton. Softish sand but good cross shore winds gave me an entertaining time. Have now headed inland towards lake lefroy and am hoping conditions will be good over the next few days!

[Tiger37]

I think the wind gods are against me this trip! I was very disappointed with no wind at Yepoon on the East coast and now have just spent 2 days at Kambalda with no wind and light rain making the lake surface tacky with mud. So disappointed but keen to return another time. Photo below shows buggy staying in place by lake lefroy.

Have now crossed the Nulabor and staying at Streaky Bay before cutting in land via Broken Hill back to Canberra. Hoping for perhaps one more buggy opportunity!

[Goz]

Pity the wind let you down.

Winter isn't exactly the windy season, perhaps next time you do a trip do it in summer when the wind is usually up in most locations.

Come back to Yeppoon at Easter when there is wind, many like minded people, and BEER.

[Tiger37]

Thanks Goz. Will definitely try to get up to Yeppoon again. Unfortunately the dry winter period is the only time you can really see some of the locations I visited in the top end. This was a trip around Australia on which I took my buggy rather than a specific buggying trip - wife would not have agreed to that!

[Tiger37]

Thanks to everybody who has followed my treck around Australia and to those who have commented or given advice. I arrived home back in Canberra yesterday after a journey of 104 days and just under 19000 km. It was a journey of discovery to see many new places in this fantastic land. I took my buggy knowing that there might not be good winds in winter and I was also doing other adventurous things as well as trying to buggy. That said, I am glad I took it as it was not that much effort to strap it on the back on my caravan and throw a couple of kites in. I have some great memories of good winds on open beaches in Broome and on sand fats at Derby. Disappointments at no wind in Yepoon and Lake Lefroy but I have seen enough to want to go again!

[SoutherlyBuster]

Now the hard bit ... going back to work.

Thanks for keeping us posted, we all enjoyed the stories and pictures.

Regards,

Norman.