Off the Beaten Track
I don’t have anything against four-wheel drive vehicles nor those who traverse the beaten track. In fact, we own a car capable of such adventures. However, my relationship with the four-wheel-driving community was once, best described as, strained.
During 2012, thousands of enthusiasts escorted me on a drive to Smithton to discuss the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. It’s fair to say that there was no one on my side of the decision-making matrix, but they were quite respectful.
Thus, it was with a sense of irony that we began our journey, with dear friends, from Bridport to Bellingham last weekend on a track known as St Albans Bay, described in 4WD parlance as hard. Following completion…the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife website told me that the classification of hard means: “These tracks are for experienced four-wheel drive or trail bike users only. Deep bogs, steep slopes, and soft sand will test your driving skills. Travelling in company is the only way to traverse these tracks safely.”
Probably not the best challenge to begin our four-wheel-driving career, although we had all the gear and were adventuring with experienced and trusted friends who could assist if things went wrong. I had been ‘chauffeured’ along several tracks over the years, but this was my first time in the driver’s seat.
Katie is a far better driver, yet, she entrusted me with the right-hand side. Anxiety was palpable, not at all worried about the performance of the vehicle, rather the performance of the designated driver. The kids were confident in my abilities although, as a novice, I was not so sure
The St Albans Bay 4WD track is 22 kilometres long and can be started at either end. The adventure has your convoy attempting to conquer rolling sand dunes on a clearly marked track; best undertaken at low tide – for obvious reasons. All-terrain vehicles and motorbikes also enjoy the challenge, not needing to travel the entire track to locate adventure and fun.
St Albans Bay joins East and West Sandy Cape linking Double Sandy Point Conservation Area to Single Tree Plain Conservation Area along the route before crossing Little Pipers River to complete the final push to Bellingham. A Conservation Area is enacted via legislation, describing an “area of land predominately in a natural state.”
The beaches appear endless. Deserted stretches of sand and dunes and then rocky outcrops before returning to relatively stable sand. You fishtail or drift as Master likes to term it – constantly adjusting your steering wheel to maintain control, which is assisted via a significant reduction in tyre PSI.
Rough campsites are dotted along the coastal reserve providing a base for fishing and further motorised exploits. Alas, it wasn’t all beauty. Braided or secondary tracks and undesignated challenges are obvious to see. They are not clearly marked by orange triangles like the upgraded formal path, but by ruts and e markings leaving their footprints on the landscape.
Beer and cider bottles, a comb, a wedge shoe more commonly found in a nightclub, plastic and general refuse were also a blight on the coastal environment. On noticing the first stubbie, I pulled over to collect, full of naivety, believing it would be an anomaly. That wasn’t the case.
Most people do the right thing and most 4WD enthusiasts do the same. Yet, there are some who don’t understand the privilege of exploring Tasmania’s wild coast. They require constant prompting of their responsibilities and we have a mandate to ensure they remain the minority of motorised explorers.
From a beginner’s point of the view, the most important lesson was grasping a better understanding of vehicle handling including learning how to go with and control sideways movement at low and moderate speeds. An essential technique to ensure safety and success involved overcoming the impulsive reaction to hit the brakes, replaced by employing the steering wheel, which enabled momentum (“your friend”) to be maintained.
The adventure was both challenging and thoroughly enjoyable, but for me, a walk along the beach with family and friends is just as pleasurable. That’s not a judgement, it’s just me. But for those who continue to regularly traverse this wonderful section of our coastline, responsibility for respecting the track to ensure long-term sustainably remains, literally, in your hands.