I hit the sand in the Far North - joined by Sam from SwampChook Overland for a couple of days exploring an area I've never seen before. Epic sand dunes, epic beach, epic camping - you get the gist.
A short but fun run that drops down a fairly steep bank into a great area of dunes. From there you can follow the tracks running behind the dunes or push on over the climb and out to the beach.
Heading up is a tad harder than heading down, so pick your line carefully on the steeper sections. Good fun if you enjoy soft sand and rolling terrain, with beach access as the reward at the end.
Short but demanding, this one keeps your speed down and your attention up with constant ups and downs. The track runs on grass and sand behind the dunes.
Did I mention it has lots of ups and downs? It's can be a slog.
The water crossing near the northern end is the highlight. It can run deep, so walk it first to check the depth and line before you commit. There's nothing to winch off if you get stuck, so a snorkel is strongly recommended before you tackle it.
Down at the southern tip of the Pouto Peninsula, near the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour, the old lighthouse is the reward at the end of a proper beach-and-dune run. You get there along the long sweep of Ripiro Beach with rolling dunes that seem to go on forever, and there's plenty of room to pitch up for a night or two. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
The lighthouse at North Head dates back to 1884, was automated in 1947 and closed in the mid 1950s, and the structure still stands after a renovation in 1982-84. Some folks spend days roaming the dunes and the walking tracks near the lighthouse.
The sand is very soft the whole way, with quicksand patches and sudden drop-offs that pop up without warning, so 4WD is essential. Air down to around 12psi, keep your momentum and carry recovery gear. Cell service is poor, so don't tackle it solo if you're new to sand. Watch the tides closely, it's easy to get caught out. An inland bush exit route has deep water crossings and a locked farm gate that needs the farmer's permission. Respect the wildlife, and please take your rubbish home.
At 107 km this is the longest driveable beach in the country, longer than the famous 90 Mile, running roughly between Aranga and Baylys Beach. Golden dunes back the whole stretch, and it's got a rich history of shipwrecks, including ancient Portuguese vessels and a French man-of-war. There's a hill climb up to the lighthouse at the Pouto end, and a maze of inland tracks through the dunes worth a play. Follow the track that runs behind the beach and you'll find some great hidden camp spots. The Pouto marine campground nearby is a good small site, but book ahead.
The entry near Aranga can be tricky, with sharp rocks, a steep drop and soft sand, so keep your momentum up before you reach the hard-packed dry sand. The exit at Baylys is simple, and many find the run easier in that direction. Surreal feeling driving down the coast with nothing but sand and water in sight.
It's a gazetted highway, so standard road rules apply. Drive the hard sands two hours either side of low tide, and 4WD is strongly recommended. Check tides, keep momentum over soft spots, and travel with recovery gear and ideally a second vehicle. Quicksand may be present near the tip and some dune areas.