Moreton Districts Off Road Club

Coffs Harbour Trip Report

Well it was a nice early start for me leaving home a 3.00 am Friday to beat all the other traffic. I decided to go through the city as at that time I knew it would be a good run. Entering the Clem 7( all 4 wheels still intact)  with only two other cars in my sights was a great run and at the speed limit. With only a couple of brief stops along the way I arrived in Woolgoolga around 7.30 local time With John surprised to see me so early I set up camp with help from John and his family. Soon after Dean (visitor) and his friend Craig arrived and got set up as well. We all got together at lunch and discussed plans for the weekend. So after lunch we headed off to find some tracks Soon we left the bitumen behind us and I led the guys up to look at the track called the Widowmaker to give them an idea how the tracks can vary. From there we down a nice downhill track with a few little challenging spots to where wheel placement came into play. All got down safe After a nice flat run we came across the strangest crop we have ever seen. As this region has a lot of farming We came across what appeared to be a powerpole farm (these ones were still young) only about 8ft tall with the metal caps on top ready to grow into Powerpoles. We learnt later on that it is a test spot for different tree species for white ant resistance A bit further along we came across our first mud hole I putted through not to dig it up for everyone on less aggressive tyres having to drive the next hill while straddling a deep washout we all made it to the top (well almost) John calls on the radio (I’m Stuck) With Matt being the car in front of him was a simple snatch recovery. We then decided to make tracks back to camp ordering fish & chips at the local shops for dinner seeing it was Good Friday After dinner we all got together for a couple of drinks before calling an end to a long day.

Saturday morning we had a couple of more cars join the group. Simon & Amber and our local guides Clint (who we met on the cape trip last year) & Peter. After airing down we headed off now with 6 cars to find some tracks. On the way we drove past this small farm house next minute Amber gets on the radio saying that it was the house she lived in when she was younger. Soon on the tracks we started to climb up a track that had a nice steep climb at the end of it. Then we worked our way back to the widdowmaker to let Simon have a look at it. After a quick inspection he gave us the thumbs up that they would have a crack at it. Thinking he was going to drive it But no Amber took to the drivers seat and proceeded to conquer the hill with everyone else looking on.  Once at the top we took the easy way and met them up the track just a bit further along. After stopping for a quick morning tea we made our way to Glenreagh. After a look around and Lunch at the local Pub hit the tracks again for the afternoon run back to camp. Stopping along the way at a lookout over looking the whole valley and seeing Russel Crows (ranch) in the distance. After a short play in a quarry Amber says. Now I want to drive back down the widdowmaker. The rest of us raced back to the bottom to watch her come down. Slow and steady with a couple of crunches she makes it safely to the bottom. After that they left us and headed back to Nana Glen where they were staying and we all headed back to camp after an enjoyable day.

Sunday  was decided that we have a bit of a relaxing day with a couple of guys wanting to head into Coffs Harbour to have a look around while Matt and I went back to the quarry for a bit more of a play. After Lunch back at camp we all decided that we would do an afternoon Beach run. Once on the beach Matt goes I’m going to get myself bogged I want to see how the Maxtrax work. Finding a soft spot in the sand he dug himself in before a nice simple recovery using John’s set of Maxtrax. After continuing down the beach getting to the next headland we got back onto the blacktop pumped our tyres back up and headed back to camp. Next morning after breakfast everyone packed up ready for the trip home. Knowing the highway was probably going to be busy we headed home the scenic route via Casino along the Summerland way and the Lions Rd that’s cuts through the Border Ranges and back into Brisbane via Beaudesert.

A great weekend was had by all and Look forward to heading back down that way to explore more of the tracks that the Coffs Harbour region has to offer. A special thanks again to Clint for his help guiding us on the tracks.