Pics of Ngkala Rocks track

[Heath]

Hey all,

Wondering if anyone has some recent pics of the Ngkala Rocks bypass track.

Am going to Fraser in November & hope to have a day trip up the cape & just want to know what I'm in for

TIA!

[chisel]

I think the track changes quite often so you'd need quite recent pics.
Main problem I've had with ngkala is getting back from the northern side of it when it's hot and dry. Could be soft in November if it hasn't rained - but there'll be someone about to snatch you out if you get stuck.
There are videos on youtube of ngkala (google "youtube ngkala")

[Vindicator]

Agree with Chisel, going up is a breeze but coming back will take a little more effort. Make sure you got your tyres right down especially if its really dry.

Cheers
Kezza

[SeaHunt]

I am heading up there in August, take a shovel.

Basic info updated regularly here.
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications?id=1663

[JB]

Let the missus drive you will have no worries then :p

[Heath]

Thanks guys. I've seen the vid on Youtube & look at the updates regularly from the EPA.
Was hoping that somone might have some pics or vids from this years Fraser comp.
A lot I have read indicates that a highlift forby is prefered for getting round/over Ngkala? We've got stock standard 4x4. ( Jackaroo & Pajero)

[bugman]

Heath

It can really change in a matter of days. We'd go up earlier in the week sometimes and it was a sinch but then later in the week you'd get the odd idiot either "having fun" on the northern side - or not deflating their tyres enough and ripping it up while getting bogged and it becomes a mess.

We've had heaps of stocks standard cars - old hiluxes, pajeros etc get over without much problem - coming back north to south.

On other days I winched/snatched out 4 cars in a row otherwise no-one would have got home that day.

Just lower your tyre pressure and drive it hard - but not silly.

Brett

[Lucky_Phill]

Good advice Brett,

I had to drop the jackeroo down to 10lbs one time....... to get from north to south. That big bog hole on the southern side also surprizes some.

Good luck Heath........ 2nd gear low range and plenty of pedal

Phill

[Heath]

Thanks again guys.
Is that bog hole there all the time or usually just after it rains?

[chisel]

I've only seen the boghole after it rained. Was nearly impassable after 170mm fell overnight a couple of years back.

[SeaHunt]

Like I said take a shovel or two, if you are stuck on the wrong side a couple of hours of shovelling sand (peferable wet) will sort it out.

[snappa]

have a few more drinks and go for it ???

or maybe get a pajero

















lol

[Lucky_Phill]

Heath,

every time I have been to Fraser, that bog hole is there. Maybe not as bad as after rain, but certainly it's a " feature " of Ngkala Rocks. As is the ' hump & dip ' on the northern side.

Don't know about a Pajero, Pete, I prefer to bury a spare tyre to make a towing point for the winch.....

Don't panic Heath, you'll be right.... commonsense will get you there and back every time

Have fun up there......... especially at the cape where my fav flathead spots are.

Phill

[Just_chips]

I've been through in a standard petrol navarra str a few times and nearly always got stuck briefly on the first attempt (south to north) after a quick dig or snatch out I'd hit it again with a little more right boot and breeze through. If you are travelling with another vehicle and you have some basic recovery gear (good snatch strap and long handled shovel) you shouldn't have too many issues. Walk it first, pick your lines and go for it. Get someone to stand at the top and give signals if vehicles come from the other side etc, you don't won't to meet unexpectedly at the top and try and reverse out of some of the powdery crap that can develop there during hot dry weather.

If possible watch somebody else have a go first.

I don't think that you will have any probs though. Just remember if you don't get stuck at some point on Fraser then you haven't really experienced it. (And I have really, really experienced Fraser, ie: got stuck in lots of places, and both me and my vehicle have lived to tell the tales)

It is beautiful up the top of the island, one of my all time favourite places, and the fact that the fishing there is fantastic is just a bonus.

Good luck and have fun, make sure you post or publish plenty of pics for the rest of us to drool over.

Kev