In March 2006 we took part in a Pajero Club trip to the Portland Dune Buggy Club, which is the only place in Victoria where it is legal to drive on coastal sand dunes.
As this was our first real sand driving experience we joined the other first-timers for a briefing session a few nights prior to the trip, where we received valuable instructions in sand driving techniques.
The dark green Pajero in these shots is our old one (NH model). We now have a slightly newer silver/white NK model. Click here to see why.
A mini tornado passed through here, leaving one tank almost untouched
The road into the club and associated camp ground
A member of the buggy club arrived to do some testing on his buggy
Lined up and ready for our first drive through the dunes
The sand flags is 7M tall and kept wanting to fall down
That dune is higher than it looks in this photo
The ground varied considerably, requiring changes in driving technique
Looking down from the top of the highest dune into what we called "The Bowl"
Care was needed near some of the rock outcroppings lest a tyre is shredded
Sunday morning and the weather is becoming threatening
This is what happens if you power off too early when cresting the top
Boys playing in the sand
Monday morning, packing up and leaving
Sihn of the times. There are now plenty of these along the coast
This is known as the shipwreck coast
Castaways found it difficult to scale the cliffs and sometimes had to stay until they were found