There are six levels of vehicle autonomy.

They start at Level Zero, which is an older, basic car with no autonomous functions at all.

Level One autonomy introduces technologies such as radar cruise control, auto braking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring – Level One AVs are now common.

Level Two autonomy combines various Level One features to provide the car with the ability to match the speed of the car in front up to a pre-selected speed, automatically brake if need be, and self-steer to keep in the lane – this isn’t too hard to achieve now.

Level Three autonomy is where the car starts to think for itself and can move out of lanes and navigate through traffic in an active way rather than the essentially passive/re-active Level Two mode. However, a human driver has to be ready to take control if need be in an emergency, something which the car industry sees as being very problematic going forward.

Level Four is full autonomous control (no human intervention at all), but only on roads and in locations specifically approved or designed for this purpose.

Level Five autonomy ups the ante further by also offering full autonomous control without road and location restrictions.

BOLLINGER Motors has dropped the curtains on its B1, the world’s first all-electric sport utility truck.

Revealed at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan in New York, the all-wheel drive B1 employs a dual-motor powertrain configuration, with front- and rear-mounted synchronous electric motors. This full-time all-wheel drive system is capable of delivering 270kW and 640Nm.

“We are so thrilled to be able to finally take the wraps off of our Bollinger B1 SUT,” founder and CEO, Robert Bollinger said. “This is the culmination of what has been a 40-year-long boyhood dream of mine and I couldn’t be more pleased with the vehicle and the incredible team who worked so hard to create it.”

Two lithium-ion battery-pack options (60kWh and 100kWh) will be offered for production models, providing maximum ranges of either 120 (193km) or 200 miles (322km). Charging includes conventional 110V and 220V options, as well as Level 3 “DC Fast” charging. The battery packs are designed to withstand being submerged in 3.3ft of water for 30 minutes.

“At either a 120 or 200 mile estimated range, the Bollinger B1 will have more range than most electric vehicles on the road today,” John Hutchison, Bollinger Motors engineer, said. “The average US driver travels less than 36 miles (58km) per day, so the B1 has plenty of charge for anything you throw at it. I think we found the right combination of utility, off-road capability and range options.”

CJ Winegar, another Bollinger Motors engineer, added: “The B1 combines Bollinger Motors’ advanced all-wheel-drive system with our all-electric powertrain to produce best-in-class horsepower, torque and ground clearance.”

Self-levelling, four-wheel independent, hydro-pneumatic suspension can adjust ground clearance between 10 and 20 inches. While approach, departure and breakover angles are 56 degrees, 53 degrees and 33 degrees, respectively.

The B1’s off-road credentials are improved further thanks to its advanced, all-aluminium chassis and high-strength, low-alloy steel rollover structure.

The 1769kg B1 has a payload capacity of 2767kg. While rolling stock is in the form of Mud Terrain LT285/70/R17 tyres with high offset aluminium wheels.

The minimalist interior is designed with off-roading in mind, evidenced by the rubber seals and gaskets of the instruments (and polyurethane –coated floor plans) which can all be hosed down.

“The interior follows the strong and straight-line design of the exterior using simplicity and straight-forwardness as the main design language,” Ross Compton, who assisted Bollinger with the design of the B1, said. “We also wanted to give the vehicle a feel of openness and spaciousness so you can use the vehicle in a variety of different ways.”

Bollinger added: “Since the B1 is an all-electric truck, it’s really a portable energy source. So we put 100 volt plugs throughout the truck so you can use it to power any equipment and tools you might need out in the field. USB and 12 volt plugs are also integrated into the dash to cover all power needs.”

Bollinger Motors is currently in talks with third-party manufacturers in the US, and it’s also reviewing options for potential build facilities.

“While we’ll be announcing pricing and manufacturing targets later this year, the business case for the B1 makes sense at a very realistic and modest production number and at a price point of a nicely equipped sport utility vehicle,” Bollinger said. “When you factor in this vehicle’s superiority over the other choices on today’s market, we think we have a winning combination.”

Once manufacturing is locked away, deliveries are expected to start in the USA within 19 months.

For more information, head to: www.bollingermotors.com.

VOLKSWAGEN has released a Sportline variant of its Amarok V6 range, and it will be available in local showrooms from August 1.

The Sportline V6 will be priced from $55,490, undercutting the Highline V6 ($59,990) and Ultimate V6 ($67,990) to be the cheapest way into a V6-powered ’Rok.

The V6 engine, capable of 165kW (180kW on overboost) and 550Nm, is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While a six-speed manual Sportline V6 will arrive locally in 2018.

In light of the recent launch of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, the director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carlos Santos, said: “Amarok V6’s technology derives wholly from within the Volkswagen Group. We have not had to look to Japan for a donor vehicle. Amarok remains the only V6 turbo-diesel ute on the market, a space it alone will occupy for some time to come.”

The Amarok Sportline V6 TDI550 also features full-time 4×4, four-wheel disc brakes,18-inch ‘Manaus’ alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, four 12v USB sockets (including in the tray), tinted rear windows, and a mechanical diff-lock.

The Sportline V6 will be in showrooms from August 1, 2017.

*Unfortunately, official photos of the new Sportline won’t be available until next week. So stay tuned.

AUSTRALIAN off-road suspension company, EFS, has expanded into general 4×4 accessories, announcing the release of a range of EFS Adventure barwork (bullbars, rear bar, side rails, side steps), snorkels, and an electric winch for off-road vehicles.

EFS has been building highly regarded off-road suspension for more than 50 years, and this expansion into the accessories market is just as considered, following on from nearly three years of development and research – and no-holds-barred testing, thanks to the All 4 Adventure team of Jason and Simon.

The Recon winch, in particular, is a standout, both in terms of industry-leading 13,000lb capacity (single line pull), and how it survived the rigorous demands of the All 4 Adventure team.

“Jason and Simon… they just did the final test on the winch a few weeks back,” James Don, EFS 4X4 Accessory Marketing manager, elaborated. “We knew if it comes back with flying colours with them – and they are just brutal on gear – we are on a winner.”

In fact, the gear’s performance (the duo also fitted out their rigs with EFS Adventure series barwork, as well as the Recon winch) went beyond just “flying colours”.

“We had no problems,” James said of the winch testing.

Initially, the EFS Adventure barwork and the Recon winch will be available for all popular dual-cab 4×4 utes and Toyota’s Land Cruiser 200 Series. The front and rear bars are on sale now, with the Recon winch becoming available mid-August.

This first wave of products will be followed by the release of the EFS side rails, side steps and snorkel towards the end of this year. EFS plans to further expand its accessory range to cover other popular off-road vehicles, such as the 150 Series Prado, by the end of 2017.

Owners of older vehicles shouldn’t worry, either, with plans to cover superseded models already in the works. For EFS, it’s all about how the customers react to the product as to what happens next, reflecting the company’s considered approach to product development.

“Once we get feedback from our customers, we will start working backward towards the vehicles that aren’t being made any more – so vehicles like the 80 and 100 Series Cruisers, as well as Nissan’s GU Patrols, for example,” James said.

With the company’s decades of experience in the Aussie off-road scene, it’s easy to be confident that EFS will deliver some exciting aftermarket products to the market over the next few years. For more info on the new EFS accessories range, check out www.efs4wd.com.au

Anybody who says the sizeable Ford F250 isn’t a good Aussie touring vehicle hasn’t spoken to Neil or Helen Cocks about their well-set-up rig.

Bought brand new in 2004 when Ford was still converting the full-size pick-up (as the Yanks called them) for the Aussie market, the Ford has since been all over Australia, from the Victorian High Country to cross country desert trips in the Gibson and Great Sandy Desert. For a few years it wandered the world, overlanding across Africa, Europe, Russia and the Americas, before coming back ‘Down Under’ for more outback travels.

Powered by the old 7.3-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine with a Super Chip for even more torque than standard and a Banks exhaust for better breathing (and just a lovely note when it’s used in anger), the engine is hardly run-in despite having 400,000km on the clock.

The gearbox has been rebuilt and strengthened by Wholesale Automatics in Bayswater, while the diffs have had ARB air lockers fitted front and rear. An alloy Mag-Hytec diff cover on the rear and an ARB diff cover on the front axle not only improves cooling but also adds more oil capacity to both diffs.

OME springs with OME shocks grace each corner, while 35-inch Cooper ST Maxx tyres are fitted to 16-inch alloy wheels – the tyres specifically chosen for their weight-carrying capability, in this case 1750kg per corner.

Red Line oils are used throughout and, with the standard oil filter, engine oil changes have been extended to around 40,000km, meaning the Ford doesn’t need an oil change when on its annual long distance outback trip.

A Safari snorkel feeds clean air to the engine, while an extra battery helps power both the vehicle and the big Warn 12,000lb winch. The big Yank carries 255 litres of fuel to provide an impressive cruising range.

Inside the cab, a plethora of electronic gear graces the dash, including an ARB reversing camera, a Garmin Nuvi, an iPad running Hema’s latest mapping software, a tyre monitor, and a ScanGauge to keep track of tyre air pressures and engine electronics. A Codan HF radio and a GME UHF radio round out the navigation and communication wares.

For outback work, the rear seats have been removed and replaced by a huge storage box, while on the roof is a Tradesman Oval alloy roof rack. Tucked into the edge of the rack and barely visible is a set of impressive air horns that would make most locomotives envious.

However, it’s at the back-end where the Ford is vastly different, with a new 2450mm custom alloy tray that features four storage boxes, one for each corner, and a huge drawer in the centre that’s good for recovery gear and some tools.

Acting as a spacer between the tray and the bottom of the camper (to lift the camper high enough to clear the roofline of the cab) are two drawers which again add to the storage capability of this rig. All of that storage gets used, and Neil is known for his ability to roll out a veritable workshop when the situation demands it.

Under the tray are two 30-litre water tanks to back up the 100-litre water tank installed on the slide-on camper. Two spare tyres and two sets of MaxTrax, along with a long-handle shovel, are tucked in between the vehicle cab and the camper and are within easy reach.

The impressive camper on the back is a V2 model XPCamper imported from the USA, where it has been designed and built since its inception seven years ago. In fact, Neil had one of the first models – a V1 XP Camper – for a few years, but decided it was too big, too long and too heavy for the touring he likes to do. When the V2 version came along, he swooped on it.

This unit features the most modern construction techniques and materials, and the seamless shell of the XPCamper is both extremely light and exceptionally strong. The hard-sided monocoque construction combines a moulded composite-over-foam core wrapped with hand-laid unidirectional fiberglass, reinforced with carbon-fibre.

This unique self-supporting design is stronger, lighter and provides better thermal and acoustical insulation than a traditional internal frame camper, and the unit has proven to be dustproof and durable.

The hard-sided pop-up roof is powered by a hydraulic drive which lifts the roof easily and quickly. It has both a remote controller (although Neil prefers to use the on-board control unit) and an emergency wind-up. There are two six-volt heavy duty 150AH batteries used to store the power from the outstanding 360-watt solar panels.

Inside the camper is a queen-size bed, which needs minimal preparation to sleep in. The 50mm foam mattress uses a Froli Star Base, which is an impressive box spring system that acts as an independent spring mattress and works a treat. More storage is located beneath the bed.

Importantly, there is a 130-litre Dometic fridge/freezer, a Webasto heater for cold nights and a diesel-powered cooktop and water heater. An integrated sink, foldable taps and glass lid finish off the kitchen attire. The dining table and seating can be converted to a small bed if required and can handle two people with ease. Even more storage can be found under the seats.

At first you’d think ventilation may be a little wanting, but insulation of the camper and the roof is exceptional, with Neil commenting on how good the camper is on hot days. Two reversible electric roof vents and three dual-pane windows help in this regard. Electric power and water can be monitored and controlled from inside the camper, and all wiring is marine-grade and to Australian specifications.

A friend was so impressed with Neil’s unit, they ordered another similar one from the US, so now there are two XPCampers wandering the outback.

As we write this, the big Ford and camper are travelling the beaches of South Australia, heading to Twilight Cove and then onto Israelite Bay and Esperance in Western Australia, before heading into red sand country. Whoever said big isn’t good off-road?

BACK in March, 2017, 4X4 Australia was invited to a playdate with the unique Tonka concept.

The unique concept transformed many a kid’s favourite toy into a life-size, sand-dune-hopping juggernaut. It packed plenty of off-road goodies including bespoke carbon-fibre bodywork, LED light bars, Marks 4WD portal axles, Toyo Open Country M/T tyres, Method Race Wheels, King Suspension, and a 12-volt winch was slotted in behind a custom front bar.

Nicolas Hogios, Toyota’s product design chief, said: “We have taken Tonka out of the sandpit and reinvented Hilux from top to bottom and from nose to tail.” “Inspired by the Tonka trucks that kids play with in their backyards, the Hilux Tonka Concept goes way beyond the already hugely capable abilities of Hilux to traverse rocks and other rugged terrain.”

At the time, Toyota was adamant it wouldn’t offer a version to the public. So Car Giant, a car dealership in Perth, WA, put together this replica that’s now up for sale. The replica, built for sand dunes, features full vinyl Tonka wrap, Rhino bumper bar, massive lift, five new tyres with Tonka rims, sports bar, spare wheel carrier, jerry can holders, snorkel, flares, bonnet scoop, LED lights, and a tow bar.

As a bonus, the rig has only had one previous owner and is within new-car warranty until late 2018. Plus, it comes with a full logbook history. The six-speed auto dual-cab is listed at $67,955.

View the listing here

MSA 4X4 Accessories’ Explorer Aluminium Drawer System was launched recently, so we took the opportunity to chat with MSA’s founder Shane Miles and take a look at some of the company’s newest products.

This is advertiser content

Shane Miles and his wife Michelle established MSA 4X4 Accessories back at the start of the millennium (back then it was called Michelle’s Sacs Australia).

“My wife Michelle and I were driving around the country and we just needed canvas storage products. I had great ideas, Michelle could sew, so we just combined it together and we released quite a wide range of canvas products,” Shane told us.

From small beginnings, the company has grown to now include a plethora of revolutionary 4×4 kit: the DropSlide, the Water Bra, canvas seat covers with fully adjustable air lumbar support systems, and a wide range of 4WD accessories.

Before a product is released on the market, it must pass stringent safety procedures. “If it’s not safe and if it’s not compliant, it’s not released,” Shane explained. “People need to understand if you bolt an accessory or install anything onto a vehicle that is not ADR compliant, you lose the compliancy of the entire vehicle.”

Check out the video to witness the extensive man-hours that go into making MSA’s drawer systems, and why they’re up there with the best on the market.

What’s next? As Shane explained, there are plenty of fresh ideas on the horizon for the Australian-owned company: “There are a lot of products in the pipeline that people haven’t even thought of before.”

To stay informed, check out: www.msa4x4.com.au

Autonomous, or so-called driverless, vehicles are getting plenty of attention these days.

So much so that the Australian Federal Government – via its Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources – has recently called an inquiry into the “social issues” relating to these new-technology vehicles.

As with most government inquiries, submissions have been called for to discuss this matter. Surprisingly, of the 43 submissions to this essentially car-based subject, only two come from car companies, namely Toyota Motor Corporation Australia and Volvo Car Australia.

A third submission comes from Robert Bosch Australia, so effectively a third ‘car’ company given Bosch is a key global player in the automotive industry.

The other 40 submissions come from government bureaucracies, private industry, academics, motoring associations, various non-government organisations, members of parliament, legal firms and even private individuals.

Included amongst this lot (in no particular order) are the Australian Automobile Association, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Austroads, the National Transport Commission, the Australasian College of Road Safety, the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the National Farmers Federation, Telstra, and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

It seems just about everyone wants to say something on this subject; although, after reading all the submissions – or at least the executive summary in the case of the longwinded ones – many appear to have nothing original to say and appear to be responding to this government inquiry for the sake of being seen to be doing something. Submissions from individual politicians seem particularly guilty of this.

Predictably, there are many common themes in these submissions regarding autonomous vehicles (AVs), especially in terms of the perceived benefits. On the other side – perceived problems – the messages are more mixed and centre more on legal, moral and legislative issues and rarely on technical issues. There is an underlying assumption that these will be readily solved.

The most commonly cited benefit is improved safety, based on the argument that more than 90 per cent of current vehicle crashes are driver-fault related, according to crash statistics. The obvious implication is that if you take away the driver, the number of crashes will be greatly reduced.

Mind you, once you do away with the driver entirely, 100 per cent of crashes will be a result of a system failure (either electronic or mechanical), so you can play with statistics any way you like.

There is very little doubt fully autonomous cars operating in a fully autonomous traffic environment should have very few crashes. However, how they will cope with what is inevitably going to be a driving environment with conventional vehicles is yet to be seen.

AVs will still have accidents via systems failure all on their own, and there’s even a chance that predicting what an AV will do may be more difficult than predicting the actions of a fellow human driver – so there might be an increased risk of accidents in the future.

Less traffic congestion is another readily cited benefit, but this will be only achieved with ‘platooning’, where a group of AVs drive closely together as one. This requires ‘connected autonomous vehicles’, or so-called CAVs, that can ‘communicate’ with each other, and many of the submissions actually assume all AVs will be CAVs.

Yes, perhaps eventually, but this necessitates another level of technology and invites in another spectrum of problems all of its own.

If AVs can’t do better than the current sophistication of technologies such as radar cruise control, traffic congestion won’t effectively improve as the long following distances of current technologies means less cars can occupy the same length of road, and those cars leftover then have to be somewhere else. This also brings longer commute times.

Another promise, and a most noble one, is for increased mobility for aged or disabled; although, this is predicated on the passenger(s) being able to get in and out of the vehicle – and possibly program the vehicle – unassisted. Without this, you may as well have a driver.

Most submissions also cite environmental benefits, although the assumption here is that AVs will actually be electric AVs, which well could be the case. And again – as ever – the environmental benefit of electric vehicles depends on how and where you generate your electricity.

Remote Controlled Range Rover

What is surprising is that many submissions predict a large number of AVs on the road by 2020. That’s less than two-and-a-half years away, and it goes against most industry analysts who are talking decades, not years.

While AVs may become common as fixed-route shuttle buses and for limited area taxi services in the near future, this is a long way from “large numbers” and “widespread” use predicted in many of the submissions.

Among the submissions is one that suggests governments “make it illegal, beyond a certain date, to sell vehicles that allow human beings the option of assuming manual control”.

For those of us who value personal freedom, this would seem draconian in the extreme and, from a political point of view, simply unachievable.

The reality is, we have a national vehicle fleet that combines both conventional and autonomous cars for the foreseeable future, and full national-fleet autonomy appears to be nothing more than a utopian pipe dream.

ON OUR recent trip to the USA, we stayed for a few days with friends. This is a dish our friend Judy made one night for dinner.

Even though she cooked it in a slow cooker, it can just as easily be done in your camp oven or on the stovetop, which I’ve already done at home.

Check out more bush cooking recipes

This has to be one of the easiest and most delicious chicken dishes I’ve ever made. Everyone will love it and be asking for seconds, including the kids. Served with some stir fry vegetables or a simple green salad and rice, this is one meal that will become a family favourite.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 2 to 4

• 4 to 6 boneless chicken thighs (fillets or on the bone – both work fine)
• Oil Cornflour and cold water (optional – to thicken the sauce)
• Spring onions finely chopped (optional – for serving)
• Sauce Ingredients ½ cup soy sauce (if you don’t like it too salty, then use salt-reduced soy sauce)
• ½ cup tomato sauce 1/3 cup honey 3 cloves garlic – minced (or 2-3 tsp pre-packaged garlic mince)
• 1 tsp dried basil (optional) 1 to 2 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional – if you like a little heat)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Prep time: 10 mins (approx.)

Cooking: 30-45 mins, depending on size of chicken thighs

• Heat a little oil in the bottom of your camp oven or heavy-based pan.
• Add the chicken thighs and sauté until browned (don’t overcrowd the pan. If necessary, do it in multiple batches).
• Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs, then mix it through and bring to the boil.
• Season to taste.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for approximately 30 to 45 minutes or until the chicken is tender and cooked.
• Baste occasionally with the sauce during the cooking time.
• If you want to thicken up the sauce before serving, combine two tablespoons of cornflour in a little cold water and mix until smooth. Add half to the liquid and stir until the sauce thickens. Add the rest of the cornflour mixture if you want a thicker sauce.
• Serve on a bed of rice and spoon the sauce over the chicken.
• Sprinkle over some finely chopped spring onions. Oven Baking Bake for approximately 30 mins with a lid on, then remove and bake for another 15 minutes without the lid. Baste occasionally with the sauce during the cooking time

• Add other vegetables such as red/green capsicum, carrot and pineapple to the chicken/sauce mix
• Add one teaspoon of grated/minced ginger (fresh or jar variety).
• When mincing the garlic, consider grating it on a microplane zester or fine grater instead of using a garlic crusher – it’s quick and easy.

You can’t go past the Steggles website for plenty of inspiration on cooking chicken. Australian grown since 1919, there are lots of recipe ideas using chicken and turkey. www.steggles.com.au/recipes

Stockton Beach has, for many years, been a popular destination for camping and sand-dune hopping, but unfortunately, due to two large storms in recent years, the landscape in this area has been badly affected and, as a result, there’s now limited access to what is regarded as the largest moving sand dune system in the southern hemisphere.

When you first encounter this beach you will immediately be struck by its scale and the formidable dune systems that stretch for as far as the eye can see. This beach also has many remnants of history deposited over the millennia, including ancient Aboriginal shells and numerous shipwrecks.

More recently, interesting objects from WWII defence systems against a feared invasion by the Japanese can be found along the beach. One of the beach’s most famous attractions is ‘Tin City’, a cluster of 11 shacks used by fishermen since the 1930s and subsequently made famous by appearing in the 1979 movie, Mad Max.

Located on the Tasman Sea, Stockton Beach starts on the northern side of the breakwall that protects the entrance to Newcastle Harbour in Stockton and continues for 32km in a north-easterly direction to Anna Bay in Port Stephens.

How to: camping with the kids

For those who missed the opportunity to explore the unique sand dune system before parts of it were closed off to the general public, it was not unlike driving through the Sahara Desert, particularly in the dunes. With some dunes towering up to 100-feet tall, it certainly made for a great weekend getaway.

Prior to 2012, Stockton Beach, with its endless dunes, was the perfect environment to improve your sand driving skills and experience beach camping like nowhere else along the NSW coastline. However, things have changed significantly since then.

Unfortunately, the privilege of driving a 4WD through the back dunes of Stockton Beach came to an end following the devastation caused by super storms in 2012 and 2015. In order to facilitate the natural rebuilding of the frontal dunes, new rules dictate where enthusiasts can now take their 4WDs. Luckily, all is not lost, and there’s evidence of regeneration of the frontal dune systems on Stockton Beach.

So, how bad were the storms that pretty much changed this entire landscape? Well, the first major storm in 2012 was the result of a serious southerly low that pounded the beach with swells of ocean 2.3-metres tall. As a result, the ocean overran the frontal dune systems, filling the swale systems behind the dunes with salty water and creating large pools of salt water.

The back beach and swale areas between the Lavis Lane and Gan Gan Road entrances are now closed to 4WDs. The 2012 storm also caused gaps, traditionally used by 4WDs as entry points into the back dunes, to become vulnerable.

Continuous driving over these entry points caused the surface to deflate and, as a result, made it easier for storm swells to enter into the back dunes and cause further damage. So, prohibiting vehicles entering the back dunes gives them the time needed to recover.

Grass and the spinifex are the only things holding the dunes together, and it’s obvious the areas along the frontal dunes that survived were the ones with strong vegetation; whereas the areas where the ocean broke through had limited vegetation. So, it’s understandable why it’s imperative to not drive on the existing vegetation.

In its heyday, Stockton Beach attracted between 1500 and 2000 vehicles per day. This, in part, increasingly added pressure on parts of the fragile dune systems that naturally act as a defence against the approaching swells.

To add fuel to the fire, the devastating storm in 2015 that battered this fragile coastline had further devastating impacts on the conservation lands. This storm added to the previous damage of the frontal dune system, but it also resulted in the destruction of cultural sites.

Other issues resulting from this storm included saltwater killing off vegetation, large water pools that made it difficult for 4WDs to pass in places, and the reduction in beachfront by up to 15 metres – making it hazardous for 4WDs to drive along at high tide.

This resulted in the development of a plan of management for the area, and a number of key recommendations are being implemented under the direction of The Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

However, all is not lost. The beachfront and Recreation Vehicle Area are open for 4WDs, which means you can drive on the beachfront between what’s left of the Sygna shipwreck in the south and the Gan Gan Road access frontal dune crossing in the north. Due to the storm damage, all dunes, back beach and swale areas between the Lavis Lane and Gan Gan Road entrances are closed to 4WDs.

So, driving behind the beachfront is only permitted along defined routes to and from WCL designated vehicle accesses (Lavis Lane and Gan Gan Road), in the Recreation Vehicle Area and along defined routes (including across the frontal dune) to and from Tin City.

Don’t be too disappointed about not being able to freely experience driving on the large dunes, as you can still test your dune-driving skills in the designated 3.5km² of the Recreational Vehicle Areas. There are also a number of commercial touring companies that access the high dunes in the lands south of the Gan Gan entrance. Make sure your vehicle is registered and display a valid Worimi Conservation Land vehicle permit.

Other than beach driving, one of the other big changes being enforced on Stockton Beach are regulations around camping. Currently, camping is no longer permitted, even if you want to just pull up on the beach, do a spot of fishing, and throw out your swag.

The draft plan of management identified a number of issues with the damage to dunes and coastal vegetation that arose from an increase in unregulated camping over the years, and this has led to a ban on camping since the last storm. Previously, you could cruise up the beach in your 4WD and camp anywhere you liked, but this is no longer the case.

This practice of camping wherever you liked led to issues concerning rubbish and toilet waste. As a result, these concerns raised by local stakeholders, combined with the storm damage, are now being addressed by providing designated camping areas in the future. Details are expected to be announced before the end of the year as to what type of camping will be available.

It is understood the designated camping areas will be located south-west from Tin City and will incorporate a total of 30 designated campsites with a maximum of eight per site, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Despite all of the area’s restrictions, there are still plenty of things to see and do on Stockton Beach. Driving on the beautiful Stockton Beach is still one of the most popular family activities on the Worimi Conservation Lands, and there’s plenty of history to learn about in the area. Just keep in mind that sections of the beach can be hazardous at high tide.

Visitors are now advised to avoid driving along the beachfront one hour either side of high tide. But don’t let that put you off. The southern hemisphere’s largest mobile sand dune system provides a dramatic backdrop for 4WD day-trippers. It’s disappointing that camping isn’t an option, but indications are that this will change in the very near future.

TRAVEL PLANNER

WORIMI CONSERVATION LANDS

The 42km² Worimi Conservation Lands are made up of three reserves: Worimi National Park, Worimi State Conservation Area and Worimi Regional Park. These are co-managed by the registered Aboriginal owners and the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW.

CAMPING

Camping isn’t permitted on Stockton Beach, but announcements will be made before the end of the year about the new arrangements. The best place to get the latest information about Worimi Conservation Lands is at: www.worimiconservationlands.com

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Should you experience any issues on the beach, take note of the distance markers located at 2km intervals between the Gan Gan Rd and Lavis Lane park-entry points. In an emergency dial 000, or if there’s no mobile reception try 112. If calling from the beachfront, advise operator of closest distance marker (markers aren’t to scale).

BEACH PERMITS

Annual and three-day beach vehicle and recreational vehicle permits are available from the following locations: BP Service Station: 135 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay, NSW, 2316 Tackle Power: Unit 2/1 Mangrove Road, Sandgate, NSW, 2304 Out of Town 4WD: 65 Northville Drive, Barnsley, NSW, 2278 BP Service Station: Cnr Richardson and Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash, NSW, 2318 ARB: 89 Griffiths Road, Lambton, NSW, 2299 Port Stephens Visitor Centre: 60 Victoria Pde, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315 Metro Service Station: Cnr Nelson Bay Road and Lavis Lane, Williamtown, NSW 2318 NPWS Hunter Coast Area Office: 12B Teramby Road, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315

GENERAL RULES

Fires: Gas barbecues and cookers can be used, but fires aren’t permitted. Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and are only permitted on the Gan Gan entrance road and on a 3km section of beachfront south from the boundary with Birubi Point Crown reserve at the north-eastern end of the WCL. Beach swimming: WCL beaches are unpatrolled and have strong ocean currents. Birubi Beach is the closest patrolled beach. Swimming in the ocean off WCL is not recommended and is undertaken at your own risk. Parking: Car and trailer parking at Lavis Lane and Gan Gan Road entrances. Toilets: There are no public toilets on WCL. New facilities are planned for the Lavis Lane entrance. There are no rubbish disposal facilities on WCL, so please take your rubbish with you when you leave.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BEACH DRIVING

A speed limit of 40km/h applies, or 20km/h within 100m of pedestrians or vehicles. Give way to pedestrians at all times, and avoid reckless driving. Don’t drive over vegetation and help keep dunes intact by following previous tracks. Also, don’t drive over shell accumulations as you may damage cultural sites.

THINGS TO SEE

The Shacks or Tin City are a collection of huts built by fisherman over the years. You can find them some 10km down from the top of the beach.

Keep an eye out for parts of the Uralla shipwreck that got into difficulty in 1932. There are also numerous WWII defences in the form of tank traps, and if you are lucky you may also see the wreck of a crashed Sabre jet which protrudes through the sand every now and again. The remains of the Sygna shipwreck that ran aground in 1974 can be found approximately 6km from Lavis Lane.

You will also see numerous Aboriginal midden sites that are of cultural significance.