Possible Dirk Harthog trip questions

 Gday guys,

i am looking at taking the family (and boat) over to DHI for a week over New Years. I spoke to Tory at the 4WD Show, and again today, but forgot a few questions and was hoping someone else on here would have some info on the following...

what is the chance of getting a 5m Quintrex (and 60 series landcruiser) on the barge?

what are the flys / sandflies like over the New Years period?

can you have a fire (and I gather firewood would need to be bought in if so) - camping at the homestead camp ground?

what is the boat launching like up the eastern side of DHI? (Drop-down third wheel, used to beach launching)

how soft does the track into Steep Point get over summer?

where do people normally camp the night before catching the barge?

Would you take kids there this time of the year?

I know - these are questions I should have written a list for first to ask Tory, but hoping for some first-hand answers! Thanks heaps!

Drew

 


Posts: 56

Date Joined: 07/07/15

 no chance gettign the

Mon, 2017-11-20 18:09

 no chance gettign the quintrex on.

i had my ford ranger with 3.95 tinny and the barge couldnt shut the ramp the full way (about 30cms away). my overall length was 10.2mtrs.

we stayed at the villa and they supplied us with firewood

i launched the tinny on the east side and its about as easy as it gets (it stays pretty shallow though)

just camp at shelter bay at steep point right where the barge leaves from.

Posts: 56

Date Joined: 07/07/15

 forgot to ad my dinghy

Mon, 2017-11-20 18:09

 forgot to ad my dinghy trailer is very short as well 

Wannafish's picture

Posts: 158

Date Joined: 20/05/12

 Thanks for that! Just the

Mon, 2017-11-20 19:04

 Thanks for that! Just the info I was after! Looks like it will be a case of taking the car and trailer over and driving the boat  and putting it back on the trailer where the barge lands (am keen to have the trailer over there to prevent the wife and kids having to take the car to the homestead by themselves while I drive the boat the 20 odd km to the homestead - and back at the end of the trip...)...

Posts: 790

Date Joined: 25/05/12

 It's  a pretty easy drive

Mon, 2017-11-20 19:16

 It's  a pretty easy drive between the  barge and homestead they should be fine. the worst party is the hill at the start.

if you got time and you think your car and trailer can handle it. you can beach launch up near Sammys then drive up to turtle bay  but it's about. 3 hour trip up there. But a  5 m might be too tight for those tracks also

Jackalchub's picture

Posts: 593

Date Joined: 10/03/12

 Yep, can confirm it is an

Mon, 2017-11-20 20:10

 Yep, can confirm it is an extremely easy drive from barge to homestead.. Sammy’s is North east end of dirk 

Wannafish's picture

Posts: 158

Date Joined: 20/05/12

 Thanks dano83,i would be

Mon, 2017-11-20 19:57

 Thanks dano83,

i would be happy to leave the trailer at steep pt for a boys trip, but with the family I would prefer to have it on the island... is Sammy’s a 3 hr car drive from the homestead - then launch? couldn’t find it on the internet...

I am happy to tow the boat wherever there is a track! The trailer has a 2t axle, landcruiser hubs, eye to eye springs and hilux shocks etc, so it should handle it okay...

Posts: 94

Date Joined: 27/01/10

Pretty sure Sammy's and

Tue, 2017-11-21 00:09

Pretty sure Sammy's and Dampier Landing are the same place, so easy to find on the DPaW maps. Beach at Dampiers is usually very soft, difficult to drive a car on, would not like to try launching a boat there. As already suggested Withnells is were I would be looking to launch if towing up to the top end. If you can get the trailer up the dunes to Steep Pt the DHI tracks will give you no trouble, but they will give the car and boat some nice pin striping.

I have seen larger trailers reversed on to the barge, unhooked then taken over as a single load. Obviously need a 2nd vehicle already on the other side to reverse up the barge and hook up to unload. Have to be keen though, and not too much swell so the barge can hold position without getting beached.

Posts: 790

Date Joined: 25/05/12

 Yes Dampier and Sammys is

Tue, 2017-11-21 04:19

 Yes Dampier and Sammys is the same place.

yes the beach does get soft but it's doable depends on skill  and set up 

I've done a couple times no problems  but I rooftoped a 4m tinny  and launched there.

whitnell is much better for launching but it's an extra 5 mile to turtle bay also be weary of cape levillain  you can cut through close to the island  but just watch the conditions 

Good info passed on by Stephen also

stephenm's picture

Posts: 151

Date Joined: 03/04/13

Sammies

Mon, 2017-11-20 20:26

 Hi mate kieran and Tori should be able to answer all your questions about the island. Just to let you know fires are not allowed in the national park but not sure about the homestead. Only place you will be able to launch a boat up north will be at withnells as the access to the beach at Sammie's is closed from November through to April during the turtle breeding season. Hope this helps

Wannafish's picture

Posts: 158

Date Joined: 20/05/12

 Thanks Stephenm, great info!

Mon, 2017-11-20 20:33

 Thanks Stephenm, great info! I figured I could ring Kieren and Tory again, but was hoping to get more questiones answered by those who have done it - before taking up too much more of their time. Once we commit to the trip 100% I will certainly be discussing the finer details with them!

Drew

stephenm's picture

Posts: 151

Date Joined: 03/04/13

 You will enjoy. Awesome

Mon, 2017-11-20 20:38

 You will enjoy. Awesome island

Posts: 31

Date Joined: 28/11/17

 I paid for my 2018 Steep

Wed, 2017-11-29 16:06

 I paid for my 2018 Steep Point trip last week (cant wait!!!) and they told me that fires are permanently banned now and only gas fires are permitted.  I assume a similar rules would be in force on DHI?

 

Cheers

Posts: 94

Date Joined: 27/01/10

Yes permanent fire ban in the National Park.

Wed, 2017-11-29 18:20

Big NO FIRES signs as you get dropped off the barge, and a few places along the tracks.

If you camp at the homestead they let you have a fire as its private property. Not sure how that works in summer when there is a shire enforced total ban anyway!