UHF channel

I always use channel 40 unless there are signs saying to usea different channel.

It is "traditional" for 4WDers (and National Parks) to use Channel 10.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Channel 40 is the travel channel. All other channels tend to be specific to the station or parks vehicles and are only really needed for emergencies. 99.9% of 4x4, trucks and road equipment will be on 40

UHF Channels

Unfortunately, there is no real standard; Many people just use whatever channel they were on last time the UHF was powered up.

My advice is to leave your UHF on the scan and make sure you have one with a fast scan speed. Nothing comes close to a GME XME, which can get through all 77 channels in just over a second.

The Ranger uses channel 16.

Hi Graeme,
Yes there are signs saying to use Ch 12. We were there 2 years ago and documented that into the relevant Places but you'll see it posted where you stop at the registration and air down point. From there its not far to the start of the sand dune area. At the bottom of the first hill is the point in the attached Place where you'll see a sign to advise Ch 12.

You definitely want to call ahead before you begin going up that first hill. On our trip in, and back out we came across oncoming traffic. If you go in late afternoon you are less likely to meet oncoming traffic because people leave camp in the morning and its a long trip however there could be the odd day tripper returning so you can't be too blaise. The biggest potential for an oncoming issue is someone towing a big boat - usually in convoy with mates - can get tricky. The dune area is beautiful but narrow and not a challenging drive if you have sand driving experience and your vehicle is setup for sand driving and you've let down tyres etc you then don't have an issue at low speed/stopped to back up, veer off etc to let someone pass.

Hope you have great weather - its the best part of coastal Australia you could ever experience (when the weather is good).
Michelle

PS EDIT: the Parks website also states that the Ranger contact is Ch16. https://www.sharkbay.org/place/edel-land-steep-point/contacts/

We came across the Ranger on our way in coming down a hill with a blind corner and around came a vehicle driving fast head on, we all came to a huge skid stop. He was very apologetic. He said he has to do the run out daily (no weight). Not sure if that is still the case. But just a heads up vigilant. We used a sand flag but not many do.

thanks everyone for your replies and helpful information.

Graeme

Hi Graeme,
If it is your 1st time to Steep Point, you may find this helpful. We overnighted at Hamelin Station.
Regards,
Ian

Hi,
We did the drive to Steep Point today, (Fri 5/6/2022) and the following may be of interest if anyone asks the Office staff about it.
We had a stock standard 2020 Toyota Landcruiser V8 diesel auto.
We left at 8.30am and got back at 6.00pm.
We tend to “smell the roses” but you would need to allow at least 8 hours at a minimum.
The road is corrugated!!!
There are a number of new long drop toilets out at Steep Point and the various camping areas but nothing until you get there.
There is effectively no mobile service for the whole trip. You may fluke one bar at Steep Point itself but can’t rely on it.
You will need to have an air compressor to re inflate your tyres for the return trip.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THE TRIP IF YOU CAN’T LET YOUR TYRES DOWN AND RE INFLATE THEM.
YOU WILL GET BOGGED, IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO BE RECOVERED AND YOU CAUSE UNNECESSARY DAMAGE TO THE GRAVEL ROAD!!
If you have a uhf or phone antenna on your vehicle, wrap some electrical tape around where the antenna screws in or has any joins.
We stopped for morning tea (at the pay station), lunch (at Steep Point) and afternoon tea (at the pay station again)
The trip, with excursions to Thunder Bay, The Blowholes, Nord 6 monument and, of course Steep Point itself, was approx 350 km.
Be mindful of your fuel consumption as you will be in 4WD and soft sand. This could increase your consumption by up to 30%.
It is highly recommended to reduce your tyre pressures to around 24 psi (165kPa or 1.65 bar) to 26 psi (180kPA or 1.8bar) as soon as you leave the bitumen on the Useless Loop Rd. This gives a much smoother ride, is kinder to your vehicle and helps prevent damage to the road surface.
The road is corrugated!
At this stage, 2 wheel drive or high range 4 is ok
There is a small, approx 5 km, length of bitumen road amongst the corrugations and if you have locked your hubs in, you may need to unlock them until you get back on the gravel.
If so, remember to lock them in again.
When you reach the paystation, it is essential to stop and reduce your tyre pressure to, at most, 20 psi.(138kPa or 1.38 bar)
If not already in high range 4 wheel drive, do so now.
If this requires hubs to be locked, do so now.
When you reach the “T” intersection, you turn left (road to the right is locked gate and no entry) and this is the start of the real requirement for high clearance and 4 wheel drive.
No real need for low range unless you think you need it.
High range 4 wheel drive and 3rd or 4th gear (held in an auto - not sure in a manual - long time since I have driven one!!)
Keep your wits about you as it is a narrow, undulating, winding road with limited forward visibility.
Keep your speed down as the sand bumps, especially as you have low tyre pressures, will cause the vehicle to wallow.
Also avoid any sharp turns(again because of the low tyre pressures).
We did not go to False Entrance on the way to Steep Point.
We did go to Thunder Bay, The Blowholes and Nord 6 monument and believe that it is easier going to visit these on the way to Steep Point than on the way out.
These are really worth seeing.
As it turned out, we ran out of time to visit False Entrance on the way back. It probably would have added approx 45 mins to our trip and, as it was, we only just got back before it was getting dark.
You will need to re inflate your tyres, up to 24 to 26 psi at the pay station on the return trip and unlock your hubs.
Reinflate tyres to your normal level when you get to the main bitumen rd.
If all the above presents you with no problems, go for it!
It is a great trip/destination.
Did I mention that the roads are corrugated!!!!