"Datto Hill"

[latch]

I took this photo in a bit of a rush while four-wheel-driving on the sand dunes at Stockton Beach. Getting down low to the sand gave an interesting perspective on the wrecked Datsun, but when I got home and looked at it I was disappointed with the position of the horizon (too close to halves).

Its still one of my favourite shots ever.

[dawesy]

Great shot. I see what you mean abut the horizon but given that everything else is working here, colours and exposure and the rest of the composition, I don't think it detracts too much.

Took my Datto out on Stockton when I first had it (88 GQ) and without the help of my travel partner I would have ended up like that as well!! As would the wrangler I found bonnet first in a big hole, driving solo with no recovery gear... some people should not off road!

[colin_12]

More poof that the old Dato could go anywhere.
Nice effort.
Regards Colin

[hangdog]

Beautiful image, full of colour and character.

Cheers,

Chuan

[CoryH]

I love this one, perfect exposure

[W00DY]

Hey Latch,

this is a cool image and as Dawesy said, I don't think the horizon is that bid a deal since everything else works.

We are planning (well about to start planning) a camping and 4WD long weekend on Stockton beach for October. If you have any info to share I would love to hear it.

Cheers,
Andrew

[rflower]

I like this shot, and agree with the others about the horizon. becuase the car takes up the majority of the frame, you hardly notice the horizon at all.

[W00DY]

position of the horizon (too close to halves).

remember that rules are meant to be broken

[latch]

We are planning (well about to start planning) a camping and 4WD long weekend on Stockton beach for October. If you have any info to share I would love to hear it.

I'm not very much of an expert on either Stockton beach or sand-dune 4WDing - this was my first experience of both! I have some friends in Newcastle who are seriously into 4WDing and love the dunes, and went with them. If you're not very experienced then I would recommend going with someone who is; the day we went my friends were amazed at how strange the sand conditions were (very soft and deep in places).

We got onto the dunes at Anna Bay (near Nelson Bay), and drove down towards Newcastle until we reached "the shipwreck" (there is part of a wrecked ship just offshore - I should post a photo of it as well). We got off the beach via a track that joins the main road near Williamtown airport. Other landmarks include some large concrete pyramids that apparently were installed as "Tank Traps" during World War 2, and a shanty-town on the beach. Unfortunately, I didn't have my GPS switched on and so I can't give you any detailed information about the locations of these points of interest.

As far as photography is concerned, I would recommend taking a polarizing filter (helpful in the bright sunlight).

Sorry that I can't offer more info or help.

[dawesy]

I'd agree based on my recollections of Stockton. When I was there the Anna Bay end was much easier driving, though it could also be that we started south and that I'd just got the hang of sand driving by then. If you are not used to sand driving and you plan on getting of the main run then odds are you'll get yourself bogged at some point. I did it a LOT in my patrol, but my more experienced mate in his pajero was mostly ok, though having a lighter car helps.

Remember to drop your tire pressure as well, we went with about 18PSI though you can go a bit lower if you're game. The servo's near the beach tend to have queues to use their air compressors so if you can get hold of a decent one to take with you it's helpful

Lastly camping. We camped right up the back of the dunes by the tree line but I don't actually thing it's legal to camp there, though I didn't realise at the time not having organised the trip. You also need to get a permit to drive on the beach, available at the nearby servos.

SO after typing all of that I remembered my old 4WD hangout, this may be useful:
http://exploroz.com.au/TrekNotes/NSWCoast/Stockton_Beach.aspx

Above all have fun up there. I found it was a great place to really test out what the truck could do as you can belt it up a steep hill or whatever and being sand, it doesn't do any damage if you mess it up, not true of all my trips!