Big dunes and big thrills

Posted on by Miriam

Dear Ocean and Sand Dunes, thank you for making us feel tiny, humble, inspired, salty, windswept and free all at once”.

That’s how this place made me feel.

From driving on massive sand dunes to riding the ocean waves, the area around Cape Bridgewater blew me away, nearly literally. Located about 23kms from Portland (and 4.5hrs from Melbourne) Cape Bridgewater is one of the most beautiful, wild and windswept stretches of coast in Victoria, minus the crowds. This is where we spent a long weekend recently.

There are pristine beaches, spectacular blowholes and natural formations carved by the sea. And bonus, the Bridgewater Bay cafe serves a mighty good coffee and scrummy food with a view.

A delicious light meal
Overlooking Cape Bridgewater beach

This oceanfront stretches west from Cape Bridgewater for 50kms, almost to the South Australian border and lies within Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

Cape Bridgewater

Fun on the Dunes

Not far from Cape Bridgewater is one of Victoria’s most jealously guarded secrets. 1800 hectares of massive sand dunes, adjacent to the Swan Lake camping ground, an area managed by the Portland Dune Buggy Club.

Membership of the Portland Dune Buggy Club (PDBC) is essential to drive on the dunes, and needs to be organised before you go, either a twelve month membership or a four day membership, which is what I organised.

How lucky for us that we were privy to the secret!

Coincidentally, our friends, who are part of a four wheel drive club, were camped at Swan Lake that same weekend, while we were camped in nearby Narrawong.

Before you go

No Flag, No Entry
Fitting the Flag

Aside from the requisite membership, a flag fitted to a BIG pole is essential before you hit the dunes. No have flag, no can drive. You have to be easily visible out there.

There’s no phone reception in the park so we had no way of communicating with our friends who had already left for the day and were out of UHF range.

Fortunately we met Ron from the PDBC beforehand. We told him we were hoping to find, if not our friends, at least some other vehicles. Ron gave us the low down and told us to stick to the green markers. “Keep the coast on your left” he told us, “and you’ll be right”. So with tyre pressures lowered and a flag fitted we’re off.

Out there, in the middle of the dunes your driving skills are tested, not to mention your strategic skills with the shifting sand conditions, sharp descents and minimal track markings. Where were these green markers?

There’s not much around to guide drivers, no marked tracks other than the occasional one way and do not enter signs. This is not a place to venture into alone.

Where were the other 30 cars we were told were out there?

P1060123
No cars, just a helluva lotta sand

It felt like the Sahara, exciting but also, I’ll admit it, with no backup a tad unnerving. We drove for a while, tackling a few sand hills and sliding down a couple that we didn’t quite make it up but we didn’t venture too far.

At one stage I stepped outside to take some pics and was nearly blown away.  The wind was ferocious though somehow also exhilarating in the middle of this sand oasis. Still, not a soul in sight.

Dunes for miles
Going over and around
Going down
Dunes everywhere

Eventually we spotted a couple of other vehicles (hooray) and joined them. And then, up the top of the dune when they stopped, we met up with Ron again. We were thrilled when he offered to take us around, kind of like a personalised tour. He’s been part of the dune buggy club since its inception back some thirty years and knows it like the back of his hand.

P1060154
Boys and their toys. Hubby and Ron checking out what’s over the horizon

Have you ever followed a dune buggy. They’re loud, fast and damn thrilling to be behind. It felt like we were in a Mario Kart Brothers video!

I had to remind Doug that the Colorado wasn’t a dune buggy however it was important to keep up the momentum. Yep rule number one: keep the foot to the floor.

From the sand to the sea

The momentum kept going the next day … on the water.

What a blast we had!

Cape Bridgewater is home to over 2000 Australian and Long Nosed Fur Seals.

You can walk out to the colony lookout point which takes a couple of hours or you can see them up close and personal on board a Seals by Sea tour. No surprise what we did!

The highest sea cliffs in Vic
Seals everywhere
From inside the cave
Riding the swells
Mother nature’s tapestry

After a thrilling boat ride out to the end of the point the pace slowed. Amongst the rock pools we saw heaps of seals lazing about, splashing and playing, like they were showing off for us.

It was amazing, not just to see the seals in their natural habitat but to experience the rush of this beautiful coastline. To pass alongside Victoria’s highest sea cliffs, underneath the rim of an ancient volcano and to sail into the mouth of a cave was absolutely awe inspiring. I recently posted a video of our ride into the cave on Instagram.

Inside the watery cave the rock colours were amazing

Camping

Our camp was at nearby Narrawong, a small picturesque park nestled between the river and the sea.

That night as we sat around the fire we spoke about how fortunate we are to live in such an amazing country.

Yet not every weekend has adventure and big thrills. The one that just passed was more sedate, yet still I like to think there are moments in every day that make the heart pound just a bit faster. Those simple moments that make us feel alive …

Sometimes the anticipation can be as much fun as the action, so let your imagination run wild and don’t be afraid to dream big. Dream big, go big.

Wishing you all fun and a dose of adventure wherever you are.

Stay safe, keep smiling and enjoy the journey.

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91 thoughts on “Big dunes and big thrills”

  6. Great spot it looks like. In Canada, one of our favourite places to visit is in the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park. It is entirely comprised of white sand beaches the go for miles and parabolic sand dunes that are a sight to behold.

    Thanks for posting.

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  14. wow Miriam never heard of this place, great shots and good fun!

    Sahara sand is fine as talcum powder so gets in absolutely everything … and their dunes are higher than Mt Kosciusko … but I get the drift 🙂

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  17. Wow such amazingly beautiful countryside, oceanside, Sandside…every side…stunning! What a fun and adventurous weekend, a thrill a minute! So many fascinating memories for you…keep em coming. Love the pics, they are just breathtaking! Big lovely hugs my sweet friend xo ❤

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  18. Pingback: Tuesday Photo Challenge – Round Up 128 – Dutch goes the Photo!

  21. Amazing!! We’re getting ready to go on a vacation soon, but trust me, it’s not going to be nearly as interesting and beautiful as the one you just enjoyed. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Miriam!

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  25. WOW…to all of this!! With each post, you convince me further that I need to fly to the other side of the world and see your country. Like, how can it even be real, Miriam?! It is so breathtaking in the photos it has to be fake. When you have an adventure, you really have an adventure, and it always makes me smile. Feeding the hungry part of our souls is essential to a happy life. It is clear to me you are living just that. Have a fabulous weekend, Miriam, and don’t you dare ever change. You are extraordinary! xo​

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    1. I’m so happy that my posts make you smile Tanya. Trust me, my adventures aren’t fake however there’s only one way you’ll know that for sure and that’s to come over here and experience one for yourself. With me. How awesome would that be! Thank you my lovely friend. You’re extraordinary too so don’t ever forget that. Have a great weekend. Big hugs xo 😊

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  26. Wow – what an adventure Miriam! I was right there with you from the comfort of my rocking chair as Kole snores on my shoulder! He must be adventuring in his dreams 🌈 beautiful words and images Miriam, always a pleasure to learn of your explorations ‘out an about’ 🙏🏻💗 xx

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      1. I miss you too my dear friend 🙏🏻💗 I am hugging him as I type this to you 🤗 (he loves to nap on Mummy!) we look forward to seeing your beautiful face soon Divine woman 😍🌷🙏🏻💫 xx

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  29. Miriam,
    I love your Dream Big, Go Big motto! You truly know how to make the most of your life and while I’m trying to do the same, your life just sounds like so much more fun! I remember riding around in a dune buggy when I was a kid. I loved it, reading your post brought that great memory back! And that cruise, going into the cave…what an incredible experience that must have been! So glad you’re out there filling my head with dreams of travel!
    Mona

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    1. Hi Mona, so glad my post bought back some great memories for you. It was such a fun weekend and, whilst there’re not all quite that exciting, I do believe in living life to the full. Keep smiling and dreaming. xx 😊

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  34. Oh wow Miriam, what a thrilling ride you have taken me on over sand and sea, I felt the speed and could feel the excitement of those Dunes..
    And felt the spray in my face on the ocean… Wow to those rock formations too…
    Their shapes and colours amazing..
    Many thanks for sharing Miriam..
    And yes may we all keep our Dreams BIG… Life is to be lived…
    Take care my friend.. Just loved your thrills…
    ❤

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  35. Wow! All that was in one weekend!! 😀😀 The dune buggy driving looks fantastic and I’m laughing at your description of it like MARIO Kart racing … if it’s anything like Rainbow Raod I’d be super dizzy! The video gives us a real sense of the experience. I’ve only once walked on dunes on the west coast of France by the Atlantic… it felt exhilarating, alien landscape and so tough to clamber along! Happy adventures, thrills, big and small … and then to the quiet moments of seal watching, sunsets and sunrises! Lovely post, Miriam … will this be rewritten for one of your articles?

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    1. Alien landscape is a good way of describing it Annika. It felt exhilarating to be out there. Thanks for your wonderful comment, always lovely to hear from you. And yes, this is currently in the process of being rewritten for a magazine. Such a great place that needs to be shared. Have a happy weekend Annika. xx

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  36. Wow Miriam!! That shoreline is absolutely breathtaking! I love the colors of the water. I haven’t spent any time on sand dunes. I’m guessing the travels would be quite exhilirating. lol. We did take a jeep tour through the deserts in Aruba and that was pretty wild! I haven’t seen seals yet, but those are on my list! My list is ever growing! xx 🙂

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  37. What a beautiful place Cape Bridgewater must be. It does sound like an adventure to drive around in the sand dunes with a long flag pole as the only contact with the rest of the world. It certainly looked like you had a great time.

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