Lancelin to Cervantes Four Wheel Drive Trip

Is it still possible to four wheel drive from Lancelin to Cervantes? It’s seemed doubtful ever since they put the highway through and closed access through the military area. But I can assure you, it’s still possible!

The beach is still open to drive, although it is only recommended for those VERY experienced beach four wheel drivers. And if you like your vehicles paint job, consider yourself warned; carrying on this trip beyond Wedge Island will strip most of it. Very tight tracks!

You’ve gotta take a moment for a spin through the dunes!

Rather than attempt to drive a section of beach which was illegal, or impassable; I called the local ranger to get a professional opinion. The ranger said he has driven it once, and never again if he could avoid it! The sand is incredibly soft, and slopes severely towards the ocean in some places. While we have every right to drive this section of beach, he advised us not to.

I decided to play it by ear. If it IS too sketchy, you can always turn around and take the highway up to Wedge. Between the 6 vehicles, we had two winches, everyone was carrying their recovery gear, and SOOO many traction boards.

Now, I’m going to tell you how to enter the beach, but DO NOT attempt this without a willingness to drop tyre pressures to single digits, and prepare for the possibility of having to drive along the surf wash probably too close for comfort.

Make sure you’re travelling in a convoy of at least three, with proper snatch recovery gear and traction boards. STEER WELL CLEAR OF THIS BEACH IF YOU DON’T HAVE PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE!

Follow Beacon Road north, until you reach the signposted turn off for the Lancelin off-road area. It’s on the right, you can’t miss it. Now cruise north along the base of the dunes until you reach GPS waypoint  30°59’29.33″S, 115°19’24.51″E

That waypoint will lead you down the track off to the left and towards the beach. Get ready for fun!

The really nasty section is only a couple of kilometres long. Once you’re past that, the most trouble you will likely have is being swamped if you didn’t pick the low tide. I’ve made that mistake before and it is SCARY!

Lunch stop at Wedge Island. Military rations off the jeep bonnet!

Wedge Island is 22 kilometres north of Lancelin as the crow flies. The beach overlooking Wedge is a top spot for lunch, and from here you can venture through the shack community and out to the highway (exit road located at  30°49’9.60″S, 115°11’58.85″E)

Or….you can continue north to the next shack community of Grey. At around 10.3 kilometres north of Wedge, you’ll encounter the cliffs which will most likely be impassable. It’s here that you have to divert through the tracks above.

There are a maze of tracks through here, and while they’ll rip the life out of your paintwork, they are an easy drive. Just follow the most used looking track, keep the ocean mostly in sight on your left; and carry on northwards.

It’s a measly 8km cruise from Grey to the beach exit nearest Cervantes, but it’s pretty seldom traveled. Why not do as we did and hit the highway north from here to the Pinnacles? If you’ve timed the day right, you’ll be there in the late afternoon when the light is the nicest. 

Take it as a long day trip, or find somewhere to camp at the end like we did.

For some extra visuals of course, check out the video below: