victorian high country 4wd itinerary

In winter months many of the higher altitude and more fragile tracks will be closed to avoid damage so that we can continue to use them for years to come. Youll have the region on the one map, and youll be able to plan each and every stop. When we pulled over at Dannys Lookout, the bikes were all lined up here, each taking their turn to go back around one of the bends with a photographer waiting to take the action shot. Powers Lookout is named after Harry Power, a bushranger from the mid-1800s, who was a mentor to the most famous bushranger of them all, Ned Kelly. Basic Requirements For This Tour . The rocky track surface is very slippery when wet so avoid any attempts in poor weather. Make a left turn immediately after the Bridge onto Talbotville Road heading east. Arguably one of the most well-known and scenic coastal drives in Australia, the Great Ocean Road can be done by anyone with a well-maintained 2WD or 4WD and an adventurous spirit. Driver experience Prior experience not necessary as we will assist you as we go or you might consider attending our driver training course. Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: The Best Place to Visit in Williamstown? Today Talbotville is a beautiful camping area bordered by the Crooked River with lush green grass even when the surrounding bush land is so dry and dusty. So when youre forced to drive kilometre after kilometre down into steep valleys, your brakes will really start to feel the heat. What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. For a decent price tripod, try Neewer. A guided 4 day Pack-Free walk. Gee, another tough one. Horse rides will be run by Spring Spur Horse Riding. If unsure it pays to walk the crossing first. We found it on our journey between Bright and Mansfield, a few kilometres down a dusty track, a worthwhile stop off if youre in the area. Its a beautiful area, and thats why I think its the best four wheel drive destination in Australia! Famous for this huge hunk of metal on the edge of town, The El Dorado Dredge once actually moved (hard to believe for something this big) through the backwaters of the Woolshed Valley pulling up tin and gold from the waters. Just choose an existing itinerary or destination and contact us we can help you arrange the trip as a private tour. Packed with features, including the region's history, natural features and highlights, making this guide is an indispensable travelling companion for those Booktopia has High . Chiltern is a town in Victoria 's High Country. Its located off you guessed it Bluff Track. Mansfield Zoo want quite what we expecting, but was a great morning out for any of you travelling with kids. This is not a road for the travel sick! Continue along the track to the trig point at 1716m this point offers spectacular 360degree views across the mountains and valleys. That my friend equates to a very looong day in the saddle i just read that back and it doesnt quite read right. Our daughter was fascinated by her daily visits down to the chicken coop with Elly and we loved the home-produced produce that she left for us. Outside of peak periods such as summer long weekends or Easter, there should be plenty of availability to setup camp. Up stream from Talbotville along the Crooked River there are plenty of old gold mining sites including the New Good Hope Mine and further along to the area of Stonewall with its old gold mine and the remains of the fireplace and oven which are more often than not covered by black berries. . VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. Such a trip is perfect for a long weekend and provides a real taste of what the High Country has to offer. Australia Itinerary. Each one is unique and historic and they make fantastic refuges when the weather turns nasty, which it will in the Alpine areas. From the Pinnacles head back down to Billy Goats Bluff turnoff on the right. The Victorian High Country covers a large part of South-Eastern Victoria, with much of the area only accessible via a 4WD. It is suitable for those with and without off road trailers. Both Diesel and Unleaded types are available. 2-In-1 Tripod/Monopod Featuring a detachable leg and a removable center column, Neewer Carbon Fiber Tripod allows transformation from a tripod to a monopod (Height can reach 68.9 (175cm)) for Adjustable Tripod Legs The 4-section legs with twist locks can extend from 22.6 to 66.1 (57.5cm to 168cm) in seconds and provide reliable stability. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. With a baby in the car, we didnt quite make the whole loop to Omeo but managed to do an out-and-back journey to Dinner Plain that was more than sufficient as an Alpine fix. We will introduce you to different driving, convoy and UHF radio techniques along with the campground etiquette. From Talbotville take the McMillan Road up to Grant which is approximately 11km. The Victorian High Country, so many different tracks, so many mountains to climb, so many creeks to cross. Lets face it, Australia is pretty damn flat. We also popped into the Burke Museum which documents the failed journey of Burke and Wills to cross Australia, but also has other curiosities such as a stuffed Thylacine (a Tasmanian tiger, extinct since 1936) and a recreation 19th Century Australian street which was unusual. Theres a range of great local towns to visit, shops and pubs to experience, and of course, the spectacular mountain scenery that the Victorian High Country is famous for. Hubby & I have been planning a 3 week trip from FNQ down to Victorian High Country (VHC)in late April early May. Honestly, you dont need a list from me, just get out of your car and wander around until you see something you like. Suitable 4WDrive with high and low range. Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. A little further and we commence the steep descent into the valley. From Grant head 6km to the Dargo High Plains Road then turn right toward Dargo which is a further 17km away. . What I dont do on these posts it put together a random lists of places Ive never been, these are all places we personally visited and can vouch for (if we visited somewhere crap, it simply didnt make it on the list below!). Sunday: Sleep in Pack up head home via Wonnangatta . Unit 3/614 Maroochydore RdKunda Park, Sunshine CoastQLD Australia 4556. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. From the top here we could see down to Hotham Alpine Resort. Turning left will take you through to Eaglevale and onto the iconic Wonnanngatta Station, but on this outing were turning right towards Dargo. There are plenty of 4WD and walking tracks emanating from here so it is a good place to base yourself for a few days and explore the areafurther. This is a popular walk across the high plains with a steep descent to the picturesque Lake Tali Karng, one of Victorias deepest natural lakes. It was the central point of our adventure to the High Country and had been well worth the visit. There is plenty to see here including grabbing some last minute supplies, souvenirs or fuel from the general store. Most of the towns have a coffee shop for a caffeine jolt, a bakery to replenish the cholesterol level and you may find a boutique brewery or hidden gem winery. Lots of hotels they were wild years. Camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Innif wishing to make a night of it! At this point, park your 4WD and head out on foot. But then theres Zeka Spur, Billy Goat Bluff, and the list goes on. Dandongadale Falls isnt the sort of place that most people talk about around the campfire and thats possibly because they drive straight past. The Victorian High Country is a magical place, one of the best off-roading destinations on the planet. Its worth it for 360 degree views looking out over a view littered with the bodies of burned out gum trees and boulders smoothed from millions of years of erosion. Read More The Bamboo Bridges of Luang PrabangContinue, Weve had six full weeks travelling Southeast Asia now. Hello every one i just signed up last night (this is a great web site and forum. Some 4WDing experience is preferred as there are numerous steep hill climbs and descents and creek crossings. One place wed been keen to see with the Victorian High Country and the Great Alpine Road, so on a late November morning we headed packed up the car and headed out early from Melbourne for five nights away. Blue Wren Stay is a two-bedroom apartment, attached to the home of Peter and Kaye who were wonderful hosts. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. In the evening shed knock to see if we wanted to go down with her to sort the animals out for th night. THE VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY 4WD TOUR 27,304 views Apr 22, 2018 237 Dislike Share Save Trip In A Van - RoadTrip Australia Series 154K subscribers We drop the caravan off and hit the tracks for a. Choosing just one great track in the high country verges on a criminal act! The track eventually comes to a large open grassy area called Talbotville, a very picturesque and terrific place to camp. With a slide on camper such as the Trayon which is the perfect companion for a victorian high country trip this will be a trip to remember. If you are towing a camper trailer, take extra precautions, and consider resting your brakes to let them cool down halfway down the descent. and Kayes wonderful home-baked goodies (left for us in the fridge) were a lovely surprise. But of course, you are in the mountains, so expect the unexpected when it comes to weather. Bright was definitely our favourite town, with the farmstead near Mansfield the best experience, as we sat on the edge of the hill watching the sunset and a clear sky full of stars appear every night. Most of the time, these crossings are straight forward, however if its been raining recently, take caution and plot your course along firm footings. Bear in mind that this is a 3.5 hour journey each way to Central Melbourne. Might give you a bit of a start. Alpine National Park is an Australian Alps national park in the High Country region of Victoria. Walking Tour Itinerary A guide will accompany you as you walk between 7 and 22 km each day. He caught the bug for travel at an early age when his dad moved out to South Africa, and now builds regular mini-retirements' into his career, in which he sees the world with his wife Becca. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. This track is doable with a camper trailer but having a lightweight slide on like the Trayon makes the experience easier and safer without sacrificing any of the camping essentials we like to have in the bush nowadays. These are our favourite places from the High Country in the order we visited them. With our girl propped on our hip we helped brush the goat, collect eggs and put the ducks away from the foxes. Travel blogs would be a bit useless if they all said discover it for yourself though, so here are a few things that we loved: Ill start with the shops and food, as this was our favourite bit about the town (we visited two days on the trot). WAYPOINT EXPEDITIONS. Unfortunately, little of this remains today. To support the community, stores, churches, banks, hotels and even a police station was present. The Great Alpine Road was the main reason for our visit to the High Country. Image: Michael Page-Sharp. The Talbotville camping area has plenty of picnic tables and fireplaces with cooking plates and fresh water flowing in the Crooked River. If you are interested in doing a Victorian High Country 4wd Tag Along Tour then have a look at the trips that Australian 4x4 tag Along Tours run to this region. 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in Asia, SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review]. From the Pinnacles carpark it is a short walk up the access track to the radio transmitter and fire spotters hut, then a steep track with sheer drops on both sides to the fire tower. Around 11km further on is Grant Junction and the turn-off to Grant and Talbotville. Alpine National Park. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. The track is very steep (drops 1200m in less than 7km) and challenging, with rock steps and loose sections requiring prudent line selection and plenty of clearance. The Blue Rag Range view from the trig point is a multilayered one, as the endless blue mountain ranges seem to go on, and on, and on. Its recommended that this trip is embarked on by intermediate to advanced drivers and navigators in two or more capable 4WDs with low range and appropriate recovery gear. Its a short but steep walk up to the fire tower lookout perched on a rocky summit. This is the BEST 4Wdrive adventure in the land. Follow the footsteps of the pioneering cattlemen and gold miners. This was more than just a place to stay though, Elly turned it into an experience. The photo above was taken with this lens, as were many of the wide-angle shots from on the Alpine Road. We stock the full range of Ironman 44 products including Suspension, Bullbars, Lights, Vehicle Protection, Recovery gear, snorkels, auto electrics, dual battery systems, towing accessories, tanks, underbody protection, Camping Gear and more! It felt like walking onto a movie set an hour before the actors and crew arrived. I was told today visiting VHC would be like a holiday to the moon following the devastating fires. Explore the local scene in charming seaside towns and make time for some unusual stops along the way. 20/20 Head to Healesville, a foodie's paradise Here are a few other things we found really useful on the trip: What is the best place you have visited in Victoria? There are several good camping areas on the cliff-edge but at an elevation of 1500m a cold night is guaranteed and a roaring fire essentialif choosing to camp here. There is nothing better than rocking up to one of the regions pristine campsites with all the comforts of home that you have in the Trayon. Those legs can stand on uneven surfaces Versatile 360 Ball Head Metal ball head comes with a quick release plate for instant camera mounting. Balance: due and payable 30 days prior to departure. We cruised through Harrietville, a small town with a clear love of gardening ornate shrubs and vibrant blooms made the roadside more entertaining. Located near Lake Cobbler and down a few hundred metres of bush track, Dandongadale Falls is quite impressive. Victoria's High Country - The Official Website - plan and book your next getaway WALKS WITH ENDLESS VIEWS Step outside the everyday. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info to fit your itinarary this might be some ideas to work with camp at sheepyard flat out of mansfield day 1 craigs hut and mt stirling, back to sheepyard flat day 2 bindaree falls and lake cobbler loop via the staircase, back to sheepyard Camping in the Victorian High Country is fantastic. Being such a large area you can spend weeks or even months exploring this region. With pristine camping, spectacular views, and great 4WDriving you just have to get out and explore this area for yourself. To get to the North Razorback, turn off the Great Alpine Road (B 500) just south of Bright at Germantown on the Mt Beauty Road (C 536). Steep descents that test the nerves, keeping your foot off the brake pedal and allowing the vehicle to walk down as you steer delicately to avoid deep ruts and rocks. Our little girl was fascinated by me hand feeding Mr Emu, stroked a kangaroo and made friends with a deer. However most gates to 4wd tracks are locked in May in anticipation of imminent snowfalls. You can grab a four beer tasting tray plus local pesto for $12 bring on summer! 4WD Day Trips 4WD Day Trips are very enjoyable where you will find good company, practise some skills and get into. The only formed campsites on the Trail are a couple of grassed areas on New Country Creek, at the base of the infamous 'Staircase' climb that can accommodate at most four vehicles. From end-to-end, Billy Goat Bluff track is less than 10kms but due to the challenging terrain, its advisable to schedule at least an hour for this trek. Sorry the content is a bit long however i felt if i get it all down people willing to help especially those that have done it before will have a good understanding of the type of trip we'd like to take for hopefully the first of many to the High country it sounds awesome!! Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. The Rooftop series of maps give you a nice, detailed view of the Victorian High Country. This gave us a good mix of experiences in different parts of the High Country. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. Be cautioustravelling at the beginning of the plain as there are several bog holes that can trap the unwary. Victorian High Country with Camper Trailer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 The Sabbatical Guide | Established 2018. Welcome to my Victorian High Country Itinerary. Located on an open grassy flat on a bend in the Crooked River, the 1860s presented a scene of weatherboard stores and dwellings with the township servicing the local miners and rural families. The Crooked River Track heads north through farmland and then into forested areas. SEMA 2014: LOOKING FOR A FEW GOLD NUGGETS IN A SEA OF BAD IDEAS, MADVENTURE AGENCY, a part of the Adventure Marketing Group Pty Limited (ABN: 66 650 398 995), Heading to Cape York with your 4WD? On the second day drive up to the top of Mount Buffalo and take in the views from The Horn. Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC5 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. If you choose only one place for your High Country Itinerary, Bright should be it. Take some time to absorb this view and appreciate what many believe is the best view in the whole Victorian High Country! African adventures of the safari and coastal kind. Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. Ive already written a bit about this place in the Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country section, but I wanted to push home the point here. For this, I am assuming you have a weekend and are travelling up on a Friday night before returning late on a Sunday. Wellington River Campgrouds Victorian High Country, Gateway into the Victorian High Country Dargo, Getting to Licola Entry point into the Victorian High Country, 1st night Camp along the Wellington River just north of Licola, Talbotville Camp overnight Historical township from the gold rush era, Grant Historical township from the gold rush era. 4X4 High CountryadviceBest Vic High CountryCamping VictoriaguideHo-tohow toTravelVic High Country. The track itself is extremely narrow at places, with cliff faces on both sides. Coming off the back of a year that included a 112-day lockdown in Victoria, this slice of calm on a hill in the High Country was what we needed. You should consider taking out Travel Insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances including illness, vehicle problems or family matters. The rest of El Dorado is fairly sleepy, with a couple of little hikes near the creeks, a self-guided historic town walk and the Mcevoy Tavern, which lays claim to being the smallest pub in Victoria. Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. Itinerary is as follows Day before tour kicks off - meet up in Jamieson for welcome dinner Day 1 - Jamieson in to the High Country Day 2 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 3 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 4 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 5 - Travel high country tracks and trails with farewell dinner From Dargo, Melbourne is about a 4 hour drive. This is not a problem during hotter months, as the tracks dry out and become quiet dusty. During the gold rush era, the town of Dargo provide a stop over for miners on their way to the goldfields of Grant, Talbotville and Crooked River. We were excited to escape the city after five months of a very hard and were looking forward to it. You will see Lake Cobbler, King River, the Man From Snowy River Hut, Lovick's Hut, Howitt High plains, Wonnangatta Valley, Historic Grant, the incredible Pinnacle Lookout and the most fabulous 4WD track in Australia (our secret destination). If you are travelling up into the High Country with kids, then a sturdy carrier for hikes is going to be needed. 4WD Tracks of the High Country will lead the reader through twenty of the best four-wheel drive touring destinations in the Victorian and New South Wales High Country. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info. You must log in or register to reply here. From an adult point of view, Mansfield Zoo is a so-so experience, but for a kid this place is amazing. The steep descent should pose few problems except in wet conditions when some of the clay based sections will become quite slippery. Yes there were lions, dingoes, camels and other zoo favourites, but the enclosures werent the best and it felt a little unloved. Our Place are custom-built holiday homes on a large plot of land in Bright. Just past the Treasures boundary on Lankey Plain is the well-signed track on the right to King Spur and Mayford our ultimate destination for the night. Sitting by the warm glow of a campfire, laughing about the track you drove today that made your knuckles turn white and your heart rate go off the scale is part of the whole Victorian High Country experience. Facilities There are pit toilets at our camp sites. Its alpine destinations and tracks - Wonnangatta, the Dargo High Plains, Blue Rag, Mount Stirling - are legendary and not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. The Grant Township once had a population of around 2000 with stores, hotels, a police station, churches, banks, dwellings and even a local newspaper flanking two broad main streets. Some of the tracks, rated double black diamond by Four Wheel Drive Victoria, are a test of tyres, suspension, engine torque and driver skill. Continue to follow the road along the river for another 6km then take a left onto Crooked River Track. Copyright 2023 by AxiomThemes. Camping in a hut with a fire going and the kettle boiling while the thick morning frost starts to thaw outside is a High Plains luxury. Treat yourself to fine dining The fine dining experience at Provenance is a must-do for foodies. Select Make Select Model Select Year There are bypass tracks around the worst areas so generally these shouldnt cause any problems. More Info will be sent to you once you register with your deposit, No 4WD? Talbotville was another of Gippslands small gold mining towns that sprang to life when gold was found in the Crooked River in 1860 but vanished when the gold ran out. Fuel Fuel requirements for this trip are:-Diesel = 120 litres 4 and V6 petrol = 125 litres Straight 6 and V8 . For two days in the High Country I would suggest basing yourself at Bright for both nights. There is also a track to the right to another campsite, but it pays to cross the Dargo River and continue up the valley as there is plenty more to come. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. However littleremains today. Photography Beach. Both films stand the test of time, and will really get you in the mood for that gorgeous steep terrain that youre about to encounter. Barwite Apartment>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. They are sturdy, fairly light without being ridiculously expensive. Highlights: Wentworth Falls, Jamison Valley, Blackheath, Capertee Valley, Wollemi National Park and Mount Tomah. day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. That being said there is a few pretty fun tracks in there. From Grant continue along McMillians Rd for another 5km then turn right onto Dargo High Plans Rd and continue for another 18km until you reach the town of Dargo. Ill give the gong here to Bluff Hut, maintained by the Stoney family. Ive tried my best to create a map showing the area which you can see a screenshot of below or it is saved on Google Maps here. Definitely! Keep your radio handy so you can stay in constant communication with your convoy and other vehicles on the track. Victoria's High Country is the place where many of our best four-wheel drivers earned their spurs. In fact, its around six hours of low range to get back out to Mansfield (which is just the way we like it!). If you are a photographer then the High Country is a great chance to have a dabble in astrophotography. From Licola, head North on the Tamboritha Road for 13kms and you will reach Currawong Camp, which is the first of several scenic campgrounds in the Wellington River Camping area. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. If you're looking for adventure in Ubud, white water rafting should be high on your agenda, and unless you have your own wheels, a package makes economic sense. The High Country Rail Trail is a super popular 80km route that stretches from Albury Wodonga to Shelley in Victoria, offering cyclists a scenic journey through an iconic landscape. Keep following the Dargo High Plains Road to the Treasure Plain. The Dargo Pubhas a great ambience and is a terrific place to enjoy a cool beverage and grab a meal, while taking in the various photographs and information on offer inside. It will generally take about 1 hour to reach the camping areas in the valley from the turnoff on the Dargo High Plains Road. Check out this Victorian High Country Map of our adventure. At the end of the descent the reward is our first camping option beside the picturesque Dargo River. About all that remains visible of the township are a few stonewalls and the old gold mines in the area. From here you can take a day to drive the best part of the Great Alpine Road up to Hotham Heights, even doing the full loop up to Omea and back round to Mount Beauty. This is when the lower foothill areas that are much less used are worth visiting. Follow the Wonnagatta Road for 6kms and you will reach the Kingswell Bridge which crosses the Wonnanngatta River. For more recommendations read 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth. Not to mention there is no fast way in to the Wonnangatta, its low range for hours in and out. Relatively easy, but exposed. If I had to choose one place to stay for a length of time in the High Country it would be Bright. The shady park nearby is an excellent place for a cuppa or lunch before tackling the tracks. The Victorian High Country is a premier camping and 4WD destination that combines breath taking scenery with some of the most spectacular 4WD tracks. Would love your thoughts, please comment. It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. From the King Spur Track turn right onto the Dargo High Plains Road and drive 6km to the Blue Rag Track which commences on the left beside a small dam. Piles of stones mark chimney sites where miners cottages, shops, banks and hotels once stood. As tracks re-open, they are often slippery and treacherous in some places, especially after any amounts of rain, care and patience must be taken. For a five day Victorian High Country Itinerary I would suggest one night in Beechworth, two in Bright and then two near Mansfield to finish off where you can visit Jamieson, Mount Buller or do as we did, relax on a farmstead. Now its time to select low range to save the brakes and tackle the several switch-backs which are a common feature of steep tracks in the victorian high country. 4WD. In winter I imagine this place is heaving, but in November it was a complete ghost town. I had my first ever go whilst staying in Mansfield (and documented my efforts in Adventures in Astrophotography).