Hamilton Explorer Range Rover Club Trip

A Weekend camping trip with Liam and Mark Linkin

Saturday

This wasn't really a 4WD trip, and the greater majority of the trip was on good quality sealed bitumen.  What this trip was about, was exploring some of the volcanic history of Western Victoria.

Our meeting place was at Lismore at 9:00, which meant a fairly early start from home to get there in time.  After introductions, and a briefing we made our way around the old Flax Mills in Lismore and then headed off to Mt Elephant.  Mt Elephant is a giant scoria cone, but is wholly on private land and we were not able to arrange access to drive up the cone.

We drove on to Lake Bolac, where I suspect Liam influenced one of the other young boys on the trip to fall into the lake and had our morning tea on the rocky shore.  From memory, Lake Bolac was formed by the lava flows blocking old stream beds forming a natural dam.

From Lake Bolac we drove to Penshurst and had our lunch on Mt Rouse.  Quite good views from the fire tower where overlooking the plains, and we could also see quite clearly Mt Napier, which would be our next destination.  After exploring the scoria cones on the face of the volcano, we headed off to Mt Napier and our campsite for the night.

We arrived into Mt Napier State Park from the north, via Buckley Swamp and proceeded to climb to the top of the volcanic cone.  Again we had quite excellent views, and the Western lip of the volcanic crater was missing where the lava had spilled out and flowed out to form the Byaduk lava tubes, which we would explore on Sunday.

I was quite impressed with Liam's climbing, having made it to the top of the volcano easily.  We saw some goats on the side of the cone, and we climbed down into the crater as well before making our way back down the mountain side and getting completely lost on our way back to camp.

The tents were quite hard to pitch, due to the ground consisting entirely of small volcanic stones just below the shallow top soil and grass.  There were also some enormous toadstools growing beneath the trees, which all of the kids found quite fascinating.  A short walk at night to spot any possums and then we were off to sleep for a very noisy night, thanks to a number of koalas.

Sunday

On Sunday we saw some very interesting formations, apparently quite unique in the world where the cooling lava had solidified into rock, then been buckled upwards forming mounds of basalt called tumuli.

These were on a farmers property easily visible from the road through an electrified fence which the kids had great fun with by forming a chain of hands and then grabbing the fence so that all where zapped.

From here we visited the Byaduk Lava tubes, some of which had collapsed ceilings allowing us to enter them and explore by torch light.

We drove along the Henty Highway, which gave us views back across the lava plains to Mt Napier and then made for our lunch destination at Wannon Falls.

The falls were in great form, with a very decent flow of water.  The track down to the falls base was closed, and looked like it had been for a long time.  A new viewing platform had been built at the top of the falls since I had last visited.

After lunch we visited Nigretta Falls further up the Wannon River and then drove up the west side of the Grampians in search of Brolgas, but did not find any.  We cut across the Grampians (on which Road I can't recall) and headed out along some dirt tracks to Moyston and back home.

Cathedral Ranges Walking Trip

Stephanie, Oiyee, Mark L, Mark F

John, Genevieve & Christopher, and Christopher's friend Corey

Richard & Sarah

Stephanie, Mark L, Oiyee and Mark F arrived at Ned's Gully Day Visitor area and set about having Morning Tea whilst we waited for John and Richard to arrive.  Oiyee was just about to place a piece of roll into her mouth when a kookaburra swooped down from behind and took it out of her hand, as well as taking a small piece of her hand and flying back up into a tree.  All I could see from a distance was the flash of brown swooping down at Oiyee, then Oiyee running around in circles!  It was then that we noticed the signs, "Don't feed the birds".  Don't think we really get much choice in it, as they help themselves.

It was not long after that John and Richard arrived, and after introductions we set off up Ned's Gully.  What a great walk up through a gully with a small bubbling creek appearing and disappearing beneath moss covered rocks at the side of the path.  The track soon becomes steeper and eventually comes to a few switchbacks before coming up to Ned's Saddle.  We stopped for a well earned rest on one of the switchbacks for some scroggin and to allow everybody to catch up.

In the saddle, the path branches off into a number of directions on different walks.   We chose the climb up to Cathedral Peak, a quite steep climb up and through broken lichen covered rocks.

Up on the peak we were treated to magnificent views into the valley.  We stopped and ate our lunch before heading south along the ridge and on down to the Farmyard, with the odd patch of drizzle along the way.  From the Farmyard, we headed down Jawbone Creek, a very steep descent in some places past some large boulders and fern gullies.   We managed to spot a few lyrebirds on the way down near MacLennans Gully.  We climbed up to the Jawbone car park, and continued our walk to Cooks Mill.  Mark L ran from here back to the cars, and brought John's Landcruiser back saving the rest of us from a few kilometres additional walking.  Whilst waiting, we found a Satin Bowerbird and his nest; an impressive collection of all things blue.

Mark finally managed to work out how to get the Cruiser started, and we all piled in and headed back to the car park, seeing a wombat and a few wallabies along the way.   We stopped off at Healesville for chips and gravy before heading on home.

Toolangi

A Day Trip to Toolangi

Nathan: Landcruiser

Mark, Nick & Liam : Patrol

Scott : Hilux

This was the 4WD Trip from hell. Everything that could go wrong, pretty much did.

I got momentarily stuck in a bog hole. I was able to get out without requiring recovery by rocking backwards and forwards however becoming stuck in this bog hole resulted in the eventual seizing of the air conditioning compressor and an idler pulley, as well as muddy water in under the doors and also the headlights.

Things became worse, and whilst driving on Victoria Range Track, a log on the track corner took out the left step.

Could things get any worse? Well yes; deciding to turn around on another track to avoid a deep boghole resulted in me hitting a tree stump hidden in long grass, denting the bottom of the bull-bar.

Surely that would be the worst of it. No, the clutch that was showing some slight signs of slippage before the trip was pretty much completely burnt out on the trip home travelling up some steep roads out of Yarra Glen. I had to get a tow home.

This was one trip I'd wished I'd stayed home on!

Lerderderg Range Rover Club Trip

A Range Rover Club Trip to the Lerderderg

Trip Leader:

Paul, Helen, Tim, Megan & Billy Snee: Red Range Rover

Participants:

Lloyd, Sam & Ben Hettrick: Blue Land Cruiser

Mark, Michelle & James Fitzgerald. Oiyee & Aaron: Red GU Patrol

Glen, Merryl, Laura & Jessica Monahan: White Land Cruiser

Bob & Marie Wagg: Red GQ Patrol

Manole & Gabrielle Ioannou: Pewter GU Patrol

Tail End Charlie

Steve, Debbie, Melanie & Dylan Hansen: White Discovery

Written Report:

Michelle & Mark Fitzgerald

We departed from our rendezvous point at the Mobil Roadhouse on the corner of the Western Highway and Hopkins Road pretty much on time, and continued along the Western Highway until the second Bacchus Marsh exit, were we left the highway and made our way north along the Bacchus Marsh – Gisborne Road.

We turned left onto Russells Road, and aired down the tyres before heading off the bitumen proper.  We turned right onto Seereys Road, drove through a small ford and listened to a brief history of the Lerderderg Gorge, from our Tail End Charlie, Steve.

The Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe lived in the vicinity West of Melbourne, and would hunt the plains and hills of the Lerderderg Gorge, leaving signs such as scarred trees.

European occupation occurred in the 1830's with pastoral runs, followed by miners in the 1850's with the discovery of gold. Not much gold was found in the area, but there are many mine shafts, often covered with sleepers and dirt.  Since the sleepers would have long rotted away, we were warned to be careful when seeking out lemon trees.

At the end of Seereys Road we turned right onto Blue Gum Track, and continued climbing upward. Coming around a corner, I could hear what sounded like a car horn and was wondering why somebody was repeatedly pressing their horn when we saw this huge Wedge Tailed Eagle perched in a dead tree at the side of the track. The Eagle left the tree and flew above Paul's car a short distance before veering right and soaring down into Nuggety Gully.

We turned right onto Ractcliffe Track and left onto No. 1 Fire Track (Marked still as Ractcliffe Track on our map). Some members of the group spotted Wally the Wombat, as well as a few wallabies along this section. The track was also lined with many Pink Heath; Victoria's National Floral Emblem. We continued along the track down to the ford at Middle Creek, climbed the steep exit out and continued along till Firth Road.

We turned left onto Firth Road, passing many trail bikes and turned right onto Saltwater Track were we picked up a 4WD wannabe Blue Gemini. We then turned left onto Lloyd Track, which gave us our first 4WD challenges for the day. The track was slightly overgrown, wet and rutted.

We drove down into a muddy rutted dip and climbed up through the other side. Somewhere amongst all the mud was a concrete pipe, which Bob and Marie's diff managed to find, hanging them up. They were snatched backwards and made it through the second time with a bit more momentum. Further along this track, we came to a bog hole with some steep, wet, muddy, rutted climbs leading further up the track.

Paul attempted the climb first, but the ruts were too deep, and his diff was grinding into the track. Paul and a few others turned off into a sidetrack. Lloyd gave it a try and was able to make it up with locking assistance. I followed, and was soon hung on my diffs. With front and rear lockers on, and after a number attempts on two separate parts I was also up and through. Glen followed next, and similarly with locking assistance and a few tries was also through and up. The rest of the group headed back down Lloyd track while we continued on up and through to Burnt Hill Road where we stopped for our morning tea while we waited for the others.

After morning tea, we made our way to Johnson's Corner, and headed right onto Firth Road, which we followed into Firth Park to meet up with the others.

After lunch, and some beautiful Choc Chip and Banana & Choc Chip muffins (Thanks Helen!), we headed off again, around 2:00pm. We turned right onto Firth Road, and then left down Mill Road and left again onto XL Track, which was starting to get wet again, and had quite a number of puddles. We turned left onto XL Link Track, which was slightly overgrown and had quite a few long bog holes, including the bog of eternal stench. The next bog hole was deceptively deeper at it's end which almost stuck one of the cars, and a few more bog holes later we turned left onto Chettle Track, which was well graded with only a few potholes; much to Steve's relief.

Oh, and a special thankyou to our bog hole and pothole monitor.

We turned right off Chettle Track onto Diggers Track, which wound it's way down to a muddy ford through Digger's Creek. We were going to climb up through Upper Chadwick Track, however another convoy of 4WDs coming down that way was blocking the path, so we continued on Diggers Track, past Possum Track which was closed and on up to O'Brien's Road.

We turned right onto O'Brien's Road and drove down to O'Brien's Crossing where we stopped for a while to let the kids run around and try to throw as many rocks into the river that they could find.

About 3:30pm the rain started to come down, so we turned around and headed back along O'Brien's Road, turning right into Blue Gum – O'Brien Link Track. We followed this track in light rain through some 4 bog holes, and then made our way through a narrow gate and left onto Blue Gum Track. Turning right onto O'Brien's Road, and right onto Firth Road saw us back onto the Bacchus Marsh – Gisborne Road, and heading back home around 4:00pm.

Paul and Lloyd went back to attempt the Nuggety Track, which had some challenging muddy rutted tracks.  They made a few attempts to travel North along this track, but were unsuccessful.  The track would be easier in the opposite direction.

Track Summary

Seereys Road

2WD dirt road

Blue Gum Track

2WD dirt road

Ractcliffe Track/No. 1 Fire Trail

Easy to medium, 4WD track with creek crossing and steep rocky ascent.

Firth Road

2WD dirt road

Saltwater Track

2WD dirt road

Lloyd Track

4WD hard. Wet and deeply rutted with bog holes. Bog holes had solid base. Recovery likely.

Burnt Hill Road

2WD dirt road

Mill Road

Easy 4WD

XL Track

Easy 4WD, wet with puddles but solid base.

XL Link Track

Easy to medium 4WD. Slightly overgrown, wet with a number of bog holes, all with solid bases.

Chettle Track

Easy.

Digger's Track

Easy.

O'Brien's Road

2WD dirt road

Blue Gum - O'Brien Link Track

Easy, wet with some bog holes with solid bases. Narrow gate at exit on a right angle to track.

Blue Gum Track

Easy.

Nuggetty Track

Hard.   Was not completed successfully in northward direction.  Would probably be medium to hard in southerly direction.

Eildon MVO Range Rover Club Trip

A group 4WD trip around Eildon

Trip Leaders
Peter & Mollie McGregor	Discovery Series 2	Landrover Owners Club
Participants
Roger & Brenton Stewart	Landrover Series 3	Landrover Owners Club
Gerald Wolmer	Landcrusier MWB	Landrover Owners Club
Rod, Christine, Rachael, Hanna,
Miriam & Naomi White	Defender	Landrover Owners Club
Phil & Helen Rubinstein	Landcruiser Series 80
David & Caitlin Danks	Discovery	Landrover Owners Club
Ian & Daniel Matthews	Range Rover	Landrover Owners Club
Michael Smith	Landrover Series 3	Landrover Owners Club
Rob & Barbara Hillman	GU Patrol	Pajero Club
Mark Fitzgerald & Mark Linkin	GU Patrol	Range Rover Club

Report: Mark Fitzgerald

Photos: Mark Linkin, Mark Fitzgerald

This trip was so popular, that it what was broken into two groups.  This report is specifically for Group 2, with Group 1 being led by John Hassler and Jim Parker.

Saturday, 19th May.

We met at the Ranger Station across from The Orchard campground, on Walshes Road Goughs Bay, and departed pretty close to the agreed time of 10:00.  We headed off Walshes Road into the Delatite Plantation State Forest along a well graded road following the high voltage power transmission lines. 

This took us up to our morning tea location on Highett Point Track.

We continued along Highett Point Track, which offered many spectacular views across the Delatite Arm of Eildon until we reached Harrops Hills, where a wallaby, many kangaroos and even a wombat were spotted before our descent down to Delatite Plantation Road.

We stopped for lunch at one of the many camping grounds (possibly Dumbells Campsite) along Delatite Plantation Road, where Mollie and Mark Linkin spotted a White Bellied Sea Eagle.  After lunch, we continued along to the end of Plantation Road and then climbed up a 4WD drive track, with one very short quite steep section before coming down and around Maintongoon Inlet.

We made it to Middle Camping Ground on Maintongoon Inlet very early, around 2:30pm.   After setting up tents, we, gathered enough firewood to last the night, threw the Aerobie around for a while, then settled down around a glorious campfire for dinner, where many interesting stories and some kindly treats from Gerald of stewed persimmons in Muscat, and chocolate were all shared.

The night was perfectly clear and the number of stars and the view of the Milky Way was absolutely breathtaking.  A number of shooting stars were also spotted.

Sunday, 20th May

We awoke to a cool morning, with the whole campground shrouded in mist.  It was quickly acknowledged that the planned departure time would require revising.  We all ate our breakfast and then packed up our tents.   We mingled around the warmth of the fire as long as possible before drowning it with water.  We were all packed and ready to go around 10:00, and headed up the spur.

We drove around Woolshed Inlet heading towards Stillmans Point, driving through foggy conifer forest, before doubling back towards Stillman Track.  The track climb appeared steep, and I was volunteered to ascend first as my Patrol was fitted with difflocks.  I didn't get far, hanging my truck on the cross cut drain but the difflocks did get me over.  I was able to make the climb without locking assistance, and called the rest up.  Roger, Michael and Gerald decided that they would head back to Goughs Bay on the 2WD track, the rest of the convoy made it up the climb with no problems.  The climb up towards Mount Enterprise was the first real 4WDing we had done on the trip, but was not too difficult.  The track was reasonably steep in some sections, and had some loose rock.

The views all around were fantastic, being above the fog which was sitting in all of the arms of Eildon as far as we could see.  By the time the last truck climbed up, all of the fog had burned away and we had some morning tea before continuing along across the top of Mount Enterprise towards Stillman Plateau.  We were able to see across to the Mariner at Anderson Harbour on the other side of Lake Eildon, and also the dam wall before arriving at some old concrete footings and wire guy ropes, which were the supports for some long gone pylons of past transmission lines.  We stopped for lunch on Stillman Plateau, amongst some very "Middle Earth" tall tress and bracken.  Stillman Track through this area was recently graded, and easily 2WD.

After lunch, we continued along Stillman Track, arriving back on Highett Point Track heading East and then turning South towards the 2.25km power transmission line spanning across Lake Eildon.  Much debate was held over the means in which the transmission lines were hung across the lake.

We then back tracked, to Highett Point Track, and headed East along Allan Peak Track, which had many reasonably steep ascents and descents on rocky slightly rutted tracks before reaching Allans Peak.  At this point radio contact was made with Group 1, which was surveying around the Jerusalem Creek area.  We then all headed down the steep descent from Allans Peak into the Pine Plantations around Goughs Bay.  The descent was quite steep and rocky,and we were rewarded at the bottom by watching some trail bike riders try unsuccessfully to climb the track.  We made our way through the maze of tracks in the pine forest, having to remove a pine tree that had fallen across the track with the drag chain before arriving in Goughs bay and heading off home our various ways.

Track Summary (All tracks were dry):

Walshes Road

2WD gravel road

Walshes Rd to Highett Point Link Track

2WD gravel road

Highett Point Track

Easy 4WD track with some moderate ascents and descents.

Delatite Plantation Road

2WD gravel Road

Stillman Point Track

Easy to medium, with some moderately steep ascents in Stillmans Point/Mount Enterprise area, becoming easy 2WD graded road in Stillmans Plateau area.

Allan Peak Track

Medium, tending to hard in some places though no recoveries were required.  Steep ascents and descents on uneven rocky tracks.  Long steep descent from Allans Peak to Goughs Bay.

Toolangi again

A group 4WD trip back to Toolangi

Mark/Shane/Tony/Russell:
Nissan Patrol
Nathan:
Toyota Landcruiser
Shano/Sal:
Discovery

This was an excellent trip. There had been lots of rain in the lead up to this trip, which can only be a good thing for 4WDing in Toolangi. Shane, Tony and Russell met at my place, and we then proceeded to Yarra Glen were we joined Nathan, Shano and Sal. We weren't even out of Yarra Glen when a black ute pulled out suddenly in front of me causing me to brake heavily. I flashed my lights, which turned out to be gutsy move as it was an unmarked police car which booked Shano and Sal for allegedly doing 75 in a 60 zone. Tough call since Nathan and I both thought we were doing around 60, and Shano was between the two of us...

Anyway, back on the road and one Kookaburra later we reached Marginal Road, which finally got us off the bitumen. On our right was a link track up to Wee Creek Track which climbed steeply up the hill through the trees. This gave Russell and Tony, both on their first 4WD trip, an indication of the day to come: we were not going to be driving down many easy 2WD dirt tracks. Nathan was first up, using every trick in the book short of winching to get through some sections, then it was Shano's turn. The Disco couldn't make it, likely due to the lack of A/T tyres, and so Shano headed back down and it was my turn. We made it up without too much trouble, though I'm sure there were a few times when all wheels were spinning and I had to engage diff locks. Up the top we waited for Shano and Sal to catch up the long way, and we then continued along Wee Creek Track. The recent rain had turned the top of the road into slime, leading to some sideways driving until we passed the top of the range, and got into the more serious stuff.

Victoria Range Track was great. We soon came to two bog holes side by side. The right bog hole was too deep to attempt. The left bog hole was probably passable, but the exit point was such that there was a reasonable probability of toppling the trucks into the right bog hole, so we had to take the bypass track. The bypass track left at a right angle, which was quite hard to negotiate on the slippery track. Nathan resorted to winching in to avoid a tree, which was getting too close. Shano got in without too much hassle. I found it a challenge to get in with the truck sliding down the track. I got past the first tree with centimetres to spare, and the crawl past the second tree was even closer. Eventually we were around and back onto the track. We stopped near the top of the range for lunch, fired up the hot plates and had the usual sausages and bread. It's not a bad lunch, and it's a bit hard to fit steak and hamburgers for 4 on a 2 burner stove, but there has to be something else we can do for lunch. Maybe chicken shasliks next time...

Back onto the track, which was getting more rutted and more slippery. Another bypass around an unnegotiable bog hole saw us slide down from one side of the track to the other to the far side of the bog hole. Following on down the track with a river of mud and water pushed ahead of us down the ruts we eventually came to Spraggs Road. We continued across and up Victoria Range Track, which was much wider with no ruts but still very slippery. The area at the top of this track was cleared through logging, but looked like a bush fire had passed through. Following the track down the other side saw us through a very wet boggy section, with a GQ Patrol stuck on the track ahead. They were by themselves, and were very relieved to see us come around the corner. The truck was straddling the ruts, and was pretty well going nowhere. We all got out and bounced the front of the truck over into the same ruts that the back of the truck was in, and had them going again. We welcomed them into our convoy, and they followed us around the rest of the day.

Victoria Range Track became Downies Spur Track, which we followed until Downies Road. Right onto Downies Road soon followed by a left onto Klondyke Road eventually brought us to a link track to Marginal Road. It was amazing how dry the link track was compared to the other tracks we had been on on the other side of the range. The link track followed the spur down to Marginal Road, which we then followed to the right to Kalatha Creek Track. Past the turn off to Campsite Track, we came across a group of 10 or more trucks on a beginner's 4WD course. They were one by one negotiating a rather deep and long bog hole. The first car we saw through required snatching out at the other end, as did a Landcruiser, which died in the middle with suspected water in the engine. It turned out to be a blown air inlet hose, much to everyone's relief. A Pathfinder wisely took the easy way around, and the last of the course members made it through without mishap. I made it through without trouble, our adopted friend Brad and his family in the GQ Patrol took the easy way as well under advice (petrol, with no blind or snorkel). Shano and Nathan also made it through. We soon caught up with the course group again, who were parked alongside the same bog hole I went through from the opposite side on my 4WD course. A quick check of the bog hole and we were through, with much cheering from the people on the course! Brad, Shano & Sal, and Nathan followed through without incident. We headed up out of Kalatha Creek valley via Martins Road, and after a few more bog holes on Pine Track, we were on Two Hills Road. After pumping up the tires, and exchanging contact numbers with Brad, we were back on our way home after a very enjoyable days driving.

Track Summary:

Marginal Road - Wee Creek Link Track

Medium to hard. Rocky and slightly slippery. Medium gradient.

Wee Creek Track

Easy.

Victoria Range Track - East of Spraggs Road

Medium to hard. Slippery and rutted. A number of long bog holes. We travelled West to East. This track would be harder going East to West.

Victoria Range Track - West of Spraggs Road

Easy. Slippery, but no ruts and wide.

Downies Spur Track

Medium. Some bog holes and ruts. Slippery.

Klondyke Road

Easy. Dry, and tending to overgrown in some sections.

Klondyke Road - Marginal Road Link Track

Easy. Dry, with easy gradient down to Marginal Road.

Kalatha Creek Track

Medium. Wet, rutted and long bog holes.

Martins Road

Easy.

Pine Track

Easy to medium. Some bog holes.

Bogong High Plains

A Camping Trip to the Bogon High Plains

Henric/Heather
Nissan Pathfinder
Mark/Michelle/James/Liam
Nissan Patrol

Friday

Friday we arrived at Mongan's Bridge Caravan Park in the early afternoon, where we setup camp and settled down for a relaxing evening.

Saturday

I got up early and walked down to the Kiewa River, where I caught a very good sized brown trout, which we stuffed with lemon and onion for dinner.

After breakfast, Henric and I went driving looking for some 4WD tracks.  We drove up to Falls Creek, keeping a constant lookout for tracks, but all were closed off as being part of the water catchment.  Not really a 4WD destination, this area.  More walking.  Oh well, we explored Falls Village and headed back to camp to enjoy that trout.

Sunday

On Sunday we reviewed the maps and identified a 4WD track, so off we headed.  The track however proved a little hard to locate, eventually finding it through a farmers property.  With some guidance from the landowner, we were through some gates and making our way across the paddocks and up the hill.  This was a real nice 4WD track across the top of a spur.  Henric got to use his chainsaw and clear a tree off the track.  We backtracked down through some pine plantation and came out in a lush green field where we stopped over a small creek and ate our picnic lunch under a tall gum.  Continuing on after lunch we found ourselves back on the farm.  Giving our farewells to the owner, and thanking him we headed back to camp

Monday

On Monday, Henric and I headed off looking for more tracks, and found another track out the back of a farmers property.  Nobody was home, so we made our way through and drove up a very narrow windy road to another track running along the ridge top.  Time was against us exploring further, so we headed back to camp to pack up and make our way back home.