Vic High country

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Hi all,
I was planning to do a trip to Vic High country in early November with some friends and as luck would have it our friends have pulled out, so we are down to one vehicle complete with young family.
I was wondering if it would be wise to still go on our own, considering the recent weather and all. I have a capable 90s Prado but no winch, which is the sticking point for me.
Thanks in advance for your input.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

Re: Vic High country

Where exactly do you plan on going?

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Vic High country

Yep the "High Country" is a big area depending on who's definition you use.
If you're by yourself you can plan to stick to roads or tracks that are well maintained by Parks Vic and DSE, that will stil get you to many areas.
If you go down to the map shop and get yourself a set of Rooftop maps to cover that areas you want, plus the general HEMA High Country maps.
These will tell you the grade of tracks and help you plan.
As a final precaution you could ring the Parks Vic offices in the areas you intend going. The Rangers are out there all the time and will be able to tell you which tracks are OK.
Don't ring the general Parks 1800 number - I think that's just Melbourne staffed and they generally don't have much of an idea of local track conditions.

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: Vic High country

Yep the "High Country" is a big area depending on who's definition you use.
If you're by yourself you can plan to stick to roads or tracks that are well maintained by Parks Vic and DSE, that will stil get you to many areas.
If you go down to the map shop and get yourself a set of Rooftop maps to cover that areas you want, plus the general HEMA High Country maps.
These will tell you the grade of tracks and help you plan.
As a final precaution you could ring the Parks Vic offices in the areas you intend going. The Rangers are out there all the time and will be able to tell you which tracks are OK.
Don't ring the general Parks 1800 number - I think that's just Melbourne staffed and they generally don't have much of an idea of local track conditions.

Thanks mate,
So there is still plenty to see which is relatively easy to get to?

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Vic High country

There's plenty to get to without a winch. I know a lot of Melbournites who have been going there for years without a winch. The Rooftop maps are generally pretty honest - if it says "steep difficult section", if you don't have a winch - avoid it. Otherwise, you'll be pretty fine.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Vic High country

Thanks mate,
So there is still plenty to see which is relatively easy to get to?

Yep, sure, I go up a fair bit to work on the old cattlemen's huts up there. You can get to most of those pretty easily in a stock 4WD, and they are (IMHO) something you should see. Mainly because of the scenic locations some of them are set in.

Once you work out more specific areas you are going to, get back on this thread and we can provide some more assistance. Yuo need to plan it in some detail, otherwise you will get into trouble. The worst thing you can do up there is wander up tracks if you're not sure where they go.

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: Vic High country

I have been browsing a book, 4wd and camping guide of the High country by Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage. Ideally I would like to minimise the amount of times I would have to setup and packup, (no camper trailer), so I was thinking of setting up somewhere like Omeo or Dargo, or somewhere better, and doing day trips from there. Or is it better to move from day to day and setup at campsites as we find them?
I only have a week down there, so I'm trying to cram in as much as possible.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Vic High country

Plenty to see out of either of those places for a week.
If I were you I'd pick one and base camp.
Waterford Camping Ground in Dargo is a beauty place to base for a few days, or if you want bush camping, Italian Flat. Plenty of drives out of there ( Grant Historic Area, Crooked River Track, Talbotville, Blue Rag Range etc )and for a sampler of the High Country, there'd be nothing better.
I know this year they are delaying a lot of track openings because of the rains ( normally they open this weekend.) They are actually closing more tracks, so I can;t stress highly enough you should phone the Parks Vic ranger for the area.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

Re: Vic High country

I have stayed at Talbotville and then done day trip into Wonnangata.

Maybe you can do a loop, ie come down the Barry Way follow the Snowy River, its magnificent country, numerous camping spots along there, have a look at McKillops Bridge, Buchan, Bruthen, Dargo

Then for way home, Pinnacles, Billy Goat Bluff, Horseyard Flat, Moroka Hut, Mc Farlane Saddle, Arbuckle Junction Head north on Howitt Road towards Mt Buller or Sheepyard Flats. Craig`s Hut, Lovick`s Hut up there too.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Vic High country

I have stayed at Talbotville and then done day trip into Wonnangata.

Not sure of the the river levels going into Wonnangatta that way. Been a fair bit of rain recently.
Also on your proposed loop, there may be some extended road closures. But it would be a great tour.
If he phones the Parks Vic info line 131963 and if they don't know they can put you through to a ranger in the area.
There's also info on current track conditions on the Parks Vic website http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au but don't guarantee it's completely up to date.

There's also this media release

http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/upload/tr ... 20open.pdf

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: Vic High country

Thanks guys for your advice. Unfortunately I have been forced to delay my trip. Hope to try again after Chrissy. Cheers and thanks again.

[mickt74 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mickt74]

Re: Vic High country

Hey Clarky01, have you done your trip yet. If not when are you rescheduling. I have just spent the weekend in the eastern VIC Alps off The Barry Way and can give you a couple of options if you need them.

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Vic High country

Definitely do-able without a winch - if your not confident in a particular track don't do it!

I've been through the NSW side of the High Country (driving in from Tom Grogging) plenty of times and have never had the need for a winch or assitance.