Victorian High Country Fuel requiments

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

Hi all. Love reading this forum and now that I'm finalizing plans for our club trip to the high country at Easter for 2 weeks, I've decided to do some searching for things im not sure about.
First up will be our group. 4 vehicles with 1 camper...mine.
First port of call will be the HowquA Historic Area. I'm thinking from what has been said here and elsewhere, that we might head to a different campsite than Sheepyard Flat or Frys hut area due to the ease of access to thos who make lots of noise and motorbikes. I think I read the term Ferals somewhere lol. Don't need this as there will be 2 cars with kids and 2 without and don't need to expose the kids to that sought of behavior especially at night. We are there to enjoy the area, not get into squabbles for excessive noise or lack or respect for others privacy.
This area we intend to stick to. For 4 or 5 days depending on the open tracks and what areas we can access.
Next area will be down towards wonnangatta river area and do the tracks in that area, namely blue rag trig and billy goats bluff and other interesting tacks in the area. The final destination is yet to be decided as its a 2 week expedition and I don't want to rush it and weather I've heard is very unpredictable.. Plus we wouldn't mind a lay day here or there.
Now my questions as I couldn't find answers specific in the search function.
Since there will be 2 diesels and 2 petrols ( my 120v6 and Pajero 3.5) what kind of distances could we cover comfortably during say a 7 hour day with medium to harder tracks? They would be return trips. Initially I thought 50 km per day but m leaning more towards 75-100 km per day How does that sound so far?
Next up is allowable fuel for trips between fuel stops.im allowing say 3 km / liter or 33 liters per hundred km. I think this would be generous but was after more seasoned opinions from those who have travelled the area.
Have got just under 3 weeks and am hanging for it. Thanks for your time reading.
Cheers
Frank

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Bloody hell! 33 l/100km. That is a serious drinking problem. I was in the High Country the week before the big rains and the worst consumpton on my V6 auto was about 20 l/100km in the tougher parts. Plenty of fuel stops in all of the small towns around. Lots of campsites to choose from all over the place so you should get a few quiet ones. Neil

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

Yeah thanks Neil. That's the kind of answer I was after.. To tell me I was well overestimating. I thought I was but just wanted to confirm it with people more knowledgeable of the area.
cheers
Frank

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

33L is a ridiculous figure for a Prado. I drove this area last year and my fuel usage between Omeo and Albury, via the Wonnangatta Valley (Hibernia, Conroy, Billy Goats Bluff, Crooked River, Collingwood Spur, South Basalt Knob, Blue Rag Range) was 22L/100KM. (whilst it's usually around 17L/100KM for mixed driving)

The most I would recommend in one day with family would be Talbotville to Blue Rag Range, return. Looking at my topo map that's about 70km return. On that particular journey take note that the South Basalt Knob track was one of the most challenging tracks I encountered during my entire trip, so Brewery Creek Rd may be a better option for the light hearted.

As a comparison, I'd consider the Talbotville -> Crooked River -> McMillians -> Talbotville as an easy morning trip. Swap McMillians for Collingwood and you may have a slightly late lunch back at Talbotville.

We travelled much more each day, but that's with only two vehicles and no children.


PS - We all (most?) prefer a nice quiet camp, but these comments:

I think I read the term Ferals somewhere lol. Don't need this as there will be 2 cars with kids and 2 without and don't need to expose the kids to that sought of behavior especially at night. We are there to enjoy the area, not get into squabbles for excessive noise or lack or respect for others privacy.

..make you sound like a stuck up prick!

[K & M McF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close K & M McF]

Happen to agree with his comments about Sheepyard Flats. Dozens of kids riding motorbikes in and around the camp, not caring that they are blowing dust all over and in everyone's tents. Where are the parents? Getting stuck into the booze in a big way. Ferals is a good description.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I've never been to Sheepyard Flats, so I'll take your advice on that one!

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Frank I'll be at talboutville all Easter and will be doing blue rag and billy goats bluff . If you guys want to tag along

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

33L is a ridiculous figure for a Prado. I drove this area last year and my fuel usage between Omeo and Albury, via the Wonnangatta Valley (Hibernia, Conroy, Billy Goats Bluff, Crooked River, Collingwood Spur, South Basalt Knob, Blue Rag Range) was 22L/100KM. (whilst it's usually around 17L/100KM for mixed driving)

The most I would recommend in one day with family would be Talbotville to Blue Rag Range, return. Looking at my topo map that's about 70km return. On that particular journey take note that the South Basalt Knob track was one of the most challenging tracks I encountered during my entire trip, so Brewery Creek Rd may be a better option for the light hearted.

As a comparison, I'd consider the Talbotville -> Crooked River -> McMillians -> Talbotville as an easy morning trip. Swap McMillians for Collingwood and you may have a slightly late lunch back at Talbotville.

We travelled much more each day, but that's with only two vehicles and no children.


PS - We all (most?) prefer a nice quiet camp, but these comments:



..make you sound like a stuck up prick!

Thanks for your advice there Geln_ep. Stuck up prick as you put I am far from. Merely pointing out what others have said about the area in the past.. Not real nice to judge people you haven't ment by a comment made on a forum. I ain't angry or nothing but cannot understand how you came up with that assumption. You're right that we enjoy a quieter campsite but that's because I don't think hearing motorbikes and loud stereos blaring into the midnight times is what I want to go away for. But enough of that.
Im actually looking forward to doing Sth Basalt knob trk along with blue rag and billy goats bluff.. 3 of the Main reasons to head south to do this trip. 70 km sounds like a good distance to be covering in a day. So I think around the Talbotville area will be our second camp area.
Blkd4d will keep you in mind when travelling through that way, even if just to say hi will keep an eye open for you on the tracks.
Cheers for the responses so far folks
cheers
Frank

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

I probably sshould say I don't intend on getting 33/100 km. I only put that there as an extreme safety margin because I don't know the area and with the last 2 responses is know I won't have any problems with fuel. Thanks
cheers
Frank

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I don't think hearing motorbikes and loud stereos blaring into the midnight times is what I want to go away for.

I do agree! Of our 5 nights down that way we camped at unofficial spots 3 times, and had 100% peace The busiest place I saw was the main Talbotville camp ground. I don't know how noisy it would have been, but I'd avoid that spot purely due to numbers. Just across the creek, downstream, there was a large spot much quieter, and more further downstream, but none of these had toilets. Also, there are some private properties along those rivers so take care not to enter them.

Billy Goats Bluff is awesome - make sure you go all the way to The Pinnicles.

Here's a clip of South Basalt Knob (we didn't film the worst part though):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BWa-ichDKE

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

Thanks for wetting my appetite Geln with that Video.. Am really hanging for it now. Which side do you have to come n from to go up it? Is it from the Talbotville old town site end ? Kind of looks that way as it is north of the wonnangatta river and keeps heading to blue Rag which I believe to be quite hi. Man talk about getting excited.
Billy Goats Bluff. Yep definitely going all the way to the Pinnacles. Wanna see the view from up there. 2 weeks to go.
cheers
Frank

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Yep, leave Talbotville north via the Crooked River Track, after a few crossings you'll find the South Basalt Knob track to the left. There's a steep climb almost straight away, but the rougher section is a little further up. It's an easy drive along the ridge.

Wish I was going!!!

[Toy Pradopetty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy Pradopetty]

Thanks Glen. Yeah I used to be the one saying I wish I was going and thankfully things have fallen into place and I can now say I am going
Cheers
Frank