Billy Goat Bluff

[smas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close smas]

Going to do Billy Goat Bluff in Victorian high country with a few friends probably 4 tor 6 vehicles. I've read some details on 4x4 sites and a couple of you tube feeds. I'm aware its not the easiest track but I'd be very interested to hear any comments about this trek and see any photos from members.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Rated difficult, it is mainly drivable, there a a couple of challenging sections.
Each time I have been there its getting a tad worse.
I think they were looking at grading some of it out.
Stock prados can do it.
Just need to pick the right line & maybe have a second go if the first doesn't work.
Great track to drive, even better views.
Recommend good strong offroad tyres, to save punctures.

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

Here is one.

I got stuck only at one point. I went a little more left and got up OK. Its very steep, but a great drive.

You'll really enjoy it.

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

And a couple of the view from the lookout. These were from April this year

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Pretty much agree with ####. I did it in Jan in a stock 120. Scraped and bumped the bash plates a but otherwise ok. Two of our group had highway tires, both got punctures, one thankfully was a slow one that we didn't pick up til the next day. The other shredded the side wall on a steep section. Little hairy to change.

It's not overly technical just take it slow and use engine braking on the way down. We stopped at the helipad about 1/3 of the way up to regroup and get photos, and on the way down to regroup and to give the brakes a chance to cool down.

Did have the whole thing on my dash cam but think I've deleted the footage

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Turns out I didn't delete them but they'll be similar to what is on youtube... Here's the photos (click to make em bigger):

Arty pose


View coming down from the saddle


Patrol climbing to helipad


Bits are steep: (Video screen grab so quality a bit rubbish but you get the idea)

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

Vehicles... It's a very long climb with rocks almost all the way, so strong puncture-resistant tyres are a must. Given it's summer and you'll be in low range for a decent portion of 2-3 hours, ensure all cooling systems are in perfect order. An experienced driver could complete it with a stock 4WD (assuming the stock tyres don't get punctured), but a rear locker will make the harder sections much easier.

Technique... It's rather steep and rough, but the base is mostly solid, so momentum is rarely required for forward progress - it's more about wheel placement to keep tyres equally footed both left & right. The lower section has a couple sharp corners during steep sections, so be aware of off-camber angles (try to keep the vehicle pointing upwards, as opposed to across the track), but roll over shouldn't be an issue unless the vehicle is exceptionally top heavy or a very poor line is taken.

Whilst track conditions are constantly changing, the main challange seems to sections which are loose, steep, and dug out with holes all over the place, very similar to the shape of foam packing material seen below. So the ease and speed in which you will climb the track depends largly on your ability to negotiate a pattern of holes like these whilst ascending, without getting the axles crossed up (resulting in a tyre spinning in the air and halting progress). EDIT: these holes are created by spining tyres



And a few photos of what to expect...

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

I have done this track in a stock 120, also had a stock Mitsubishi Challenger along for the ride, both cars got through fine however as others have mentioned just pick the right line and you'll have a great day out, watch for cars coming the other way especially near the top where it is narrower.

we also had stock tyres, i aired down the grand treks to about 23-25psi from memory to help protect against punctures

Agree with #### the track is slowly getting beat up, graders were working on some of the tracks earlier this year around may April not sure if any work was done on Billys

[SandStorm.au Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SandStorm.au]

The latest 4WD Action DVD has some great footage of this part of the world, they head up Billy Goat too.

Cheers,
Sandstorm.au

[weasal4x4 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close weasal4x4]

I hear a 120 grande has done it downhill with no airbags. He's since seen the light and bought a 150.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I hear a 120 grande has done it downhill with no airbags. He's since seen the light and bought a 150.

Pop, & Bump bump bump bang..........

Glad that vehicle is gone

[pickle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pickle]

The latest 4WD Action DVD has some great footage of this part of the world, they head up Billy Goat too.

Cheers,
Sandstorm.au

Actually I took them down, was looking to take the boys out to Mt Kent looking for snow. Billy Goat is probably the last challenging track in that area of the High Country. It is only a matter of time before it is dozed so experience it while you can and stay safe whilst amongst it.
Dave

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

There may be safety issues regarding dozing that track, at least around one section (the famous narrow pinch).

I spoke to a 4wd club member in VIC earlier this year who claimed National Parks want to close the track entirely. He said his club performed an official review of the track for NP, using various vehicles to gauge difficulty. The clubs review suggested that NP keep it open but provide better signage information at each end (re the difficulty). Hopefully NP agreed with the review.