Eight vehicles on the trip; Mark & Ashley, Matt, Shane, Wazza & Jocey, Simmo & Jen, Scott, Simon and our guest Mark in an early GQ Patrol. Met in Broadford, filled up in Mansfield. Bit of rain on the drive up, Scott & Simmo reporting that there was plenty of rain that night/morning, Had morning tea at Tomahawk Hut and dropped the tyres down. Followed No. 3 Road (bit too bumpy for a road) to meet Circuit Road, then followed that all the way around to Bindaree Falls. Long drive on 2WD dirt road but the falls were pretty spectacular with the short (400m) walking track leading in behind the falls. Had lunch at the falls carpark. Back up to Circuit Road, then up Monument Track. First and only bit of low range 4wd for the day. Headed on to Craigs Hut; heaps of other tourists – bikes, horses, 4WDs. Still pretty spectacular looking views with the hut and the backdrop. Made our way down Speculation Rd and stopped at King Hut for a look. Decided this was a pretty good campsite and pulled up stumps despite it only being mid arvo. Mark R managed to snap the joint where the pitman arm connects to the tie rod. He was trying to manouver his car in position at the camp! Quick decision was made to leave the vehicle there and for someone to take him in to Mansfield to call RACV. Rest of the afternoon was spent trying to get the fire warm, which it eventually did by the time people started going to bed.

Next morning Scott volunteered to take Mark in to Mansfield. Our guest Mark took off with them also while the rest of the crew headed off for some 4wding. The main group went in to Pineapple Flat, up Burnt Top Tk, Wild Horse Gap Tk, then had morning tea where Wild Horse Gap Tk meets up with Lake Cobbler Road (Wild Horse Gap). Headed down Lake Cobbler Road then cut across to the top end of Lake William Hovell via Basin Tk, Long Spur Tk, Sandy Tk and Top Crossing Tk, Didn’t go in to see the lake, instead turned up Buckland Spur Tk and stopped at Tomahawk Hut to air up and head home. On the way home, back in phone reception, we touched base with Mark, Ashley & Scott to find that they were all safe with Mark’s hilux out of the forest waiting for repairs the following day in Mansfield.

Airing down at Tomohawk hut

Bindaree Falls

Bindaree Falls

Craigs hut

Craigs hut

Craigs hut

Lots of beach driving, 9 cars attended. Beach was quite busy. Campsite was really good, had plenty of room. Had a campfire on the beach. Drove down to Carpenters Rocks, very soft sand. At one point 7 out of 8 cars were bogged in the sand. The next day went from Southend on to Robe and lunch at the pub. Went back along some tracks found some big dunes. Paul had a canoe towing through the sand, which was quite enjoyable. Paul D nearly had a roll over on the beach but easily avoided the situation. Next day was for relaxing, done some fishing and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

Parked on a dune

Southend at night

7 out of 8 bogged!

Parked at Carpenter Rocks

Beach driving

Beachport jetty

Lee

Playing on the dune

Champagne 4wding

Paul bogged

Simon and Mark met at Broadford, headed to Benalla then over to Myrtleford and down to Abbeyard for lunch. A few cars out on the roads/tracks. Followed East Buffalo Track, onto Shultzes Tk, up to Mt Selwyn and could see burning off in the Wonnangatta Valley. Down Wombat Spur and encounterd a interesting water crossing exit at Humpffray River. Got into Wonnangatta around 5 o’clock and made camp. Nice quite spot. David made it to camp 12:30am.

Mark on Mt Selwyn

Creek on the way into Wonnangatta

Mountain Katydid

Sime & Morgs going through Humphray River

Wonnangatta Valley

Camp in the valley

Sunset

Gang gangs

Next day had a look at the cemetery and site of the old homestead. A lot of traffic on the tracks going up Hernes Spur. Followed Cynthia Range dropped down to Talbotville around midday to meet up with Matt & Waz. Found a perfect camp spot and made camp. Then went for a drive in the afternoon up to Bulltown and the Crooked River track where Wazza had done his first 15 or so water crossings.

Matt & Wazza at Dargo

Bryce’s Hut, Wonnangatta

Wonnangatta Cemetery

Next day packed up early and headed up South Basalt Knob Track. Got up to Blue Rag, met with a beautiful view but no real 4×4 challenge. Then headed home via Bright, Myrtleford and the Hume Fwy.

Top of Basalt Knob Tk

Helipad on Basalt Knob Tk

Going up Blue Rag Range Tk

View from Blue Rag trig point

Blue Rag trig point

Mark

Dave

Morgs & Sime