Tracks with river crossings where you have to pick the right line before carefully climbing out of the current onto the slippery track that leads to another deeper crossing of the same stream. If your heart needs a rest from walking to hidden historic sites or driving double black diamond tracks you can head out to stock up on supplies. The Victorian High Country covers a large part of South-Eastern Victoria, with much of the area only accessible via a 4WD. It includes towns such as Beechworth, Bright, Yachandandah, Mansfield and Wangaratta as well as natural attractions such as Mount Buller, Mount Beauty and Lake Eildon. Being an Alpine region, winters in the Victorian High Country are undoubtly cold. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. The track is very steep (drops 1200m in less than 7km) and challenging, with rock steps and loose sections requiring prudent line selection and plenty of clearance. OVERVIEW: VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY - $1885 TRACK """The traveller by the mountain-track may hear their hoof-beats pass, And catch a glimpse of brown and black dim shadows on the grass." 808KM - Banjo Paterson Brumby's Run 9 DAYS. After a few kilometers there is a turnoff to the right to Long Spur Track continue following King Spur Track. This self-contained two-bedroom place is attached to the family home of the delightful Elly, an eccentric, warm-hearted host who has (amongst other things) a goat, a sheep, a cow, a selection of chickens, ducks and a couple of fun little dogs on her smallholding. and Kayes wonderful home-baked goodies (left for us in the fridge) were a lovely surprise. Great Divide Tours will determine if any refund is due if this action occurs. Accommodation is also available in log cabins. Returning from the trig point you can backtrack to the Dargo High Plains Road, or take the Basalt Knob Track particularly if you are heading back towards Talbotville and are looking for a challenge! The track climbs steeply from the road and then you are presented with the magical view of the track snaking its way along the mountain spur line into the distance with trig point just visible in the distance. day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. From the Wellington River, the road climbs up out of the valley to Bennison Lookout which is worth a stop to take in the fabulous views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. Victoria's High Country is a fabulous spot for a road trip - the 4-hour drive from Melbourne goes through some gorgeous little towns and once you get there, it's a pristine wonderland. At the end of the descent the reward is our first camping option beside the picturesque Dargo River. The adventure starts at Licola, which is located on the South Eastern edge of the High Country, about a 3 hour drive from Melbourne. Following the Ovens Valley, head to Bright, your destination for the evening. Was a Second Trayon Camper The Right Choice? The rocky track surface is very slippery when wet so avoid any attempts in poor weather. There is plenty to see here including grabbing some last minute supplies, souvenirs or fuel from the general store. It made the must-see list for being so damn unusual, I can honestly say Ive never come across anything like it. Our aim was to see the famously pretty little Victorian towns, drive some of the spectacular High Country roads and get to as many of the mountains and national parks as we could. Be considerate of others on the track. Here are a few other things we found really useful on the trip: What is the best place you have visited in Victoria? I believe the best Victorian High Country view is a tie between Blue Rag and Craigs Hut. But of course, you are in the mountains, so expect the unexpected when it comes to weather. Tim Bates recently did a 2 part youtube live of what he reckons would be the trip of a lifetime, aimed at people that aren't experts on high country travel and not into the hardest of tracks. You must log in or register to reply here. Now its time to select low range to save the brakes and tackle the several switch-backs which are a common feature of steep tracks in the victorian high country. We had been overtaken by a number of motorcycles on the way up the side of the mountain and we found out why when we pulled over, they were doing a photoshoot for a Best Bikes of 2020 article, though I didnt catch what the publication was. When you arrive, you will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the High Country. The incline of the roads meant we gained altitude at a rapid rate, quickly getting above the green into an eerie landscape of white tree skeletons, leftover from devastating bushfires in 2013. Craigs Hut at sunset is a photographers paradise, as the post and rail fence line draws the eye first to the beautiful hut, and then on to the surrounding ranges. Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. Read More The Bamboo Bridges of Luang PrabangContinue, Weve had six full weeks travelling Southeast Asia now. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. We are British ex-pats who moved out to Victoria in 2019 and have been exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content). Move aside and let on coming convoys pass in safety. Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. Victoria's High Country is a wine-lovers paradise and with so many amazing wineries in the region (like Pizzini, Dal Zotto, Corsini and Politini), one of the best ways to start your journey is by taking a full-day wine tour. Packed with features, including the region's history, natural features and highlights, making this guide is an indispensable travelling companion for those Booktopia has High . Given the impact Covid has had on so many places like this though, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt, as the team seemed to be working really hard while we were there on renovations. However most gates to 4wd tracks are locked in May in anticipation of imminent snowfalls. Billy Goat Bluff is considered one of the most challenging and scenic tracks in the Victorian High Country. The shot above is one of my favourites, showing one of the hundreds of rustic huts that are dotted across this landscape, relics of a time when rangers and cattlemen walked these hills. Iconic Four Wheel Drives of Victoria - Parks Victoria, Four Wheel Drive Victoria & Victorian State Government. We chose the Spring home, which had two bedrooms, perfect for us with our little girl. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . When we pulled over at Dannys Lookout, the bikes were all lined up here, each taking their turn to go back around one of the bends with a photographer waiting to take the action shot. The Great Alpine Road was the main reason for our visit to the High Country. At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff track is the Wonnangatta Road. Sleeping with the gurgling sound of a nearby creek and waking to the early morning calls of birds like the raucous black cockatoos is priceless. It felt like walking onto a movie set an hour before the actors and crew arrived. Billy Goat Bluff is one of the most iconic Victorian High Country tracks and considered one of the best of the Victorian High Country 4WD tracks. this will no doubt cause some controversy, so let the hate mail begin! Victoria High Country - January 2016 Following the great trip we had through the NSW Snowy Mountains in January 2014, I'd like to have a go at the Victoria High Country in January 2016. The chalets and bars were all closed and the roads were empty. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. Wood sometimes can be scarce so it pays to bring your own or collect some on the way to ensure a good campfire for the evening. Sep 14, 2018 - Essential Victorian High Country 4WD Camping Guide. 4WD Tracks of the High Country will lead the reader through twenty of the best four-wheel drive touring destinations in the Victorian and New South Wales High Country. The Victorian High Country is truly Trayon territory, as many of the tracks are unsuitable for camper trailers, and having the freedom of a slide on camper is a distinct advantage. Although in a literal sense, you could actually miss it, as its perched just off the main road between Mansfield and Jamieson. Make a left turn immediately after the Bridge onto Talbotville Road heading east. Keep your radio handy so you can stay in constant communication with your convoy and other vehicles on the track. So without further ado, here are some of the High Country must see places and my Victorian High Country Itinerary. There is much to discover about the area's rich . Around 6km onwards is Kingswell Bridge and immediately over the bridge turn to the left onto the Crooked River Track. Just choose an existing itinerary or destination and contact us we can help you arrange the trip as a private tour. Whats not to love about these roughly constructed bush shelters? This is not a road for the travel sick! Broadly the High Country encompasses an area starting from Nagambie in the west, Rutherglen in the north, Omeo in the southeast and Jamieson in the south. Book your holidays, sit down with a Victorian High Country Map to plan your route, pack up the 4WD and come to the Victorian High Country for a trip of a lifetime! 1251 expert & traveler reviews on South Africa trips. It was only after wandering around we realised we were at the top of what would be a huge ski slope in winter (though the imposing white frames of the ski-lifts should have been a big giveaway). In the evening shed knock to see if we wanted to go down with her to sort the animals out for th night. It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. The main aim of the, Read More Pulpit Rock & Cape Schanck Lighthouse: Definitely Worth a VisitContinue, If I had to name my favourite place to visit in Williamstown, it would be the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary (and, Read More Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: The Best Place to Visit in Williamstown?Continue. Four-wheel driving fans value Victoria's ruggedly diverse national and state parks for the extensive track network and spectacular scenery. It will generally take about 1 hour to reach the camping areas in the valley from the turnoff on the Dargo High Plains Road. . A good mate of mine Garry Doyle plays these films through a projector and onto a white sheet around his High Country campsite always to an ecstatic audience. Photo: Maverick226, CC BY-SA 4.0. Today Talbotville is a beautiful camping area bordered by the Crooked River with lush green grass even when the surrounding bush land is so dry and dusty. Keep going for another 15 kms and you will reach the Pinnacles Lookout and Fire tower. The Victorian High Country is a premier camping and 4WD destination that combines breath taking scenery with some of the most spectacular 4WD tracks. I had a full itinerary at the May Club meeting, will bring copies to future meetings, and can send a PDF copy to anyone that PMs me with their email address. by Evan Spence 14/01/2015, 9:44 am 1 Comment. Stunning camping sites dot the landscape around Victoria's High Country. Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. Biggleswade To Paris 240 Miles Non Stop! Arguably one of the most well-known and scenic coastal drives in Australia, the Great Ocean Road can be done by anyone with a well-maintained 2WD or 4WD and an adventurous spirit. They offer lenses for most types of cameras (I use a Fuji X-T3) and are cheap enough to have a go without feeling like youre making another major investment. A further 13km onwards the road crosses Moroka River with the Old Moroka road on the right.Another 2km is the Marathon Road turnoff on the right, which heads south to Briagolong. All rights reserved. There are pit toilets, a hut and several separate areas to setup camp. Select Make Select Model Select Year Itineraries and trips from 242 experts. This was more than just a place to stay though, Elly turned it into an experience. We loved the magical little toy shop Beechworth Toys and Collectables, Beechworth Sweet Co, the shop that looks like it could have come from a Harry Potter movie and having some wonderful eggs Benedict at the Rustique Soul Cafe, sitting beside a life-sized replica of Ned Kellys armour. From Dargo take the road north on the Dargo High Plains Road through picturesque farmland and past charming homesteads, until climbing out of the valley into a forested area. JavaScript is disabled. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. Horseyard flat is a series of grassy flats beside the Upper Moroka River and is a great spot to camp. Up stream from Talbotville along the Crooked River there are plenty of old gold mining sites including the New Good Hope Mine and further along to the area of Stonewall with its old gold mine and the remains of the fireplace and oven which are more often than not covered by black berries. And as already mentioned, the view from the top is mind-blowing. Rule 1: don't try to cram an entire . Included in price: Small-group day tour in a luxury 4WD Travel off the beaten track down exclusive 4WD backroads Morning tea Skybury Coffee Plantation with local coffee or tea, and a snack Spot kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wedge-tail eagles (wildlife galore!) For a start, it boasts Victorias longest single drop waterfall (255m), but the natural paddle pools at the top are what the locals love. Licola has an excellent general storefor any of those last minute supplies or fuel for the trip. But then theres Zeka Spur, Billy Goat Bluff, and the list goes on. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. Long rocky climbs seem to go on forever, only to end with spectacular views of mountains and the distant thin lines of other tracks crossing the ridges.