PORT MACQUARIE 4WD CLUB 2015/16 VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY TRIP REPORT

ATTENDEES;  Gavin, Janet, Jacinta & Hugh Sharp – Toyota Landcruiser (Trip leader)  Peter, Jacinda, Amelia, Ella & Piper Wilson – Toyota Landcruiser  James, Christine, Lachlan & Kyah Griffin – Nissan Patrol  Luke Clout – Landrover Defender  Martin & Chez Hovey – Jeep  Phil & Mandy O’Brien – Isuzu D-Max  Graham & Marj Lehay – Nissan Patrol  Mark & Sue Nitschke – Toyota Hilux  Steve & Trudy Carlin – Toyota Landcruiser  Deb, Samantha & Natasha Bordin – Subaru Forester  Darren & Kylie van der Ley – Ford Ranger

WEEK 2 Long Plain Hut to Tom Groggin

Day 8 – Monday 28th December 2015 – Day Drive to Yarrangbilly Caves and Tantangara Reservoir – Distance travelled 69kms A very cool night last night, but the morning is bright and clear. Forecast is for warmer temps over the next few days, but still with cold nights. After breakfast we head out for Tantangara Reservoir on the Murrambidgee River. This is a large man- made

Upper headwaters of Murrambidgee River reservoir that seems to cater for campers and fishermen alike. After a few photos we kept pushing west to the old historic Currango homestead. On-route, there Tantangara Reservoir were plenty of wild brumbies to be seen, and several wild dogs were even spotted by some. Once at the homestead we breaked for morning tea and a bit of an explore. The grounds are very interesting, with many outbuildings and several large houses that are rented out to paying guests. There is even a grass tennis court! From here we backtracked to Long Plain Road, then out to the Hwy and into the Yarrangbilly Caves where we have lunch. The group breaks up here, with several makfgggggfving the steep walk down to the

Currango Homestead

thermal pools for a swim, whilst others take the self- guided tour of one of the Thermal pool caves. Several of

Yarrangbilly Caves us elect to take the 1.5 hour guided tour of one of the caves and this turns out to be a very interesting caving experience, with many jaw dropping formations to be seen. Sometimes mother nature just beats anything mankind can dream up. Back to camp by 5:30 and open air showers before dinner around the roaring fire again. All to bed before 10.

Day 9 – Tuesday 29th December 2015 – Day drive to Lobs Hole Ravine 4WD Track and Cabramurra – Distance travelled 120kms Freezing night last night (literally) with a decent frost evident this morning. A beautiful low-lying mist is everywhere with the waning gibbous moon still hanging in the cloudless sky. Breakfast is taken and the group departs camp at 8am. We head north west on the Snowy Mountains Hwy, through the

Icy BBQ locality of Yarrangobilly before turning left onto Lobs Hole Ravine road. This is an excellent drive that follows the 330kV powerline up and over several valleys. Drive is at times steep, but the track is in Powerlines excellent condition and we make good progress. We explore some old ruins and get our first experience of low range driving, albeit only briefly, as we take the steep pinch down to the shores of Talbingo Reservoir where we pause for morning tea. After crossing Wallaces Creek we spy the ruins of a dilapidated rammed earth building. As there is no descriptive signage, we discuss possible history of the building over the radio. Fortunately, we are overheard by some knowledgeable locals who advise the building used to be a pub and guesthouse servicing the gold and copper mines that were in operation in the area. We later

Smoko at Talingo reservoir learn that there were over 300 people living in the area during the early 1900’s. Amazing for such rugged countryside. We eventually emerge back onto the bitumen and head southeast towards Cabramurra. We take a brief detour to visit

Talingo Reservoir the lookout over the Tumut 2 power station. This is part of the amazing Snowy- Hydro scheme that will feature strongly in our travels over the coming weeks. We then call into Cabramurra for our lunch break. Some take the opportunity to feast on hot chips and hamburgers from the local shops. We take our lunch at the lookout overlooking Australia’s highest town at an altitude of 1470

Wallace Creek crossing with bemused fisherman in background (being photographed by Mandy) meters and pose for the obligatory Tumut 2 power station lookout group photo. Start heading back to camp, via the . All deserted now, but obviously a hive of activity during the winter months. Then it’s back onto the Snowy Mountain Hwy

Cabramurra for the short drive back to camp. Arrive back at camp around 1:30 where we all enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Graham & Marj arrive this afternoon, bringing us up to our full compliment of 28 people spread amongst 12 vehicles. As this is our final night at camp, we stoke up the fire to use up our remaining wood and even enjoy a sing-a-long. Will be a shame to leave this wonderful campsite. Highly recommended to anyone considering coming to the area.

Day 10 – Wednesday 30th December 2015 – Long Plain Hut to Old – Distance travelled 60kms

Lake Eucumbene

We break camp this morning and head out at 9:30 am for the short drive up the bitumen to Old Adaminaby where we are booked into the local caravan park on the shores of Lake Eucumbene. Arriving at camp at around 11, we are directed to our group camping area overlooking the lake and surrounding countryside. A very pleasant spot. Whilst a bit tight, we all fit in Snowy Scheme Museum and are soon exploring the area. We all drive to Adaminaby for lunch and the local bakery does a roaring trade with their delicious pies and numerous sweet treats. Following lunch, we venture over to the Snowy Scheme museum, which is chock-a-block full Adaminaby Big Trout of memorabilia from 60 years ago. Luke nearly has kittens when he discovers two Series 1 Landover’s in mint condition. We all settle in to watch one of the documentary movies, and as it such a hot day, there a many nodding heads as the dark room and weariness overcome us. Time to wake up!! Come 3:30 and the first of our fishing charters are due to commence. Darren, Steve, Trudy, Luke and Graham head out with high hopes. Four hours later they return with 3 nice trout. These are put in ice in readiness for tomorrow nights NYE celebrations. We had gathered some firewood earlier in the day, and quickly settled in around the fire. A very hot day today was finished off with a fantastic sunset over the lake.

Day 11 – Thursday 31st December 2015 – Old Adaminaby – NEW YEARS EVE! An early start for Mark, Susan, Jacinta, Hugh and Gavin as they are on the next fishing charter at 6am. We gather at the boat ramp and board our intrepid vessel pre-sunrise. A quick blast across the lake and then in with the lures. The fishing here is trolling, and can be fairly boring if not catching fish. After about half an hour our first fish hits the lure. Gavin grabs the rod and we soon have a large brown trout on board. A quick tap to the head, then into the icebox. 15 minutes later and we have our second fish. This time Mmmmmm Fresh Brown Trout caught by Mark. Then the boredom sets in. Not a nibble for the next two hours. Then the fish come back on the chew, and we land another three good fish within 30 minutes. Susan gracefully decides to let her fish go, whilst the others join their friends in the icebox. We return to camp with 4 nice brown trout. As it’s very hot, the remainder of the day is spent swimming in the lake and generally lounging about. Some drive back into Adaminaby for more excellent pies. Then it’s time to start getting ready for NYE. First we dress in our Op- Shop finery (or something to do with electricity) as it was a multi-themed fancy dress night tonight. Then we head to the communal area where we begin by preparing the freshly caught fish by simply stuffing them with lemon, salt & Hostess with the mostest! pepper, then wrapping in foil. Onto the hot BBQ for 30 minutes then serve to the hungry hoards. Fish was delicious and all 7 were quickly devoured. Following entrée, the Black Duck vodka made its debut. This was mixed with soda water and lime. As it was another hot day, it was greatly received by all. Next, and its onto the steak sandwiches. We had pre-ordered 30 scotch fillet steaks and spoken with the local baker who made us special

NYE Celebrations sourdough rolls. Add Mandy’s caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and Uncle Hugh’s secret steak sauce and we had a meal fit for a king. Following dinner we retired to the open fire and were entertained by the locals letting of fireworks during the lead up to midnight. Amid much cheering, hand-shaking and kissing we wished everyone best wishes for the new year before drifting of to bed around 1am. A very satisfying way to see in the New Year.

Friday 1st January 2016 – Old Adaminaby – NEW YEARS DAY Everyone slow to rise this morning, with a few dusty people climbing out of bed. Nothing a big serve of bacon & eggs won’t fix though. A fairly quite morning, and at around 10am some of us set out on a day drive to the Yaouk Valley area. Progress is good through farmland, with many gates to be opened and closed, and as we start to gain altitude we enter forested country. A quick call into the picturesque Rowleys Hut and onwards to the Yaouk Gap and hopefully into the ACT.

Rowleys Hut

A large tree has fallen across the track and it’s all hands on deck with chainsaw and straps to cut and pull the tree off the track. Once clear and back into the vehicles, we only travel another 500 meters when we encounter a locked gate at the state border. After a quick discussion, we decide to retrace our steps back to Rowleys Hut for our lunch stop. The trip back to camp is uneventful with the exception of the ominous storm front on the horizon. A quick call back to camp to have our washing taken in and campers battened down. We do not get any rain, but camp is hit by very strong winds that do minor damage to some camps. The final fishing charter departs this afternoon with Pete, Amelia, Samantha, Phil & Mandy on board. Weather is blustery and rain threatens, but they all elect to still go and are rewarded with a nice catch of several trout.

Saturday 2nd January – Old Adaminaby to Tom Groggin Early start today as the Carlins camper needs to be relocated to where their vehicle is being repaired following some mechanical issues. We hook the camper to Gavins car at 6:30, and with Steve & Trudy in a loan Prius and Gavin & Mark pulling the camper we make the 100km round trip to Cooma droping off the camper at Cooma caravan park. Hopefully the car can be fixed fairly quickly and they can rejoin the group. Mark and Gavin arrive back at camp (after filling up on pies at the bakery) in time to complete the pack up and depart at 9am. It has been a great stay at Old Adaminaby. The caravan park and hosts are very welcoming. We leave on schedule and head towards Jindabyne via Berridale. On arrival, the weather forecast is proving to be accurate, with persistent rain and temps hovering around 13 degrees. We have a two-hour layover here to resupply and have lunch. We are supposed to be spending the next two nights camped at the Thredbo Diggings, but after a quick discussion, we elect to change this, and to now camp at Tom Groggin, where the forecast is for much warmer temps (though still for some rain). So after a quick stop at the Jindabyne Schnapps Distillery, we drive the , past Thredbo and down to Tom Groggin. Turns out to be a good decision, as we have dropped over 1000 meters in altitude, the rain has stopped and the temp has risen from 12 degrees at Thredbo to a much more pleasant 24 degrees. We are very fortunate to be able to camp at the same location we had on the Murray River trip last April, with good access to the river and toilets close by. It was surprising how few people were actually camped there. After setting up camp, a firewood collection party was dispatched across the Murray and into Victoria. On return, the weather was warm enough to have a swim before starting the fire and settling in for the evening. Thoughts and discussions turned to tomorrows planned climb of Mt Kosciuszko and the less than ideal weather forecast. All good this evening though, and we all slept well.

Sunday 3rd January 2016 – Tom Groggin to Thredbo and Mt Kosciuszko Day broke with 100% cloud cover. A quick glance at the Main Range confirmed our fears. The mountains were covered in dark menacing clouds, and the temperature had dropped. The advance party (fittest amongst us) of Luke, Uncle Hugh & James elected to leave early and climb from Thredbo, up under the chairlift and to the Eagles Nest. The remainder of us would leave an hour later and take the chairlift to meet them. On driving up the mountain, the weather quickly deteriorated with rain and strong winds. On arrival at Thredbo, there was thick fog and temps were around 10 degrees. With winter woolies

James, Luke & Uncle Hugh on, we caught the chairlift up to Australia’s highest restaurant. On the way, visibility dropped to around 10 meters. Our timing was perfect, as Luke, James and Hugh were just arriving as we arrived at the top. They had done it pretty tough in these conditions, but were soon warmed up with hot chocolate and muffins. Luke and Hugh (who were the only two never to have been to the top) then decided to continue the climb up to the summit, whilst the rest of us caught the chairlift back down. We were all cold and wet once we got back to the cars, and our thoughts were with the other two who must have been pretty miserable. We jumped back into the vehicles and decided to go check out the Thredbo Diggings campground. Turns out it was the correct decision not to stay here as the camping area is small and was completely packed. We then headed back down the mountain to Tom Groggin where it was warmer, but was just starting to rain. After lunch, a few of us decided to take a drive up to Daisy Plain Hut on the Victorian side. We crossed the

Murray and headed up the track Brrrrrrrrr with persistent light rain falling. We had done this exact drive back in April, and scarcely needed 4WD. Today was completely different, with the rain the track had become very slippery. After getting about ¾ of the way to the hut, we come across a steep clay section that was very slippery. After several attempts and some minor vehicle damage, the decision was made to turn around and head back to camp. A real shame as it would have been great to show the hut to those who hadn’t seen it before. Oh-well, next time. On arrival back at camp, we found a very cold, tired and hungry Luke & Hugh. They had made it to the summit (couldn’t see a thing and near freezing temps) and came back via Dead Horse Gap. All up they had covered around

Hot chocolates all round thanks 21kms in very miserable conditions. Well done to these guys who had put up with some trying conditions and persevered to get up to the top of Australia. Thankfully with out any frostbite! Early to bed tonight with the rain getting heavier. Hopefully clears before we leave tomorrow.

Next month we visit Bright, Omeo, the Victorian ski fields and drive the iconic Blue Rag range track!