mud driving ... the tracks ...

Mud driving can turn from exhilarating Border Track: Difficult Chinaman Well Track: Medium Wyperfeld North-South Route: medium Little Desert NP tracks: all medium Little Desert ‘Eastern Block’: medium One of the most challenging tracks in the region, should to disaster within seconds! Here are a (west to east recommended) 1 only be attempted by well-prepared people with previous A challenging sandy track through the southern end of Access via the Mallee Hwy (north) or Lake Mt Moffat Track The Nhill-Harrow Rd provides easy access to a sand driving (sand-dune crossing) experience. Must be few tips that may help. Wyperfeld NP. It passes a well which was used by the Albacutya (south), linking the Gunners Track, Giving a northern access to the western section of the number of tracks heading into the eastern section of traversed North to South through the Ngarkat Conserva- 9 4 Chinese gold diggers who established an overland route Little Desert NP as an alternative to the Border Track. the Little Desert NP. These provide a fantastic tion Park section. Access via the Mallee Hwy. through this area in the 1850’s as they travelled from Plain and Millers Track, and the Freeway Track Access via the Western Hwy, links with the East West South Australia to the Victorian and NSW goldfields. provides a great sand driving experience through Track. opportunity to experience the challenges of sand Not all mud is the same, treat each situation with care Access via Murrayville Nhill Track (west) or from Nhill or the north western section of driving and can give a great sense of the desert no-matter how much mud driving experience you have. Murrayville Nhill Track: Easy (in dry weather conditions) Rainbow using the Pella Track (east). Wyperfeld NP. East West Track environment without venturing too far off a sealed A favourite route for those with less experience, though An adventurous track in the western section of the road. Further east still there are some enjoyable ENGAGE 4WD BEFORE YOU GET INTO TROUBLE. 2 10 still presents some sandy challenges. NOTE: this track con- Pella Track: Easy Incorporating: Little Desert NP. Access via the Border Track or Moffat tracks leading through the desert from Dimboola tains some clay surfaced areas that can become very boggy Track (west), or the Edenhope-Kaniva Rd (east). Tips for slippery (surface) mud: (though some sandy patches) through to Wail. after rain. Access via the Western Hwy, Nhill. A good introduction to sand driving and the desert • Avoid speed, aim for smooth and steady momentum. 6 Gunners Track environment without getting too far off the beaten track. • Steering and throttle control are the key. In slippery 5 McDonald Highway Access via Rainbow past the historical Pella Church then A horrendously misnamed sandy track (it’s no highway!) conditions the rear end of the vehicle will try and Milmed Rock Track: Medium continue onto the Chinaman Track to the Murrayville Nhill Wirrengren Plain and Millers Tracks continuing an east-west traverse through the central pivot around the front wheels (ie. the back-end slides (west to east recommended) passing dry lakes distinctly different from the track, or head south to Nhill. 7 section of the Little Desert NP. Access via the out). To correct this you need to steer in the direction An adventurous drive through the middle of Wyperfeld NP 11 south-western part of the National Park. Edenhope-Kaniva Rd (west), or the Nhill-Harrow Rd of the slide, which is opposite to your natural reac- 3 linking the Murrayville Nhill Track to the Lake Albacutya (East). Linking with the East West Track and the Eastern tion! Slowly decelerating may help the tyres to gain area. It passes the small rocky area known as Milmed Rock. 8 North-South Track Block tracks creates a great extended east-west traverse traction and help control the slide. Can become muddy and impassable after rain (particularly of the entire National Park. • Avoid braking – it will probably get you into more near the Lake Albacutya end). trouble!

Tips for deep mud: • Momentum (NOT speed) is the key, approach similar to sand driving. • Lowering tyre pressure may help to give more Do Not Over Estimate Your traction. Vehicles Capabilities! • Rocking your steering from side-to-side can help clear mud and get more traction from the aggressive tread The tracks discribed in this brochure on the edge of your tyres. • Choose your approach carefully, aim for high points – should only be attempted with but be prepared to slip down into the ruts. vehicles that have both high and low • Spinning your wheels once stuck will only dig you in range 4WD, and appropriate ground deeper – and make recovery harder. clearance.

Wyperfeld NP, from Hermans Hill Lookout Lake Albacutya Pella Track

Explore Victoria’s let the adventure before you go 4wd driving tips sand driving supplies and contacts Wild West begin The Wimmera Mallee region is To get the most out of your 4 wheel The biggest attraction of Victoria’s You won’t travel far off-road in this area Supplies Victoria’s “Wild West”, and offers driving experience, we suggest doing a “Wild West” 4WD tracks is their ease without meeting some challenging sand exciting desert 4 wheel driving little bit of planning: of access. The start of most tracks can driving – this after all is probably the Food, fuel, and basic camping supplies are experiences within half a day’s drive be reached within a 4 to 5 hour drive main attraction! available at most of the regional towns listed from either Melbourne or Adelaide. Familiarise yourself with your vehicle and from Melbourne or Adelaide. on this map. 4x44x4 equipment – you don’t want to be searching for Keep a steady and constant momentum. It is a your jack or spare tyre lowering point for the common (although perhaps natural) mistake to attack soft There are easy tracks for beginners and tracks to A true sense of isolation, remoteness and ‘the Visit www.wimmeramalleetourism.com.au OutbackOutback AdventureAdventure first time whilst stuck with a flat in the middle of sand with speed – this often gets you into more trouble! challenge the more experienced. First timers can outback’ can be obtained within an hour of leaving a to find more information about the regions towns get off the beaten track and treat the family to a bit nowhere; nor do you want to have the new tent and services, and other attractions to see while you’re half up then realise you forgot the pegs! major road or highway. If wheel slippage occurs: stop, reverse and try again GuideGuide of excitement for an hour or two of 4 wheel driving. – maybe a different gear or different line of approach. visiting the area. The more experienced 4 wheel drivers can hone SPINNING THE WHEELS IN SAND WILL ONLY DIG Off-road driving requires different techniques to their desert driving and camping skills on an extended Obtain detailed maps and/or up to date GPS YOU DEEPER! trip before launching head-first into the remote mapping, as this map is only a guide to give you driving on sealed roads. Your vehicle will behave and Please support local businesses respond differently depending on the changing Central Australian deserts. an idea of what’s on offer in the area. If stuck, stop and dig away any sand that has built surfaces and weather conditions! and services whilst visiting the up in front and behind the wheels. You may find that Whatever 4 wheel drive experience Contact Parks Victoria for current information on sticks or a tarp laid down behind the wheels may give you Wimmera Mallee. The key message is: enough traction to back out of trouble. you are looking for, track conditions, seasonal closures, planned burns etc. (see “Important Contacts” section of this Important Contacts brochure). Do not rush and do not panic! Engage 4WD BEFORE you get into trouble. The Victoria’s “Wild West” is the best place to start. traction provided by 4WD is much more effective at getting you through soft sand than getting you out once Wimmera Mallee Tourism: Stick to formed tracks, do not drive off-track or on The tracks in this area give you a great opportunity to you’ve stopped and lost momentum. Email: [email protected] any closed/management only tracks. take your time and learn how your vehicle reacts to different conditions. Lowering your tyre pressure (15 psi for medium to Emergency: 000 Inform a responsible person (family, Police, large 4wd) will greatly assist in sandy situations by local Parks office) of your travel plans. Develop creating a larger ‘footprint’ with the tyre surface. Parks Victoria: 131 963 a communications plan: who will you contact, NOTE: this will significantly increase the chance of sidewall Website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au where and when you will call, when are you are damage to your tyres, so pay particular attention to sharp Email: [email protected] expected back. objects such as rocks and tree roots. Always REMEMBER to re-inflate your tyres to the correct pressure once re- turning to gravel or sealed roads. You may decide to carry NOTE: although few tracks listed here could be considered NOTE: All Wyperfeld NP and Little Desert NP tracks a portable battery-powered compressor for this purpose. truly remote, there may be many areas without mobile are CLOSED on days declared “Code Red” Fire ONLY TRAVEL AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILST TYRES ARE phone coverage. Check coverage maps with your provider. Danger Rating by the Bureau of Meteorology. DEFLATED.

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