AUS $4.95 Inc GST

MURRINDINDI AND UPPER GOULBURN BRISBANE RANGES CLEAN UP LAND ROVER’S NEW FACILITY VICTORIAN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SHOW WONNANGATTA ICONIC DRIVE MAD DOES ULURU BUCKLAND VALLEY TRIP AMAROK CLUB RALLIES FOR MS MARCH 2019

From the President

As you will see from the CEO’s report courses coming on we start the year on a very positive note, line and demand in having secured financial support from general growing. Our long-term plan the Government for the next three years, remains for the RTO to be the major but on the down side we are in the revenue generating vehicle for the middle of a drought, on top of which Association. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE Victoria has experienced the worst fires As a member of the Ministerial Advisory The peak representative body for all in a decade. The Association is already Committee the strategic plan provides Victorian four wheel drivers since 1975 looking to see what and when we can direction and agreed outcomes with the provide assistance to effected commu - Land Managers and Government. One nities, and I know Clubs are also making Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. such common objective is the their own plans as well. I would ask all PO Box 292 Mitcham Vic 3132 revitalisation of the iconic drives. Along Phone 03 9874 7222 Clubs to please coordinate and keep with this is the desire to undertake a Fax 03 9874 7233 the office advised of any proposed comprehensive survey of four wheel Email [email protected] activities you are looking to undertake. drive user expectations and experi - Website www.fwdvictoria.org.au The Association will support and assist ences. This is planned to be undertaken ABN 40 891 301 368 you where ever possible. before the end of this year. ASSN A0013539S The fires are also a reminder of the RTO 21605 It is going to be a busy year for the need for caution when looking to ven - Print Post PP 100005076 Association, continuing to represent the ture out on to the tracks, and that at the interest of our Clubs. With any new BOARD OF MANAGEMENT end of the day our safety and that of our Government comes the challenge of fellow four wheel drivers is the para - getting to know and be known by the EXECUTIVE mount consideration. Expect some new faces and ensuring the old ones President areas to be closed so please check Michael Martin (Toyota Land don’t forget and overlook us. In the before you venture out. VCriuciese Pr rCelusbid oef nAtustralia - Victoria Branch) meantime don’t miss our member Colin Oates (Off Peak The office is doing a great job of using update days ensuring your Club is up to S4WecDr eCtluab r)y the various mediums of social media to date with the latest news and events. David Crainean (Pajero 4WD keep our Affiliated Clubs, as well as that Club) Treasurer ( of the broader community up to date Michael Martin Garry Doyle Eureka 4x4 Club) and informed. TrackWatch is another President BOARD MEMBERS important tool in how we communicate David Roberts (Toyota 4WD Club) , Kat and inform, and going forward we will Marmara-Stewart (MJOC, Gippsland & look to see how it’s value can be Wandering Four Wheelers 4WD Clubs). enhanced. Please don’t forget we are STAFF always grateful to receive trip reports or Chief Executive Officer other relevant material, on club activities Wayne Hevey to be included in Trackwatch. O(Jfufsitc Me aAtedsm 4WinDis Ctrlaubto) r Alison McLaughlin The future and structure of the National entity is expected to become clearer A(Mcacnosfuienldts Alpine 4WD Club) Projects &K Eavrle Nnotrsm Oan fficer after a meeting of the States in late Ian Fletcher April. Once the Board has been T(Mraelibnoiunrgn eO Jfefiecpe Or w ners Club) updated it will review any proposals Sheila Douglas forthcoming on future direction and TRACKWATCH structure and update the membership Editor accordingly. Brian Tanner (Toyota Land Cruiser We continue to put a lot of effort into our CEmluba oil f Victoria, Geelong FWDC) RTO, which is paying off with new Individeudaitlo [email protected] org.au

Brian Tanner, Ian Fletcher, Greg Rose, Allyson Watts, Colin Oates, Garry Doyle, Penny Flett, Russell Thorsen & Andrew PMreortdeunsction Moving house soon? Changed your contact details? Brian Tanner We want to make sure you keep receiving Trackwatch. 2018 Copy Deadline next issue If you are moving house or your details such as email address have changed, could you please let us know. 1st May for June 2019 issue Just send an email to projects@fwdvictoria or call the FWDV office on 1st August for September 2019 issue 1st November for December 2019 issue 03 98747222. Many thanks. 1st February for March 2020 issue Ian Fletcher (FWDV) Advertising All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright. [email protected] Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Freelance contributions and submissions are welcome by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, although based on information Design and Artwork by Brian Tanner believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material. TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 1

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> News TRACK CLEARING IN THE BRISBANE RANGES

There was always the possibility it would from the District Club and Anthony made dividing the group very easy. be hot. The week leading up to the Holden, a Eureka member who is a We met in camp on Friday night with a scheduled track clearing weekend saw qualified arborist. Anthony could bring crew arriving on Saturday morning record high temperatures all across down the trees that needed to be felled before the safety briefing. The weather and so the chance of bushfires and the rest of us cut them up and also turned kind for us and a cool was extreme. The Brisbane Ranges are moved them off the tracks. It was really change came through on Friday after - so dry there is simply no moisture any - great to have a large group of ladies noon, so working conditions were very where - but there’s a need to clear also providing assistance including pleasant. tracks so that if something unforeseen Alicia with a chainsaw licence, so it does happen, our fire fighters have a good chance of getting access. I had met with the Rangers from Bacchus Marsh several times in the lead up to Christmas offering the services of two clubs. Eureka Ballarat which is my club and the Ballarat District 4WD Club. We organised for a number of MVO tracks to be cleared and were given access to camp at one of the campsites normally reserved for walk-in campers. The tracks we cleared were the walking track sections that included vehicle access and the boundary track running along the edge of the forest and adjacent farmland. The directions were that we needed 4 metres wide, 4 metres high and to last for 4 years before needing to be cleared again. This is so our Land Managers can get their Unimog fire trucks in. Between the two clubs we had 22 people in 14 vehicles volunteer for the weekend. Amongst us were 7 with chainsaw licences who included Alicia

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 3 News > We monitored our safety procedures and all those cutting had correct PPE. Others also had high-vis so we certainly stood out in the forest. The District Club also provided a number of fire extin - guishers so at the first sight of sparks we would be right on to it. The first track proved to be straight forward to the point where we divided the group into two and attacked both tracks simultane - ously. We planned to meet at lunch time and check on progress. When we

did catch up, both of us had finished overhanging trees with his pole saw. the designated tracks so there wasn’t Now the tracks were clear and safe! anything left to do. A great weekend because we could We did a recce and found more tracks relax on Saturday evening before pack - in the immediate area, so these were ing up for home on Sunday morning. tackled after lunch, and at the end of There will be more of this summer track the day all tracks in our designated area clearing as the months progress as in were cleared. We also explored an reality it’s something that should go on historic mine site that we came across. all year. Thanks to Phoenix and Stuart This is the value of being given access from Parks Victoria and to the volunteers to tracks that are not normally open. from the two clubs from Ballarat. Not only did we clear the tracks, but Anthony was able to remove any dead Garry Doyle Ballarat 4WD Club

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4 MARCH 2019 TRACK WATCH Visit www.exedy.com.au for more information. > Club Spotlight

Amarok Club of Victoria Cycling for MS

‘Sometimes, life throws the most unexpected bladder incontinence and constipation Neuropsychological Symptoms – includ - curve ball – it’s what you do with the ball ing depression, cognitive difficulties and short or long-term memory loss when you catch it that determines what So, getting back to that ball, and what you do with it; the Amarok Club of happens next.’ Victoria are rallying behind the cause, and participating in the MS Melbourne Cycle and ½ Marathon in a 30km or One of the founding members of the exhausted. These are just a few of the 50km bike ride, encompassing the West Amarok Club of Victoria was diagnosed symptoms in the everyday life of my Gate Bridge, or a 3km or 6km family with Multiple Sclerosis in 2016, and as a best mate. ride around Flemington Race Course, or Club, we have decided to embrace the Other sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis running a ½ Marathon. challenge and enter a team into the MS experience daily issues with One in 1000 Australians are directly Melbourne Cycle and ½ Marathon to Motor Control – muscular spasms and impacted by MS, so there is a good increase awareness of MS, and to hope - problems with weakness, co-ordination, chance you know someone who has fully help to find a cure for our mate. balance and function of the arms and MS, even if you’re unaware of it. With Just imagine your day starting off at legs the support the MS Society provides, 3.30 every morning, because you have Fatigue – including heat sensitivity our loved ones who have been diag - continual troubles sleeping – often nosed with MS are able to lead fulfilled Other Neurological Symptoms – includ - feeling like you’re sleeping in a sauna, lives and stay out on the tracks. despite it being cold, having pins and ing vertigo, pins and needles, neuralgia We are seeking to raise as much aware - needles when your feet shouldn’t be and visual disturbances ness for this cause as possible, and if asleep, and being constantly Continence Problems – including you have some spare coffee money, we would love it were you able to make a tax-deductible donation to the MS Society so they can provide as much support to those who live with MS as possible.

Our Team fund raising page is at https://www.msmelbournecycle.org.a u/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.te am&teamID=6396, and we would greatly appreciate any donation that may help find a cure for our mate.

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)RUDGYLFHFDOO3LUDQKDRQ ZZZSLUDQKDRIIURDGFRPDX 9LVLWZZZSLUDQKDRIIURDGFRPDXIRUDIXOOGHDOHUOLVWLQJ News from FWDV CEO > We start the new year this magazine but also through the associated with fire burnt trees etc. knowing that we have social media pages such as Facebook, More importantly we will need to muster been successful in Instagram and Twitter so please look to our resources and offer help and securing funding for a these mediums for current up to date assistance in the rebuilding of fences further 3 years from the news. Any items that you would like and other essential requirements to help government commencing July 1st this passed on to other members, send resurrect people’s livelihoods and year. This indicates the enormous through to the office and we will look to existence in general. There will be more respect we have gained regarding the facilitate this action for you. to follow in this regard as time moves volunteer activities carried out by you all Club activities are also looking to be on, I ask that you offer support when- each year. I commend and thank each very positive from indications coming ever you can if possible and please club member for making this achievable through to us here in the office which is contact the office so we can gather by not only completing the tasks at very encouraging, from trips and groups to be allocated tasks into hand but also for taking the trouble to gatherings being planned to be organiz - regions rather than have a scatter gun record details which allow the totals to ing more auspicious occasions such as approach from good natured volunteers. be compiled by our amazing statistician. club anniversaries. On this point, please Our member update days are a worth - 2019 has started with a real explosion of let the office know if your club is while event to be a part of from the point activity, firstly with the number of celebrating an important anniversary at of view of hearing first hand what we are activities filling up our calendar from any time soon so we can help recognize up to but also and importantly for you to meetings with Land Managers and the event for you. ask those questions which have been Politicians from both sides of the house, Unfortunately, the outbreak of fire bothering you. I hope to see a represen - through to quotes and delivery of our around the state has forced the post - tative from your club at these occasions training courses which have shown a ponement of many club activities as the to ensure information is gained and then marked increase over the last twelve State Emergency Services try to contain, shared with fellow members after the months. extinguish and mop up those affected event. Our staff in the office are certainly work - areas. This means we will need to be Wayne Hevey CEO ing hard to keep you all informed on patient about venturing into those areas every aspect of what we do via not only because of the risk management issues Four Wheel Drive Victoria on Warrnambool 4WD Club Otway tour Social Media

Our social media pages have been running hot with over 7250 followers on our public Facebook page. We have also developed a new closed Facebook Group which is just for our affiliated club members so we can post information that is only relevant to you, our members. If you would like faster communication from Four Wheel Drive Victoria the closed Facebook page is the place for you. You will need to answer the questions to be accepted. The public page is for exposure to the general public and information of a more general nature is published and shared. If your club would like to publicize an event or club activity just contact the office or email [email protected]. Social media is seen as the quickest and easiest communication of infor - mation in these modern times and we encourage all our members to use The Warrnambool 4WD Club took off for a fun filled day in the Otways. There were 7 and follow our pages. We are also vehicles in convoy carrying members who were eager to take off early in the morning active on Twitter, Instagram and despite the wind and the rain. We all knew that the rain was going to make the YouTube. Google is the prime source tracks muddy and slippery but we were all up for the challenge. It was a mixed crew of enquiries to our website closely that day varying from experienced drivers who knew their vehicles well to new mem- followed by Facebook and we bers who were eager to see what their rig was capable of doing. One vehicle was encourage you to do a Google search not equipped with a winch at all but was carefully winched or snatched by other for us and complete an independent vehicles up most of the slippery terrains with ease and without damage. The whole review on Google and Facebook day was a great experience and we would all agree that when our car made it to the which will raise our profile even top of a hill it was hailed a little victory! It was also a big winching day and the new further. Obviously 5 Stars if you think members were able to help set up and learn the safety aspects of vehicle we do a great job recovery.

Penny Flett - Trip Coordinator. Warrnambool 4WD Club TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 7 > 4x4 Destination Murrindindi and

When you are planning a one or two campers. getaway not too far from Following the Maroondah Melbourne, there are some Highway from Melbourne delightful spots just north of leads to a number of country our big city. The towns along the way. The Murrindindi District and Narbethong Hotel, north of Upper Goulburn areas have the Black Spur, is a familiar a range of different opportu - stop where food, refreshment nities for 4WDing, camping, and an overnight stop is swimming, fishing, water possible. Taking the skiing or just chilling out. Marysville turn-off, a little A number of rivers run north north of Narbethong will get towards the you to a place which is and Lake Eildon from these making a remarkable areas, many of which have recovery from the 2009 attractive camping spots on bushfires. The colours of the their banks. Leisure activities bush and the new buildings can easily be enjoyed at make a pretty vista of a town many places along the Big, on the Torbreck, Rubicon and beckoning travellers to stop. Acheron rivers. This town is a great place These cool, clear flowing with plenty on offer for eating rivers run through the Big out, walking, 4WDing and River, Rubicon and many more outdoor Marysville State Forests. activities. Many smaller creeks feed Taking the road north from these rivers and also provide Marysville gives an opportu - idyllic camping locations for nity to visit the Buxton trout families and groups or just and salmon farm before arriving at Taggerty, located Marysville State Forests while on the . A little staying at the Taggerty north of town along the Holiday Park. Good facilities, IG4 rk , the plenty of sites – powered B ay Pa Taggerty Holiday Park is and unpowered - make this a Holid waiting to welcome those good base camp from which erty looking for a place to stay so to run four wheel drive trips Tagg the surrounding countryside for your club. can be explored. Enjoyable Another option is the BIG 4 Taggerty Holiday Park and challenging four wheel Murrindindi Scenic Reserve driving can be pursued in which offers bush camping is a taste of the High Country and the the nearby Cathedral for all sorts of rigs and has first step to your 4WD adventure. Ranges, Lake Eildon and easy access to tracks in the Located in a natural bush setting on the Yarra Ranges National Parks Toolangi and Black Range and Big River, Rubicon and banks of the Acheron River 4WD Forests. excitement awaits. • Toolangi State Forest • Rubicon State Forest • Big River • Black Range State Forest • Strathbogie Ranges Right Here At Our Door Step

We offer a variety of accommodation options and group discounts of 10% to Trackwatch magazine readers and FWDV affiliated 4WD Clubs.

3380 Maroondah Highway, Taggerty Victoria 03 5774 7263 www.big4taggerty.com Broken Gate Tweed Spur Track 8 MARCH 2019 TRACK WATCH The Murrindindi Project, operating in the Murrindindi District and the Upper Goulburn areas, managed by Four Wheel Drive Victoria, works through the Upper Goulburn Regional Representatives Network. The network is made up of FWDV club members, who work closely with DELWP and PV staff, to develop relationships and make it known club members are available to help, when requested by our Land Managers. There may be times when an appropriate suggestion can be helpful too. This project has run working bees and track clearing work over the last two years. The Murrindindi Project track clearing work has now become part of the FWDV calendar each year, where the last couple of weekends in October are set aside for work in the Murrindindi District and the Upper Goulburn areas. If you or your club are interested in being involved in the Murrindindi Project you may contact me via the FWDV office.

Colin Oates - Offpeak 4WD Club FWDV Regional Representative – Murrindindi District & Upper Goulburn

Left: Tweed Spur Track

Pinnacle Track and Gap Track TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 9 4x4 Destination > The Wonnangatta Valley is a special place to be. It is a wide long Wonnangatta valley surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, with dozens of excellent places to camp. The valley, even in modern times, is remote and only accessible via four wheel drive tracks of varying Report and images by Greg Rose difficulty. The mystery of the unsolved 1917/18 murders of Wonnangatta Station manager James (Jim) Barclay and farm hand/cook John Bamford, add to the Wonnangatta experience. The Wonnangatta Valley regularly features in the four wheel drive media and has become a “must do” destination for four wheel drive tourers from all over Australia. The Wonnangatta Iconic Drive is one of “Victoria’s Iconic 4WD Adventures” promoted by Four Wheel Drive Victoria and Parks Victoria. An overview route planning map and track notes are available online. Parks Victoria Area Chief Ranger for the Southern Alps, Mike Dower, states, “The Wonnangatta Iconic Four Wheel Drive Experience is one of the countries most recognised and high profile journeys. The work that Parks Victoria has done in collabo - ration with Four Wheel Drive Victoria in recent years has further enhanced the experience. We will continue to improve associated camping and day visitor assets and manage the network of four- wheel drive tracks into the future along with our partners. Our Rangers and volunteers are now encountering people from all over Australia who are here to add the Wonnangatta Icon Drive to the bucket list alongside the Simpson Desert and Cape York experiences”. There is however more to the Wonnangatta Iconic Drive than the valley itself. In this basic guide some of the places of interest and good campsites are detailed.

Grant. In its heyday in the 1860s Grant was the centre of the goldfields. In 1865 there were fifteen hotels, a church, court - house, a number of stores supplying food, household goods and mining equipment and a weekly newspaper. The population was thought to have peaked at approximately 2000. The surrounding gold mines were quite sophisticated with networks of tunnels into the hills. There were tramways, stationary steam engines and crushing mills. The gold period only lasted about ten years. Grant today has some excellent interpretive signage to make sense of the town layout. It’s a great spot for a lunch stopover and wander about. There is a long drop toilet near the main information board.

Talbotville. One of the best camping areas along the Wonnangatta Drive, Talbotville is a large grassy valley beside Crooked River. Established in the goldfields days there was a formally set out village and some small farming ventures. The cemetery is a short walk up McMillan Road from the camping area. Talbotville is a great place for a summer camp as there are some deeper spots in the river for escaping the heat of the day. Currently there is only one long drop toilet at Talbotville. In recent years volunteers from the Land Rover Owners Club of Gippsland and Parks Victoria staff have built picnic tables and concrete fire rings. A worthwhile loop drive from a base camp at Talbotville is along the Crooked River Track with its many river crossings. Take time to walk up to the New Good Hope Mine part way along the track. Continue up Bulltown Spur, then down Collingwood Spur and back to camp. The Talbotville Camping Area is within the Grant Historic Reserve and adjacent to the .

Eaglevale. An excellent easily accessible camping area beside the . There is a long drop toilet and some new tables and fire rings. Eaglevale has plenty of camping room along the flat grassy clearing and shade trees for hot days. From Eaglevale it is a short distance to Billy Goat Bluff Track for a day

10 MARCH 2019 TRACKW ATCH Iconic Drive

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 11 drive to the Pinnacles Lookout. Crossing the river at Eaglevale onto the steep but short Eaglevale Track, Cynthia Range Track can be reached for a drive into Wonnangatta Valley via Wombat Range Track or the steeper Herne Spur Track.

Billy Goat Bluff Track. Signposted as double black diamond, difficult, the track is a long steep climb. There are two stages to the track. From the bottom, where there is an interpre - tive sign board, the track climbs to a helipad. The views from the helipad are quite spectacular. From the helipad to River. There are several camp sites corner notching and one requiring great the top of the track is a long steady dotted among the trees, many featuring skill with an axe. With its log and corru - climb ending in a rocky narrow neck, new tables and fire rings, once again gated iron construction, it is a classic great for photos, before the track levels constructed by the Land Rover Owners design. The hut can be most easily out. Club of Gippsland volunteers. There is a accessed from the small carpark on the long drop toilet built by the Macalister Moroka Road. There is a short walk Pinnacles Lookout. Four Wheel Drive Club many years ago. through open forest, crossing a foot - After the low range climb up Billy Goat From the camping area there is a walk bridge over the narrow , to Bluff Track or a drive along the two through snow gum woodland into the grassy clearing where the hut sits. wheel drive Moroka Road and Pinnacles Moroka Falls, a series of waterfalls. The Road there is a small carpark and some walk to the first of the falls is fairly easy. Dimmick Lookout. picnic tables near the Pinnacles. The The terrain beyond the first falls into the Accessed from the Howitt Road via a walk out to the rocky crag is steep in Gorge gets more difficult as there is no short two wheel drive track, Dimmick places, but there are steps and it is marked route to follow the river down - Lookout is quite stunning. There are reasonably short. The views are spec - stream. views down into the valleys and across tacular. On a day of good visibility, it is the many peaks on the horizon. A good possible to see the to Moroka Hut. lunch spot on the drive along Howitt the south and Mt Hotham to the north. A fine example of a typical cattleman’s Road. There is a fire spotting lookout at the hut. The hut was built in 1946, by bush - Pinnacles. men and cattlemen, who had just Guys Hut and the Bryces Gorge returned from World War Two. The Circuit. Guys is a classic and historic cattle Horseyard Flat Camping Area. construction is a good example of man’s hut at the end of a walk from a The camping area is beside the Moroka saddle notching, a stable method of

12 MARCH 2019 TRACKW ATCH carpark on the Howitt Road. There is a longer walk, the Bryces Gorge Circuit, from the hut to view Conglomerate and Pieman Falls. Gaiters are a good choice of safety wear as the track meanders over tussocky country with some wet spots much loved by reptiles. The Guys Hut carpark makes a good picnic or overnight camp location. There are some fireplaces, picnic tables and a long drop toilet.

Howitt Hut and Howitt Plains. It is believed the original hut was built by the Bryce family in the early 1900s. In the 1930s an iron roof was installed covering the shingle roof, which can still be seen today. The plains behind the hut are interesting to stumble through; there are lots of grassy clumps and drop toilet. Crossing the little wooden In order to make the most of the rocks. The , a mere rill bridge over Shaw Creek the track pass - Wonnangatta Iconic Drive it should be at this point, gurgles through the plains. es some pleasant small grassy camp - undertaken over a few days. Consider The hut has a link to the Wonnangatta sites. McMichaels Hut and Kelly Hut are the following points in your planning. murders. The body of John Bamford along the lane. McMichaels, the more • Many of the tracks are rated as “dif - was found near where the hut stands. recently built of the two, is reached via a ficult”. Around Howitt Hut carpark there are track leading down to Shaw Creek. • There are river crossings. some shady spots to camp and a long There is a fire ring at the hut. Kelly Hut drop toilet. is much older and has a great setting. • On some tracks there are steep rock climbs. The high altitude plains along the Howitt There is a parking area and picnic table Road are fine examples of snowgrass at Kelly Hut. An interpretive sign board • Clay surfaces on some steep tracks and herb field plains. They are fragile explains the importance of the surround - could be dangerous after rain. plains and environmentally important ing peatland. Near the end of Kelly Lane • Seasonal closures apply on many of and should not be driven over. A there is another good sheltered camp - the access roads and four wheel drive fantastic area for photographers when ing area accessed by a track before the tracks along the route. concrete bridge. the plants are in bloom. • The drive should not be attempted in The places above are all shown on the Vallejo Gantner Hut. days of extreme fire ratings. Wonnangatta Iconic Drive map. The fol - Just north of Zeka Spur Track is the • The drive traverses remote areas lowing points of interest are not shown, small carpark for the Mt Howitt Walking requiring mechanically sound high but well worth visiting. Track. There is a long drop toilet hidden clearance vehicles with good fuel range. in the trees. Vallejo Gantner Hut is about • Mobile phone coverage is “patchy”. McFarlane Saddle. an hour’s walk from the carpark. The The highest altitude point on the Moroka refuge hut is a modern “A” frame design • Be prepared for self sufficient all Road. The shady carpark is generally and was built in the 1970s. The really weather camping. used by bushwalkers as the northern unique aspect of the hut is the “Loo There are several access routes to join trail head for the Tali Karng network of With A View”. Sit a while and contem - the drive. The most popular entry points walking tracks. It makes a good rest plate the awesome vista. Beyond are: point and there is a long drop toilet. Gantner Hut you can follow a well • From Heyfield through Licola. defined walking track skirting the head - Mt Wellington and Millers Hut. • From Dargo. The mountain is off the Wonnangatta waters of the Wonnangatta River in • From Myrtleford or Porepunkah. Drive however it makes a day trip under the Crosscut Saw to the summit destination from a base camp at of Mount Howitt. The walk requires all There are some excellent books about Horseyard Flat. The drive to the summit hikers to be prepared for Alpine the High Country and Wonnangatta is rocky and slow. The rewards are conditions. Valley in particular. Hema and Rooftop views to the south over the Avon . have maps of the area. Parks Victoria’s Lost Plain Picnic Area parkweb.vic.gov.au is a good source of Wilderness Area and the peaks to the Near Arbuckle Junction on Tamboritha north. The 1634m summit is marked by up to date information on conditions and Road is Lost Plain. The plain used to be closures. a cairn. There are jagged rock features a popular cross-country skiing area in that make excellent photo foregrounds. the 1980s. There is a carpark, picnic Allow plenty of time for your next Driving further on from the summit the tables and another well hidden long Wonnangatta adventure and explore track reaches Millers Hut. This is drop toilet. This plain is a great spot for some of the best four wheel driving another classic style cattleman’s hut wildflowers in the spring. experiences and destinations in the with some good areas for camping High Country. nearby. Bennison Lookout. Thanks to Mike Dower and all the Parks This lookout is easy to find as it’s right Victoria Foothills and Southern Alps Kelly Lane. on the Tamboritha Road. The fact that team for their assistance in putting this As an alternative to driving all of the it’s right on the road means that you can article together. Tamboritha Road to Arbuckle Junction get covered in dust from passing traffic and then onto Howitt Road, Kelly Lane while you photograph the scenery. Greg Rose. is an interesting route that links the two There are views across to the Sentinels FWDV Regional Representative, roads. There is camping at Thomastown and Gable End. just off Tamboritha Road and a long Southern Alpine National Park.

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 13 > Special Event Victorian Four Wheel Drive Show Lardner Park, Warragul. Sunday 17 February 2019

After a finding a new home last year, Brokers, three of our partner organisations, February rolled around again all too soon it were there in support with DELWP providing seemed, and the Victorian Four Wheel Drive a Mercedes Unimog fire truck for display Show was upon us once more. alongside our Amarok and they drew large Saturday saw the many volunteers from the crowds. Parks and DELWP also had another Land Rover owners Club of Victoria, the site where they had another Unimog and a show’s organisers, working away flat out, couple of G-Wagen fire trucks, again drawing seeing exhibitors to their sites and putting large crowds, showing that the public is finishing touches to the grounds. Exhibitors interested in what they do and why. rolled in in dribs and drabs, wandering off to Things started slowly, due to the more spread their sites to begin setting up in anticipation out site taking longer to negotiate and the of a profitable day to come. public to filter through. But as the morning Dave Roberts, Board member and office progressed, we became busier, with a steady volunteer, Colin Oates, FWDV Vice-President, stream of visitors enquiring about a range of and Ian Fletcher, FWDV Projects Officer, set subjects and even queries about forming up the FWDV site in the marquis, almost in clubs and joining the Association were the middle of the whole show, ready to tell fielded. Parks, DELWP and Affinity also had the world about FWDV, who we are and what many queries and conversations with the we do, and our constituent clubs. It was hard public. Many other club members dropped to work in the hot and humid conditions. say hello and have a chat. Traffic was brisk, but by mid-afternoon, things were beginning Then as evening fell, the volunteers and to slow and eventually petered out just before those staying on-site overnight, gathered for closing. The Parks and DELWP staff were a meal. And what a wonderful feast it was! impressed by what they saw and the level of Beautiful roasts and veggies and gravy public interest. They said that they would like cooked to perfection, with a choice of deserts to come back and do it again next year. to follow. A great time of catching up with old friends and making new ones. Thank you to A quick pack-up and we were gone by just all those who helped make the evening such after 4:30. A big thank you to all the volun - a success. And so done, people drifted off to teers, LROCV and the many other exhibitors bed for the night. for hosting a successful event, and we look forward to a bigger and better event in 2020. Sunday morning dawned cooler, but still and humid. A thick fog covered all, cutting visibility to less than 15 metres at times. But that would burn off and be gone as the sun rose. People roused from their sleep, began to filter around the site as other exhibitors arrived and set up as well. Breakfast was the order of the day and lines quickly formed at the food vendors for coffee and egg and bacon rolls. On the FWDV site, Dave, Colin, Ian, and Alison McLaughlin, our office manager having arrived, were ready to face the world. Our President Michael Martin and one of our Trainers, Greg Corfield also arrived to help out as well as representatives from Parks Vic, DELWP and Affinity Insurance

14 MARCH 2019 TRACKW ATCH “...as the morning progressed, we became busier, with a steady stream of visitors enquiring about a range of subjects and even queries about forming clubs and joining the Association...”

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 15 Gippsland Land Rover’s New Facility .

Gippsland Jaguar Land able to service and repair all Gippsland enjoys full open day of the new facility Rover has moved to a new Land Rover models. Utilising financial support from on the 9th of February. Cars facility relocating from the showroom and forecourt Gippsland Land Rover from the Jaguar Owners Morwell to 5535 Princes space twenty new vehicles covering all club running Club were also featured on Highway Traralgon. The can be displayed. The 1400 costs and providing a meet - the day. It was an interesting exciting new complex square metre building, cost - ing venue. Sales Manager exercise in style and function features showroom space for ing over three million dollars, Charlie Calafiore has been a to wander from a 1950s Jaguar and Land Rover indicates that the manage - very active member since Series 1 Land Rover to a products, a dedicated ment have confidence in the the formation of the club in Jaguar of the same period. vehicle delivery room, brands and the local 1994. Gippsland Land Rover The staff at Gippsland customer lounge area, sales economy. Fifteen people are supporters of Four Wheel Jaguar Land Rover would be office, service reception, have a hand in the day to Drive Victoria and happy to show you around state of the art workshop, day operation of Gippsland Trackwatch advertisers. the facility, so drop in if you spare parts and merchan - Jaguar Land Rover. Reflecting the Land Rover are passing. dise areas. There is even a The Gippsland Land Rover Owners Club of Gippsland’s free electric vehicle charging dealers have had a long and association with Gippsland point available for close association with four Land Rover Club, members Greg Rose. customers. The eight-bay wheel drive owners. The were invited to display their President, Land Rover workshop is home to the Land Rover Owners Club of Land Rovers at the public factory trained technicians Owners Club of Gippsland.

ALL-NEW DISCOVERY OUR MOST CAPABLE VEHICLE YET. THE JUDGES THOUGHT SO TOO.

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After rigorous testing by a group of industry experts, the All-New Discovery has been named carsales Car of the Year 2017. carsales Editor in Chief Mike Sinclair explained, “The Discovery is now so much more than an accomplished off-roader. It is a proven badge that in its latest v e r s i o n b r i n g s a n u n p r e c e d e n t e d b r e a d t h o f a b i l i t y.” T h i s a c c o l a d e i s j u s t a n o t h e r r e a s o n w h y t h e All-New Discovery goes above and beyond.

Gippsland Land Rover 497 Princes Drive, Morwell. Tel: 5134 1422. LMCT: 11552 www.gippsland.landrover.com.au 16 MARCH 2019 TRACKW ATCH TTRRAAIINNIINNGG CCOOUURRSSEESS 22001198 BOOK ONLINE Open to all club members, the general public and corporate organisations. Browse courses online at www.fwdv ictoria.org.au and call the office to book on (03) 9874 7222

PROFICIENCY COURSES

Tuesday 2nd April - PC190406 - Theory Saturday 3rd August - PC190803 - Practical Saturday 6th April - PC190406 - Practical Tuesday 3rd September - PC190907 - Theory Tuesday 30th April - PC190504 - Theory Saturday 7th September - PC190907 - Practical Saturday 4th May - PC190504 - Practical Tuesday 22nd October - PC191026 - Theory Tuesday 28th May - PC190601 - Theory Saturday 26th October - PC191026 - Practical Saturday 1st June - PC190601 - Practical Tuesday 19th November - PC191123 - Theory Tuesday 2nd July - PC190706 - Theory Saturday 23rd November - PC191123 - Practical Saturday 6th July - PC190706 - Practical Tuesday 3rd December - PC191207 - Theory Tuesday 30th July - PC190803 - Theory Saturday 7th December - PC191207 - Practical

Training Course Refund Policy Situations occur where for various reasons courses are cancelled by Four Wheel Drive Victoria FOR ALL BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES (FWDV) or students need to cancel. Below describes the refund policy that is applicable. If students are unable to attend the course that they are registered for, the fol - PHONE (03) 9874 7222 Fee refunds: lowing refund fees below apply: or email: [email protected] • 30 days prior - less 10% of course cost; • 29 days – 15 days - less 25% of course cost; • 14 days to 8 days - less 50% of course cost; • 7 days prior - no refund allowed Refund appli - cations must be made in writing to FWDV. FWDV agree that they will allow for one transfer in a 12 month period to another course date without penalty, with a minimum of 8 days notice, (see below). Students can transfer to any other course up to 8 working days Transfer to other courses: prior to commencement at no cost. Students transferring to another course 7 working days or less prior to commencement will be required to pay a transfer fee of $50 FWDV will make a full refund of all fees paid should a course be dis - Course Cancellations: continued. FWDV reserves the right to cancel a course if a minimum number of partici - pants are not achieved or for Occupational Health and Safety reasons. Should the students desire to take an alternative course with FWDV, fees will be fully transferrable to that course, for one transfer in a 12 month period. In the event of a course for which the student was enrolled being unavailable or no acceptable alternative course is available, fees are fully refundable. FIT OUT YOUR 4WD WITH HUGE SAVINGSHusqvarna ONLY 236e AT CHAINSAWTHE REDSHED! VALE - BRIAN PROTHERO EDU,WLVÀWWHGZLWKORZSURÀOH This 38cc chainsaw comes with 14inch (35cm)

Brian Prothero passed on the He built the Gap from scratch RRP $399 SAVE $150 saftey chain &COMES WITH A FREE SPARE CHAIN! 28th January after a battle with help of family and ONLY $249 with cancer. friends. The large dorm style +BONUS Brian along with his lovely accommodation block came CHAIN on wife Heather owned the Gap in sections from Portland and PURCHASE Getaway at McAdams Gap more recently he added of 236e* near Woods Point. some cabins overlooking At an elevation of approx some of our High Country’s *OfferS only AVAILABLE at The RedShed Must mention this Ad! 1300 metres ASL there was most breath taking scenery. RATO 2kw GENERATOR usually snow guaranteed to Brian, with Heather by his make trips interesting.It was a side, ran the Gap Getaway - Inverter Generator 2kW (230v-50Hz) popular destination during for over 25 years and oh my, - ½ Load Continuous Running Time: 6hrs RRP $1049 1RERWWRPYHQWVVRLWZRQ·WVXFNXSGXVWSAVE $70 winter for 4x4 groups, bike didn't Brian have some sto - - Air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHV, Single cylinder groups and anyone else who ries to tell. ONLY $979 SURYLGH\RXZLWK+HDY\'XW\ enjoyed the spectacular Brian was trusting, kind - a ThisUHOLDEOHSRZHUIRU\RXU&$03,1* GREAT VALUE Generator will beauty of the High Country. +BONUS true gentleman who will be 1 Litre Engine DQG:'$GYHQWXUHV Our 4x4 club have had the sadly missed by all who knew OIL with Rato last 3 years staying at the him. R2000iS Gap. We have so many Our deepest sympathy to his Only Available while STOCKS LAST! wonderful memories . The wife Heather and their huge boiler in the middle of families. the bar was always inviting To claim these SPECIAL OFFERS BUY ONLINE or after a day out driving in the Shez Visit one of our 6 GREAT LOCATIONS: snow. Geelong 4WD Club Dandenong - Mitcham - Bunyip Pakenham - Bayswater - Cranbourne www.theredshed.com.au TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 17 Call 1300 136 572

we managed 11 vehicles at the top. Andrew in his Triton was the last to 4x4 Destination come up, and we saw him bounce out > of a hole and into a tree (thank God for scrub bars, there was no damage). On top of Mt Selwyn there are 360 degree views of the Valley and the whole High Country from 1425m. Driving back down was easy and we went left onto Mt Selwyn Rd, then this becomes Tea Tree Rd with an easy drive up to Mt Sarah where we stopped for an early lunch and a line-up of the vehicles for a photo shoot. After lunch we took off taking the Sarah Spur Track passing Guys Hut which is now blown down. The track takes you through some big bog holes then a steep decline which looks like you are driving straight off the mountain; this track takes about 2 hours to drive, heading down and through the Sandhurst 4WD Club tour the and then it’s a steep 1st gear low range climb to the Bald Top Helipad. BUCKLAND VALLEY Finally we reached Brewery Rd and turned right towards Talbotville. We Buckland Valley up in the High Country, arrived at Talbotville, crossing the was going to be 4 days of great camp - Crooked River and into the sites, tough tracks with steep climbs, Campground. Talbotville was full so we sensational views with snow peaked kept on going and took the Crooked mountains in the background, oh yeah, River Track going through 24 river and a total of 53 river crossings. crossings (trying to find a camp to fit 12 We know Buckland Valley for its gold vehicles was going to be difficult). We mining back in the 1850’s and there is couldn’t find a camp so we headed great history up there with the abun - back towards Talbotville finding a nice dance of mine shafts spread across the little spot tucked away in the bush just hills through the valley. The trip wasn’t after the 3rd crossing and the start of about exploring the history this time, we South Basalt Knob Track, where we had were taking 13 vehicles on an epic trip. a big fire and a great night. made it to the top with the track coming Day 1 – Bendigo to Camp Flat We made our way over leaving Bendigo back onto Mt Selwyn Rd on the other Day 3 – Talbotville to Dargo High side of Mt Selwyn. Plains on the Friday at different times and we Sunday morning we woke after a good all met at Camp Flat Campsite, all find - We turned right and headed for the night’s sleep and managed to get onto ing a spot to set up in the large camp Summit of Mt Selwyn, turning right again the tracks by 8.30am. area. onto the Mt Selwyn Summit Track. It is a One of the members informed me that The fire was lit and wel gathered around fairly overgrown, skinny track and the he had to leave the trip because he had full of excitement, talking about the last climb up is really hard, rocky, slip - no brakes or hand brake in his 47 weekend and what we were going to pery and plenty of holes to test your Series Landcruiser, so we headed back encounter. suspension out. On top there is only through Talbotville and took the Day 2 – Camp Flat to Talbotville enough room for about 5-6 vehicles but Saturday morning we woke and every - one packed up fairly quickly, we had a quick briefing and were on the tracks by 8.30am. Heading out of Camp Flat passing plenty of mine shafts on the way, we crossed the Buckland River on to the Buckland Valley Rd, (there are plenty of campsites along Buckland Valley Rd for anyone interested in the area). At the fork in the road we turned right up Mt Selwyn Rd for about 2-3 km, before turning left onto Dingo Creek Track. Into low range and through a tiny creek and we were straight into it. This track is steep, rocky and slippery in spots. We heard over the UHF that motorbikes were behind us and kept falling over because it was so steep. We

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 19 Crooked River Rd. When we got to Collingwood Spur Track, Dale left the trip and headed for Dargo. Meanwhile, we turned left up Collingwood Spur Trk, which is a great little steep track taking us up to the top of the Helipad with views back to the Pinnacles and Billy Goat Bluff Track. The track then winds its way around to McMillian Rd turning left and back into Talbotville. At Talbotville we turned right back onto the Crooked RIver track through 3 river crossings and up South Basalt Knob track. This track is just steep, straight up with rock steps that you have to negoti - ate all the way to the Helipad, and this is where Leigh and his Jeep had trouble and broke the bolts in his tailshaft. Leigh had to reverse all the way back down and left the trip as well to head back to Dargo to fix it. We headed along South Basalt Knob track, which has a few more steep little sections but not to bad at all, then the track turns into Ritchie Rd and we were back into 2wd. We stopped at the Old Railway Carriage for lunch. After lunch we took the North Basalt was plenty of firewood for the fire as it We continued up to Mt Murray when I Knob Track which is a nice little rocky gets very cold overnight on the High realised that I had done a CV because I track with a tight switch-back up to Blue Plains. had only rear wheel drive; I kept on Rag Track. At Blue Rag we turned left going and it didn’t slow me down. On heading up the ridge-line, which is one Day 4 – High Plains to Beveridges reaching the top of Mt Murray the cloud of the most spectacular drives in Station Monday morning we woke to rain and cover was that bad you couldn’t see in Victoria. It was fairly busy up there with wind, so we packed up quickly before front of you, so we headed back down plenty of other vehicles in the area. We getting too wet. We were on the road by turning left back onto Twins Jeep Track finally made it to the Trig Point and it 9am travelling the Dargo High Plains Rd through the gates and a right down Mt was a beautiful clear day and the views towards the Alpine Way. The clouds had Murray Track. It’s a great easy drive were sensational, especially Mt Hotham come in so we didn’t get to see the with heaps of tree ferns and little river still covered in snow. spectacular views on the way out. crossings. We didn’t want to leave, but after about Soon as you get to the Alpine Way it’s a We found a dead tree along the way 45 mins of admiring we headed off back sharp left onto Twins Jeep Track. This that had been cut, so we split it up and along Blue Rag to Dargo High Plains Rd track usually has sensational views but loaded the tree onto the vehicles for the turning right and headed up here for was restricted by the low lying cloud fire and headed into Buckland Valley. about 2km to a great campsite up on cover and rain; every now and then it We pulled into Beveridges Station at the High Plains. We fitted 10 vehicles in would clear for the views and a photo. about 11am then I had to tell everyone easily, and after we set up camp there that I’d done a CV and that was my weekend done. Five of us set up camp and four headed for home. For the rest of the afternoon we just sat around the fire, went for walks around Beveridges Station, turning in early that night as we were very tired.

Day 5 – Beveridges Station back to Bendigo Tuesday morning we woke to a very dark sky; it was about to pour rain and we were expecting 20-40mm. 20 MARCH 2019 TRACK WATCH Yarrarabula Creek track north to Lake Buffalo where we would hit the bitumen and the highway drive home. We headed off north down Buckland River Road and turned left onto Goldie Spur track at Buckland Bridge. There are some reasonably steep sections but it’s well graded and rocky, so the heavy rain we were having didn’t have much effect. The views were hampered by lots of low cloud, but the glimpses I got from time to time convinced me I should drive it again when it’s clear weather. As we were coming down the hill towards the intersection with Yarrarabula Creek track, Paul came on the radio asking if I wanted to head to Lake Buffalo or continue west on the SEC Access track which links up with the Road. ‘Why not stay on the dirt,’ I said, having just been eying off the track as it weaved its way up the other side of the valley. The first half of the track was very easy, much like Goldie Spur but flatter, with a few gentle It came down at about 8am, so we climbs but more or less following the packed up quickly and took off heading contours. for home, airing up at the Buckland bridge in the rain. About half way along the track we passed an excavator parked off the side Detour around Mt Buffalo of the track. They’d been doing some On Tuesday morning a couple of us widening and shaping. The track just decided to take a 4WD track or two past that point was rough but still easy before getting onto the bitumen. I with good grip. Then around another decided that sounded like a good idea, couple of bends we came across a so we headed off in a two vehicle parked dozer. This was past where the ‘convoy’. The plan was to head up over track started to get steeper as we Goldie Spur track, and then take the descended into the Rose River valley. The track after that point had been reshaped and widened by the dozer, and the now very wet and smooth surface was extremely slippery and very soft in places. Paul said on the radio that he was going to put his rear locker in, and almost immediately after that his rear stepped out. He got the locker on and managed to straighten the vehicle up and crawl down the slope. I put my rear locker in as well, and I also had a little moment trying to stop to do so. We both crawled down the hill trying not to slide off the side of the track as the drop off was very steep. After a couple of kilometres of pretty scary ‘just in control’ crawling down the track hugging the cut batter side of the formation, we made it to the bottom. We then enjoyed a relaxing drive along Rose River Road to Cheshunt where we aired up, before continuing to Whitfield for a very nice lunch at the Mountain View Hotel, and then headed for home.

Russell Thorsen and Andrew Mertens Sandhurst 4WD Club

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 21 WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE? Purchase an Old Man Emu Suspension Kit (two front and two rear springs and four shock absorbers) for your chance to be the lucky winner who chooses between 1 of 4 prizes each WIN! valued at over $75,000! Visit arb.com.au/win to enter.

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THE RED CENTRE MAD does Uluru and the Oodnadatta track, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Coober Pedy

Words and photography by Allyson Watts Firstly I should explain that we belong to true Aussie style. Three weeks was a Plushs Bend just out of Renmark, right the Melton And District four wheel drive perfect amount of time for this. We beside the mighty . What a club, commonly known as the MAD4wd headed out with the Patrol and Jayco brilliant way to start our adventure club. And yes we play on the acronym Heritage, this being our first 'big' trip in together – free camp, friends and a nice saying that ‘We’re all MAD here’. both these vehicles. We had another camp fire. Being June, we didn’t let the Secondly we have a ‘hook award’ pre - couple with us in their camper trailer cold rain and mud, bother us at all. Fine sented at our monthly meetings and and we showed them the Silo Art Trail weather was in store for us the further brought along on longer trips. Well ‘Korn on the way to Renmark where we joined we headed north. Burra was a lovely and the Kernels’ (Kay, Vaughan and the others. Read my article about the historic mining town to stop in for lunch. their 2 young children) had a trip to Silo Art Trail in the October 2018 edition You could easily spend a lot more time Uluru on their bucket list, so they of Caravan and Motorhome On Tour here using their ‘passport key’ from the organised the club trip ‘MAD does Uluru magazine. Visitor Centre to do a self-guided tour 2018’, and what a fantastic trip it was As we were coming from Victoria, we around the town and the historic sites. too! We included the Oodnadatta track, waited until we were in South Australia The key allows you to get into some Lambert’s geographical centre of before buying our fruit and vegies. great places, like the Redruth gaol used Australia, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon There is a quarantine check east of in the Breaker Morant movie. and Coober Pedy. There were 8 Renmark to stop fruit fly and other Out through Lyndhurst we stopped at vehicles and 14 people ranging in age diseases being brought into South the Ochre Pits for a look before continuing from young children to retired, in a Australia. on to Farina. This historic ‘town’ actually variety of accommodation from swags, We joined the rest of our group at had the underground bakery cooking up camper trailers to pop-up campers and caravans old and new. Some, like us, had a bit longer than 3 weeks for this trip, so we headed off a few days earlier and came back a few days later. One of the best things with travelling with a group is the banter that goes on - jokes, sarcasm and friendly rivalry in

MAD does Uluru 2018!

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 23 the attractions. In the hotel is DON’T MISS ATTRACTIONS Russell joined us at the the Tom Kruse room of Patchewollock silo memorabilia, and then outside near the old railway station is Alice Springs Telegraph one of Tom Kruse’s old mail Station trucks. Along with some old Address: Herbert Heritage Ghan train engines, a wooden Drive sundial in the shape of a Cost: up to $15 camel, an old Afghan church Phone: (08) 8952 3993 and the Lake Eyre yacht club, Website: https://alicespring - even though Lake Eyre does n’t stelegraphstation.com.au have water very often at all. Email: trailstation@outback - groupnt.com.au Ready to tackle the Before you leave Marree and ‘remote areas’ begin the Oodnadatta Track, cheap camping option too. you’ll need to fill up with fuel Segway tours Address: Kuniya car park on In Marree we all free camped as the next fuel stop is William Creek. the southern face of Uluru. at the back of the Marree Cost: $129 Hotel. This was great as it Now the famed Oodnadatta Phone: 08 8956 3043 was Charlotte’s 7th birthday Track turned out to be more Website: https://www.ulu - and with prior arrangement, like a dirt highway for us, as it rusegwaytours.com.au/ the hotel put on a birthday had recently been graded. party for her, with our own Those of us with caravans Old Timers Mine room, cake for all of us, party were especially thankful for Address: Crowthers Gully hats, balloons, a present and that. So with our convoy Road Coober Pedy all. So we bought our dinner spread out to avoid each Cost: Family: $40.00 there and Charlotte didn’t other’s dust, we headed Adult: $15.00 miss out on a birthday party. north. Things of note along Standard conces - The start of the Oodnadatta The 12 staff that run the hotel this section were Planehenge, sion: $12.00 Track do a great job, especially as where two airplanes have some delicious delicacies. Child: $5.00 there were also 2 other bus been mounted on their tails in Friends of Farina spend about Phone: (08) 8672 5555 groups staying there. the desert. We stopped to 6 weeks a year volunteering Website: have a look at this outdoor art to rebuild the old town and Marree is a small enough http://www.cooberpedy.com/ gallery of metal sculptures. raise money by baking in the town that you can walk to all old-timers-mine original underground bakery Each year a new art piece is and selling to the lucky peo - added, so there are quite a ple who happen to visit. The few things to look at now. campground there is a good Further up the track is a look - WHERE TO STAY FREE - out over Lake Eyre south. I think I could see the glimmer FREECAMPS of water amongst the salt in the distance. Next were the Name and camps 7 book mound springs called the number: Plushs Bend 108 Bubbler and Blanche Cup. It Address: 6km sth of is incredible how the water Renmark, beside Murray bubbles up out of the ground River at the top of these mounds. Features: Toilets, shade Coward Springs is also near trees, river, scenic there where you can actually get into a little ‘hot tub’ and Name and camps 7 book soak. There’s a nice little walk number: Marree Hotel 382 to the old engine driver’s Address: Railway Terrace S, hut too, which is now an Marree, SA interesting little museum. Features: Toilet, fee showers As we got closer to William Name: Finke River Two Mile Creek, the Oodnadatta track camping area Gordon and Janet remember had more corrugations. Address: Dispersed camping when this sign was outside William Creek is a tiny out - along Finke River back ‘town’ consisting of a Access track nearly opposite hotel, park and campground. Glen Helen Resort, West Lots of people happened to MacDonnell Ranges, NT be staying here tonight. With Features: Finke River, a couple of buses and scenic, shade, no facilities several camping groups like ourselves, the population Name and camps 7 book exploded from 4 to over 100 number: Agnes Creek Rest with a full campground and Area 461 the William Creek Hotel Address: 93km S of Kulgera, booked out for dinner. Our convoy on SA Features: Table, bins, shade the Oodnadatta Track 24 MARCH 2019 TRACKW ATCH CHEAP TREATS

Cheap or free activities in the region

Grab your camera and get your walking shoes on:

Kings Canyon Rim walk Address: Watarrka National Park, NT Website: https://nt.gov.au/leisure/recre - ation/bushwalking-hiking/watarrka- national-park-short-walks

Ranger guided Mala walk Address: Uluru Phone: (08) 8956 1128 Website: Rest stop at Duff creek https://northernterritory.com/uluru-and- surrounds/see-and-do/free-ranger-guid - The Oodnadatta Track was a bit stonier Now another thing on our bucket list ed-mala-walk with a few more dips as we headed was to visit Lambert’s Geographical north to Algebuckina Bridge. We found Centre of Australia. Well, as the Ormiston Gorge averaging about 70kph seemed about Oodnadatta Track had been pretty good Address: Namatjira Drive, 135km west the right speed for us. You really just so far, we thought we’d go up to Finke of Alice Springs. have to drive to the conditions and let a from here, and then across to Lambert’s Phone: 08 8956 7799 bit of air out of the tyres if it’s too corru - Centre of Australia. We did do this but Website: https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks- gated. This was June and there were the road was a whole lot rougher than reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/ormiston- quite a few other vehicles around. I expected. It was corrugated and sandy gorge would say there were about 20 vehicles with some fist sized rocks. Red dust per hour going past us. The Oodnadatta gets in everywhere, and I don’t think you centre of Australia! Photo shoot around Track follows the old Ghan railway line, ever really get it all out. But that doesn’t the flag then we all set up camp nearby. so there are some ruins from old railway matter, it just reminds you of a great Lots of things had rattled loose in the sidings and some old railway bridges to outback trip. Eringa waterhole was a caravan. We re-screwed the pelmet look at. The Algebuckina bridge was a lovely place for lunch and would also over the bedroom window, and then massive engineering feat in its day and make a peaceful free camp. Having all swept up half a dozen screws we is still something to marvel at. It would the water and the lovely big trees out haven't found a home for yet. The next be a good spot to free camp at too. here in the desert really was a sight to day we took it slower over the corruga - We continued in to Oodnadatta for fuel behold. It was also a good spot to tions, spending nearly 3 hours driving and supplies at the famed Pink check for loose nuts from the corruga - out to the bitumen at Kulgera. After a Roadhouse. tions. As it turned out we had some good look around here we all headed loose nuts on the suspension of our car - north to Alice Springs, glad to be on a avan - so that was something to tighten bitumen road. up and keep a close eye on from now. We stayed 3 nights in Alice Springs at The road got worse as we turned the Gap View Hotel campground, towards New Crown. We slowed down having a good look around at the sights. to about 30-40 kph to Charlotte Waters. There was Anzac Hill for great views We had a brief stop at New Crown over the town, and the Telegraph before tackling the wider Mt Dare road Station is an interesting place. The with more corrugations. It was corrugated Telegraph Station was opened in 1872 all the way to Finke. We had a brief look and used for communication via morse on the bitumen at Finke (oh how code between Australia and England smooth!), before even more corruga - and Europe. There is something for tions on the road to Lambert's Centre of everyone in the ‘Alice’ with museums, Australia. The track in to Lambert's was Royal Flying Doctor service, School of The 14km in was sandy and just wide enough for the caravan. the Air and wildlife centres. There are corrugated to the geographical centre The 14km in was sandy and corrugated, also a good range of shops for some of Australia! but we made it to the geographical much needed repairs and don’t forget CARAVAN PARKS an opportunity to do the laundry. West of Alice Springs along Larapinta Name: Ayers Rock camp - Name: Gap View Hotel Name: Riba’s Drive there are lots of great scenic ground campground Underground camping spots. Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm Address: Yulara Drive, Address: 123 Gap Road Address: 1811 William & Ellery Big Hole were on our list today. Yulara Alice Springs NT Creek Road, Coober Everyone was suitably impressed with Phone: 1300 134 044 or Phone: 08 8952 6578 Pedy, S.A. the rock formations and the beauty of +61 8 8957 7001 Email: info@gapviewho - Phone: (08) 8672 5614 nature. Standley Chasm is privately run, Website: tel.com.au Email: ribas@camp- Cost $12 per adult or $10 concession to https://www.ayersrockre - Website: underground.com.au walk the 1.2km down to the chasm. A sort.com.au/accommoda - https://www.gapviewho - Website: well maintained track with cycad palms tion/ayers-rock-camp - tel.com.au/gap-view- http://www.camp-under - leading to the chasm with its magnifi - ground hotel-alice-springs-camp - ground.com.au cent high red cliff walls about 5m apart. ground It was past midday so we didn’t quite

TRACK WATCH MARCH 2019 25 : [email protected]

: www.icom.net.au

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For more information, visit www.icom.net.au VISITOR INFO

Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre Address: Cnr Parsons St & Todd Mall, Alice Springs NT. Phone: (08) 8952 5800 Website: https://www.discover - centralaustralia.com

Yulara Visitor Centre Address: 127 Yulara Dr, Yulara NT. Phone: (08) 8957 7324

Coober Pedy Tourist Information Centre Address: Lot 773 Hutchison St, Coober Pedy SA Phone: (08) 8672 4617 We stopped at Coober Pedy on the way home get to see the sun on the chasm floor. we could spend all the next day at the camp on the way. At Coober Pedy we Ellery Big Hole had freezing cold water, canyon. The Rim walk was exhausting met up with some of our group as we but a beautiful setting. You could easily but so worthwhile! Take food and water stayed at Riba’s underground camping. spend a couple of days camped here. and have plenty of rests along the way We enjoy camping here as you have a The campground seemed quite busy as it is 6km but takes a good 3 to 4 choice of above or below ground camp - though, so others have already beaten hours walking. Early morning is best ing, in your own tent in an underground us to that idea. Past Ormiston Gorge before the day heats up. The sheer cliffs alcove, or in the comfort of a room with and nearly opposite Glen Helen Resort are truly awesome and admiring them is a bed. You even get a discount if you we had chosen Finke River Two Mile a good excuse for a rest! We did some also do their underground opal mine bush camp. Some of the area was soft extra side tracks along the way and tour. sand so the caravans had to take it ended up walking nearly 8km in just The next day we drove a loop around to pretty carefully, but we all found a spot under 4.5 hours. Some did the Kings see the Dog Fence and the Break- by the creek to camp and set up. There Canyon creek walk as well and others aways. Great lookouts as we marvelled are no facilities here, but the views are opted for magnificent views from a at the different colours of nature - truly just magical. helicopter. incredible! Back in Coober Pedy we We spent the next day exploring the We're going to Uluru! Out onto the had a look around several underground beautiful Ormiston Gorge with its stark Lasseter Hwy we had good views of Mt churches and some underground white ghost gums contrasting with the Conner. Most of our group got so excited motels, Old Timers Mine opal shops, the red cliffs and the brilliant blue sky. The at their first sighting of ‘Uluru’, I had to Big Winch and Boot Hill cemetery with Ochre Pits and Glen Helen Gorge were bite my lip not to tell them it was actually its quirky headstones. also great places to see, topped off with Mt Conner. A mistake made by many. It On the way home we called in to a magnificent red sunset from Mt. was a good thing we had pre-booked Woomera where there are many Sonder lookout. Ayers Rock campground at Yulara, as it different rockets on display in the park. was full by early afternoon. We spent 3 Kings Canyon was next on our bucket From here our group all went their own nights there and some extended it to 4 list. Now we had 2 choices to get there. way. What a wonderful bucket list trip! nights as there were so many good We could go the long way around back In hindsight, the Oodnadatta Track was things to see and experience around through Alice Springs and south all via quite good, but cutting across to Finke Uluru. These included air flights, bitumen, or we could follow the Red was probably a bit too rough and helicopter rides, walking tours, Centre Way and take the much shorter corrugated for our particular caravan. segways, camel rides, field of lights, Mereenie Loop. We chose the shorter Also the Mereenie Loop corrugations sunrise and sunsets for both Uluru and option even though it meant more red shook the van around a lot too. With Kata Tjuta. Yulara is about 14km outside dust and corrugations. We bought our more time you can go the longer way to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which Mereenie Loop Pass from Glen Helen Kings Canyon along a bitumen road. costs $25/adult for a 3 day pass. The Resort as the road crosses through There is so much to see in the Red free ranger guided Mala walk around aboriginal reserves. Centre. Take your time and enjoy it all. Uluru was worthwhile and very informa - First stop was Tyler's Lookout over tive and so was the Cultural Centre. Allyson Watts Gosse's Bluff. This Bluff really stands Walking up ‘the rock’ is closed if it’s too Melton And District FWD club out amongst the flat plains. It’s 5km in hot, wet or windy and will be perma - diameter and dates back to a comet nently closed from 26 October 2019. hitting the earth 142 million years ago. WHEN TO VISIT We all did our own thing at Uluru, When we got to the dirt road we let our coming back to regroup around the tyres down again for the corrugations as campfire in the evenings. Our group we headed south towards King Canyon The best time to visit Uluru, Kata Tjuta split up from here with some continuing at around 40kph. We all stopped at the and Australia's Red Centre is between north to Darwin, some making a bee line Watarrka sign to air up for the bitumen - May and September. The weather is home, and others opting to stay an extra Watarrka being the aboriginal name for cooler, making it easier and safer to night. We spent 2 days driving to Kings Canyon. We all camped at Kings walk. At this time of year, the colours Coober Pedy, overnighting at Agnes Canyon Resort for a couple of nights so of the rock are also more vibrant. Creek rest stop for a free overnight

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