Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear, Fuel Fuel requirements for this trip are:- Diesel = 120 litres 4 and V6 petrol = 125 litres Straight 6 and V8 petrol = 150 litres, Spares/equipment A UHF radio we can hire you a radio Carry a snatch strap and rated shackles (see our shop if you need recovery equipment) Spare Fan belts, fuel filter, oil and brake fluid. With inspiring scenery, challenging drives and vibrant townships, it caters to a broad spectrum of travellers' tastes, from off-road adventurers to foodies, hikers, cyclists and more. Included in price: Small-group day tour in a luxury 4WD Travel off the beaten track down exclusive 4WD backroads Morning tea Skybury Coffee Plantation with local coffee or tea, and a snack Spot kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wedge-tail eagles (wildlife galore!) day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. Id seen photos that left me nostalgic of summer trips to Austria and wanted to see this slice of Victoria for myself. At the very top youll find The Horn where its possible to walk the final steep kilometre or so to the very top. 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarland Saddle, which is the trail head for the Lake Tali Karang walking track. So without further ado, here are some of the High Country must see places and my Victorian High Country Itinerary. Outside of peak periods such as summer long weekends or Easter, there should be plenty of availability to setup camp. There are several good camping areas on the cliff-edge but at an elevation of 1500m a cold night is guaranteed and a roaring fire essentialif choosing to camp here. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road and you will arrive at Arbuckle Junction. Beginner trip to the Vic High Country. Victoria's High Country lives up to its claims. May 31, 2019 - Explore Helen Henrich's board "Victorian High Country" on Pinterest. If I want to impress someone, the Blue Rag Range track is short, exhilarating and not too far up the road from Mt Hotham. Victorian High Country Trip Planning Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country Just be careful though, as what looks like a 1 hour drive can turn into much, much longer thanks to the biggest drivable mountains Australia has on offer. . With ample flat grassy campsites adjacent the Dargo River, plenty of shade from the majestic gum trees, and the vista of the surrounding mountains you would be hard pressed to find a better location for a few days. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. One aspect of the Victorian High Country is that it has many spectacular places only known to a relative few, and hopefully, this article will encourage you to explore some of these hidden gems (or perhaps find your own piece of Victorian High Country paradise!). The most memorable experiences of the entire trip. Worth a listen and track it on google maps or something as he talks about it. Next is Tamboritha Saddle and some of the fabulous Victorian high plains. The track climbs steeply from the road and then you are presented with the magical view of the track snaking its way along the mountain spur line into the distance with trig point just visible in the distance. Given the Victorian High Country 4X4 tracks are closed from early June to late October, that narrows down at least some parts of the year. The King Spur Track starts by meandering amongst the Snow Gums before opening out to spectacular views across to Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. Lake Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. Tracks, Towns, Maps and Campgrounds, Photography everything you need to know. If you are travelling up into the High Country with kids, then a sturdy carrier for hikes is going to be needed. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. Mount Buffalo, or more specifically, The Horn at the top of Mount Buffalo is home to some of the most striking and iconic views in the Victorian High Country. Given the impact Covid has had on so many places like this though, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt, as the team seemed to be working really hard while we were there on renovations. Here are a few other things we found really useful on the trip: What is the best place you have visited in Victoria? Turning left will take you through to Eaglevale and onto the iconic Wonnanngatta Station, but on this trek were turning right towards Dargo. Sabbatical Destinations: 20+ Best Places for a Sabbatical, exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content), 30 Interesting & Unusual Facts About Victoria, 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth, Samyang SY12M-FX-SIL 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens for Fujifilm X-Mount Cameras, Silver, Neewer Carbon Fiber 66 inches/168 centimeters Camera Tripod Monopod with 360 Degree Ball Head,1/4 inch Quick Shoe Plate,Bag for DSLR Camera,Video Camcorder,Load up to 26.5 pounds/12 kilograms, Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Green, 10000mAh Portable Charger USB-C Power Delivery (18W) Power Bank Fast Charge for iPhone 11/11 Pro / 11 Pro Max, S10, Pixel 3, iPad Pro 2018, and More, BAGAIL 6 Set Packing Cubes,3 Various Sizes Travel Luggage Packing Organizers(Dark Blue), Osprey Packs FARPOINT 70, Jasper Red, Small/Medium, CHIALSTAR Upgrade Travel Clothesline, Portable Retractable Adjustable Elastic Travel Camping Windproof Clothes Line with 1 Black Waterproof Bag and 12pcs Clothespins for Outdoor and Indoor Use (Blue), Black Diamond Spot 325 Headlamp (Graphite), Rainleaf Microfiber Towel 20X40 Inches Army Green, Leatherman Wave Plus - The multi-tool for any task, 18 multipurpose tools with lockable blades for camping, DIY and outdoor adventures made in the USA in black with Molle holster, 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do, National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 3rd Edition: 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores, Lonely Planet The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World, Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places, Travel Journal by Duncan & Stone - Sage Green | Travel Planner for Best Friend Gift | Vacation Scrapbook and Photo Album | Congratulations Present for College Graduation or Wedding | Adventure Book for Couples or Boyfriend | World Trip Notebook for Women or Men Traveler, 6 Best Yarra Valley Winery Tours From Melbourne, 8 Best Mornington Peninsula Tours From Melbourne, How To Access Google Flights Historical Price Data, 7 Best Rooftop Pools In Sydney, Australia, Is Google Flights Reliable? Youll have the region on the one map, and youll be able to plan each and every stop. Explore the local scene in charming seaside towns and make time for some unusual stops along the way. Head for the hills, because the High Country is the place to be! Each one is unique and historic and they make fantastic refuges when the weather turns nasty, which it will in the Alpine areas. We chose to stay one day in the north of the High Country near Beechworth, two days in the centre in Bright and two days in the south near Mansfield. Just past the Treasures boundary on Lankey Plain is the well-signed track on the right to King Spur and Mayford our ultimate destination for the night. The Talbotville camping area has plenty of picnic tables and fireplaces with cooking plates and fresh water flowing in the Crooked River. Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. The track can be quite narrow in places and it can be challenging to pass oncoming vehicles so put your UHF radio to scan and keep a close watch for vehicles. Best time of year to Visit the High Country? 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in Asia, SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review]. From Grant continue along McMillians Rd for another 5km then turn right onto Dargo High Plans Rd and continue for another 18km until you reach the town of Dargo. From the Wellington River, the road climbs up out of the valley to Bennison Lookout which is worth a stop to take in the fabulous views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. But then theres Zeka Spur, Billy Goat Bluff, and the list goes on. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. About 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarlane Saddle which is the commencement point for the Lake Tali Karng walking track. This was more than just a place to stay though, Elly turned it into an experience. About 6km from Dargo take the Upper Dargo Road which heads off on the right. For two days in the High Country I would suggest basing yourself at Bright for both nights. Sep 14, 2018 - Essential Victorian High Country 4WD Camping Guide. Follow the Wonnagatta Road for 6kms and you will reach the Kingswell Bridge which crosses the Wonnanngatta River. During the gold rush era, the town of Dargo provide a stop over for miners on their way to the goldfields of Grant, Talbotville and Crooked River. For those who want to call it a weekend, head south from Drago along Dargo High Plains Rd. Towns like Bright and Harrietville are simply stunning as the leaves fall, and the bracing weather makes you really feel like a High Country traveller. While most of the crossings are small, there are a few deeper ones to watch out for. Its an architectural striking gold-rush town, filled with well-preserved buildings, quirky local stores and pillar-lined covered walkways to escape the sun. 4X4 High CountryadviceBest Vic High CountryCamping VictoriaguideHo-tohow toTravelVic High Country. Generally this first river crossing is fairly easy but there are several large rocks to avoid. Deposits are non refundable. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. The recommendations on AirBNB were glowing and rightly so. Coming off the back of a year that included a 112-day lockdown in Victoria, this slice of calm on a hill in the High Country was what we needed. If your heart needs a rest from walking to hidden historic sites or driving double black diamond tracks you can head out to stock up on supplies. . The Victorian High Country is a premier camping and 4WD destination that combines breath taking scenery with some of the most spectacular 4WD tracks. About all that remains visible of the township are a few stonewalls and the old gold mines in the area. Reply By: . your itinerary sounds great, could you do day 3 with a camper trailer on? If your looking for a customised itinerary we can tailor make a tour to suit your requirement. All rights reserved. It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. The Talbotville camping area has pit toilets, fire rings and plenty of space to camp. Its worth it for 360 degree views looking out over a view littered with the bodies of burned out gum trees and boulders smoothed from millions of years of erosion. Survival Gear. There are plenty of 4WD and walking tracks emanating from here so it is a good place to base yourself for a few days and explore the areafurther. Beaches, Koalas, waterfalls and much more! For a decent price tripod, try Neewer. Four-wheel driving fans value Victoria's ruggedly diverse national and state parks for the extensive track network and spectacular scenery. Hubby & I have been planning a 3 week trip from FNQ down to Victorian High Country (VHC)in late April early May. You should consider taking out Travel Insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances including illness, vehicle problems or family matters. From Talbotville take the McMillan Road up to Grant which is approximately 11km. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. Its a short but steep walk up to the fire tower lookout perched on a rocky summit. The Victorian High Country, so many different tracks, so many mountains to climb, so many creeks to cross. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. Make sure you stop in at the old style sweet shop to stock up. We can help with the Hire of a 4WD. From the King Spur Track turn right onto the Dargo High Plains Road and drive 6km to the Blue Rag Track which commences on the left beside a small dam. We found it on our journey between Bright and Mansfield, a few kilometres down a dusty track, a worthwhile stop off if youre in the area. You are using an out of date browser. For a five day Victorian High Country Itinerary I would suggest one night in Beechworth, two in Bright and then two near Mansfield to finish off where you can visit Jamieson, Mount Buller or do as we did, relax on a farmstead. Located near Lake Cobbler and down a few hundred metres of bush track, Dandongadale Falls is quite impressive. Great Ocean Road. And thanks to cut-price DVDs at big retailers, theyre not hard to find, either. If you visit in Winter, you'll find the mighty Alpine blanketed in snow with Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and . From Grant head 6km to the Dargo High Plains Road then turn right toward Dargo which is a further 17km away. From Dargo Melbourne is around a 4 hour drive. This track is doable with a camper trailer but having a lightweight slide on like the Trayon makes the experience easier and safer without sacrificing any of the camping essentials we like to have in the bush nowadays. Although in a literal sense, you could actually miss it, as its perched just off the main road between Mansfield and Jamieson. At over 2,000 tons it is huge and at one point was the second largest drain on Victorias electricity supply behind the cities of Melbourne and Geelong! . On a clear day, you can see as far as Gippsland Lakes, Mt Hotham to the north and the settled areas of the Wonnangatta Valley far below. The rest of El Dorado is fairly sleepy, with a couple of little hikes near the creeks, a self-guided historic town walk and the Mcevoy Tavern, which lays claim to being the smallest pub in Victoria. For those heading into the High Country, Dargo offers a chance to grab some last min supplies and fuel from the General Store. There's an open plateau at around 1,600m elevation covered in low flowering bushes with 360 degree views just nearby the camp site. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The Great Alpine Road was the main reason for our visit to the High Country. 4WD Tracks of the High Country will lead the reader through twenty of the best four-wheel drive touring destinations in the Victorian and New South Wales High Country. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road, head pass the Lost Plain picnic area and you eventually arrive at Arbuckle Junction. Hello every one i just signed up last night (this is a great web site and forum. A mountain gold town which flourished during Victorias golden era, Talbotville was one of the longest surviving towns in the region. Be considerate of others on the track. A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. However most gates to 4wd tracks are locked in May in anticipation of imminent snowfalls. From here you can take a day to drive the best part of the Great Alpine Road up to Hotham Heights, even doing the full loop up to Omea and back round to Mount Beauty. We chose the Spring home, which had two bedrooms, perfect for us with our little girl. 4. A fantastic option when passing through is to enjoy a meal at the legendary Dargo Pub. 7.3 km from the winter gate at the end of the rough 2WD section of the road. We were grateful for finding somewhere to eat though, and politely listened to stories about people wed never met whilst munching on some freshly made sandwiches. Being an Alpine region, winters in the Victorian High Country are undoubtly cold. You have arrived at the historical Talbotville Camping Area. Arguably one of the most well-known and scenic coastal drives in Australia, the Great Ocean Road can be done by anyone with a well-maintained 2WD or 4WD and an adventurous spirit. The proximity of the High Country to surrounding towns adds variety to a visit. Itineraries and trips from 242 experts. Accommodation is also available in log cabins. The track eventually comes to a large open grassy area called Talbotville, a very picturesque and terrific place to camp. Finding each campground is straight forward since all campgrounds are clearly sign posted and easily visible from Tamboritha Road. For three days I would add a nights stay in Beechworth to the itinerary above, a historic rural Victorian town with lots to do. Find and compare all 988 South Africa tours, cruises, and packages from 242 companies. Next stop-off was beside a man-made lake we saw off to the side of the road about a further 3.5km along. The lake is one of Victorias deepest natural lakes and is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. Recommended days: 2-3 days. They are sturdy, fairly light without being ridiculously expensive. Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . I have visited this area for over 25 years and have put together a trip that includes the magic and splendour of this great land. I posted the below request for assistance in new members and received some positive feedback however it was suggested i post this request here for a better response. Long rocky climbs seem to go on forever, only to end with spectacular views of mountains and the distant thin lines of other tracks crossing the ridges. From end-to-end, Billy Goat Bluff track is less than 10kms but due to the challenging terrain, its advisable to schedule at least an hour for this trek. You're at 1,750 metres above sea level, completely surrounded by stark mountains and valleys, which slowly disappear into . Yes the apartment is fairly basic and there is no WiFi, but frankly, who cares. There is plenty to see here including grabbing some last minute supplies, souvenirs or fuel from the general store. Beautiful mountain towns, Australian skiing, 4wD Tracks , and Camping are all great to see in the mountains of Victoria. Victoria Content Hub Day 1 Melbourne to Bright Distance 324km - Driving Time About 4 hours Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Great Alpine Road as you set off on your adventure. The bamboo bridges are one of Luang Prabangs most iconic sights and appear on many famous photos of the town. This is a fantastic option for your first overnight camp. The Moroka road offers great views at times to the north across the Avon Wilderness area with the mountain ranges in the distance. Both Diesel and Unleaded types are available. Turn right off the Dargo High Plains Road and start your journey along King Spur Track. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. See more ideas about country, victorian, australia country. If I had to choose one place to stay for a length of time in the High Country it would be Bright. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. Trip in a Van blogger Bec Lorrimer takes her family of five into some seriously epic terrain. Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail is an easily drivable, or even better, chauffeured drive through the High Country. This is not a problem during hotter months, as the tracks dry out and become quiet dusty. When you arrive, you will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the High Country. Continue to follow the road along the river for another 6km then take a left onto Crooked River Track. A guided 4 day Pack-Free walk. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Alpine National Park. Now that we have the people who love a bit of exercise sorted let's get onto the good stuff; food and drink! The Ingeegoodbee Track is one of the High Countries 4WD test-pieces. The photographs in the store feature some great pictures of previous travelers dilemmas, as well as photographs of the dramatic weather conditions such as floods and fires. Facilities There are pit toilets at our camp sites. From Dargo take the road north on the Dargo High Plains Road through picturesque farmland and past charming homesteads, until climbing out of the valley into a forested area. On the other side of the range is the Dargo Hotel, est 1898. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info. This is when the lower foothill areas that are much less used are worth visiting. There have been too many instances of drivers failing to do so, and plummeting of the side of the track and into the snow gums.