Book your holidays, sit down with a Victorian High Country Map to plan your route, pack up the 4WD and come to the Victorian High Country for a trip of a lifetime! The main aim of the, Read More Pulpit Rock & Cape Schanck Lighthouse: Definitely Worth a VisitContinue, If I had to name my favourite place to visit in Williamstown, it would be the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary (and, Read More Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: The Best Place to Visit in Williamstown?Continue. 4 Day High Country Tag-Along Tour Intermediate 4WDrive and Recovery Course at Narbethong For all my favourite travel and photography gear check out this page. Now is a good time to air down and prepare for some challenging 4WDriving. It would involve a fair but of driving (around 1,000km) and our first big adventure with our 11-month-old little girl. . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Find your own secluded campsite by a fresh mountain stream. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . It was the central point of our adventure to the High Country and had been well worth the visit. This was more than just a place to stay though, Elly turned it into an experience. In the evening there are lots of places in eat in Bright including the local craft brewery. Recommended by 94% of travelers. Today a sense of this history can be found in the old ruins, mine workings and the old cemetery. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Check with Parks Victoria to ensure the track is open before you leave home. 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. Make a left turn immediately after the Bridge onto Talbotville Road heading east. Those legs can stand on uneven surfaces Versatile 360 Ball Head Metal ball head comes with a quick release plate for instant camera mounting. Vehicles require low range, high clearance and sufficient recovery gear, while drivers will need grit and experience for some challenging sections. The Talbotville camping area has pit toilets, fire rings and plenty of space to camp. Its alpine destinations and tracks - Wonnangatta, the Dargo High Plains, Blue Rag, Mount Stirling - are legendary and not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. Which is Australias most difficult 4WD track? Friday: Travel to a Talbotville (toilet available) set up camp this will be a static camp We will be travelling to Talbotville via Bulltown Spur track which has lots of river crossings. The photo above was taken with this lens, as were many of the wide-angle shots from on the Alpine Road. Parks Victoria websitekeeps a detailed list of road and track closures. FollowupID: 869585. Beautiful mountain towns, Australian skiing, 4wD Tracks , and Camping are all great to see in the mountains of Victoria. Honestly, you dont need a list from me, just get out of your car and wander around until you see something you like. Be considerate of others on the track. The Victorian High Country (VHC) has some of the best 4WDriving and camping anywhere in Australia, and this trip is into one of the best in the region. Might give you a bit of a start. 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. Carry warm clothing at all times. We stock the full range of Ironman 44 products including Suspension, Bullbars, Lights, Vehicle Protection, Recovery gear, snorkels, auto electrics, dual battery systems, towing accessories, tanks, underbody protection, Camping Gear and more! Would love your thoughts, please comment. With a baby in the car, we didnt quite make the whole loop to Omeo but managed to do an out-and-back journey to Dinner Plain that was more than sufficient as an Alpine fix. This is when the lower foothill areas that are much less used are worth visiting. Like a highlight reel, this 3 night 4WD and camping trip through the high Country will lead you to a number of iconic, must visit places. Win a REDARC solar setup worth over $1700! Photo: Maverick226, CC BY-SA 4.0. Ultimate 4WD & Camping Guide to North Stradbroke Island, Barrington Tops Camping & 4WD Guide Everything You Need To Know, Camping in Wilsons Prom | Everything You Need to Know, An In Depth Beach Driving Guide by Experienced 44 Enthusiasts. You can grab a four beer tasting tray plus local pesto for $12 bring on summer! Next stop-off was beside a man-made lake we saw off to the side of the road about a further 3.5km along. Both Diesel and Unleaded types are available. 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. From short day trips to extended four-wheel drive touring through desert, mountains, rainforest and snow, different routes cater for all levels of skill and expertise. Take some time to absorb this view and appreciate what many believe is the best view in the whole Victorian High Country! But then theres Zeka Spur, Billy Goat Bluff, and the list goes on. 4WD. There will be some places that you may have heard of before, and maybe a few spots that are new. This is one reason why this track is known as one of the most spectacular tracks in the victorian high country the views and vistas are truly outstanding. There are some information boards position along walking tracks which provide commentary into the story of this former mining town. LEARN MORE ABOUT VICTORIA: 30 Interesting & Unusual Facts About Victoria. The steep descent should pose few problems except in wet conditions when some of the clay based sections will become quite slippery. From the Pinnacles carpark it is a short walk up the access track to the radio transmitter and fire spotters hut, then a steep track with sheer drops on both sides to the fire tower. 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!). There are plenty shady parks with rest areas nearby for lunch or a quick stop over. The food will be provided by our very guide. Airlie Beach. Suitable 4WDrive with high and low range. Still free in an age of user pays, there are hundreds of places to roll out the swag, pitch a tent or set up the camper trailer. The Dargo Pubhas a great ambience and is a terrific place to enjoy a cool beverage and grab a meal, while taking in the various photographs and information on offer inside. Holly Revord. Outside of the really busy periods of the year such as Easter and summer long weekends, you are usually assured of getting a suitable site to set up camp. 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. It's full of awesome tracks, picturesque camping, and the type of wilderness usually only available when places are hard to get to. The only formed campsites on the Trail are a couple of grassed areas on New Country Creek, at the base of the infamous 'Staircase' climb that can accommodate at most four vehicles. After a stressful year with the Covid lockdown and not being able to see any family from the UK, a two night stay on Ellys little farmstead was the most relaxed Ive felt in a long long time. Camping gear You need to supply your own camping gear, this is a camping tour there is no accommodation option. 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. The views are absolutely breathtaking the panoramic 360 degree views from the Pinnacles take in the seeminglyendless mountains and valleys to the North and the plains all the way to the sea to the South (on a clear day). Bear in mind that this is a 3.5 hour journey each way to Central Melbourne. Lovicks Hut, King Hut, Craigs Hut the list goes on and on. These areas have pit toilets and large flat grassy areas to setup camp. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road, head pass the Lost Plain picnic area and you eventually arrive at Arbuckle Junction. One of the greatest Victorian road trip destinations, Gariwerd (commonly known by its anglicized name, The Grampians - but it was called Gariwerd by the indigenous population for thousands of years prior) is a spectacular national park. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. Trauma. From Talbotville head east towards Grant, which is approximately 11km via McMillian Road. Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. Victoria's High Country lives up to its claims. 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! Victoria's High Country is the place where many of our best four-wheel drivers earned their spurs. 2-In-1 Tripod/Monopod Featuring a detachable leg and a removable center column, Neewer Carbon Fiber Tripod allows transformation from a tripod to a monopod (Height can reach 68.9 (175cm)) for Adjustable Tripod Legs The 4-section legs with twist locks can extend from 22.6 to 66.1 (57.5cm to 168cm) in seconds and provide reliable stability. 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. Businesses included a butcher, baker, chemist, restaurant and a hotel, with a Post Office operating intermittently into the late 1940s. In the event of you canceling a booking the following refund policy applies. We chose to stay a little outside Beechworth, partly due to cost and partly because we wanted to be out in the country. Its more simple than you think, all you need is a sturdy tripod and a lens with a fairly wide aperture. Move aside and let on coming convoys pass in safety. Continue to follow the road along the river for another 6km then take a left onto Crooked River Track. They offer lenses for most types of cameras (I use a Fuji X-T3) and are cheap enough to have a go without feeling like youre making another major investment. One place wed been keen to see with the Victorian High Country and the Great Alpine Road, so on a late November morning we headed packed up the car and headed out early from Melbourne for five nights away. 4WD only with high clearance and low range capability. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. your itinerary sounds great, could you do day 3 with a camper trailer on? 4WD, road trip, Visit Victoria Urgent Roadside Assistance Call 1300 627 742 Day or Night Find the right battery for your vehicle or application with our Battery Selector: Use the form below to find the right battery for your car, truck, 4WD or boat - in fact any type of battery across our huge range. The itinerary includes two base camps beside beautiful mountain streams and a camp high amongst the snow gums. Tracks with river crossings where you have to pick the right line before carefully climbing out of the current onto the slippery track that leads to another deeper crossing of the same stream. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. Our Place are custom-built holiday homes on a large plot of land in Bright. These are our favourite places from the High Country in the order we visited them. For me, I really love autumn in the High Country. . About all that remains visible of the township are a few stonewalls and the old gold mines in the area. Oct 18, 2019 - Explore the Victorian High Country in Australia. Victoria's High Country - The Official Website - plan and book your next getaway WALKS WITH ENDLESS VIEWS Step outside the everyday. Broadly the High Country encompasses an area starting from Nagambie in the west, Rutherglen in the north, Omeo in the southeast and Jamieson in the south. Basic Requirements For This Tour . From MacFarland Saddle Carpark, continue along Moroka Road for another 14kms and you will cross the Bridget that spans Moroka River. To get to the North Razorback, turn off the Great Alpine Road (B 500) just south of Bright at Germantown on the Mt Beauty Road (C 536). Camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Innif wishing to make a night of it! It was only after wandering around we realised we were at the top of what would be a huge ski slope in winter (though the imposing white frames of the ski-lifts should have been a big giveaway). This is a fantastic option for your first overnight camp. The Blue Rag Range view from the trig point is a multilayered one, as the endless blue mountain ranges seem to go on, and on, and on. The only thing I had to do was loosen the release points of the legs to make them faster to adjust. As tracks re-open, they are often slippery and treacherous in some places, especially after any amounts of rain, care and patience must be taken. 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. . The Deddick Trail features some of the steepest tracks in the Victorian High Country. The Victorian High Country is truly Trayon territory, as many of the tracks are unsuitable for camper trailers, and having the freedom of a slide on camper is a distinct advantage. Yes the apartment is fairly basic and there is no WiFi, but frankly, who cares. However most gates to 4wd tracks are locked in May in anticipation of imminent snowfalls. With its famous Raspberry Grenade, a great tasting beer flavoured with a hint of local raspberries, the Jamieson Brewery is a hard pub to pass. The Victorian High Country provides the best 4Wdriving and most spectacular scenery in Australia. There are pit toilets, a hut and several separate areas to setup camp. Sleeping with the gurgling sound of a nearby creek and waking to the early morning calls of birds like the raucous black cockatoos is priceless. Was a Second Trayon Camper The Right Choice? Ill give the gong here to Bluff Hut, maintained by the Stoney family. It's home to steep climbs and descents, plenty of water crossings and thousands of kilometres of tracks that are ever-changing. It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. . There are a few pieces of must-have kit Id recommended for some time away in the Victorian High Country in summer. The 12mm I picked up was great, as it can focus to infinity and has an aperture of f2. The Moroka road now becomes the Pinnacles road and the next point of interest is Horseyard Flat, approximately 2km from Marathon Road. Both films stand the test of time, and will really get you in the mood for that gorgeous steep terrain that youre about to encounter. The Man From Snowy River 1 & 2 are essential viewing. 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. Victoria's High Country region encompasses an extensive area of alpine mountain terrain about 380km north-east of Melbourne. A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. Trip in a Van blogger Bec Lorrimer takes her family of five into some seriously epic terrain. And as already mentioned, the view from the top is mind-blowing. The most memorable experiences of the entire trip. If you've got a 4x4, you're well on your way to visiting the High Country in your own time, and on your own terms. From Licola, head North on the Tamboritha Road for 13kms and you will reach Currawong Camp, which is the first of several scenic campgrounds in the Wellington River Camping area. It is truly one of the premier camping and 4WDing destinations in Australia with a huge range of tracks and campsites on offer, the majority of which are completelyfree of charge. 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. 4WD Pack Hema HX-1 Navigator 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. The zoo aspect of it wasnt so impressive. The Rooftop series of maps give you a nice, detailed view of the Victorian High Country. Our Place, Bright>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. Each one is unique and historic and they make fantastic refuges when the weather turns nasty, which it will in the Alpine areas. 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. This is one of my favorite views in all ofthe Victorian High Country. More Info will be sent to you once you register with your deposit, No 4WD? We are British ex-pats who moved out to Victoria in 2019 and have been exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content). Victorian High-Country tours are designed as introductory tours for both inexperienced and semi-experienced campers. If your looking for a customised itinerary we can tailor make a tour to suit your requirement. It was only a five-minute walk into the centre of Bright and set against a beautiful backdrop of the mountains. The track itself is extremely narrow at places, with cliff faces on both sides. . Being an Alpine region, winters in the Victorian High Country are undoubtly cold. We have a roof top tent, planning on spending most of our time in the national parks, but also into Melbourne & do the GOR. Duration: 5 Days (approx.) Ive already written a bit about this place in the Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country section, but I wanted to push home the point here. We cruised through Harrietville, a small town with a clear love of gardening ornate shrubs and vibrant blooms made the roadside more entertaining. 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. 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. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. The track eventually comes to a large open grassy area called Talbotville, a very picturesque and terrific place to camp. The view from Dannys Lookout was amazing, we sat up here for well over half an hour, letting our little girl stretch her legs and have a crawl around and chatting with the photographers, who were quite concerned that Id just cleaned my camera lens with my t-shirt! You're at 1,750 metres above sea level, completely surrounded by stark mountains and valleys, which slowly disappear into . THE VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY 4WD TOUR 27,304 views Apr 22, 2018 237 Dislike Share Save Trip In A Van - RoadTrip Australia Series 154K subscribers We drop the caravan off and hit the tracks for a. Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, its also extremely accessible, even for a quick weekend adventure. Lots of hotels they were wild years. Talbotville was another of Gippslands small gold mining towns that sprang to life when gold was found in the Crooked River in 1860 but vanished when the gold ran out. Ive tried my best to create a map showing the area which you can see a screenshot of below or it is saved on Google Maps here. Further along this road there are some great camping areas on the Dargo River with places such as Italian Flat, Dusty Flat and Black Flat just to name a few. There is enough to do here to make it an interesting place to stay home, but the big appeal is access to so many of the High Countrys icons. But theres nothing quite like unfolding HEMAs High Country map to plan your trip. VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY 6-DAY PACKAGE, $2850. With a huge range of tracks and campsites on offer, the majority of which are completely free of charge, the high country is truly one of the premier camping and 4WDing destinations in Australia. Worth a listen and track it on google maps or something as he talks about it. From Talbotville take the McMillan Road up to Grant which is approximately 11km. This trip well explore east, so right it is along the Moroka Road. This is the BEST 4Wdrive adventure in the land. 166 reviews. Today, Dargo is a very popular destination for 4WDers and is considered a hub of the Victorian High Country. A good mate of mine Garry Doyle plays these films through a projector and onto a white sheet around his High Country campsite always to an ecstatic audience. Sunday: Sleep in Pack up head home via Wonnangatta . Now that we have the people who love a bit of exercise sorted let's get onto the good stuff; food and drink! Camping in the Victorian High Country is fantastic. After a night around the campfire, head out east along Tamboritha Road until you reach Bennison Lookout, which is worth a stop as it offers fantastic views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. Almost immediately after starting down Crooked River Track, you will come to the first of 20+ river crossings along this track. Complete this quick survey. When people talk about the Dargo Hotel, they do so with a glint in their eye, and a grin on their gob. The rocky track surface is very slippery when wet so avoid any attempts in poor weather. Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, it's also extremely accessible, even for a quick weekend adventure. Itineraries and trips from 242 experts. [The Webs Most Complete Guide], Melbourne to Mansfield: 190km, 2hrs 30mins, The El Dorado Dredge is unlike anything Ive seen before, One of Victorias best preserved goldfish towns (<- yes, this is a typo, but it made me laugh so I decided to leave it in anyway), A host of unique local stores and great restaurant, The best place to learn about the story of Ned Kelly, The perfect base for adventures on the Great Alpine Road and Mount Buffalo National Park, The high point of our High Country adventure, Focuses to 7.9" (0.2m) and Accepts 67 Filters, 98.9 Degree Angle of View / 18mm (35mm Equivalent, Fast f/2.0 Maximum Aperture Benefits Working in Low-Light Conditions. We can help with the Hire of a 4WD. 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. This is a classic hotel in every sense of the word, with hearty meals, wraparound verandahs and a perfect location. The For this reason, most of the 4WD tracks in the region are closed for from the start of June to November. In the evening shed knock to see if we wanted to go down with her to sort the animals out for th night. If you choose only one place for your High Country Itinerary, Bright should be it. If I had to choose one place to stay for a length of time in the High Country it would be Bright. Peters knowledge of the local area (ask him to show you some of his finds from the river!) Horse rides will be run by Spring Spur Horse Riding. At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff is where the track meets Wonnangatta Road. 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarland Saddle, which is the trail head for the Lake Tali Karang walking track.