Sunday 17th November - Friday 22nd November 2023
Gathering Coordinator: Phil & Gill
The annual gathering of the Offpeak 4WD club consists of a base camp with at least two or three trips per day offered to participants. The base camp this year was at Colac Colac caravan park situated about 6 kilometres west of Corryong. The group consisted of 12 vehicles and 21 members. This was a lower number of attendees compared with other years.
Driving to Colac Colac from Melbourne on Sunday the 17th of November was in rain and wind a fair amount of the way. I think the underside of the cars got a good spray wash. The priority was to explore the local area, typically referred to as the Upper Murray. Trip leaders were called on at the Sunday evening happy hour to start the process of suggested trips for the week. Due consideration was given to wet state of the tracks. We wondered how slippery they may be.
Monday dawned a glorious day, hard to believe the day before was so unforgiving. We were lucky this was the weather for the rest of the week. Our tent was a dry pack up on Friday morning. Our trip leaders stepped forward with planned and impromptu trips and these were quickly filled. The trips offered over the four days consisted of hard technical tracks as well as destination trips. As the tracks continued to dry out some trips moved to the difficult category.
The gathering concluded on Thursday evening before a final dinner for the group at the Courthouse hotel in Corryong.
Monday 18th - Wheelers Creek Hut and Gibson Hut
Leaders: Uwe
Participants: Graham, Peter, Geoff & Peggy, Gill & Phil
A large amount of heavy rain fell in the Corryong region during the previous day before the start of the Gathering. So the choice of tracks for Day 1 was carefully considered.
We left Colac Colac Caravan Park about 9.00am and headed out on the asphalt of the Nariel Creek Rd through beef cattle green grazing farmland. When we reached the gravel of the Benambra-Corryong Rd where we aired down. Driving this rough gravel road we witnessed fire damaged trees, many now showing signs of regrowth. We stopped at the Mt Bogong lookout for morning tea. Dartmouth Dam was also visible in the distance as the sky was clear and blue.
As we turned onto Wild Boar Track, the track quickly became narrower, rockier and peppered with many long deep puddles. Trees needed to be removed as the track hadn’t recently been travelled. We had a steep, long climb up to the Mt Sassafras Trig Point (1583m).
On our descent we encountered a large tree over the track at a tight hairpin bend. With some careful driving and spotting, we were able to get our leader’s car into a position where he used his winch to manoeuvre the tree off the track sufficiently that cars were able to negotiate the bend from either direction.
As we continued along Wild Boar Track, the track became narrower and more corrugated with deep ruts. The soft, slippery clay surface required careful wheel placement to avoid sliding into the deep grooves of the track.
Finally, we turned onto Paddy Joy Track, crossed a creek and were soon at Wheeler Creek Track then into the picnic and large camping area at Wheeler Creek Hut where we stopped for lunch. The recently constructed hut and toilet facility were appreciated by our group.
Leaving our lunch spot, we crossed over Wheelers Creek and headed to Cattleman Creek Track then Dustan Track to arrive at Gibson Hut. This was another recently constructed hut after the 2019 fires in the area.
As we headed off along Dead Finish Track we stopped at the new Walkers Lookout to take in wonderful clear views towards Mt Kosciuszko and Thredbo. Walkers Log Road was an easy drive along a well-maintained gravel road and then back into Corryong where the trip was closed.
In all, it was a very scenic day travelling interesting tracks. The total distance travelled was 150km.
Text: Gill
Photos: Gill
Monday 18th - Mount Mittamatite & Burrowa Pine Mountain
Leaders: JP and Trish
Participants: Paul & Tineke, Dany & Fay, Tony, Colin A
Following the trip briefing we left Colac Colac Caravan Park around 09:00 on a lovely sunny morning. We headed through Towong then onto the Murray River Road where we stopped at Farrans lookout to take in the glorious views across the Muray River valley to the mountain ranges in the distance.
We then travelled further along Murray River Road where we left the black top turning onto Ranch Road. We aired down to a more suitable tire pressure for the track conditions and continued on towards Mt Mittamatite. The track weaved upwards through farming land before entering Mt Mittamatite Park.
We continued along Ranch Road and turned off to Embery Lookout where we had morning tea and enjoyed the commanding views over the valley and Corryong to the distant mountains. Following morning tea we went to the base of the Mt Mittamatite communication tower which was the end of the track. We then headed back retracing our path back to Murray River Road. We followed Murray River Road for a short distance before turning onto Pine Mountain Creek Road.
Pine Mountain Creek Road looked like a road least travelled. The track followed along farming land. There were several gates, some which were closed, and stock grazing along the track. At some points the track was nearly completed covered by grass. We then entered Wermatong Track where we came across some fallen branches/trees requiring some chainsaw work. We stopped for lunch at the junction of Wermatong and Leak Tracks.
Following lunch, we continued along Wermatong Track clearing more fallen branches/trees on the way. Wermatong Track ended at Cudgewa Bluff Road which we followed and then turned onto Bluff Falls Road with the intention of visiting Bluff Falls. When we reached the Bluff Falls camping area we discovered that the falls was closed for maintenance work and the area was gated closed. We then headed back to Corryong via Cudgewa Bluff Road, Tintaldra Road and Briggs Gap Road where the trip ended.
Text: Colin A
Photos: Colin A
Tuesday 19th - Mystery Track to Mt Elliot Ridge
Leaders: Colin A
Participants: Geoff and Peggy, Gill and Phil and Paul and Tineke and Tony
After gathering for a briefing from Colin at 9am we departed the Colac Colac Caravan Park, turning left towards Corryong and driving through the town before turning right onto Thowgla Rd. From there we turned left onto Mystery Lane Track where we stopped to air down before climbing steeply to an altitude of 918m, stopping part-way to reassemble. The track was firm despite recent rains and led along a ridge through tall eucalypts.
Greys Track, which we took next, was very ‘down and up’ before descending steeply to Walkers Rd and Bullocky Creek Campground, a very pleasant spot at which to have morning tea. Of course, Tony felt compelled to try the water-crossing that traversed the Bullocky Creek!
Further along Walkers Rd we turned onto Gentle Annie, part of which had apparently recently been bulldozed, making for comparatively smooth driving. This very pretty and sometimes very steep track was bordered by wildflowers and eucalypts and took us back up to an altitude of over 1000m. We continued along Mt Elliot ridge and on the way passed a sign ‘Mt Onslow Goldmine 1895’ nailed to a tree. We saw no sign of the mine but were amazed that one had ever existed way up there.
Having spread out a bit the group caught up at the intersection of the rather inaptly named Cherry Tree Avenue as there was no cherry tree in sight! Colin had proceeded no more than a couple of metres further when he spotted a fallen tree across the track. Out came the chainsaw and safety gear and he set to work cutting it up and removing it from the track. A discussion was had as to whether we should continue along Mt Elliot Rd or take the quicker Mystery Lane Track back down into the valley. We took the latter down to Nariel Gap and drove back to Colac Colac through green, rolling farmland – the scenic way!
Text: Peggy
Photo: Peggy
Tuesday 19th - Tumbarumba, NSW & Burrowa - Pine Mountain NP
Leaders: Graham
Participants: Peter, J-P & Trish, Danny & Fay, Uwe, Richard & Maria
We left camp at 9.25 am travelling the Murray Valley Highway to Towong before turning left and over a bridge to NSW. All passports being checked and ok, we headed towards Tumbarumba.
Up on a hill we stopped at the Southern Cloud lookout to familiarize ourselves about the plane crash of the Southern Cloud, an Avro 10 that disappeared in 1931. Going on we stopped at Paddy’s River Falls for morning tea and photos of the falls. A good amount of water going over the falls as the rain of the previous week was still draining down the river.
At Tumbarumba we headed towards Wagga / Albury and recrossed the Murray at Jingellic and turned right along the Murray River Road, stopping at Mount Alfred lookout.
At Burrowye we turned left to Guy’s Forest and stopped at a clear area near a creek for lunch before going on. A sharp right saw us on Sandy Creek Road before a right turn onto Cudgewa Bluff Road.
A right turn on Cudgewa Valley Road saw us back on the bitumen and on our way back to camp. A pleasant and relaxing trip of about 214 km mostly on bitumen, got us back at camp at 2.25 pm.
Thanks Graham for a nice day in the countryside.
Text: J-P & Trish
Photo: J-P
Wednesday 20th - Goldmines Relics Trip
Leader: JP and Trish
Participants: Paul, Richard and Maria, Ignatius and Angela, Tony
At 9.00am we left the Colac Colac Caravan Park in North East Victoria. We turned right out of the campground, then left after the bridge. There were luscious green paddocks with cattle, and rolling hills. We went through the small township of Nariel.
We were travelling along the Benambra-Corryong road, when we came to a dirt track. We stopped to ‘air down’, Angela started having trouble with her Navigation System, but JP kindly assisted.
We then turned right, along with a Water truck. From the Gibb Range Road we turned left onto the Glendart Track, and we saw purple flowers. Maria took a photo as she is interested in flowers, and indeed later during this trip, the convoy stopped a couple of times for her to see some special orchids. We came across the first logs over the track, and JP needed to use his chainsaw to cut them. Other members helped clear the road.
We next had to get into Low Range, and although Ignatius had read the Manual about the gears, this was his first opportunity to gain practical experience in his new 4WD, aided by other members.
We stopped for Morning Tea at Glendart town and left at 10.45am. We saw gold mining relics on the left-hand side of the road, which was the aim of the trip. We wonder how in the old days people were able to get to all these difficult and remote places, and get the ore out! Later, with good coordination we successfully manoeuvred ourselves out of a difficult turn-around on Sipthorp Track in the Alpine National Park. Thank you to JP and Paul for their most appreciated help. Some member went down to look at the Gold Mine, and JP took photos.
We drove from Sipthorp Track , and turned left back onto Glendart Track. Further down the track there was another log, so JP had to again use his chainsaw, while the others removed debris away to the side of the road.
We then turned right onto Benambra-Corryong road again, got out of Low range , and had lunch at the Windfall Picnic Area off Eustace Track Following lunch, we took Eustace Gap Track towards Dartmouth Track.
We parked at Greens Gully carpark and most of the club members walked down to the Greens Creek Battery, a 45 minute walk.
Unfortunately there was not enough time to continue to visit another mine as we had to return to camp for our Trip Briefing Session at 5pm. We had to regroup in the convoy, and return back to camp via the Benambra-Corryong road.
This was an interesting trip, seeing iconic gold mines which were unknown to us beforehand, and a big Thank You to JP for organizing it, and also thanks to the experienced club members for their gracious help for a less experienced member.
Also, funnily, on our way back to camp we encountered roadworks, and Tony who was TC (Tail End Charlie) in a small 4WD, was asked by a road worker whether we were the Toyota club, because the road is seldom used.
Text: Angela and Ignatius
Photos: JP
Wednesday 20th - Mt Benambra Fire Tower
Leader: Uwe
Participants: Geoff & Peggy, Peter, Colin A. and Graham.
After an 8:30 briefing on another beautiful morning, five vehicles headed west from the caravan park to the Benambra Corryong Rd where we turned south through Nariel to Stacey Bridge Reserve, just before the tarmac ended. Here we dropped our tyre pressures in anticipation of the rough gravel surface ahead. As it turned out, the road had been graded in the last twenty-four hours and was as smooth as the proverbial baby’s whatsit.
Continuing south to Gibb Range Tk where we turned right, once again, a freshly graded track greeted us, so we cruised the 25 km to Cravensville Rd which was also in remarkably good condition. The driving so far had been through forest and farmland which was pretty much the pattern for the rest of the day. Morning tea was under a tree on the side of the road at Buchee Creek.
Proceeding, we crossed some farm paddocks, opening and closing gates at either end, to join Mt Benambra Rd, also in good nick, and re-enter the forest. The road began to climb, getting progressively steeper as we approached the summit. At one point, one of the vehicles crawled to a stop. The suggestion came over the radio to try low range. This helped and the vehicle was underway again, but there was still something wrong. Another suggestion from another radio was to turn it off and on again. That presumably cleared a fault code and all was suddenly well, so we continued without further incident.
Due to limited parking at the tower itself, we parked at the fire watcher’s cabin and walked the rest of the way. The tower is a combined fire and communications tower and we climbed to the first level viewing platform where the view over Lake Dartmouth is spectacular.
After lunch back at the cabin, we descended the mountain and took the short diversion to the Dartmouth Dam where we reinflated our tyres and definitely didn’t discuss all the technical features of the dam and its workings. Then began the long, loong drive on the bitumen back to camp where we arrived at 4:00 pm after a total distance of 260 km.
Text: Graham
Photo: Graham
Thursday 21st - Geehi
Leader: Graham
Participants: Uwe, Peter, Tony, Colin A
Following the trip briefing we left Colac Colac Caravan Park around 06:30 on yet another lovely sunny morning. We headed through Corryong to Khancoban where we stopped to allow those needing a National Parks Visitor Pass to get one. From Khancoban we travelled on the Alpine way to Geehi Reservoir Road. This road was gravel but easy enough not to require airing down.
Along the Geehi Reservoir Road we took a side track to Olsens Lookout. Here there was parking space for two vehicles and picnic tables/benches for 18 persons. We managed to get all our vehicles turns around safely under Graham’s directions settled in to enjoy the views while we having our morning tea.
From Olsens Lookout we continued onto Geehi Reservoir. The track was easy with occasional views across the Geehi valley. Arriving at the Geehi Reservoir the modest size of the dam and body of water appeared to be the most notable feature. The dam did however have a very interesting funnel style overflow arrangement. This was a good spot to take a break and have a bit of a look around.
Moving on we travelled back along Geehi Reservoir Road towards the Alpine Way enjoying the views, bush and fern banks along the way. At one of the fern banks Graham spotted a deer. The deer stayed put for most of the convoy to see except the Tail End Charlie who just missed out.
Back on the Alpine Way we headed to the Geehi Rest/Camping area where we had lunch on the banks of the Swampy Plain River. After lunch we forded the Swampy Plain River to west side. The river was clear, not very deep and had a firm stony bed. We followed along the river for a short while then forded the river again. This ford was similar to the first ford but a bit longer.
We continued north on Geehi Walls Fire Trail which was an easy 4wd track, some sections were optional low range. Nearing the end of the Geehi Walls Fire Trail we took a short diversion to Major Clews Hut. Major Clews was a surveyor for the snowy mountain scheme. He built the hut as his retirement home and the late 1950’s.
We continued along Geehi Walls Fire Trail to Waterfall Farm Road (black top), and then into Khancoban to the Alpine Way and then back to Corryong where the trip was ended.
Text: Colin A
Photos: Colin A
Thursday 21st - Khancoban Tour
Leaders: Paul & Tineke
Participants: Jean-Philipe & Trish, Mark & Felicity, Danny & Fay and Ignatius & Angela
As an alternative to the previous day’s traversing of mountains and valleys on predominantly 4WD tracks, Paul and Tineke decided to offer a semi rest day touring some of the bitumen roads and places of interest around Khancoban.
At around 10.00am under a brilliant blue sky four vehicles left camp in an easterly direction towards Corryong where we rendezvoused with the fifth members of our group. We all then continued eastward along the Murray Valley Highway (B400) for 6 kms before turning right for Khancoban, still on the B400.
This section of the tour was very picturesque, winding its way through hilly terrain and pretty valleys. We passed over the Towong Gap (Patricks Lookout 425m) which gave us a great view down the valley ahead. At a short distance further on we crossed the Murray River where the B400 becomes the Alpine Way. As we crossed the Murray River we noticed a large metallic-looking sculpture of a Crayfish. We didn’t stop to take a closer look as morning tea at Khancoban beckoned, so we pressed on into NSW territory arriving shortly after at the Khancoban Information Centre.
After a very brief visit to the Info Centre we made a bee-line for the Khancoban café/general store, oddly called the Pickled Parrot Providore. Needless to say we all gave the ‘pickled parrot’ a miss and settled for coffee and cake and other delights and an extended social chat before inspecting the Kosciuszko Hydro System display housed in the same building.
As most of us know the Snowy Hydro System was a massive engineering undertaking so the information on display was both very interesting and voluminous. A number of scale model displays enhanced our appreciation of the size and complexity of the system.
At around 11.50am we returned to our vehicles and resumed our travel along the Alpine Way heading for the Kosciuszko National Park. Along this very windy section the road was boarded by very steep and heavily timbered mountains that disappeared deep into dark gullies below. We continued along the Alpine Way towards Geehi but our target destination was the Murray No 1 Power Station viewing platform.
From the viewing platform we had a bird’s-eye view of the power station which is the second largest in the Snowy Mountains Scheme and is fed by 3 very large pipes (up to 4.2m in diam) that appear from over the mountain behind the power station. These pipes transfer water from the Geehi Reservoir some 1560m upstream. The power station houses 10 turbine generators and after generating electricity at Murray No 1 the water continues on downstream to generate more at Murray Power Station No 2.
After taking in the sites and digesting as much info as possible we returned to our vehicles, did a U turn and retraced our steps back towards Khancoban to inspect Murray Power Station No 2. This Power Station is located close to Khancoban down a side road aptly named Murray Power Station No 2 Road. A short distance down this road loomed a very large complex consisting of a large building, the Murray Group Control Centre, many other outbuildings and an extensive grid of transformers, insulators and all manner of things electrical. At that point our brains were almost fused with information so we decided to opt for a relaxing drive across the nearby Khancoban Pondage Dam Wall.
Once there we inspected the spillway, took a few photos and soaked up some of the scenery on offer before returning to the Alpine Way for the return journey.
Our last stop for the day was at the Bringenbrong Bridge rest area on the Murray River (the same location as the aforementioned Crayfish Sculpture). During the short stay there we took a group photo of the trip participants before our leader declared the trip closed. We all made our own way back to camp having enjoyed a most relaxing and sociable day. Total distance camp to camp was 90kms.
Our thanks go to Trip Leaders Paul and Tineke and to first time TC’s Ignatius and Angela, who echoed our leader’s directions with great clarity. Well done all!
Text: Danny & Fay
Photos: Danny & Fay