Sunday 5th January - Wednesday 8th January 2025
Leaders: David H
Participants: Andrew (visitor), Gary and Geoff
Sunday 5th of January, Day 1
We all met opposite the Mansfield Bakery as planned at around 10:30am. This gave us time to taste the offerings from the bakery or grab a coffee. David covered the trip briefing before we left Mansfield and headed towards Mt Buller on the blacktop. At the Howqua Road we turned right and immediately aired down. Andrew had problems with his battery (later corrected) and needed to be jump started. The most noticeable aspect of the drive down to Sheepyard Flat was the steady stream of vehicles towing massive caravans heading home. This is a simple joy of 4wding outside of the peak times.
Our first stop was Frys Hut. We had a good chat with some Horse people and admired cattle that appeared intent on snapping reversing mirrors on our vehicles. The temperature of the day was warming up. The predicted temperature was in the high 30s.
We next inspected several Huts in the area of which a couple were privately owned. The folks at these huts were kind enough to allow us to look inside their huts and shared the interesting history of each. One hut had leadlight glass windows from an old pub on Collins St in Melbourne and an amazing stone chimney that would go along way to ensure a cosy winter's night.
We stopped for lunch and complained about the flies. After lunch we went looking for a tunnel that had been used to divert water, presumably connected to gold mining. We found the tunnel which only had a trickle of water and if not for the slippery rocks we probably could have walked through. No one volunteered.
The temperature of the day was now pushing 38 degrees and it had been a long drive up to Mansfield for most of us. We checked out a few camping grounds and finally settled on 8 Mile Camping Ground. High on our criteria was access to a river or stream.
The river was calling. The high country rivers are always “refreshing”. We ended up spending quite a while in the river, enjoying a cool drink and great conversation. We had the place to ourselves until later in the evening when a camper trailer came in but setup some distance from us. The day’s tracks were very easy and 4x4 not required. We braced for a warm night which actually wasn’t that bad in the end.
Monday 6th of January, Day 2
We woke up to the threat of rain. What a difference a day makes in the High Country! Leaving the camp ground we turned onto Brooks Road, then Bluff Link Road and Bluff track. We could see the “Monument” in the distance as we approached Bluff Hut. The Monument looks like an Indian’s face.
Bluff Track took us to Bluff Hut. Another amazing High Country Hut with a horseyard and a camping area at the front.
Rain began to fall. The tracks from here on in covered the full range of conditions. Wet, rough, steep both up and down. Our next stop was at Lovicks Hut for a very wet morning tea. Others had the same idea but did not join us in the hut.
It was extremely wet by the time we began King Billy Track. The rain made the rocky track a little more difficult.
It wasn’t long before we were driving in the clouds, with temperature measured at a cool 12 degrees. A far cry from yesterday’s weather. Visibility was reduced. However given the rocky terrain, speeds were slow.
We stopped for a short break to check out the old snowgum which has an enormous girth. We wondered how old this majestic tree would be.
Of course there is the interesting rock scree. A pop quiz over the UHF and the best answer was it is formed by a glazier.
At the top of King Billy Track we turned onto Howitt Road with the plan to stop at Howitt Hut for lunch. The Howitt High Plains are another wonder of the High Country.
We escaped rain for lunch by eating in the hut. At this point it had been raining for most of the morning and the tracks were becoming very wet. Our planned trip route was to descend Zeka Spur to reach Wonnangatta. Given the conditions, our trip leader trip did what any responsible trip leader would do - stayed the course! Zeka Spur here we come!
We backtracked up Howitt Road until turning right on to Zeka track then proceeded to Wonnangatta Valley. Zeka Spur was definitely wet. There were a few fun steep slippery sections. However the convoy navigated these with little difficulty.
Bucks Camp was on our must visit list. This is the site of recent Wonnangatta Murder(s). It is actually a lovely camping spot. Such a shame what had occurred there a couple of years ago.
It was still raining. The typical High Country drizzle had well and truly settled in. We drove around Wonanngatta Valley to choose the best camping spot. We were spoilt for choice with only one other camper in the valley. Intermittent heavy rain continued throughout the evening, before a strong wind took over.
Tuesday 7th of January, Day 3
By the morning the weather had cleared up and most equipment was dry, or almost. Today was going to be the “fun” 4wd day. Several fords and steep climbs were on the agenda. After breakfast and a visit to the cemetery and homestead site we tried a few of the apples growing wild around the area from the old orchards. Don’t rush to find them.
We exited the valley on the Wonnangatta Track. The condition of the track was excellent despite large puddles but the surface was firm underneath. We turned onto Herne Spur Track, known as one of the steepest tracks in the High Country. Before we encountered the steep section, we had to cross the river 5 times.
We spent a while assessing the first river crossing, mostly because we hadn’t done any river crossing in quite some time and could not see the bottom of the river. After visions of our 4wds floating down the river were removed from memory, we all successfully crossed the ford. In reality, the 5 river crossings did not present a problem, but were probably higher than normal.
We reached the steep section of Herne Spur Track. It was indeed steep and rocky in places. We crossed paths with a convey heading down. Luckily we were able to find a suitable place to pull over. Our fearless convoy had no dramas ascending Herne Spur.
Morning tea as taken along Cynthia Range Track. As we proceeded along Cynthia Range Track, we came across a very difficult section of track. This section was rocky and steep with a couple of decent sized rock ledges.
Ironically, a few km’s later, the track was partially blocked by a ute and a sign “PREPARE TO STOP ROAD WORKS IN PROGRESS”. Although the rather large dozer and two utes and 4 workers were the ones who were actually stopped! These bastions of the road had parked their ute directly in the centre of the narrow track and it was mirror to mirror passing.
We crossed the Wongungarra River and stopped for lunch at the campsite. rom here we drove the steep climb up Randalls Track to reach a cool lookout area. We proceeded via various tracks until we reached Collins Hut camping area. It is worth noting that the Hut had vanished! Completely gone. And so too the toilet.
Wednesday 8th of January, Day 4
After a restful night, the trip was declared over and we all made our individual ways home. But we all met in Rosedale for coffee and cake first.
Text: Geoff
Photos: David