The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. Finding each campground is straight forward since all campgrounds are clearly sign posted and easily visible from Tamboritha Road. Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. 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. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info to fit your itinarary this might be some ideas to work with camp at sheepyard flat out of mansfield day 1 craigs hut and mt stirling, back to sheepyard flat day 2 bindaree falls and lake cobbler loop via the staircase, back to sheepyard The For this reason, most of the 4WD tracks in the region are closed for from the start of June to November. Its alpine destinations and tracks - Wonnangatta, the Dargo High Plains, Blue Rag, Mount Stirling - are legendary and not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. Basic Requirements For This Tour . . 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. This walk traverses diverse landscapes of forests, alpine grassland, winters snow-blanketed mountains, precipitous ridges and high plains. [Pros & Cons], 100+ Incredible Travel Resources (For Simple & Cheap Travel), Taking a Year Off Work to Travel (Full Guide +4 Examples), Things To Do Before Travel: 35 Clever Little Tips [Checklist], 19 Alternative Travel Tips and Tricks I use on Every Trip, What is a Sabbatical? At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff track is the Wonnangatta Road. For this, I am assuming you have a weekend and are travelling up on a Friday night before returning late on a Sunday. Tim Bates recently did a 2 part youtube live of what he reckons would be the trip of a lifetime, aimed at people that aren't experts on high country travel and not into the hardest of tracks. While most of the crossings are small, there are a few deeper ones to watch out for. Following the Ovens Valley, head to Bright, your destination for the evening. 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. The cattlemen brought their own culture to the High Country and it has become part of our heritage celebrated in song, poetry and film. 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 round-trip tour from Bright in the High Country combines hikes through the ski villages of Falls Creek, Hotham and Dinner Plain . The King Spur Track starts by meandering amongst the Snow Gums before opening out to spectacular views across to Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. Carry warm clothing at all times. Recommended days: 2-3 days. 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. Alpine National Park is an Australian Alps national park in the High Country region of Victoria. 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!). Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. Drive distance: 243 km. Bear in mind that this is a 3.5 hour journey each way to Central Melbourne. Each one is unique and historic and they make fantastic refuges when the weather turns nasty, which it will in the Alpine areas. It will take between two and a half and three and a half hours to get to the Victorian High Country, dependant on traffic. Heading out of Bright on the B500 we started to get our first glimpses of what was to come, with Mount Feathertop pushing the horizon up the windscreen and leaving the road feeling a tad inadequate in the foreground. In winter months many of the higher altitude and more fragile tracks will be closed to avoid damage so that we can continue to use them for years to come. Billy Goat Bluff is considered one of the most challenging and scenic tracks in the Victorian High Country. 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. Wellington River Campgrouds Victorian High Country, Gateway into the Victorian High Country Dargo, Getting to Licola Entry point into the Victorian High Country, 1st night Camp along the Wellington River just north of Licola, Talbotville Camp overnight Historical township from the gold rush era, Grant Historical township from the gold rush era. 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in Asia, SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review]. 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. Around 11km further on is Grant Junction and the turn-off to Grant and Talbotville. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. The Victorian High Country holds some of the world's best 4WD destinations; with breathtaking panoramic views and stunning alpine scenery. The Wellington River Camping area consists of 14 separate camping areas of varying sizes along a 10km stretch of the Wellington River. Our Place, Bright>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC6 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. Turning left will take you through to Eaglevale and onto the iconic Wonnanngatta Station, but on this trek were turning right towards Dargo. Head for the hills, because the High Country is the place to be! It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. Its a beautiful area, and thats why I think its the best four wheel drive destination in Australia! Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail. The walking track is a 31km round trip on foot and takes most hikers 2 days. Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. Iconic Four Wheel Drives of Victoria - Parks Victoria, Four Wheel Drive Victoria & Victorian State Government. You have arrived at the historical Talbotville Camping Area. Towns & Villages LIMITLESS HORIZONS Would love your thoughts, please comment. Just choose an existing itinerary or destination and contact us we can help you arrange the trip as a private tour. 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. In the second half of the nineteenth century thousands of Europeans, Americans and Chinese headed into the High Country in search of gold. 4.1 km from the summer 4WD road head to the summit. JavaScript is disabled. It's known for its Victorian-era streetscapes, and is home to the Grape Vine Hotel, the largest grapevine in Australia. Hi Swaggie would you be able to share with me your knowledge of the area and perhaps give me a plan of how to spend the seven days camping in two to three different spots (bases) that have the following to keep every one happy. Australia Itinerary. Safely tackle some of Australia's toughest 4WD trails. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . Id seen photos that left me nostalgic of summer trips to Austria and wanted to see this slice of Victoria for myself. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The food will be provided by our very guide. Pulpit Rock & Cape Schanck Lighthouse: Definitely Worth a Visit. Might give you a bit of a start. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. Victoria's High Country is a fabulous spot for a road trip - the 4-hour drive from Melbourne goes through some gorgeous little towns and once you get there, it's a pristine wonderland. The Victorian High Country is a magical place, one of the best off-roading destinations on the planet. Lovicks Hut, King Hut, Craigs Hut the list goes on and on. Thrill to the spectacular mountain-top scenery of the alpine high plains. When you arrive, you will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the High Country. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. For those who want to call it a weekend, head south from Drago along Dargo High Plains Rd. All rights reserved. I had my first ever go whilst staying in Mansfield (and documented my efforts in Adventures in Astrophotography). Fuel Fuel requirements for this trip are:-Diesel = 120 litres 4 and V6 petrol = 125 litres Straight 6 and V8 . The drive up the mountain is an exciting one, it took us nearly an hour to do the 38km from the B500 (the road heading into Bright) and we counted well over 20 sharp bends. Recommended for those with the proper 4WD training, experience and well prepared vehicle, you can take on this challenge with confidence. The Victorian High Country is a premier camping and 4WD destination that combines breath taking scenery with some of the most spectacular 4WD tracks. We loved the magical little toy shop Beechworth Toys and Collectables, Beechworth Sweet Co, the shop that looks like it could have come from a Harry Potter movie and having some wonderful eggs Benedict at the Rustique Soul Cafe, sitting beside a life-sized replica of Ned Kellys armour. From the soaring pillars of the Twelve Apostles to the tree-fern gullies of the Otway National Park, this stunning coastal route is one of the most iconic road trips in Australia. 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. Camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Innif wishing to make a night of it! 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! If youre coming to the High Country Ive no doubt youve heard of Beechworth or had recommendations to visit here. Not to mention there is no fast way in to the Wonnangatta, its low range for hours in and out. 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. 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. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarland Saddle, which is the trail head for the Lake Tali Karang walking 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 The Sabbatical Guide | Established 2018. Steep descents that test the nerves, keeping your foot off the brake pedal and allowing the vehicle to walk down as you steer delicately to avoid deep ruts and rocks. During the gold rush era, the township boasted a population of 2,000. 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. Almost immediately after starting down Crooked River Track, you will come to the first of 20+ river crossings along this track. Then head back to Melbourne, stopping at Wangaratta for some lunch on the way home. Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. Harrietville marked the start of severe inclines, with switchbacks replacing the long straight tarmac wed had so far (just check out those corners on the map below!). 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!) It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. We have a roof top tent, planning on spending most of our time in the national parks, but also into Melbourne & do the GOR. Keep an eye on future articles to explore more of the region. 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. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road, head pass the Lost Plain picnic area and you eventually arrive at Arbuckle Junction. 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. Youll have the region on the one map, and youll be able to plan each and every stop. Located near Lake Cobbler and down a few hundred metres of bush track, Dandongadale Falls is quite impressive. 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. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. The Talbotville camping area has pit toilets, fire rings and plenty of space to camp. Rule 1: don't try to cram an entire . 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. day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. There are plenty shady parks with rest areas nearby for lunch or a quick stop over. Blue Wren Stay is a two-bedroom apartment, attached to the home of Peter and Kaye who were wonderful hosts. Though, the High Country experience doesnt have to be all white knuckle and hairy chested. Photography Beach. A wood, white and grey, modern home looking like its been copied straight from an Ikea showroom, it had everything we needed including toys provided, a BBQ and play area outside. We cruised through Harrietville, a small town with a clear love of gardening ornate shrubs and vibrant blooms made the roadside more entertaining. There is also a track to the right to another campsite, but it pays to cross the Dargo River and continue up the valley as there is plenty more to come. Victorian High Country Trip Planning Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country With our girl propped on our hip we helped brush the goat, collect eggs and put the ducks away from the foxes. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. That my friend equates to a very looong day in the saddle i just read that back and it doesnt quite read right. 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 incline of the roads meant we gained altitude at a rapid rate, quickly getting above the green into an eerie landscape of white tree skeletons, leftover from devastating bushfires in 2013. You can test your driving skills as we cross over streams, trail mountains and have loads of fun along the great 4WD . A little further and we commence the steep descent into the valley. You will have the opportunity to take in the impressive mountain range, breath-taking views, and wildlife. Passing on coming traffic at these bottlenecks can be extremely challenging. The rocky track surface is very slippery when wet so avoid any attempts in poor weather. This gave us a good mix of experiences in different parts of the High Country. May 31, 2019 - Explore Helen Henrich's board "Victorian High Country" on Pinterest. Choosing just one great track in the high country verges on a criminal act! For a decent price tripod, try Neewer. Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: The Best Place to Visit in Williamstown? At this point, turn slightly right onto Moroka Road and continue to head east. Sitting on the little deck outside, watching the sunset (photo above) as the chickens scratched around making their nests for the night melted a years worth of anxiety away from my brain. The Grant Township once had a population of around 2000 with stores, hotels, a police station, churches, banks, dwellings and even a local newspaper flanking two broad main streets. . Its recommended that this trip is embarked on by intermediate to advanced drivers and navigators in two or more capable 4WDs with low range and appropriate recovery gear. It made the must-see list for being so damn unusual, I can honestly say Ive never come across anything like it. For three days I would add a nights stay in Beechworth to the itinerary above, a historic rural Victorian town with lots to do. 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. Such a trip is perfect for a long weekend and provides a real taste of what the High Country has to offer. However once back on the high plains road there is a location that should not be missed the famous Blue Rag Range and trig point. SEMA 2014: LOOKING FOR A FEW GOLD NUGGETS IN A SEA OF BAD IDEAS, MADVENTURE AGENCY, a part of the Adventure Marketing Group Pty Limited (ABN: 66 650 398 995), Heading to Cape York with your 4WD? Yes there were lions, dingoes, camels and other zoo favourites, but the enclosures werent the best and it felt a little unloved. Its quite impressive, but I wouldnt go too far out of your way to see it if you werent passing by El Dorado already. 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. Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. The Victorian High Country is a premier camping and 4WD destination that combines breath taking scenery with some of the most spectacular 4WD tracks. Victoria's High Country lives up to its claims. 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? Now its time to select low range to save the brakes and tackle the several switch-backs which are a common feature of steep tracks in the victorian high country. It's full of awesome tracks, picturesque camping, and the type of wilderness usually only available when places are hard to get to. 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. Still images are harder to capture up here, as it is a genuine 360-degree view, but thats why we spend more money on our vehicles than our cameras, right? Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip. Now that we have the people who love a bit of exercise sorted let's get onto the good stuff; food and drink! Was a Second Trayon Camper The Right Choice? Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road and you will arrive at Arbuckle Junction. The only thing I had to do was loosen the release points of the legs to make them faster to adjust. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Most of the time, these crossings are straight forward, however if its been raining recently, take caution and plot your course along firm footings. 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. Turn right off the Dargo High Plains Road and start your journey along King Spur Track. For more recommendations read 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth. 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! It would involve a fair but of driving (around 1,000km) and our first big adventure with our 11-month-old little girl. . Our little girl was fascinated by me hand feeding Mr Emu, stroked a kangaroo and made friends with a deer. If you visit in Winter, you'll find the mighty Alpine blanketed in snow with Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and . Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, its also extremely accessible, even for a quick weekend adventure. A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. What I dont do on these posts it put together a random lists of places Ive never been, these are all places we personally visited and can vouch for (if we visited somewhere crap, it simply didnt make it on the list below!). 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. There are some fantastic tracks that are still local secrets. African safaris. 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. In this article, we focus on some of the southern areas of the Victorian High Country. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. Chiltern is a town in Victoria 's High Country. VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY. Lots of hotels they were wild years. Biggleswade To Paris 240 Miles Non Stop! Famous for this huge hunk of metal on the edge of town, The El Dorado Dredge once actually moved (hard to believe for something this big) through the backwaters of the Woolshed Valley pulling up tin and gold from the waters. 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. Wood sometimes can be scarce so it pays to bring your own or collect some on the way to ensure a good campfire for the evening. For a start, it boasts Victorias longest single drop waterfall (255m), but the natural paddle pools at the top are what the locals love. Within the thousands of kilometres of two-wheel drive roads and four-wheel drive tracks there are dozens of destinations that are part of the history of Eastern Victoria. The High Country weather can change so quick, particularly when your planning to go and your in there with a camper! The zoo aspect of it wasnt so impressive. Explore nature trails on foot or horseback, and frolic in the snow in winter. Access: Closed during winter and on catastrophic fire danger days. Lets start with the basics, where exactly is the Victorian High Country? An itinerary carefully curated to suite Grade 2 -3 hiking ability. Those legs can stand on uneven surfaces Versatile 360 Ball Head Metal ball head comes with a quick release plate for instant camera mounting. Visit townships like Mansfield, Dargo and Omeo. The Rooftop series of maps give you a nice, detailed view of the Victorian High Country. The track itself is extremely narrow at places, with cliff faces on both sides.