If I had to choose one place to stay for a length of time in the High Country it would be Bright. This is the BEST 4Wdrive adventure in the land. Camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Innif wishing to make a night of it! I enjoyed many a beer sitting on the porch watching the sun go down. The shady park nearby is an excellent place for a cuppa or lunch before tackling the tracks. 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. Complete this quick survey. Peters knowledge of the local area (ask him to show you some of his finds from the river!) Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC5 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. The full tour fee is payable 2 weeks prior to the tour and is not refundable after this time. Camping in the Victorian High Country is fantastic. Once on the grassy plain you have reached the locality of Mayford, one of the best places to camp in the Victorian High Country. Being an Alpine region, winters in the Victorian High Country are undoubtly cold. 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! Call Vic for an itinerary. NSW & Victoria High Country DEPARTING Tuesday 4th February 2020 COST $2475.00pp (twin share) The finer details Tour Price: $2475.00 per person twin share Single Supplement:$475.00 Deposit:$300.00 per person within 7 days of booking. It includes towns such as Beechworth, Bright, Yachandandah, Mansfield and Wangaratta as well as natural attractions such as Mount Buller, Mount Beauty and Lake Eildon. The itinerary includes two base camps beside beautiful mountain streams and a camp high amongst the snow gums. In my opinion, a high priority is to visit the legendary Dargo Pub. If you're looking for adventure in Ubud, white water rafting should be high on your agenda, and unless you have your own wheels, a package makes economic sense. . 19,000Kms Later, 15 Electric Utes Australia Would Love to See in the roads, Budget Ute Showdown: Tata, Great Wall, Foton, Jmc And More. At the very top youll find The Horn where its possible to walk the final steep kilometre or so to the very top. Victorian High Country Trip Planning Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarland Saddle, which is the trail head for the Lake Tali Karang walking track. 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. From Grant Junction continue northwards through the forested area on the Dargo High Plains Road. The Victorian High Country covers a large part of South-Eastern Victoria, with much of the area only accessible via a 4WD. . personly i wouldnt go down zeka spur , but go up to mount wellington and then the pinnacles. You will see Lake Cobbler, King River, the Man From Snowy River Hut, Lovick's Hut, Howitt High plains, Wonnangatta Valley, Historic Grant, the incredible Pinnacle Lookout and the most fabulous 4WD track in Australia (our secret destination). 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. There are pit toilets, a hut and several separate areas to setup camp. You are using an out of date browser. From the top here we could see down to Hotham Alpine Resort. Ben is the blogger behind TheSabbaticalGuide.com, a site designed to give people the information, tools and inspiration they need to make their sabbatical dreams a reality. In the evening there are lots of places in eat in Bright including the local craft brewery. 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. This is not a problem during hotter months, as the tracks dry out and become quiet dusty. Licola has an excellent general storefor any of those last minute supplies or fuel for the trip. Horseyard flat is also the starting point for the walking track down to Moroka Gorge and waterfall. 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. This gave us a good mix of experiences in different parts of the High Country. The Peru & Bolivia Marco Polo Pocket Guide lets you explore Peru and Bolivia with this handy, pocket-sized, authoritative guide, packed with Insider Tips. Its a short but steep walk up to the fire tower lookout perched on a rocky summit. We chose the Spring home, which had two bedrooms, perfect for us with our little girl. 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 4WD trails in the High Country are perfect for experienced drivers. What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. Explore the local scene in charming seaside towns and make time for some unusual stops along the way. There is nothing better than rocking up to one of the regions pristine campsites with all the comforts of home that you have in the Trayon. If you are interested in doing a Victorian High Country 4wd Tag Along Tour then have a look at the trips that Australian 4x4 tag Along Tours run to this region. Find and compare all 988 South Africa tours, cruises, and packages from 242 companies. I had a full itinerary at the May Club meeting, will bring copies to future meetings, and can send a PDF copy to anyone that PMs me with their email address. Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: The Best Place to Visit in Williamstown? This self-contained two-bedroom place is attached to the family home of the delightful Elly, an eccentric, warm-hearted host who has (amongst other things) a goat, a sheep, a cow, a selection of chickens, ducks and a couple of fun little dogs on her smallholding. If you wish to make a nigh of it, camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Inn. The food will be provided by our very guide. If you are a photographer then the High Country is a great chance to have a dabble in astrophotography. Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. Airlie Beach. 202316 - 22 April 202312 - 18 November 20233 - 9 January 202411 - 17 January 2024, Great Divide Tours 4WD Training Centre Castle View, Victorian High Country Accommodated (7 days/8 nights), Along the Murray Accommodated Tour (8 days/nights), Cruise the Kimberley Coast with Vic Widman (13 days), Exploring Len Beadell's Tracks Tour (18 days). From the Dargo River campsites backtrack to the Dargo High Plains Road and commence the steep climb up onto the high plains. 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!). Finding each campground is straight forward since all campgrounds are clearly sign posted and easily visible from Tamboritha Road. He caught the bug for travel at an early age when his dad moved out to South Africa, and now builds regular mini-retirements' into his career, in which he sees the world with his wife Becca. 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. 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. 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. From the Pinnacles head back down to Billy Goats Bluff turnoff on the right. Lake Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. Its located off you guessed it Bluff Track. Generally this first river crossing is fairly easy but there are several large rocks to avoid. Sunday: Sleep in Pack up head home via Wonnangatta . Craigs Hut at sunset is a photographers paradise, as the post and rail fence line draws the eye first to the beautiful hut, and then on to the surrounding ranges. Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, its also extremely accessible, even for a quick weekend adventure. Make sure you travel the spectacular Great Alpine Road at least once; passing through the heart of the Victorian Alps on the highest altitude road in Victoria and taking in panoramic views as far as the eye can see. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. Solo travellers take note - a six-day hiking tour in the Victorian Alps in March has waived the single supplement (saving $325) and is now priced from $2850 a person. Enjoy yarns and games around a cosy campfire. 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. by Evan Spence 14/01/2015, 9:44 am 1 Comment. There will be some places that you may have heard of before, and maybe a few spots that are new. 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. If you are travelling up into the High Country with kids, then a sturdy carrier for hikes is going to be needed. Four-day 4WD trip in Victoria's high country With stunning valleys, mountains, rivers and lakes, the Victorian High Country is ideal for a family 4WD adventure. Select Make Select Model Select Year It is suitable for those with and without off road trailers. Extending from the river to the mountains, this drive takes in many . Alpine National Park is an Australian Alps national park in the High Country region of Victoria. So if crowds dont bother you, then go for it. The 12mm I picked up was great, as it can focus to infinity and has an aperture of f2. . It can get very busy during holidays so perhaps avoid peak times. 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. 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. 4.1 km from the summer 4WD road head to the summit. Victorian High Country - 4WD Tag-Along Adventure Tour - The Offroad Tradies Products Victorian High Country 6 day Tag-Along Adventure Tour 2022 From AUD $900.00 Duration: 6 Days (approx.) Submitted: Monday, May 16, 2016 at 20:41. . 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. Read More The Bamboo Bridges of Luang PrabangContinue, Weve had six full weeks travelling Southeast Asia now. African safaris. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. Win a REDARC solar setup worth over $1700! Itinerary is as follows Day before tour kicks off - meet up in Jamieson for welcome dinner Day 1 - Jamieson in to the High Country Day 2 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 3 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 4 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 5 - Travel high country tracks and trails with farewell dinner 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. Our Place, Bright>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. The most popular (read: crowded) times to go are over the Christmas holidays and the Easter Holidays. 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. Our little girl was fascinated by me hand feeding Mr Emu, stroked a kangaroo and made friends with a deer. Lets face it, Australia is pretty damn flat. 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. When people talk about the Dargo Hotel, they do so with a glint in their eye, and a grin on their gob. Towns & Villages LIMITLESS HORIZONS 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. Its a beautiful area, and thats why I think its the best four wheel drive destination in Australia! But then theres Zeka Spur, Billy Goat Bluff, and the list goes on. Oodnadatta Track: The iconic Aussie Adventure. 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. Itineraries and trips from 242 experts. About all that remains visible of the township are a few stonewalls and the old gold mines in the area. Mount Buffalo is almost literally on the doorstep, the Great Alpine Road starts heading quickly upwards from here and even Beechworth is only 45 minutes away. When you arrive, you will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the High Country. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. Well start this adventure at Licola, which is a small town on the banks of the Macalister River. Theres information boards highlighting the surrounding areas and peaks, and your camera is sure to get a workout, especially on a good day. Reply By: . Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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! The stars here are also something else, so stay out late if you can. The Moroka road offers great views at times to the north across the Avon Wilderness area with the mountain ranges in the distance. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. 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. We are the home of Ironman 44 and all things 4WD in East Gippsland and the Victorian High Country. You must log in or register to reply here. For all my favourite travel and photography gear check out this page. Accommodation is also available in log cabins. 166 reviews. Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. Recommended by 94% of travelers. 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. It will generally take about 1 hour to reach the camping areas in the valley from the turnoff on the Dargo High Plains Road. The Moroka road now becomes the Pinnacles road and the next point of interest is Horseyard Flat, approximately 2km from Marathon Road. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While most of the crossings are small, there are a few deeper ones to watch out for. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip. There is plenty to see here including grabbing some last minute supplies, souvenirs or fuel from the general store. Gee, another tough one. day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. If I was concerned the road was a little flat for an Alpine route, I shouldnt have been. 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. 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. You have arrived at the historical Talbotville Camping Area. Vehicles require low range, high clearance and sufficient recovery gear, while drivers will need grit and experience for some challenging sections. Billy Goat Bluff is one of the most iconic Victorian High Country tracks and considered one of the best of the Victorian High Country 4WD tracks. - Do you require Driver Training? The zoo aspect of it wasnt so impressive. Not to mention there is no fast way in to the Wonnangatta, its low range for hours in and out. Things to do: Visit Scenic World, go . 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. Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail is an easily drivable, or even better, chauffeured drive through the High Country. Though, the High Country experience doesnt have to be all white knuckle and hairy chested. African adventures of the safari and coastal kind. After a few kilometers there is a turnoff to the right to Long Spur Track continue following King Spur Track. Beat the price rise & place your booking deposit on a new Trayon Camper before Nov 5th, 2021! Yes there were lions, dingoes, camels and other zoo favourites, but the enclosures werent the best and it felt a little unloved. Australia Itinerary. It's known for its Victorian-era streetscapes, and is home to the Grape Vine Hotel, the largest grapevine in Australia. There's an open plateau at around 1,600m elevation covered in low flowering bushes with 360 degree views just nearby the camp site. Walk the highlights of the Victorian High Country including Bright, Mount Buffalo, Bogong high plains and Mt Feathertop returning each evening to our cosy accommodation in the beautiful town of Bright. Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. Duration: 5 Days (approx.) Kids of pretty much any age can thrill to an African family safari but it does take careful planning and leaning on the experts for advice. 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. Sample the exotic flavours of Africa's 'Spice Island', relax on Kande Beach at Lake Malawi, scale the sand dunes in Sossusvlei, glide through the . 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. Sep 14, 2018 - Essential Victorian High Country 4WD Camping Guide. 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. For those who want to call it a weekend, head south from Drago along Dargo High Plains Rd. A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. 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. 4. 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. Today Talbotville is a beautiful camping area bordered by the Crooked River with lush green grass even when the surrounding bush land is so dry and dusty. Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. Treat yourself to fine dining The fine dining experience at Provenance is a must-do for foodies. Lots of hotels they were wild years. 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. However littleremains today. Camping in a hut with a fire going and the kettle boiling while the thick morning frost starts to thaw outside is a High Plains luxury. 2 wonderful high country horse rides suitable for beginner to intermediate riders. Was a Second Trayon Camper The Right Choice? You're at 1,750 metres above sea level, completely surrounded by stark mountains and valleys, which slowly disappear into . A great resource for planning a trip to the high country. 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). You can only vote once, but please add to the list if your favourite isn't there. Deposits are non refundable. You will have the opportunity to take in the impressive mountain range, breath-taking views, and wildlife. Follow the footsteps of the pioneering cattlemen and gold miners. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. Blue Wren Stay is a two-bedroom apartment, attached to the home of Peter and Kaye who were wonderful hosts. We chose to stay a little outside Beechworth, partly due to cost and partly because we wanted to be out in the country. Today, Dargo is a very popular destination for 4WDers and is considered a hub of the Victorian High Country. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road, head pass the Lost Plain picnic area and you eventually arrive at Arbuckle Junction. 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 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. We were excited to escape the city after five months of a very hard and were looking forward to it. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . If unsure it pays to walk the crossing first. LEARN MORE ABOUT VICTORIA: 30 Interesting & Unusual Facts About Victoria. Powers Lookout is named after Harry Power, a bushranger from the mid-1800s, who was a mentor to the most famous bushranger of them all, Ned Kelly. Travel from Zanzibar's pristine coastline to the southern hub of Cape Town with Lonely Planet and Intrepid to see an array of amazing African vistas. It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info. Up stream from Talbotville along the Crooked River there are plenty of old gold mining sites including the New Good Hope Mine and further along to the area of Stonewall with its old gold mine and the remains of the fireplace and oven which are more often than not covered by black berries. The Offroad Tradies will guide you through this 6 day/5 night thrill seeking, ultimate 4WD Tag-Along Adventure Tour. This is one of my favorite views in all ofthe Victorian High Country. Blue Wren Stay, Eldorado>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. Access: Closed during winter and on catastrophic fire danger days. Daintree Rainforest. The Man From Snowy River 1 & 2 are essential viewing. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. There are plenty shady parks with rest areas nearby for lunch or a quick stop over. 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. 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!). In winter I imagine this place is heaving, but in November it was a complete ghost town. Be cautioustravelling at the beginning of the plain as there are several bog holes that can trap the unwary. The track is very steep (drops 1200m in less than 7km) and challenging, with rock steps and loose sections requiring prudent line selection and plenty of clearance. On the second day drive up to the top of Mount Buffalo and take in the views from The Horn. Keep going for another 15 kms and you will reach the Pinnacles Lookout and Fire tower. A mountain gold town which flourished during Victorias golden era, Talbotville was one of the longest surviving towns in the region. it costs more - as expected, however the itinerary will be altered to suit your interests; eg, the stop at the winery can . With a slide on camper such as the Trayon which is the perfect companion for a victorian high country trip this will be a trip to remember. 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. That being said there is a few pretty fun tracks in there. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. From Grant head 6km to the Dargo High Plains Road then turn right toward Dargo which is a further 17km away. The cattlemen brought their own culture to the High Country and it has become part of our heritage celebrated in song, poetry and film. But theres nothing quite like unfolding HEMAs High Country map to plan your trip. Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. The proximity of the High Country to surrounding towns adds variety to a visit. Around 6km onwards is Kingswell Bridge and immediately over the bridge turn to the left onto the Crooked River Track. Heres how to prepare. If you choose only one place for your High Country Itinerary, Bright should be it. 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. The end point go our Alpine Road adventure was the town of Dinner Plain. . From Talbotville take the McMillan Road up to Grant which is approximately 11km. Thrill to the spectacular mountain-top scenery of the alpine high plains. See more ideas about beautiful mountains, mountain town, australia. Some of the tracks we will take on include the well known Billy Goat Track, Collingwood Track, Richie's Rd, Herne Spur Track, King Billy and Crooked Creek Track. There are some information boards position along walking tracks which provide commentary into the story of this former mining town. It was the central point of our adventure to the High Country and had been well worth the visit. For this, I am assuming you have a weekend and are travelling up on a Friday night before returning late on a Sunday.