Bairnsdale 4WD Social Club
Trip Report
September/Oct
High Country Trip
Grand final weekend 2023
Day 1
Leaving Bairnsdale our first stop was Wallers hut for group; Brad, Panza, Jack and Rosco, then tracks to the north along Friday Spur track to Kilgowers campsite with a small river crossing, after lunch pushing onto McDonalds hut which was in good condition and then to Delusion Hut which was not such great condition, but under the eye of high country huts association. Beside the hut was a the dam and the collapsed bush fire shelter. Heading south and then east along Jones rd , then down Upper Dargo rd with its numerous campsites, most of which were occupied. High Plains rd then west past the old town of Grant and into Talbotville old township now a large campsite, full of history, camping crowds were less here. There we camped the night with a warm fire and surrounded a few cow pads left by the local wanders.
Day 2
Started with swim in the river for the only brave one and we were packed and quick into low range with a series of river crossing along Crooked river, they all were low levels which was good. At Kingwill bridge we turned up Wonnangatta rd to Bill Goat Bluff track. The climb up took about 45min-1hr up the challenging climb, low range and difflock at times. At the first helipad we met a loverly man and his dog Simba, and did a tag-along tour, we all reached the breathtaking views and onto the “The Piniclales for a bite of lunch (with Indian rice as a thank you). Pushing forward late in the day we set up camp at Thomastown Camping area but the winds during the night became strong and sleeping difficult.
Day 3
Being a long weekend we were lucky to the campsite to ourselves. We packed and soon on the road, Jack parted meetup with friends in Licola, Brad, Panza and Rosco headed east, soon back into low range down B1 and B2 tracks (no bananas to be seen) which turned out to be a bit of a slippery down hill run. Crossing the river at the bottom was a burnt out 4WD (Pathfinder ?) and on the otherside camping gear and rubbish left by irresponsible campers, Onto the back of the ute and we were able to deposit it at Parks dump bin @ Bairnsdale (thanks guys). Margaret Tk, Cromite Mine tk Burgoyne Tk to Licola Rd. These tracks had some of the best hilltop views which was handy when we received news of the Briagalong bush fire had started, it kept going for a month. Back on the hard-top we head home via Lake Glenmaggie and a quick stop Glenmaggie Dam wall. Home bound via Straford where we we followed by the bushfire clouds and the damage caused by the fire. We all had a fantastic trip thanks to Brad
