Big River in Vic in Sept

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 16, 2005 at 23:24

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Scubaroo

What is access like to Stockmans Reward and Big River campgrounds at this time of year? No track closures are shown, but what sort of conditions could be expected? I know they are pretty close to Lake Mountain, are the campgrounds likely to be snowed out?

Got a couple of mates from work with 4WDs and we're looking at organising a weekend away first week of Sept.

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Reply By: Peter - Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 00:22

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 00:22

access to the campgrounds isnt a problem. the main roads in are 2 wheel drive dirt roads. as for snow it really depends. i have been there around then and had no snow. was going there another time in october and got snow on the way there. if any snow i doubt it would be a worry.
the tracks around there vary considerably. some are easy while others are impassable without winches if it has rained.
around stockmans reward most of the tracks are medium to hard. short cut track, sections of boundary track and heading south on camp ridge track and foleys creek firetrail can be extreme. care is needed. well it was last time i was there but that may be old news.

AnswerID: 125499

Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 00:38

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 00:38

Well, turned back today 3km shy of Stockmans Reward. Big River campground was a muddy fiasco (someone had had some fun!). The main road turned into a mud strip in one section and not worth attempting as a single vehicle with HT tyres - one good stretch with at least 6" of clay mud. Obviously a lot of traffic had been through, but it was mostly guys with big muddies on judging by the passing traffic. Probably could have gotten through by following the ruts, but it was getting late and we didn't want to risk it and get stuck by ourselves. No snow - where there was a good covering of snow last week at the Lake Mountain turnoff there was barely any ice left in the shadows on the side of the road.

Saw quite a few lyrebirds about, which was nice.

Hats off to the folks who left a nice big stump burning in a bed of coals at Big River campground - rain or no rain, you don't leave fires burning in this country. Second abandoned burning campfire I've come across this month (other was in the Otways). And why people choose to hoon around mountain curves half over the centre line is beyond me.

FollowupID: 380885

Reply By: Marko - Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 08:06

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 08:06

Howdy,

You'll get in to the campgrounds with no problems. Like Peter we too had snow there in October 2003. (see photos :) But you'll get to the campsites with little trouble. The tracks around the area are also very good. Some impassable when wet, others will require diff lockers, winches and the like. I would suggest checking the track before heading in, especially if you've never done them before. Shortcut
track is one of my favorites.

[ View Image]

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Have a good time!

Regards,

Marko

AnswerID: 125513

Follow Up By: DARREN - Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 13:15

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 13:15

Marko,

I am wondering why you are driving through a mud puddle in image three when there is what appears to be a very good road right next to you??

FollowupID: 380274

Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 21:59

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 21:59

Did you see the grin on his face in the photo?

:D

FollowupID: 380356

Follow Up By: Marko - Thursday, Aug 18, 2005 at 08:15

Thursday, Aug 18, 2005 at 08:15

It was actually my brother... but exactly!!!

:-)

FollowupID: 380399

Reply By: zam045 - Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 08:53

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 at 08:53

GDay,

I am planning on going up for the weekend on 26 - 28 Aug and I was up there about a month ago, around Big River Rd. There was no snow temp was about 5deg most off the weekend.

But in saying this it has got a bit colder and on anothe forum they were saying there was a fair bit of snow about in Jamison.

So I would think depending on the weather we have over the next couple of weeks there is potential for snow to be there, but I know the area which I am going and should be fine, no requirement for winches, mud tyres etc etc.

Anyways, lovely spot in my opinion probably the best time of year to go up that way, very rarely see others and nice and quiet.

cheers

Zam

AnswerID: 125517