King Spur Track.

Hello mate - the track is not particularly difficult, though there are a couple of steps which need to be picked carefully - I did it with a bog standard 90 series Prado a few years ago without any problems.

Mayford at the bottom is a large open area, though most of this is covered in very high grass - the best camping is around the edges near the trees. (Pick of the lot is at 1 o'clock as you drive up the Mayford Valley)

A couple of highlights in there, including the fruit trees from when it was settled -and if you look carefully you can find the remains of the old pub (about 8 o'clock from the end of the valley track on entry

.....just watch out if it happens to rain.....!! I don't know whether the track has been upgraded over the past few years, but it used to be quite difficult in sections and getting out in the wet required winches and/or difflocks to get up out of the valley.

I think the track along the top across the plains has been upgraded with stones...

A lovely spot to camp and there use to be plenty of trout in the river...

Cheers,

Mark

I haven't been there for at least 10 years, but from memory there is a fairly steep section not too far from the valley floor, which, when wet has slippery rocks which are hard to get up also due to the steepness. BAck then I had rag tyres with a very aggressive mud pattern and still struggled. Most of the rest of track was OK with only one other difficult section where there is a set of 'steps', that require reasonable ground clearance and perhaps a little track work.

At the time, we had one ute with F + R diff lock and it got up OK and was able to 'slingshot' the other vehicle up with tree proptector, wire and pulley, then drive back up.

It is a beautiful spot and I very much doubt you will encounter much rain in the current climate, but as you may well know it could just as easily snow up there at this time of year! Also, like others have stated, there is only one way in and one way out. Prepare appropriately.

Cheers,
Mark

Spent about 10 years living and teaching outdoor ed. up in these areas so I know them quite well...

Not too sure which Monument Track you mean as there are a couple that I know of, one up near the border of NSW/Vic and one near Mt Stirling/Craigs Hut area...?? The one up near Craigs Hut is well used, very popular with 4WD tours and poses no problems.

Zeka Spur track is one of the easier ways out of the Wonnangatta..(the old Zeka Creek Tk - now closed, was interesting...door handle deep bog holes...!). Last time on Zeka Spur it was fairly easy, though a little steep in sections. Easily wide enough to pass another vehicle in most locations. The track out of Mayford is generally narrower, a little rougher/rockier and with a couple of steeper sections, particularly near the bottom of the valley and one about half way up.

That being said, you shouldn't have any great difficulty in the Prado...in the dry. Not too sure on your setup, but if you're carrying a fair load on standard suspension, you may find the towbar scrapes in a few places. I guess just make sure you have winching/recovery capability (though you most likely wont need it) or another vehicle along also. Condider tyre pressures also.

Whilst I haven't been in there for a number of years, there will be no phone/UHF radio comms down in the valley and it takes a good few hours to get out if you have any sort of emergency.

Enjoy it, take care of it, as it's one of those places that's beautiful, isolated and quiet, because of its access. I always said it was like a mini Wonangatta, without all the generators, trail bikes, hoards of people etc.

Cheers,

Mark

No problems......with all that good gear you'll be fine.

I will be interested in what it's like these days....it seems to be getting more difficult to find a spot away from the madding crowds. For this reason I avoid Wonangatta like the plague. Last time I was in there was mid week, non-school holidays and someone still had to camp 4 feet from my tent! Needless to say we packed up and moved on to a 'better' spot. Not that I'm unsociable, but with 4 billy lids, generator and 2 trail bikes, I couldn't see it being too peaceful.

Hope it's great.

Cheers,

Mark