Mt Stirling, Mt Buller Track conditions

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 30, 2003 at 23:22

ThreadID: 4136 Views:2530 Replies:3 FollowUps:4

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Phil from Eltham

I'm planning a weekend group trip to the cattlemens huts around Mt Stirling and Mt Buller. Has anyone recently used the tracks and can you tell me what condition they are in?
Our group will include a Surf, a Jackaroo, a Pajero and a Mazda Tribute (don't knock the Tribute).
Assuming the dry continues I expect no problems but we intend crossing the King River a few times along the King Basin Rd.
We will be following the route laid out in "Rooftop's" map "Bush huts around Mansfield".
This will take us along the Howqua Track, Brocks Rd, Bindaree Rd, King Basin Rd, No.3 Rd, and back to the highway along Carters Rd. A total of about 200km.
Any advice would be appreciated
Phil from Eltham

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Reply By: Chris - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 08:20

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 08:20

Was up there 2 weeks ago, the tracks that were open were very dry, no problems at all. If anything the driving was disappointing but the scenery still spectacular. The King River crossings were very low, the deepest less than 30cms not even a problem for the Tribute ;-) Most of the smaller tracks were closed due to fire damage, check at the Mansfield Tourist Information Centre. Personally I can’t understand why the tracks are closed – I can’t see how driving on already established tracks even though the bush is burnt is going to cause environmental damage. If anyone can explain please reply. I was thinking the unobstructed views from some of the burnt out area’s would be great as a lot of the time you only get glimpses of views between the scrub.

AnswerID: 16469

Follow Up By: Phil from Eltham - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:32

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:32

Thanks Chris,
I think we should all try to see the result of wild fires at least once in our lives. I visited Omeo and took to some of the nearby tracks on the first day that the Alpine Rd was re-opened and found it quite moving.
Tracks were clear of debris and well used by fire trucks.
I have some good photo's. if I could work out how to attach them to this reply I would.
Phil

FollowupID: 10142

Reply By: Will - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:48

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:48

Chris,
I think you will find that they close the tracks because of the chance of a fire weakened tree or bough breaking off.
Not much fun I it falls on you.
Just hope that they inspect the tracks soon or it could lead to a unofficial road closure.
Will.

AnswerID: 16473

Reply By: Truckster - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 10:57

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 10:57

Went up to Mitchells Flat on the weekend, from the Jamieson road(Down the hill cross bridge, then turn left), thru the slate mine and camped near the underground river. Then Sunday was up thru Tobacco Flat to Sheepyard Via 3 chains Road...

DUST AS HELL is all I can say.. DUST.. Cars behind me were stopping for minute+ to let dust settle... Everything up there has been graded, with one track the dozer must have been thru on Friday as nobody else had been thru!

Was good up there, but Mt Stirling is closed at the moment, "due to fires"... I too think thats a lame excuse, they closed it due to erosion and wear and tear in Nov, only to open in Jan due to pressure from 4wd Association, and others, then closed again end of Jan due to fires.

I think any excuse to keep closed.

AnswerID: 16486

Follow Up By: Phil G - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:17

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:17

Truckster,

I did the Mt Stirling Track 3 weeks ago - it was in good nick - looked like it had been recently graded.

FollowupID: 10178

Follow Up By: Truckster - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:39

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:39

Yea? TB that I went with called Parks and was told Bzzzz.

Now that bleep es me off..... I wanted to do it!

There was a working bee on it around that time, so could have been the week before you went.

Thanks for the info.

FollowupID: 10183