Mansfield,VIC to Brisbane - one week- ideas?

We would MUCH prefer to go that way!! I guess we were worried that it would be too hot?

Hi Carlin

I presume you where travelling end of march into april.

The vic section is likely to be ok , but it might be hot around Broken Hill. If I was doing that I have a backup plan to come back from desserts to hume hwy in a sort of loop and just head straight home up Hume if to hot.
WE last were there checking out the Biggest sandhill on Australia Day and it was high thirties then but pleasant overnight and we loved it.

Don't know what sort Of HC trip your doing but there is just as much action within a hours drive of Mansfield.

If you have an hour spare , there is a high mountain 5km west of Mansfield called the Paps - the signposted track entrance is not obvious (farm gate puts people off) but there is a spectacular but easy track right to the top with 360 degree views.
Well worth doing while waiting for dinner to be served in town.

mmm we were thinking of staying in the high country as well. I guess we were just a little nervous about doing tracks on our own after the group left us after week 2. PS did you just use the rooftop maps and hema maps?

Grab all the Rooftop maps you can - they will be all you need because they are so detailed. We thought the Hema map we had would be OK but it proved to be hopeless compared to the Rooftop ones. Chalk and cheese situation with the maps.

Itinerary is (places we are camping)
Bendoc
McKillops Bridge
Hicks Camping Area
Timbarra River
Dogs Grave
Dargo River
Blue Rag
Talbotville
Wonnangatta
Bluff Hut
Craigs Hut

Continuing on in a similar theme to the trip you are initially going on I'd suggest restocking in Mansfield then south to Jamieson, up Mt Terrible and along the ridge to Matlock camping at Woods Point. Spend a day looking at some of the mining history in the area then continue over German spur, Lazarini's to Mt Skene then down to Wrens flat camping at Mitchells.
This leads to the Slate mine, Sheepyard flat then through Doughty's to Sawmill Settlement, up over Mt #3 camping at Sheepyard Flat. Next day up the King River & Staircase to Lake Cobbler. Across to Abbeyard camping along the Buffalo river.
Up to Mt Selwyn, Mt Murray along the Jeep track to the Hotham Rd finishing off around Bright. Mount Buffalo is worth some time walking and exploring the sites too. Beechworth for some history and one of the better Bakery's in Oz then head for home.
This route is of an intermediate standard, has allot of interesting sites & plenty of great views but can be somewhat hard when it rains in places. Like your itinerary it would pay to have a chainsaw, good all terrain or better tyres, a snorkel as well as suitable recovery gear for travelling solo.
Rooftop maps are the best for navigating & finding campsites & the CFA fire map book has all the topographic detail needed in one package.
Cheers Craig.........

Hiya Crackles

Was up at Wrens Flat a few weeks ago when 38 degrees,their logging on the road down there so be CAREFUL ...

Now when you hit the first bridge and their is a river crossing beside it (coming from Jamieson),The second bridge i managed to find a deeper hole to the left of it for a swim but mostly shallow...Is their anywhere else nearby where their is a waterhole you know of ?????..We did not go any further past the second bridge went back to Grannies Flat to camp a night ...

Oh and BEWARE of Hitler at the Jamieson Caravan Park ..

Might look at doing the trip you suggested myself !

Cheers

Not sure on the water holes currently particually as many High Country streams have changed their coarse due to flooding following the fires. Headed over Mt Skene on the weekend & there is extensive logging everywhere recovering dead trees, so yes watch out for log trucks in the dust. Most truck routes will have signs showing which UHF channel to monitor & KM signs along the way where they broadcast their location. When near just get off the road!
Hitlers not too bad at the caravan park if you follow the rules ;-)) I think they've had a few noisy motor bike riders causing trouble in the past so are a bit trigger happy now to ensure the tranquility.
Cheers Craig........

Hi Crackles
I did a detailed reply about Hitler (nothing to do with motorbikes) But its gone awol ...

Heres my email if you want to chat about the area offline..A local took me to a really safe mine..Apparantly has three levels,only did half way through the second level..Missus was starting to crap her pants lol..So we turned around..

He only showed me the safe ones,well as safe as you can get.. !


Cheers

warfer69 at gmail dot com