Sydney to Grampians

I would not go via Melbourne. Just use straightest route (probably from Shepperton)– those small “local” road usually good enough for 100 km/hr. Going vis Ring Road does not make any advantages. BTW where you plan camp?

Serg

Fred,

Google maps suggests Hume Hwy to Benalla (VIC) then across to Shepperton, Bendigo and then Stawell. 1075K and 14 Hrs driving.

Cheers,

Cruiser

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/travelplanner_pop.htm

This site suggests bendigo as the shortest route, Type in where you are and where you want to go and any via points.

Its a good road thru Shep to Bendigo, then Stawell across teh back of the Pyrenees. Buandik is beautiful I have fond memories of the place

Fred

I'd suggest you turn off the freeway at Violet Town and go to Bendigo via Murchison (on Goulburn River) and Rushworth (old Gold town and lovely ironbark forest. Dodge Shepp: it's just another big town.

At Buandik there's a great 4WD track along the top of the Victoria Range. Steep climb up from Buandik, and closed after April I think. Lots of rock art in the vicinity, and rock shelters and caves that are fun if your don't mind a scramble through the scrub.

Hi

Boreanang on the Glenelg River Rd in the central area is a nice spot to camp. Will be very quiet, better caming areas and you can actually camp close to a fire pit. Buandik suffers from Pine Post Postions by Park Person disease and you can't get close to anything. Also more likely to have to share as its close to the Highway. Neither spot will have water so BYO. Some rain in the region and Halls Gap is green but no creek flow.

As previously said, the drive over the Victoria Range rd is the best in the Grapms, alos look at the Asses Ears road to the north, an interesting road. A steep challenge is Launders Track which links to the Asses Ears.

The main rock art site is about 1 km east of where the Victoria range road joins the Goat track. No sign, look for a pull off area and walking track.

If staying at Buandik, there is a good unsigned walk into a large cave. Walk about 150 M south of where the Goat track turns off the track to the picnic area. Walk uphill through the clearing towards the bush and you should see some tracks that converge and head east into the scrub. The track becomes clearer as you get further in but there is no attempt at any formation. After about an hour you shoud come to a rocky area where the track peters out. Scramble up over the rocky (look for tracks and marks) and you will coeminto the back of a very large cave that looks outto the south west.

Have fun

Fred,
I go across that way a fair bit and avoid the freeways.Castlemaine to Maryborough then Avoca,Moonabel and either Landsborough or alt via Navarre to Stawell and Halls Gap is the way i go.If your comming across from Violet Town you would probably go from Bendigo direct to Maryborough.
I agree with the other comments re Buandick and Plantation campgrounds and are well sheltered.Smiths Mill is another good one but can be a bit exposed if the weather cracks up.Another good site is off Glenelg River Rd a short distance up Philip Island Tk called Boreang.
If i see you around the place will say hello.
Cheers.
Tony

Did this trip in reverse last year.
Went through Stawell, Swan Hill, Moulamein across to Hay then to Wagga Wagga and up the Hume.
Pouring rain right through till Wagga.


Paul