Family trip to the High Country in January.

Hi
Trekked around the high country a lot and a chainsaw (atleast one in the group) is a MUST. Trees seems to just drop even with no wind or rain.

We got caught out some years ago, without one, and we were lucky enough to be able to borrow one from some nearby campers (5km back), but had they said no, we would have had to backtrack some 60km to get out of the area we were in.

The high country is gorgeous...hope you have a great trip.

Cheers
Terry & Amanda

Hi Murray^2,

I found that the High Country is better viewed from a base and do day trips here and there. Then pack up and move onto the next place, base and day trip etc. Or come and stay in one place for four days or so and see all that area has to offer then move on.

Campers are especially suited to this type of camping. Some of the tracks that you would take in the car wont be suitable to the campers hence the approach above. Also, even having a go at a tougher track with a camper in tow can/will damage the track for other users, which isn't a tread lightly approach.

Its a great area to visit, and you should have a great time.

Murray

we just covered some of that area. Most of it suitable for trailers but some side tracks would not be trailer friendly. From Tom Groggin, down the Davies Plain track, the Buckwong track and through to Benambra are all good. Around Mt Pinnibar might be a bit scary with trailer.

Bob

Murray,
I have taken my kids through lots of the Vic High Country, and I generally tow a Tambo camper most places I go around Oz. I really believe you are better to camp by a good creek /river and do day trips as the kids can have a swim as well. Many camp areas in the hills away from the valley floor are pretty ordinary. Most of the trip described is road-like, but coming down from Mt Pinnibar with a weighty trailer could get very, very exciting. Too exciting for me to try.
I can think of lots of beautifulplaces to have a great camp on rivers, and if you are there after new year, few people will be around.
Many of these tracks are pretty comfortable in a modern 4x4 with good tyres, but if it rains or a fire is over the hill, the trailer will really be a pain.
Hema High Country map is good enough, and if you have one I can give you some grid references if you are interested in family type camp spots.
rgds
ian

Excellent responses. Thanks.
All good info. We want to do a lot of bush walking, including Koscuisko. We will be setting up camps, but thought that we could drive the full track as we moved from place to place. Maybe not though.

Thanks again.

Murray^2

Murray,

I've just done my first Vic High Country trip (with the help of some good advice from here) I have a 19ft dirt-roader caravan and we based in Buckland Valley and Sheepyard Flat for a period of 12 days and barely scratched the surface in those areas. Absolutely brilliant camping with water and timber freely supplied by nature. You can set up camp and go where your car will take you for a big/tough days drive or a mooch around on 2wd tracks, depending on what takes your fancy. One thing you shouldn't underestimate is the time it takes for travelling. The fact that Vic is a relatively small state is very misleading because steep, twisty dirt roads will slow you right down and be very time-consuming - and that's apart from the distractions along the way. We did a pretty demanding trip from Buckland though the Selwyn Crk Track down the Water Spur Track onto Wombat Spur and Cynthia Ranges, resting overnight in Dargo before returning to our camp in Buckland Valley. The wife and kids were pretty "satisfied" with that for an introduction and we just doodled around locally before moving onto the Sheepyard area for a repeat performance. Depends on your experience and mine was pretty well tested for that. I'd certainly agree with the previous poster who suggested using a base to tour from and then go to another area. We even sneaked in a quick trip to Echuca on the way home. Fantastic trip. Take yer long Johns though - it's chilly. Oh, and search the archives and get some Rooftop Maps.

Murray,

I've just done my first Vic High Country trip (with the help of some good advice from here) I have a 19ft dirt-roader caravan and we based in Buckland Valley and Sheepyard Flat for a period of 12 days and barely scratched the surface in those areas. Absolutely brilliant camping with water and timber freely supplied by nature. You can set up camp and go where your car will take you for a big/tough days drive or a mooch around on 2wd tracks, depending on what takes your fancy. One thing you shouldn't underestimate is the time it takes for travelling. The fact that Vic is a relatively small state is very misleading because steep, twisty dirt roads will slow you right down and be very time-consuming - and that's apart from the distractions along the way. We did a pretty demanding trip from Buckland though the Selwyn Crk Track down the Water Spur Track onto Wombat Spur and Cynthia Ranges, resting overnight in Dargo before returning to our camp in Buckland Valley. The wife and kids were pretty "satisfied" with that for an introduction and we just doodled around locally before moving onto the Sheepyard area for a repeat performance. Depends on your experience and mine was pretty well tested for that. I'd certainly agree with the previous poster who suggested using a base to tour from and then go to another area. We even sneaked in a quick trip to Echuca on the way home. Fantastic trip. Take yer long Johns though - it's chilly. Oh, and search the archives and get some Rooftop Maps.