Advice on High Country in April

Dont be suprised if you see snow at that time of the year, it is not unheard of and it has turned chilly quiet early this year. I used to live at Mt Hotham, and snow in April is not uncommon, especially when the trees are already starting to turn their leaves autumn colours. I think it was the year before last when they had early snow and then it melted again.
Karen

Sheepie

I think the Victorian side closes for public access late April. You'll need to check the dates. The areas on the Victorian side of Tom Groggin are excellent for touring/camping. If no rain falls a standard 4WD would have no problems with most tracks.

Davies Plains etc is a great area to explore.

Bob

Sheepy,

Have done the top end of the High Country in May just before they locked the gates in 08. Very cold with a light fall of snow around Thredbo. I was swagging it.

If the tracks are damp the Rav might have a bit of fun in places and may require snatching. Some of the tracks are very steep.

The book '4WD Tracks of the High Country' by Lewis and Savage, might be worth getting as it provides details of the tracks, gives an indication of the grade and shows camp sites.

The D22 will be fine, but the Rav 4 won't get very far at all.

The Rav 4 simply has insufficient ground clearance and you will rip the bottom off it of you take it on just about any track.

Forget going across Tom Groggin etc.

I went with a friend who had a RAV 4 and we were both amazed how easily it hung up. He had to leave it on the side of the track and I had to come back and get him. He got stuck up on the center hump of a flat, straight, easy track only 200m off the Dargo High plains road.

Most tracks that close, don't do so until Queens Birthday ( around 6th Jun ish), and some close on 1st May. So you should be fine with track closures.

Sorry to say but you really need to leave the RAV 4 behind if you want unless you stay on the main dirt roads.

The RAV 4 will have problems on the "tracks" and crossing the Murray at Tom Groggin. Even the Prado in front of us on our last trip was just on the edge of "floating" the rear end.

The weather is going to be your biggest concern. Have you got HF or anything that can listen to HF for the weather reports. Depending on where you are you may be able to listen to local AM stations for the weather.

Most of the "tracks" have clay on them at one place or another along their length. Get it wet and you need a winch. Even the old muddies will have problems. Chains can help but AND I STRESS use them responsibly and don't go spinning them up and digging the tracks up. The "made" and maintained roads mentioned in previous posts should be fine for both cars.

That is a spectacular neck of the woods and I hope you enjoy the stay.Check with the rangers when you get closer for their ideas. They know the place better than most.

Phil

OK - thanks all for your replies. Really appreciate it, as sometimes trying to find info and then translate it into your actual situation (re vehicle type, etc) is a little difficult.

Looks like some of the areas I was considering as options are definately off this list, but the area in general still seems to offer plenty. I'll be reading up more, especially once this book arrives, and appreciate any others that might add to this thread later.

Will let you know how we get on :)