With a slide on camper such as the Trayon which is the perfect companion for a victorian high country trip this will be a trip to remember. I was told today visiting VHC would be like a holiday to the moon following the devastating fires. 166 reviews. We are British ex-pats who moved out to Victoria in 2019 and have been exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content). It is truly one of the premier camping and 4WDing destinations in Australia with a huge range of tracks and campsites on offer, the majority of which are completelyfree of charge. Blue Wren Stay is a two-bedroom apartment, attached to the home of Peter and Kaye who were wonderful hosts. If you are a photographer then the High Country is a great chance to have a dabble in astrophotography. But theres nothing quite like unfolding HEMAs High Country map to plan your trip. 4 Day High Country Tag-Along Tour Intermediate 4WDrive and Recovery Course at Narbethong From the south of Thailand to the north, then down through, Read More 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in AsiaContinue, Its rare I feel the need to write about an individual place we stay on our adventures, but Springriver Resort, Read More SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review]Continue, Nothing in this world thats worth having comes easy Now thats a quote worthy of starting an article. Things to do: Visit Scenic World, go . After a night around the campfire, head out east along Tamboritha Road until you reach Bennison Lookout, which is worth a stop as it offers fantastic views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. Visit townships like Mansfield, Dargo and Omeo. Win a REDARC solar setup worth over $1700! Lets start with the basics, where exactly is the Victorian High Country? From the Wellington River, the road climbs up out of the valley to Bennison Lookout which is worth a stop to take in the fabulous views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. . Alpine National Park is an Australian Alps national park in the High Country region of Victoria. We did find one small cafe by the main hotel open which, judging by how many words the owner fitted into her welcome, didnt see a lot of customer at this time of year. Extending from the river to the mountains, this drive takes in many . From here you can take a day to drive the best part of the Great Alpine Road up to Hotham Heights, even doing the full loop up to Omea and back round to Mount Beauty. We loved the magical little toy shop Beechworth Toys and Collectables, Beechworth Sweet Co, the shop that looks like it could have come from a Harry Potter movie and having some wonderful eggs Benedict at the Rustique Soul Cafe, sitting beside a life-sized replica of Ned Kellys armour. Next stop-off was beside a man-made lake we saw off to the side of the road about a further 3.5km along. 0. A guided 4 day Pack-Free walk. One place wed been keen to see with the Victorian High Country and the Great Alpine Road, so on a late November morning we headed packed up the car and headed out early from Melbourne for five nights away. From end-to-end, Billy Goat Bluff track is less than 10kms but due to the challenging terrain, its advisable to schedule at least an hour for this trek. You must log in or register to reply here. Book your holidays, sit down with a Victorian High Country Map to plan your route, pack up the 4WD and come to the Victorian High Country for a trip of a lifetime! Find your own secluded campsite by a fresh mountain stream. Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. We will introduce you to different driving, convoy and UHF radio techniques along with the campground etiquette. The Talbotville camping area has pit toilets, fire rings and plenty of space to camp. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. Its a short but steep walk up to the fire tower lookout perched on a rocky summit. Best time to drive: Spring or autumn. If you choose only one place for your High Country Itinerary, Bright should be it. There are pit toilets, a hut and several separate areas to setup camp. See more ideas about country, victorian, australia country. It will generally take about 1 hour to reach the camping areas in the valley from the turnoff on the Dargo High Plains Road. Included in price: Small-group day tour in a luxury 4WD Travel off the beaten track down exclusive 4WD backroads Morning tea Skybury Coffee Plantation with local coffee or tea, and a snack Spot kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wedge-tail eagles (wildlife galore!) Dandongadale Falls isnt the sort of place that most people talk about around the campfire and thats possibly because they drive straight past. Steep climbs, over 40 river crossings and the incredible scenery are features of this trip. Keep an eye on future articles to explore more of the region. The Victorian High Country, so many different tracks, so many mountains to climb, so many creeks to cross. Deposits are non refundable. The High Country Rail Trail is a super popular 80km route that stretches from Albury Wodonga to Shelley in Victoria, offering cyclists a scenic journey through an iconic landscape. Whats not to love about these roughly constructed bush shelters? Access: Closed during winter and on catastrophic fire danger days. Victorian High Country - 4WD Tag-Along Adventure Tour - The Offroad Tradies Products Victorian High Country 6 day Tag-Along Adventure Tour 2022 From AUD $900.00 Duration: 6 Days (approx.) Reply By: . What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. Thrill to the spectacular mountain-top scenery of the alpine high plains. If you are travelling up into the High Country with kids, then a sturdy carrier for hikes is going to be needed. Rule 1: don't try to cram an entire . It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. Today a sense of this history can be found in the old ruins, mine workings and the old cemetery. It felt like walking onto a movie set an hour before the actors and crew arrived. The bamboo bridges are one of Luang Prabangs most iconic sights and appear on many famous photos of the town. 4WD only with high clearance and low range capability. Make sure you travel the spectacular Great Alpine Road at least once; passing through the heart of the Victorian Alps on the highest altitude road in Victoria and taking in panoramic views as far as the eye can see. An itinerary carefully curated to suite Grade 2 -3 hiking ability. We stock the full range of Ironman 44 products including Suspension, Bullbars, Lights, Vehicle Protection, Recovery gear, snorkels, auto electrics, dual battery systems, towing accessories, tanks, underbody protection, Camping Gear and more! We are the home of Ironman 44 and all things 4WD in East Gippsland and the Victorian High Country. To support the community, stores, churches, banks, hotels and even a police station was present. Explore nature trails on foot or horseback, and frolic in the snow in winter. Victorian High Country with Camper Trailer. This is one reason why this track is known as one of the most spectacular tracks in the victorian high country the views and vistas are truly outstanding. Youll have the region on the one map, and youll be able to plan each and every stop. More Info will be sent to you once you register with your deposit, No 4WD? From Licola, head along the Wellington River Valley on the Tamboritha Road which passes several picturesque camping areas on the riverbank this is a great option for an overnight stop. Honestly, you dont need a list from me, just get out of your car and wander around until you see something you like. Here is a summary of the top 10 beginner's 4WD tracks in Victoria: Toolangi State Forest Tallarook Woods Point Aberfeldy Lake Eildon Warburton Croajingolong National Park Bunyip State Park Alpine National Park Grampians National Park Below is a more in-depth explanation of each of the tracks and what you should bring along to be prepared. Photo: Maverick226, CC BY-SA 4.0. One aspect of the Victorian High Country is that it has many spectacular places only known to a relative few, and hopefully, this article will encourage you to explore some of these hidden gems (or perhaps find your own piece of Victorian High Country paradise!). Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. The track can be quite narrow in places and it can be challenging to pass oncoming vehicles so put your UHF radio to scan and keep a close watch for vehicles. Its quite impressive, but I wouldnt go too far out of your way to see it if you werent passing by El Dorado already. Theres a range of great local towns to visit, shops and pubs to experience, and of course, the spectacular mountain scenery that the Victorian High Country is famous for. This is the BEST 4Wdrive adventure in the land. Around 6km onwards is Kingswell Bridge and immediately over the bridge turn to the left onto the Crooked River Track. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info. . Towns & Villages LIMITLESS HORIZONS 4WD, road trip, Visit Victoria Urgent Roadside Assistance Call 1300 627 742 Day or Night Find the right battery for your vehicle or application with our Battery Selector: Use the form below to find the right battery for your car, truck, 4WD or boat - in fact any type of battery across our huge range. For a start, it boasts Victorias longest single drop waterfall (255m), but the natural paddle pools at the top are what the locals love. Some of the tracks we will take on include the well known Billy Goat Track, Collingwood Track, Richie's Rd, Herne Spur Track, King Billy and Crooked Creek Track. Take some time to absorb this view and appreciate what many believe is the best view in the whole Victorian High Country! this will no doubt cause some controversy, so let the hate mail begin! Our Place, Bright>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. Then head back to Melbourne, stopping at Wangaratta for some lunch on the way home. JavaScript is disabled. It was the central point of our adventure to the High Country and had been well worth the visit. There are still plenty of relics to find in the bush. Photography Beach. The Deddick Trail features some of the steepest tracks in the Victorian High Country. From short day trips to extended four-wheel drive touring through desert, mountains, rainforest and snow, different routes cater for all levels of skill and expertise. All rights reserved. For me, I really love autumn in the High Country. This is one of my favorite views in all ofthe Victorian High Country. The Victorian High Country (VHC) has some of the best 4WDriving and camping anywhere in Australia, and this trip is into one of the best in the region. You're at 1,750 metres above sea level, completely surrounded by stark mountains and valleys, which slowly disappear into . Balance: due and payable 30 days prior to departure. The track is steep in parts, and scrabbly in others, but is in generally pretty good condition. Treat yourself to fine dining The fine dining experience at Provenance is a must-do for foodies. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. Heading out of Bright on the B500 we started to get our first glimpses of what was to come, with Mount Feathertop pushing the horizon up the windscreen and leaving the road feeling a tad inadequate in the foreground. The proximity of the High Country to surrounding towns adds variety to a visit. Highlights: Wentworth Falls, Jamison Valley, Blackheath, Capertee Valley, Wollemi National Park and Mount Tomah. I posted the below request for assistance in new members and received some positive feedback however it was suggested i post this request here for a better response. It made the must-see list for being so damn unusual, I can honestly say Ive never come across anything like it. Check with Parks Victoria to ensure the track is open before you leave home. Around 11km further on is Grant Junction and the turn-off to Grant and Talbotville. Ive already written a bit about this place in the Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country section, but I wanted to push home the point here. Famous for this huge hunk of metal on the edge of town, The El Dorado Dredge once actually moved (hard to believe for something this big) through the backwaters of the Woolshed Valley pulling up tin and gold from the waters. Hotels near Devil's Pool Hotels near Victoria Falls Hotels near Livingstone Museum Hotels near Mukuni Big 5 Safaris Limited Hotels near Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Hotels near Owen's Taxi and Tours Hotels near Livingstone Crocodile Park Hotels near Cherish Travel and Tours Zambia Hotels near Railway Museum Hotels near Zambezi Eco Adventures Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for South Africa in 7 days. The most memorable experiences of the entire trip. Gee, another tough one. If your booking can be reallocated to another participant then the deposit can be transferred to another tour of your choice which must be taken within 18 months of the original booked tour. It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. Vehicles require low range, high clearance and sufficient recovery gear, while drivers will need grit and experience for some challenging sections. Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear, Fuel Fuel requirements for this trip are:- Diesel = 120 litres 4 and V6 petrol = 125 litres Straight 6 and V8 petrol = 150 litres, Spares/equipment A UHF radio we can hire you a radio Carry a snatch strap and rated shackles (see our shop if you need recovery equipment) Spare Fan belts, fuel filter, oil and brake fluid. It would involve a fair but of driving (around 1,000km) and our first big adventure with our 11-month-old little girl. Basic Requirements For This Tour . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 The Sabbatical Guide | Established 2018. The round-trip tour from Bright in the High Country combines hikes through the ski villages of Falls Creek, Hotham and Dinner Plain . The lake is one of Victorias deepest natural lakes and is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. The photographs in the store feature some great pictures of previous travelers dilemmas, as well as photographs of the dramatic weather conditions such as floods and fires. Head for the hills, because the High Country is the place to be! [Pros & Cons], 100+ Incredible Travel Resources (For Simple & Cheap Travel), Taking a Year Off Work to Travel (Full Guide +4 Examples), Things To Do Before Travel: 35 Clever Little Tips [Checklist], 19 Alternative Travel Tips and Tricks I use on Every Trip, What is a Sabbatical? The Wellington River is also a good place to try your luck at catching a Trout although probably having a plan B for when the fish arent hungry! At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff track is the Wonnangatta Road. If you're coming from Woomargama National Park, you can join the trail from either end - or opt for a cruisier section by starting at Sandy Creek Bridge, which . A mountain gold town which flourished during Victorias golden era, Talbotville was one of the longest surviving towns in the region. With inspiring scenery, challenging drives and vibrant townships, it caters to a broad spectrum of travellers' tastes, from off-road adventurers to foodies, hikers, cyclists and more. For a five day Victorian High Country Itinerary I would suggest one night in Beechworth, two in Bright and then two near Mansfield to finish off where you can visit Jamieson, Mount Buller or do as we did, relax on a farmstead. Given the impact Covid has had on so many places like this though, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt, as the team seemed to be working really hard while we were there on renovations. Within the thousands of kilometres of two-wheel drive roads and four-wheel drive tracks there are dozens of destinations that are part of the history of Eastern Victoria. Located on an open grassy flat on a bend in the Crooked River, the 1860s presented a scene of weatherboard stores and dwellings with the township servicing the local miners and rural families. Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC5 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. Keep going for another 15 kms and you will reach the Pinnacles Lookout and Fire tower. Wood sometimes can be scarce so it pays to bring your own or collect some on the way to ensure a good campfire for the evening. Now that we have the people who love a bit of exercise sorted let's get onto the good stuff; food and drink! After a stressful year with the Covid lockdown and not being able to see any family from the UK, a two night stay on Ellys little farmstead was the most relaxed Ive felt in a long long time. Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. Each one is unique and historic and they make fantastic refuges when the weather turns nasty, which it will in the Alpine areas. At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff is where the track meets Wonnangatta Road. Billy Goat Bluff is considered one of the most challenging and scenic tracks in the Victorian High Country. This is not a road for the travel sick! There's an open plateau at around 1,600m elevation covered in low flowering bushes with 360 degree views just nearby the camp site. 4WD Tracks of the High Country will lead the reader through twenty of the best four-wheel drive touring destinations in the Victorian and New South Wales High Country. Coming off the back of a year that included a 112-day lockdown in Victoria, this slice of calm on a hill in the High Country was what we needed. Ben is the blogger behind TheSabbaticalGuide.com, a site designed to give people the information, tools and inspiration they need to make their sabbatical dreams a reality. Be cautioustravelling at the beginning of the plain as there are several bog holes that can trap the unwary. There are bypass tracks around the worst areas so generally these shouldnt cause any problems. Image: Michael Page-Sharp. A good mate of mine Garry Doyle plays these films through a projector and onto a white sheet around his High Country campsite always to an ecstatic audience. 19,000Kms Later, 15 Electric Utes Australia Would Love to See in the roads, Budget Ute Showdown: Tata, Great Wall, Foton, Jmc And More. Sabbatical Destinations: 20+ Best Places for a Sabbatical, exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content), 30 Interesting & Unusual Facts About Victoria, 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth, Samyang SY12M-FX-SIL 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens for Fujifilm X-Mount Cameras, Silver, Neewer Carbon Fiber 66 inches/168 centimeters Camera Tripod Monopod with 360 Degree Ball Head,1/4 inch Quick Shoe Plate,Bag for DSLR Camera,Video Camcorder,Load up to 26.5 pounds/12 kilograms, Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Green, 10000mAh Portable Charger USB-C Power Delivery (18W) Power Bank Fast Charge for iPhone 11/11 Pro / 11 Pro Max, S10, Pixel 3, iPad Pro 2018, and More, BAGAIL 6 Set Packing Cubes,3 Various Sizes Travel Luggage Packing Organizers(Dark Blue), Osprey Packs FARPOINT 70, Jasper Red, Small/Medium, CHIALSTAR Upgrade Travel Clothesline, Portable Retractable Adjustable Elastic Travel Camping Windproof Clothes Line with 1 Black Waterproof Bag and 12pcs Clothespins for Outdoor and Indoor Use (Blue), Black Diamond Spot 325 Headlamp (Graphite), Rainleaf Microfiber Towel 20X40 Inches Army Green, Leatherman Wave Plus - The multi-tool for any task, 18 multipurpose tools with lockable blades for camping, DIY and outdoor adventures made in the USA in black with Molle holster, 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do, National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 3rd Edition: 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores, Lonely Planet The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World, Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places, Travel Journal by Duncan & Stone - Sage Green | Travel Planner for Best Friend Gift | Vacation Scrapbook and Photo Album | Congratulations Present for College Graduation or Wedding | Adventure Book for Couples or Boyfriend | World Trip Notebook for Women or Men Traveler, 6 Best Yarra Valley Winery Tours From Melbourne, 8 Best Mornington Peninsula Tours From Melbourne, How To Access Google Flights Historical Price Data, 7 Best Rooftop Pools In Sydney, Australia, Is Google Flights Reliable? From Dargo take the road north on the Dargo High Plains Road through picturesque farmland and past charming homesteads, until climbing out of the valley into a forested area. The cattlemen brought their own culture to the High Country and it has become part of our heritage celebrated in song, poetry and film. Sorry the content is a bit long however i felt if i get it all down people willing to help especially those that have done it before will have a good understanding of the type of trip we'd like to take for hopefully the first of many to the High country it sounds awesome!! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We found it on our journey between Bright and Mansfield, a few kilometres down a dusty track, a worthwhile stop off if youre in the area. This gave us a good mix of experiences in different parts of the High Country. Bright was definitely our favourite town, with the farmstead near Mansfield the best experience, as we sat on the edge of the hill watching the sunset and a clear sky full of stars appear every night. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. 20/20 Head to Healesville, a foodie's paradise Walk the highlights of the Victorian High Country including Bright, Mount Buffalo, Bogong high plains and Mt Feathertop returning each evening to our cosy accommodation in the beautiful town of Bright. Might give you a bit of a start. Enjoy yarns and games around a cosy campfire. Our little girl was fascinated by me hand feeding Mr Emu, stroked a kangaroo and made friends with a deer. 2-In-1 Tripod/Monopod Featuring a detachable leg and a removable center column, Neewer Carbon Fiber Tripod allows transformation from a tripod to a monopod (Height can reach 68.9 (175cm)) for Adjustable Tripod Legs The 4-section legs with twist locks can extend from 22.6 to 66.1 (57.5cm to 168cm) in seconds and provide reliable stability. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. It's known for its Victorian-era streetscapes, and is home to the Grape Vine Hotel, the largest grapevine in Australia. Now its time to select low range to save the brakes and tackle the several switch-backs which are a common feature of steep tracks in the victorian high country. Its a beautiful area, and thats why I think its the best four wheel drive destination in Australia! Past the Treasures-Mt Even Hut which is just visible from the main road with the Downey Road heading off to the right. The track climbs steeply out of the river and then drops down to another crossing, with another two river crossings before the valley opens up into a picturesque grassy plain with the bubbling Dargo River, surrounding mountains, and wide open plain this makes a spectacular sight! The Victorian High Country is truly Trayon territory, as many of the tracks are unsuitable for camper trailers, and having the freedom of a slide on camper is a distinct advantage. Drive distance: 243 km. For more recommendations read 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth. Chiltern is a town in Victoria 's High Country. For two days in the High Country I would suggest basing yourself at Bright for both nights. Some 4WDing experience is preferred as there are numerous steep hill climbs and descents and creek crossings. Best time of year to Visit the High Country? Select Make Select Model Select Year The Victorian High Country covers a large part of South-Eastern Victoria, with much of the area only accessible via a 4WD. From Grant head 6km to the Dargo High Plains Road then turn right toward Dargo which is a further 17km away. Both films stand the test of time, and will really get you in the mood for that gorgeous steep terrain that youre about to encounter. This is not a problem during hotter months, as the tracks dry out and become quiet dusty. Holly Revord. Copyright 2023 by AxiomThemes. This is when the lower foothill areas that are much less used are worth visiting. On the other side of the range is the Dargo Hotel, est 1898. At the end of the descent the reward is our first camping option beside the picturesque Dargo River. Survival Gear. Ultimate 4WD & Camping Guide to North Stradbroke Island, Barrington Tops Camping & 4WD Guide Everything You Need To Know, Camping in Wilsons Prom | Everything You Need to Know, An In Depth Beach Driving Guide by Experienced 44 Enthusiasts. Turn right off the Dargo High Plains Road and start your journey along King Spur Track. In the evening shed knock to see if we wanted to go down with her to sort the animals out for th night. Ill give the gong here to Bluff Hut, maintained by the Stoney family. The steep descent should pose few problems except in wet conditions when some of the clay based sections will become quite slippery. Tracks with river crossings where you have to pick the right line before carefully climbing out of the current onto the slippery track that leads to another deeper crossing of the same stream. In the second half of the nineteenth century thousands of Europeans, Americans and Chinese headed into the High Country in search of gold. A little further and we commence the steep descent into the valley. 202316 - 22 April 202312 - 18 November 20233 - 9 January 202411 - 17 January 2024, Great Divide Tours 4WD Training Centre Castle View, Victorian High Country Accommodated (7 days/8 nights), Along the Murray Accommodated Tour (8 days/nights), Cruise the Kimberley Coast with Vic Widman (13 days), Exploring Len Beadell's Tracks Tour (18 days). NSW & Victoria High Country DEPARTING Tuesday 4th February 2020 COST $2475.00pp (twin share) The finer details Tour Price: $2475.00 per person twin share Single Supplement:$475.00 Deposit:$300.00 per person within 7 days of booking. What I dont do on these posts it put together a random lists of places Ive never been, these are all places we personally visited and can vouch for (if we visited somewhere crap, it simply didnt make it on the list below!). Cattlemens huts are a feature of the High Country. There is nothing better than rocking up to one of the regions pristine campsites with all the comforts of home that you have in the Trayon.