ANZAC High Country Adventure - 2024 - Sandhurst 4WD Club Bendigo

“Anzacs High Country 4wding” likely refers to exploring the High Country of Victoria, Australia, particularly in a 4WD vehicle, while also paying homage to the Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who trained in the area during World War II.

The High Country is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rugged terrain, and challenging tracks, making it a popular destination for 4WD enthusiasts seeking adventure and exploration. Many of the tracks wind through picturesque mountains, dense forests, and river crossings, providing an exhilarating experience for off-road enthusiasts.

Combining 4WD adventures with a tribute to the Anzacs adds a deeper layer of historical significance to the journey. As you navigate through the same terrain where these soldiers trained decades ago, you can reflect on their bravery, sacrifice, and the role they played in shaping the history of Australia and New Zealand.

Exploring the High Country in a 4WD vehicle allows you to access remote and scenic locations that are otherwise inaccessible, providing an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and discover hidden gems along the way. Whether you’re tackling challenging tracks or simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery, Anzacs High Country 4wding offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty.

We had 10 vehicles for this Anzac Trip, meeting at Sheepyard Flat on the Wednesday night managing a spot on the left hand side as you cross the bridge over the Howqua River. There was a nice big warm fire we sat around just taking as much heat we could.

Thursday ANZAC Day – 25 April 2024

We woke early, as I heard vehicles leaving around 5.00am to head to Merrijig for the Anzac parade, they have riding horses up the main street of Merrijig.

We were packed up and ready before 9.00am, quick briefing and we left Sheepyard Flat heading up Brock’s road, passing all the camp sites on the way through. Heading straight through staying on Brock’s road, passing Refrigerator Gap then turning right onto Bluff track. Stopping at Bluff Hut, continuing on over Mt Lovick @1685m and onto Lovicks Hut where we stopped for smoko and a break. We kept on going where the track gets a little rougher, Stopping at Picture Point for that photo.

We got to King Billy @1690m then headed along King Billy track which had been graded so the track wasn’t as rough as it usually is. Stopping at the Rock Scree which the soil was washed away and the Scree was left there. We got onto Howitt road and back into 2wd we then got to Howitt Hut, we had lunch here for about 30 minutes. Taking off again staying on Howitt road, passing the Airport then turned left onto Moroka road then right onto Moroka Range road, where Ian got a puncture, it only took 15 minutes to change and we were back on the road again. We turned right up Mt Wellington track and into Low Range. It was getting around 4.00pm and all we wanted to do was get to Millers Hut. As we went over Mt Wellington @1650m it was very clear, was going to get photos but I thought tomorrow morning will be better with the sunrise. We got down into Millers Hut and set up camp. That night was very cold so we had a big fire, some copped the smoke, we were warm all night.

Friday, 26th April 2024

We woke to a very foggy morning, Morri had the fire going again, so we huddled around drinking our coffee and breakfast. We packed up camp and headed off out of camp before 9.00am. Heading back up to Mt Wellington you couldn’t see 30m in front of you, so as we reached the Peak of Mt Wellington there was no views at all and no photo opportunities. We kept going getting back to Moroka Range road. This is where Morri left us and headed for home. We turned right along Moroka Range, pretty easy track with a few bog holes but nice drive. We turned left on Moroka Range track, stopping at Moroka Hut. We parked at the car park area then took the 250m walk to the Hut. We then walked back to the vehicles and had smoko. After a break we were nearly back on Moroka road and over the radio I got John’s wheel had fallen off. We turned back and the wheel was completely laying underneath the vehicle. So we jacked the vehicle up with the High lift jack, took the wheel off and sussed the situation out. The bolts on top had fallen out then it dropped off the ball joint, so I was able to manage get the hub back under the ball joint and push it back on top and get two bolts back in. We had to cut the CV in half as it popped out of the front diff. We put the wheel back on and John was able to drive. We continued along Moroka road to Horseyard Flat where we had lunch. John made the decision to leave us and head to Licola. It took him 2 hours driving really slow so he could get RACV help. They picked him up and took him to Bendigo.

We continued along to The Pinnacles and we walked up to the top of the Fire tower @1450m to the most amazing views, 360⁰degrees all the way around. We the headed off back down and tackled the Billy Goats track, which is a very popular four-wheel drive track and one of the iconics, the track climbs 1200m in 8km, there is some rough rocky sections which you could get you into trouble if you take the wrong line. Vehicles get recovered from this track yearly. We got over the Heli Pad and made it to the bottom. We turned left and headed for a camp site right on the Wonnangatta river. We cut fire wood and had another big fire and a very enjoyable night.

Saturday 27th April 2024

This morning was a very mild morning, so after breakfast and coffee I went for a well deserved bath in the river. It was cold, so nice as well. The fire was still going so straight up and stood in front to warm up.

We packed up camp and headed off along Wonnangatta road and we drove the river crossing at Kingswell Bridge, then a hard left hand turn onto Talbotville road and a right up Collingwood Spur track. This track has been recently graded so really plenty of traction, still a very steep track to drive. We came out onto Bulltown Spur where we had Smoko. We continued on crossing over McMillan road and down the other side of Bulltown Spur, this comes to Stonewall and and the start of Crooked River track with its 24 river crossings. We got to the first river crossing and a line up of vehicles that couldn’t get up the exit as it had rock steps in it about 2 foot high. After about 45 minutes they finally got 5 vehicles through. Then it was our turn, so I built the track up with logs and rock and had 9 vehicles through I 15 minutes, we then found a little camp spot for lunch. After lunch we tackled about 22 river crossings before turning right up South Basalt track. This first section of the track is very steep and very rocky with a lot of rock steps in it. It was slow going till we all made it to the Heli Pad. The track becomes a little easier, then one section Geoff couldn’t make it and put himself on a very bad angle, so Andrew and I had to come and Winch him up the hill. When we reached the next Heli Pad, Geoff had lost 4wd but he had 2wd and still able drive his car. The track becomes a 2wd track anyway, we headed to the intersection of South Basalt and Ritchie road where the Old tram carriage was before it burnt down. We decided to head down Ritchie road to find a camp-site. We had to drive a fair bit before we found a little spot down in the valley on the 25 Mile creek. We set up camp, cut firewood and had a nice big fire as the cold settled in through the valley.

Sunday 28th April 2024

A very cold morning and a little frosty, we packed up camp then headed of up out of the valley towards Dargo High Plains road, here we turned left, back into 2wd until we got to Blue Rag track. We turned left up here and headed up. The track has got rough. We made it to the Trigg point, when we got out the wind was freezing and blowing a Gail, so it was some very quick photos and we were back in the vehicles and headed back to Dargo High Plains road. We turned left got to the Asphalt and aired up. At the end of Dargo High Plains road we turned left onto The Alpine Way and headed down to Harrietville. We stopped Snowline Hotel for lunch. This is where we end the trip and everyone headed for home.