September Border Track Trip

Life is full of stress …. But once you get in the 4wd and go, it all goes out the window.

After all the excitement of the Border track trip we ran in May, another trip was quickly organised and 13 four wheel drives joined us to have some fun in the sand.

Day 1 Friday 20th September
Bridgewater to O.T.I.T campground

With the excitement high Paul, the boys and I rolled into the Bridgewater service station where we meet up with Shannon and Tom, Seb, and Andrew and by 5pm we where heading along the Calder highway, arriving in Birchip we grabbed a bite to eat. Leaving at 7pm we went onto Rainbow to refuel and headed along Hopetoun-Rainbow road, then turned left onto Rainbow-wyperfeld park road then left on O.T.I.T rd, where we met up with Dale, Naomi and Sue, and we all pulled into O.T.I.T campground where Geoff and Leanne, Steve, Narelle, Jim, Jayne and Steven had already set up camp and had a nice fire going for us.

The rest of as set up camp and enjoyed a few drinks around the campfire and catching up with each other.

(O.T.I.T camp ground is situated on the edge of lake Albacutya which last filled with water in 1974)

Day 2 Saturday 21st September
O.T.I.T campground to Big Billy Bore campground

We woke to a wet morning, so in between showers of rain camp got packed up. We gathered by the fire to stay warm us we waited for Russell, Nathan and Bailey to arrive.

On there arrival they air down and we had a debrief of the days plans and by 9am we hit the tracks. We took a short cut along Jordan valley track onto Wembulin track, which links up to Purra track where we hit the first lot of sand, some fun was had here with trying to keep the momentum going while we found our way through the wheel ruts. Along this track we saw a large birds nest and 2 wedge tail eagles flying around.

We turned on to Milmed rock track which turns into Pella track, then turning right onto Chinamans well track. Around 10:30 saw us pulling in on the side of the track for morning smoko. With everyone enjoying some home made slices that I had made, with us all having a good sugar hit we headed off. Us being lead vehicle we where the only ones experiencing the softer sand as the tracks where wet, so as this was a easy track we decided to change things up a bit and let other people take lead. Most people had a turn of being lead vehicle all enjoying the experience. As we where now at the back of the convey Russell took lead and turned left onto the Murrayville track pulling in the base of Chinamans lookout for lunch (12:25pm). While lunch was being consumed 7 4wds had a attempt to reach the top of the lookout Nathan, Dale, and Shannon where the only ones to achieve this. (But some nice photos and videos where taken of the action)

Back on the road (1:30pm)we headed to Big Billy bore camp ground here Russell, Seb, Jim, Naomi, Sue and Dale pulled into camp and the rest of us drove a further 8km to another lookout to have a play, we all reached the top of this one. On return to camp (3pm) another nice fire was going, and a short time later Tim and Pippa arrived.

A nice night was had around the camp fire.

Day 3 Sunday 22nd September
Big Billy Bore campground to Fire break track

Sunday we departed from camp at 9am and drove along the Murrayville track for 8kms and turn on to Delisio track, after a few kilometres we turn into Clarence range track which leads to the Big K dune lookout this dune has 4 options to choose from to reach the top. We pulled over and let the other vehicles have a turn. Ten 4 wheel drives attempted this, they choose different lines and quite a few nearly reached the top, but only Nathan, Dale, and Steve could actually achieve going all the way. As we where all having fun either attempting this dune or taking photos/watching the action we soon realised it was smoko time.

Around 11:10am we headed off along Big K dune track where we found a few small bog holes, then turning on to White Springs track there was a bigger mud hole where a few people decided to go through. Continuing on for a few kilometres we then reached the Murrayville track we turn left and shortly after turn right onto Catcus Bore track.

Following this track we arrived at Catcus bore (12:40) we pulled up for lunch with most opting to drive to the top of the lookout to check out the views.

By 1:40pm we where back on the tracks continuing on Catcus Bore track then turning into Coburns track we then drove up a sand dune which saw us onto on Thompson peaks which gave us a 360 degree view of the area. We turned right and followed the ridge line along stopping at one point to take some photos (there was a nice view of the convey here).

We then drove along the firebreak track where we heard over the UHF that Geoff and Leanne roof rack had started to slide off, they stopped and few people then place it onto Narelle’s roof rack and secured into place and continued onto camp.

In the main time the lead few vehicles went on and pulled into a clearing on the side of the fire break track (2:30pm). Pulling into camp sites where picked and firewood collected.

With everyone at camp and camp set up everyone started on afternoon smoko and some started on tea. Tim and daughter Pippa decided to leave and head for home. The kids went off having there on fun Tom was playing amongst the trees, while Keith and Lachlan went and played on a near by sand dune. They where rolling down the hill and was providing us around the campfire with some good cheap entertainment. Later after a few drinks a couple big kids attempt to go this sand dune on esky lid.

We all enjoyed the camp fire but there was showers of rain passing through, which meant we where around the fire then retreated to our awing’s then we back a the fire again.

Even though this happen we still had a nice warm fire to return to and enjoy more drinks and laughs.

Day 4 Monday 23nd September
Firebreak track to Red Bluff campground

Waking to a nice sunrise we packed up camp and by 9am we heading down firebreak track, suddenly the Border track sign appeared we turn left and went down the track opening the gate to start our next adventure. (Tail end Charlie shut the gate for us. Thanks Jim).

Not long into the track was our first bog hole most of us drove around it but Nathan thought he will give it a try, he entered the mud hole but was unable to get up the incline on the exit. As the situation was safe out comment the cameras for some nice photos/videos then Steve’s Prado was attached to rear of Nathan’s Nissan and a quick and safe snatch recovery was made. With cameras at the ready Dale also gave it attempt, but suffered the same fate and another quick recovery was required but this time from the front of Dale’s 4wd.

With safe recovery’s made and all gear put away and light rain starting to fall we went on, the first rise was in front of us. The approach was easy but there was big wombat holes on the other side that we all bounce through.

With the sand being wet it was a easy drive and before we knew it we spotted Hensley trig lookout. Another easy approach saw us all arriving (9:45am) at the trig point, with the track being quite we pulled up and had morning smoko and take in the views. By 10:20am we back on tracks towards the bigger dunes. On approach to the multiple options we decided on which one to take. Most the group choose the option on the left and we all made it over with ease due to the wet sand. All dunes ended up being the same so around 12pm we rolled into Doggers Hut and had lunch.

Leaving just after 1pm we quickly realised that camp was fast approaching so we decided on taking a side track to reach the camp site.This option turned out to be a bit of adventure, but all loved the detour. We took Shaugh track (opting not to walk to Mt Shaugh) and turned into Red Bluff rd only to discover a sign reading No Public Access. Relooking at the maps we decided to continue along Shaugh track then turned right and travel a short distance and veer right again and followed the power lines. The track started out ok but the further we got along the track the bush was taking over the track again, pushing our way through we finally arrived on South Kirra Boundary rd, following the fence line we saw a couple of big Kangaroos and at the corner of the property we turned left onto East Kirra Boundary rd, then right onto North Kirra Boundary rd, which led us back onto the Border track(2:20pm). We headed down the track towards camp, collecting fire wood on the way.

Arriving at Red Bluff campground (3pm) we found our spots and set up camp. Here we said our goodbyes to Seb, Dale, Namoi and Sue who made there way back to Bendigo.

Around 4:30pm Bailey, Keith and Lachlan (with UHF for safety) all walked to the top of Red Bluff. While they where gone most of us started on cooking tea. On the boys return a early tea was had. After consuming tea we grabbed a drink and most of us walked (6pm) to the top of Red Bluff to watch the sunset. Taking some nice photos of the views and sunset. On return to camp we sit around the camp fire enjoying a drink and a good laugh with the last of us going to bed around 12am.

Day 5 Tuesday 24th September
Red Bluff campground to home

Tuesday saw us on the tracks by 9am again we all got over the sand dune with no troubles by 20 past 9 we had hit the bog holes, for the next few kms we choose our own tracks. Nathan choose to have a go at a deep bog hole but couldn’t get through but could recover him self continuing on we where making our own fun. We reached another sections with multiple options Paul drove through followed by Russell, then Andrew got stuck and needed to be snatch backwards. Steven went through, Shannon attempt this same line and nearly got stuck (locker was not engaged), Narelle, Steve, Jim, Geoff and Leanne decided to drove around it. Meanwhile Nathan had attempt had the harder line and got through with no troubles. By around 11am saw us airing up and you 11:45am we head into Nhill for a pub meal. Here we said goodbye to Steve, Narelle, Shannon and Tom, Steven and Jayne.

Refuelling the rest of us headed towards home (2:10pm), stopping off at St Arnaud we said our goodbyes and headed off. By 5:15pm we had pulled back into Bridgewater.