Dargo High Plains Road
- Thread starter greydave
- Start date
Swaggie
Moderator
Hiya
The Road is like any 2wd dirt rd..Just be aware that cattle graze wildly along that road (even on the bitumen part,theres water in places around in the bends and cattle do drink there) so for the sake of safety keep your speed down...
Mt Blue Rag has rocky ledges(many turn back),So has Mayford Spur track...So choose your tracks wisley if going off the Dargo rd..If your looking in the area get a Rooftop Map (Dargo Store sell them as well as CD format for PC..
Goodluck
The Road is like any 2wd dirt rd..Just be aware that cattle graze wildly along that road (even on the bitumen part,theres water in places around in the bends and cattle do drink there) so for the sake of safety keep your speed down...
Mt Blue Rag has rocky ledges(many turn back),So has Mayford Spur track...So choose your tracks wisley if going off the Dargo rd..If your looking in the area get a Rooftop Map (Dargo Store sell them as well as CD format for PC..
Goodluck
greydave
New Member
Thanx. Just wanted to use it to get to Dargo to meet up with some friends. I am catching up with them tonite for more info. Will let you know how I go.
greydave
New Member
My holiday.
This will probably bore most of you. But it is my first real trip with the Terrano II and some people may be interested to see where I was able to go with 30inch wheels.
I met up with the Werribee 4wd Club at Talbotville.
I departed Werribee about 1530hrs travelled up the Hume to Bright and stayed over night in a motel. (Too lazy to put up tent.)
Thursday morning;
The Dargo High Plains Road is closed for winter so I stoped at the Tourist Information place to ask about it. They called Vic Roads who said it was closed. Then they tried the local council who said it was still getting graded. Thinking that I would have to find another way around via Omeo I set off on the Great Alpine Road.
Good fortune was smiling on me and the gate was open, so I took the Dargo High Plains road. It was an easy track though dusty. Weather conditions were dry.
Feeling adventurous I went down the Blue Rag Track. I did keep a cautious eye out as I am an inexperienced 4x4er travelling alone. The gate on this track was closed so I tried the Basalt Knob North Track. Must have been a wind storm up this valley as there were many trees down over many kilometers. I had to turn back as the people doing the clearing must have given up for a while as I finally found my way blocked.
Proceeded on to Talbotville, looking at Lankey Plain Hut and Grant tonsite on the way. I was quite suprised to see the sign saying that the last bit of McMillan Road was suitable for 2wd cars. Older ones maybe, but I wouldn't like to take some of the newer models down that hill. I thought it a bit rough.
Got set up in the shade of some trees, just before the rain came down.
Friday;
I introduced myself to some new campers, looking for fellow Werribee 4wd Club members. (Haven't met them all yet.) Moved my tent over to be with them.
Took a drive by myself up South Basalt Knob Track. A couple of easy creek crossings and a very steep climb. Couldn't get up one section and had to back up twice for a run up. Very scary backing up down that hill. There was a wash out behind me to provide a safe stop and easy reattempt on the hill. Did this hill again on Monday with the club without any trouble. Being in company made the whole experience less scary. Returned to camp via Brewery Creek Track.
Saturday.
Our group split into two for a circuit drive. My group (3 of us) went up the Crooked Creek Track the map says 24 crossings in 8km. Only had trouble with one where people had dug a rut by wheel spinning. (on Monday I had to be "snatched" up this bit it was dug out more.) The Bulltown Spur Track (steep) to Collingwood Spur Track then to Grant. We then travelled down Collingwood Spur (steep). Being low on fuel we decided to travel down the Crooked River Road and on to Dargo via Short Cut Road.
On leaving Dargo we went north and took Gradys Track with a steep drop down to the creek and a long steep climb up the next hill. Took Link Road and HiberniaRoad to Randals Track steep descent to Crooked River. The boys had a bit of fun getting in and out of a bog hole. It was too deep for me.
Sunday;
The club did a group drive, up Brewery, Bald Top and Sarah Spur tracks to Guys Hut where we stopped for lunch.
{just noticed there are two "Guys Hut"s on the same map. 0497long 5887lat. & 0478long. 5873lat.}
We continued on Water Spur Road & Rilewy Creek Track to Wonnangatta Track to reach our destination at the Wonnangatta Staion - Bryces Homstead (ruins). The return to Talbotville was via Herne Spur, Wombat Range, Cythia, Station and Pioneer Racecourse tracks.
Monday;
Repeated a few tracks already done.
I finished up with a hole in the lower radiator water hose.
Unfortunately the temp guage did not go over 3/4 so I did not realise the severity of the problem immediately.
I turned on the cabin heater to help cool the over heated car. But then did not immediately check that I actually had heat there. The things I have for forgotten over the years. Luckily there appears to be no serious damage. Got water in and proceeded back to camp.
I repaired the hose with emergency tape and got home to Melbourne safely.
I had my canoe with me as I intended going to Lochsport on the way home. Unfortunately when I got there on Tuesday the wind was awful so I retuned home on Wednesday without getting the canoe wet.
This will probably bore most of you. But it is my first real trip with the Terrano II and some people may be interested to see where I was able to go with 30inch wheels.
I met up with the Werribee 4wd Club at Talbotville.
I departed Werribee about 1530hrs travelled up the Hume to Bright and stayed over night in a motel. (Too lazy to put up tent.)
Thursday morning;
The Dargo High Plains Road is closed for winter so I stoped at the Tourist Information place to ask about it. They called Vic Roads who said it was closed. Then they tried the local council who said it was still getting graded. Thinking that I would have to find another way around via Omeo I set off on the Great Alpine Road.
Good fortune was smiling on me and the gate was open, so I took the Dargo High Plains road. It was an easy track though dusty. Weather conditions were dry.
Feeling adventurous I went down the Blue Rag Track. I did keep a cautious eye out as I am an inexperienced 4x4er travelling alone. The gate on this track was closed so I tried the Basalt Knob North Track. Must have been a wind storm up this valley as there were many trees down over many kilometers. I had to turn back as the people doing the clearing must have given up for a while as I finally found my way blocked.
Proceeded on to Talbotville, looking at Lankey Plain Hut and Grant tonsite on the way. I was quite suprised to see the sign saying that the last bit of McMillan Road was suitable for 2wd cars. Older ones maybe, but I wouldn't like to take some of the newer models down that hill. I thought it a bit rough.
Got set up in the shade of some trees, just before the rain came down.
Friday;
I introduced myself to some new campers, looking for fellow Werribee 4wd Club members. (Haven't met them all yet.) Moved my tent over to be with them.
Took a drive by myself up South Basalt Knob Track. A couple of easy creek crossings and a very steep climb. Couldn't get up one section and had to back up twice for a run up. Very scary backing up down that hill. There was a wash out behind me to provide a safe stop and easy reattempt on the hill. Did this hill again on Monday with the club without any trouble. Being in company made the whole experience less scary. Returned to camp via Brewery Creek Track.
Saturday.
Our group split into two for a circuit drive. My group (3 of us) went up the Crooked Creek Track the map says 24 crossings in 8km. Only had trouble with one where people had dug a rut by wheel spinning. (on Monday I had to be "snatched" up this bit it was dug out more.) The Bulltown Spur Track (steep) to Collingwood Spur Track then to Grant. We then travelled down Collingwood Spur (steep). Being low on fuel we decided to travel down the Crooked River Road and on to Dargo via Short Cut Road.
On leaving Dargo we went north and took Gradys Track with a steep drop down to the creek and a long steep climb up the next hill. Took Link Road and HiberniaRoad to Randals Track steep descent to Crooked River. The boys had a bit of fun getting in and out of a bog hole. It was too deep for me.
Sunday;
The club did a group drive, up Brewery, Bald Top and Sarah Spur tracks to Guys Hut where we stopped for lunch.
{just noticed there are two "Guys Hut"s on the same map. 0497long 5887lat. & 0478long. 5873lat.}
We continued on Water Spur Road & Rilewy Creek Track to Wonnangatta Track to reach our destination at the Wonnangatta Staion - Bryces Homstead (ruins). The return to Talbotville was via Herne Spur, Wombat Range, Cythia, Station and Pioneer Racecourse tracks.
Monday;
Repeated a few tracks already done.
I finished up with a hole in the lower radiator water hose.
Unfortunately the temp guage did not go over 3/4 so I did not realise the severity of the problem immediately.I turned on the cabin heater to help cool the over heated car. But then did not immediately check that I actually had heat there. The things I have for forgotten over the years. Luckily there appears to be no serious damage. Got water in and proceeded back to camp.
I repaired the hose with emergency tape and got home to Melbourne safely.
I had my canoe with me as I intended going to Lochsport on the way home. Unfortunately when I got there on Tuesday the wind was awful so I retuned home on Wednesday without getting the canoe wet.
Silverlux80
New Member
G'day I was just reading your post about getting to wonnangatta station via Riley's creek and Waterford I think it was and was wondering how long the drive is ? From talbotville.
BoofheadNL
Member
I drove dargo high plains road at easter 2015 and its doable in 2wd..... just dusty and a tad bumpy