Avon River MEDIUM / HARD

Glenmaggie/Avon/Licola region, VIC
Heading out to the beautiful Avon River region near Glenmaggie for 2 nights, day one will involve a drive in via mostly gentle tracks leading from Heyfield up towards the Avon Wilderness Park. We will cross the Avon River and Cruachan Creek quite a few times as we make our way up to the planned campsite, where we will set up a base camp for both nights. My wife will be staying at camp with our baby, so if you have passengers that would rather relax at camp on day 2 instead of take on the tougher tracks the option is there.

Day 2 will be a full length day of driving, I want to be rolling by 8.30 or so as I intend to cover a fair distance making a loop to the west taking in Burgoynes Track and crossing the Macalister River then veering towards Licola before crossing the Macalister again further up and following the tracks around the southern perimeter of the Avon Wilderness Area.

Some of these tracks are reasonably challenging in sections and will require a reasonably capable vehicle and driver. I'd be suggesting 31" ATs as a minimum and a bit of suspension lift.

Day 3 will be relatively easy going again as we make our way out of camp back along the river, explore a few tracks I haven't driven and eventually make our way out through Glenmaggie.

Campsite is basic - no facilities. Please be self sufficient with all supplies. And bring plenty of water.

Also, please be aware that you may need to carry extra fuel for this trip, depending on your tank capacity. Last time we drove this area over 3 days a couple of vehicles were running a little low by the end. Better to be safe than sorry.

Requirement

  • Electric Winch
  • Recovery Gear
  • Winston (Winston_FJ) I have mechanic skills Trip Leader - Level 5 (Completed over 46 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Driver + 3 Adults + 1 InfantsChecked-In (28-Dec-2017 10:11)
    TB48 Patrol GU6 ST-S (2008 Patrol)
    • 35" Tyres, 4" Lifted
    • Winch

  • Dave (Stoops) I have mechanic skills Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 4 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Driver + 2 AdultsChecked-In (28-Dec-2017 09:49)
    Triton (2016 Triton)
    • 31" Tyres
    • Winch

  • Rick (Rick T) I am first-aid qualified Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 1 trips)

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (28-Dec-2017 08:56)
    (2020 troopy)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Julius (Mishka) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 1 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (28-Dec-2017 19:45)
    Old MQ Patrol (1989 Patrol)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Nicko (garlani) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 3 trips)

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (28-Dec-2017 17:51)
    Patsy (2002 Patrol TB48 Ti GU3)
    • 35" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Winch

  • Christo (Lotriet) I am first-aid qualified I had chainsaw training I had winch training

    GOING
    Driver + 1 Adult
    4l v6 petrol (2013 Fj cruiser)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Kelvin (TREXGQ) Trip Leader - Level 6 (Completed over 83 trips) Premium Member


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    TREXGQ (1993 Patrol)
    • 33" Tyres, 3" Lifted
    • Front Diff Lock
    • Winch


  • Steve (blue rangie 304) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 5 trips) Premium Member


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    ex blue rangie/ landcruiser (2015 wildtrack)
    • 32" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Allan (Big Pig) I had chainsaw training I had winch training Completed Proficiency training Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 10 trips) Premium Member


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    BIG PIG (2014 WK2 diesel)
    • 32" Tyres
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch


  • Alex (Alex_Lemons)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    4.0L Petrol 120 Prado (2004 Prado)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Chris (Milney) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 1 trips)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    Workhack ranger (2020 Ranger)
    • 32" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock

  • John (2012patrol)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    Patrol (2012 Gu)
    • 34" Tyres, 4" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Rob (Bert-O)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    GU Patrol (2003 Wagon)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Winch

  • Daniel (wj_dan) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 2 trips)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    grand cherokee (2013 wk)
    • 32" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Zak (Uzooz) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 4 trips) Premium Member


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    Dakuwqa (2020 Gladiator)
    • 35" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch


  • Andrew (Kimmdogg)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    4.6 Litre MPI V8 petrol Wagon (1999 Range Rover P38 HSE)
    • 32" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Rear Diff Lock
    • Winch

  • Paul Weaver (PDB4800)


    I am Interested / In Waiting List
    PDB4800 (2005 GU1V Wagon)
    • 33" Tyres, 3" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

Isaac (BT50)
Sounds like a good trip, any concerns if I bring along my 3x boys 2 @ 5yrs and 1 @ 7yr. They are pretty well travelled and love the bush.
19 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Not at all Isaac, you're very welcome to bring them. We will have our almost- 6 month boy with us. Hence why I am doing a base camp instead of a rolling camp for this one. Wife and bub won't be up for doing the stuff I want to do on the 2nd day.
19 Jul 2017
Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Hey Winston, what sort of access do we have in getting to your planned campsite is it caravan / camper trailer / swag / sled dog access so we can think about what sort of accommodation we can take or skull drag in.

Cheers.
19 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
G'day Alex. A decent off-road camper trailer will be fine.
19 Jul 2017
Kristine (Ourlux)
Winston, will it be okay to join up with you guys on the 29th?
19 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Kristine (Ourlux) wrote: Winston, will it be okay to join up with you guys on the 29th?
Hi Kristine, are you coming for the 29th and 30th or just the 29th? I'm ok with it, the only thing I'm concerned about is making sure you find our camp in time for us to depart on the 2nd morning. We *should* be fairly easy to find as we will be on the Avon-Turton Track, and in the event that the campsite I have planned is taken we will be at one of several others along the same track - which ends in a locked gate.
19 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Well that filled more quickly than expected given we are still more than 5 months out!
19 Jul 2017
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote: Well that filled more quickly than expected given we are still more than 5 months out!
Well done Winston on getting your trip to fill so quickly. Were you planning to have your base camp at Huggetts Crossing or somewhere else?
19 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Allan (allanmac) wrote:
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote: Well that filled more quickly than expected given we are still more than 5 months out!
Well done Winston on getting your trip to fill so quickly. Were you planning to have your base camp at Huggetts Crossing or somewhere else?
Cheers Allan.

No, going to try to score a site along the Avon-Turton Track. It's a perfect campsite but if that's taken there are quite a few others.
19 Jul 2017
Ben Howe (Nacho)
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote: Well that filled more quickly than expected given we are still more than 5 months out!
Ha,you're not wrong. It sounds like a good trip for us after I read you're taking your baby, our new bub will be about 8 months in December.
A lot of the trips on here seem to be posted either 5 months before or 5 hours before,lol
20 Jul 2017
Kristine (Ourlux)
Hi Winston, we are coming up on the 29/30th. Just let me know where you are and we will (hopefully) find you.
20 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Kristine (Ourlux) wrote: Hi Winston, we are coming up on the 29/30th. Just let me know where you are and we will (hopefully) find you.
All good Kristine, we will definitely be on the Avon Turton Track, basically just keep following it until you see us, we will be camped basically trackside. I'm about to upload an image with the location of the intended campsite marked.
20 Jul 2017
Kristine (Ourlux)
Thanks Winston
20 Jul 2017
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Looks like a top spot next to the river!
20 Jul 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Thurstain (Tcm9669) wrote: Looks like a top spot next to the river!
It is mate.
21 Jul 2017
Isaac (BT50)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Got up around Licola this weekend just gone, Awesome area and will definitely get up that way again. Happy to let someone else take this spot and get some time up that way.
06 Aug 2017
Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Hi Winston, we've decided to do an extended trip to NSW leaving before Xmas and getting back sometime in the New Year so won't be able to make it. There's some excellent 4WD'ing around Newnes and Lithgow so off we go !
11 Sep 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Alex (TEQ-80) wrote: WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Hi Winston, we've decided to do an extended trip to NSW leaving before Xmas and getting back sometime in the New Year so won't be able to make it. There's some excellent 4WD'ing around Newnes and Lithgow so off we go !
No worries mate. Shame you won't be able to make it but there will always be more.

Glad to see you grabbed the spot Dave. You bringing Jo and Andy?
11 Sep 2017
Ben Howe (Nacho)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Sorry guys. Have to pull out due to family commitment. Hope somebody can fill my spot.
06 Oct 2017
George (Dirty old lux) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Going to Sydney with the family to see my sister, sorry guys next time
26 Oct 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Guys due to family commitments I've had to shorten this trip to 2 days, and as such will no be suotable for campervans. So sorry to stuff you around if you'd made plans in advance.

Same meeting place, just had to change the route.
03 Dec 2017
Kristine (Ourlux)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Hi guys, we will have to withdraw from this trip due to work commitments, have a good time
04 Dec 2017
Julius (Mishka) Premium Member
So that means, no base camp, is that correct ??
04 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Julius (Mishka) wrote: So that means, no base camp, is that correct ??
Correct. 1 night only now.
04 Dec 2017
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
I'm coming from West, over 3.5hrs away - since meeting time is 8:30AM thats a bit too much to leave in the Morning.. anyone camping somewhere the night before? Any good places to pitch a tent just for a night somewhere close / midway to Heyfield?
20 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Thurstain (Tcm9669) wrote: I'm coming from West, over 3.5hrs away - since meeting time is 8:30AM thats a bit too much to leave in the Morning.. anyone camping somewhere the night before? Any good places to pitch a tent just for a night somewhere close / midway to Heyfield?
You sook! It's 3.5hrs for us too!
20 Dec 2017
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote:
Thurstain (Tcm9669) wrote: I'm coming from West, over 3.5hrs away - since meeting time is 8:30AM thats a bit too much to leave in the Morning.. anyone camping somewhere the night before? Any good places to pitch a tent just for a night somewhere close / midway to Heyfield?
You sook! It's 3.5hrs for us too!
I'm not a morning person lol
20 Dec 2017
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote:
Thurstain (Tcm9669) wrote: I'm coming from West, over 3.5hrs away - since meeting time is 8:30AM thats a bit too much to leave in the Morning.. anyone camping somewhere the night before? Any good places to pitch a tent just for a night somewhere close / midway to Heyfield?
You sook! It's 3.5hrs for us too!
Plus I don't mind camping an extra night, took the day off anyway!!
20 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Hey guys just a few notes.

Thur forecast at this point is possible showers in the area on thur and could turn to rain on Friday. But anything can change in a week. Fingers crossed its stays dry but either way it will still be a fun trip.

From Heyfield we will spend about 40km on blacktop heading up past Glenmaggie onto Licola Rd until we reach Burgoynes for air down. I plan on doing the West branch down to the Macalister River for morning tea and possibly do the crossing. Then do. U-turn and head back across to Burgoynes east which has a tight switch back (hence why not suitable for trailers now), Mt Margaret, across to Dolodrok and onto Avon for a few more water crossings before hitting our proposed campsite. All up around 55km on dirt. Easily achievable.

Day 2 will take us south for some more water crossings and possibly a few muddy sections depending on conditions but all pretty easy and a total of about 60km back to Heyfield to refuel.

Please ensure you carry enough fuel for the trip, plenty of water and be self sufficient.

If anyone can bring a chainsaw that would be great as I won't have enough room with 4 passengers and a fully laden roof rack this trip.

Check over your vehicle before the trip and make sure your winch etc is all in good working condition.

Looking forward to a good trip with you all.

Have a merry Christmas and will see you at Heyfield next FRIDAY morning!
21 Dec 2017
Matthew (discomatt)
Have fun on Burgoynes, I did it about a month ago and it was the hardest I have seen it, very loose and a few decent bits that really make you take note of the best line to take. I did it OK on 32's and no lockers but it took all my experience to get up.
Not a lot of trees to winch off so don't leave to much gap or it could get really interesting if someone needs to winch.
We had all experienced drivers in well set up cars and still had some interesting moments and 1 winch job.
Enjoy your weekend, I now have to work between Christmas and new year and straight back into it in 2018
21 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Matthew (discomatt) wrote: Have fun on Burgoynes, I did it about a month ago and it was the hardest I have seen it, very loose and a few decent bits that really make you take note of the best line to take. I did it OK on 32's and no lockers but it took all my experience to get up.
Not a lot of trees to winch off so don't leave to much gap or it could get really interesting if someone needs to winch.
We had all experienced drivers in well set up cars and still had some interesting moments and 1 winch job.
Enjoy your weekend, I now have to work between Christmas and new year and straight back into it in 2018
Thanks for the heads up Matt. Shame you can't make it this year. Another time. Enjoy your Christmas.
21 Dec 2017
Julius (Mishka) Premium Member
Winston (Winston_FJ) I've sent you a Private Message. Please check your inbox.
21 Dec 2017
Julius (Mishka) Premium Member
Julius (Mishka) I've sent you a Private Message. Please check your inbox.
22 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Hi guys sorry just clarifying as I got my days vs dates mixed up.

We are definitely meeting FRIDAY 29/12.

Sorry for the confusion.
22 Dec 2017
Paul Weaver (PDB4800)
[Private Message Sent] - If you are GOING, please check your inbox.
25 Dec 2017
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Been sick since I woke up and doesn't seem to be getting better even with meds. Hoping someone can get my spot as I might not make it.. Truck is fully packed as I was going to leave tonight and camp somewhere close to Heyfield! Sorry guys. If I feel better tonight / tomorrow morning and nobody takes my spot I'll try to make it early tomorrow.. If not have fun!

Was really keen to come as I never been to Avon area.
28 Dec 2017
Trip Leader Winston (Winston_FJ) Premium Member
Cheers everyone for a fun trip. Shame about the weather at camp. Still enjoyed the driving some beautiful and at times challenging terrain.
30 Dec 2017
Christo (Lotriet)
Winston (Winston_FJ) wrote: Cheers everyone for a fun trip. Shame about the weather at camp. Still enjoyed the driving some beautiful and at times challenging terrain.
Thanx again Winston I had a great time ....was good to see old mates & meet
really nice poeple ......I won't blame you for the weather
30 Dec 2017
Dave (Stoops) Premium Member
Thanks Winston great trip as always.
31 Dec 2017
Nicko (garlani)
Cheers Winston! Few repairs required after this trip!
03 Jan 2018
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TRIP COMPLETED

6 GOING, 14 Interested
12 adults , 1 infant (13 in total)
Trip Date
29-Dec-2017 (Fri) to 30-Dec-2017 (Sat)

Meeting Point
Timberline General Store, Heyfield (last fuel)
8:30 AM (Fri, 29-Dec-2017)

TRIP FULL