We are looking at going to Dargo and were going to Blue Rag Range and then down to do Crooked River and then on to Billy Goats Bluff.

Have been told that Blue Rag Range is closed as too wet and dangerous and will be closed for another month.

After the Cup weekend and all the activities we were wondering how the tracks are and camp grounds in the area faired.

Can anyone tell me the track conditions and if the camp grounds have survived the wet season.  Love to camp but not in mud!

How are the river crossing?  High?  or ok?

Any comments muchly appreciated

Thanks Beck

Here is a report from a similar trip earlier this year. Great part of the country

http://www.4wdtrip.com.au/offroad/social/forum/read.aspx?originalpostid=5115&forumid=9

all of this area is usually closed till Melbourne cup . 

camp grounds should be fine but I guess it very much depends on the weather , same for river crossings 

maybe give the DSE or whatever it's called these days a call or parks vic about track conditions

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Beck, unless something has changed in the last few days, Blue Rag is open. In regard to camping spots most in the area are generally pretty good, even though I suspect a few may have taken a bit of a 'hiding' over cup weekend. Talbotville is usually always in good condition as it has lots of grassy areas with the exception of one spot under a huge tree that  has no grass. When do plan on going?

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last checked dargo high plains rd was shut and can only access blue rag via bassalt. Best to check parks vic website, they will have all the relevant information 

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Public access map here http://mapshare2.dse.vic.gov.au/MapShare2EXT/imf.jsp?site=pam

shows it's open.

However Vicroads here https://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ shows it's closed.

I wish these useless departments could do their jobs.

It is closed till the end of November, but you can get to blue rag via south basalt knob, past the junction of brewery and onto north basalt knob,  or a easier less demanding way via brewery track onto north basalt knob track. Dargo office said crooked is at bonnet height but is dropping.

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Thank you to all of your replies.

I would love to tackle Bonnet high river crossings but my Hubby would not be in that....he says I'm to confident!  pfft...  nothing that a tow rope attached to the 4by wouldn't fix right?

Would love to see some river crossing shots if there are any out there :-)

Unfortunately we have had to change our 4WD holiday to a much more relaxed holiday due to one of the drivers being ill.

Maybe January we will see Blue Rag Range!

Thx again for all your replies  :-)

Beck

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The height isn't the problem normally, it's the flow, if it's too strong it will sweep an 80 series down the river.

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Not sure I would call South Basalt or Brewery Track easy options, the rivers would have to be high and fast before they were easy...

Last time I did Sth. Basalt one of the group nearly went over the edge and it was only twin locked cars that drove it without issue, that was a while ago and it may have been graded since but even so still a steep and rocky climb

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I didn't say easy I said easier less demanding. Sth basalt is harder than brewery, so if someone wanted an easier way go via brewery.

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My bad, I was thinking of Brewery Creek Track near Kevington, totally different track....

Anyone done Sth. Basalt recently??

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Those Buttmunchers graded it a few weeks after I was there last year.

So how were the tracks then mate???

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