Mt Wellington (long) weekend MEDIUM

Licola / Dargo area, VIC

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3 day trip - maybe 4 pending interest and discussion - with date TBA pending lockdown restrictions and seasonal track reopening dates -will be meetup on a Thursday night after work will need Friday off work not a public holiday weekend..
Meet up at Dargo Thursday night after work - Italian Flat or similar. Nip in to Dargo Friday Morning for a fuel and food top up as required.
Friday: Head up to the Pinnacles Road possibly via Castleburn Track / Junction Spur Track / Castle Hill Track (comes out opposite the top of Billy Goats) which I haven't done since the 1980's when public access was through an unsignposted gate on the high side of the Dargo road bank - ie invisible from the main road and all we had was 1980's paper maps no GPS back then- and then across famer browns paddock, not sure if that access still exists so TBC on that. There is a really long climb and a rock face we have to get up on the track, back then we had to use the hand winch / Tifor to get up it but it may be more driveable now.
Once at the top then head left along Pinnacles Road maybe stopping at Horseyard Flat for a swim/lunch.
Head up to Mt Wellington in the afternoon. Camp 2nd night, relaxed camping/beer/campfire at Millers hut off the back of Mt Wellington.
Saturday: Head down from Mt Wellington through the Avon Wilderness area via Wellington Track / Avon Turton Divide Track / Avon Track / Mt Angus Track / Huggets track. Make camp at Huggets Crossing if we make it that far on Saturday (N/E of Lake Glenmaggie) for the eve. Beer o'clock.......
Sunday, brief explore of the area around Huggets and any tracks of interest, then off home.

No refueling, food or supplies available along the way from Dargo until Stratford area on the way home.
Tracks subject to change pending conditions and itenary is not fixed pending good campspots or 'we're shagged that's enough for today and this spot looks good'
MUST have winch and self recovery gear, Diff lock not mandatory but always helpful.
Minimum All Terrain tyres, low range, decent ground clearance (NO SUV's)
As mentioned food, fuel and water for 4 days just in case.
Please have all your car maintenance done before we leave and don't hope that worn wheel bearing or strange noise/grind/rattle will make one more trip....

Requirement

  • Electric Winch
  • Recovery Gear
  • Alex (TEQ-80) I have mechanic skills Trip Leader - Level 4 (Completed over 35 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (18-Nov-2020 22:47)
    Dual cab dual locked dual t/cased LN106 (1992 Hi-Deluxe)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Ian Cornish (Blu-cruiser) I had chainsaw training Premium Member

    GOING
    Myself only
    4.5 Super charged 80 series. (1996 80 series cruiser)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Pauly (Dagy) I have mechanic skills Trip Leader - Level 3 (Completed over 29 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (18-Nov-2020 21:02)
    STU - V6 Petrol (2004 120 Prado)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Allan (allanmac) Trip Leader - Level 3 (Completed over 30 trips) Premium Member

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (18-Nov-2020 19:12)
    NL Pajero GLS (1998 NL)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Matthew (discomatt) I am first-aid qualified I have mechanic skills Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 7 trips)

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (19-Nov-2020 07:09)
    V8 discovery with a couple of modds (1996 Discovery)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Winch

  • Nick (nickjohno27) I have mechanic skills

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (18-Nov-2020 20:31)
    Landcruiser 100 (2004 GXL 105 -1HDFTE converted)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Front & Rear Locker
    • Winch

  • Matt (Outrage) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 1 trips)

    GOING
    Myself onlyChecked-In (18-Nov-2020 21:09)
    4.5 GU Patrol (2000 Patrol)
    • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
    • Winch






Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Sounds like a good trip Alex. Just a bit confused re route as I guess you mean we come out at Heyfield to refuel on the last day, not Dargo.
14 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Thanks Al. It was originally start Huggets finish Dargo but I swapped it so we get the main miles out of the way on evening one and we’re working our way home from there. I’ll fix the notes cheers
14 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
That filled quickly Alex. Let's hope we can do this trip before Xmas.
15 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Sure hope so it’s been too long I need to roll out the swag for sure soon
16 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
As of yesterday tracks south of the Pinnacles lookout are closed see below I'm sure this wont be a problem by the time we're able to head out. I'm thinking we go up via Castleburn Track on to Junction Spur Track / Castle Hill track as 1st choice will double back and check if its open as we get closer, sure it will be by then.

The bushfire 10KM NW CASTLEBURN is now safe.

People located within Miowera, Budgee Budgee, Maguires, Waterford, Black Snake Creek area are now able to resume normal activities.

Impacts in your area:


The following tracks remain closed while rehabilitation works are done. They will be opened as soon as safe for public use:

Castleburn Creek Track, Black Range Track, 65 Firetrail Track, McDonald Gap Track, Junction Spur Track, McCarthy Spur Track, McCarthy Spur West Track, Scrubby Creek Track, Traill Track, Hawkhurst Track, Hawkhurst Link Track, Hawkhurst Spur Track and Scorpion Spur Track.


Go to www.parkweb.vic.gov.au for updates

This message was issued by Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.



This will be the final message for this incident.
16 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Well if all goes well, we will be able to go away after Oct 26th as outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people and intrastate travel will be allowed. Dont make it Cup weekend though Alex...lol.
20 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Cup Weekend sounds like a good idea to let everyone else go through and clear the tracks ahead for us........
We go a week later :-)
All we need now is permission from our Comrade....... Hopefully we get an announcements soon so we can plan it with a few weeks notice to all...
Hilux is all ready to roll and will have engineers cert and sign off on October 22.
21 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Not being a smartarse Alex, but hopefully you can 'lock in' a date soon. I am probably being selfish, but I have been told I have to put in a leave application this week to be taken in November, so hoping it will include the weekend of this trip.
22 Sep 2020
Marcus (marcusschnell)
Not selfish Allam... I'm in the same boat.....
22 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Might have missed the news has Comrade Dan given us the ok to hit the roads as of when ?
23 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Might have missed the news has Comrade Dan given us the ok to hit the roads as of when ?
23 Sep 2020
George (Dirty old lux) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Sorry I don’t think my car will be ready still waiting on a diff lokka installation and long range tank also I need to register the vehicle, my apologies I jumped the gun thought I had my old 60 which was up and running but that was sold
Have a great time everyone hopefully I’m up and running again ASAP
Kind regards George
23 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Next time George. Darn I was wanting to have a squiz at your canopy set up and LR tank as I'm also considering an LR tank for my LN106 too. If this is a good trip I'll run it again for sure.
24 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Alex, all going well, after Oct 26th is the go, with still some restrictions re; numbers - 10 people max. From Nov 23rd all restrictions off if target is met, but I am not convinced this will happen. Good to see Discomatt got the spot after George had to withdraw.
24 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
If We get a green light we'll go for meet up Thursday 19/11 so it'll be Friday 20/11 for those of us needing to plan time off work I guess we'll find out this Sunday fingers crossed.
25 Sep 2020
Marcus (marcusschnell)
Have fun :-(
25 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Sounds good Alex, leave application going in.
25 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Marcus, keep checking this trip, as someone may need to withdraw.
25 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Have to take you guys for a spin in the Hilux. In compound low (ie front transfer case in low feeding into the rear transfer case also in low) you can go 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5h in less than a car length...... And by then you're doing, hmm, walking pace.... its super slow when you need it I now have 20 forward gears and 4 reverses lol.
25 Sep 2020
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Hi Alex,
Understand that there will be no fuel there mid trip - How many KMS do you reckon it will be of off-roading?

For me last fuel would be Stratford - and after Lake Glenmaggie it would probably be Traralgon... Any idea the Offroad kms in between?

Thanks
25 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
I reckon with a fill at Dargo it won’t be more than 150 to 200klms worth of bush range
26 Sep 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
I reckon with a fill at Dargo it won’t be more than 150 to 200klms worth of bush range
26 Sep 2020
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
Thanks for that Alex, I'll keep a close eye on this trip.
26 Sep 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Well our Premier is hinting at 'moving the goalposts' yet again as it looks as though the unrealistic/unachievable targets wont be met by Oct 19th, but hopefully Alex's planned date for this trip will still go ahead.
06 Oct 2020
Kevin (riordak_ranger) Premium Member
Bloody Premier Stuff ups. And bloody inconsiderate people going on protestes and partying at St Kilda Beach. Just stop and get it over and done with people is it that hard?Crickey Al I wish I could find my can of ARB anti covid19 spray
07 Oct 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
We may need to postpone this trip till 2030 at the rate Victoria is going...
09 Oct 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Well Alex, looks like you can lock in the dates for the trip, as 'all systems go' for regional travel from Nov 8th, with I presume restrictions to numbers etc. (Havent looked in depth of what was said today yet.)
26 Oct 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Dates locked in for those going after work meet up Thursday night will be breaking camp at 9.00am sharp on Friday so if you’re not joining until Friday morning meet you at Dargo general store 9.30am SHARP !
26 Oct 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
PS bring whatever PPE is or may be required under travel protocols everyone responsible for their own compliance to regulations in effect at the time 👍
26 Oct 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
PS bring whatever PPE is or may be required under travel protocols everyone responsible for their own compliance to regulations in effect at the time 👍
26 Oct 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
Yep because we are all going to sit around the fire with face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer :-)
I might bring a face shield as well just to make sure I am safe from the deadly virus that you need to be tested for to know if you have it....
26 Oct 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Whatever Matt. At the moment a lot of businesses are no mask no entry. Don’t know what it will be in 2 weeks unless you do.
27 Oct 2020
Floyd (JL OllllllO) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason:
27 Oct 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Masks will remain with us for some time, even in regional Victoria, so to get food/fuel etc, in Dargo for example, we will still be required to wear them even if they are a 'pita'.
27 Oct 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
Dan has stated masks will be in place until at least the start of 2021 throughout Victoria
27 Oct 2020
Julius (Mishka) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: The dates don't suit, enjoy the rest of you.
31 Oct 2020
Matt (Outrage)
Looks like I'm in :). Getting my fitness back after being unwell, so expect I'll be good for this trip assuming we aren't too adventurous/pushing for long days/big km's.

If this is expected to be a tough trip, let me know, I might not be ready for that yet.

Rooftops and the mapshare site show the Dargo Rd side of Castleburn Tk to be private property only. So likely need to go a different way to get to Junction Spur Tk.

Avon Turton Divide Tk is shown as Management Vehicle Only. So probably have to take the Old Moroka Rd to get down to Avon/Huggets area.
01 Nov 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Hi Matt, a couple of days in the saddle will do you good I hope. If we cant cross farmer browns land we can go up McDonald Gap or Bulgaback might be a bit of stuffing around Friday morning if that's the case but there's a few options open to us there. If the Avon-Turton is closed (grr) is or was the old Moroka road once known as Valencia Creek Road ? I've done that a few times and its a bit ho-hum nice enough but nothing memorable. Used to be a grouse camp spot at the concrete ford but its all private property now. I'll tell you my snapped throttle cable motorbike story if indeed the yare one and the same track as I suspect, boo hiss.
04 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Great to have you join us 'Little Matt' and hopefully your health is on the improve. As Alex said, a few days in the saddle will do you good. Maybe a few scotches around the campfire will also help.
05 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Alex, if your revised plans leaving Dargo dont work, could head back to Gradys Ck Rd onto either Randalls or Conway Tks, (both steep) down to Crooked River Rd, Kingswell Bridge, then up Billy Goats to Moroka Rd. Only a suggestion if you are looking at alternatives.
05 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Alex, just letting you know that Nick & myself are going to stay at the Dargo Pub on Thursday night, so we will meet you at the Dargo General Store Friday morning. Yes, I know I am getting soft, but an old bloke like me can only do a couple of nights without the 'creature comforts' these days.
11 Nov 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
No problems see you chaps Friday morning 👍
11 Nov 2020
Steven (ReefMaster) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason:
12 Nov 2020
Kevin (riordak_ranger) Premium Member
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Ranger needs work. Wouldn't start after getting back from Mckillops Bridge.
14 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
That's a 'bugger' Big Kev, was looking forward to your ARB banter...lol.

Alex, have you decided on UHF channel yet?
15 Nov 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
Still not sure if I will be there Thursday night of Saturday morning, it depends on how work pans out for the week. I will confirm on Wednesday arvo.
16 Nov 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Channel 14 for starters all. If there’s too much chatter we’ll jump to something else.
17 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Thanks for that Alex. Matt I hope you meant Friday morning, not Saturday, if you cant make it Thursday night.
17 Nov 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
Yep Friday morning , brain fart....
I am considering a night at the pub as well, how much is it to stay there?
If I come up Thursday I wont be there till 9 ish
17 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Not cheap Matt; $150 per night for Nick & myself sharing a room, ($75 each). They do have rooms for a single person; $120pn.

On another note; surprised nobody on the 'interested list' has taken the remaining spot.
17 Nov 2020
Thurstain (Tcm9669) Premium Member
I would have signed up, but unfortunately I'm bloody working.

Would have been good to meet new people and catch up with a couple of people I haven't seen in a year or two...
17 Nov 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
Stuff that, I will be setting up the tent in the dark
17 Nov 2020
Matt (Outrage)
Still planning on Italian Flat for Thurs night?

I have the day off so will take my time, prob arrive in the arvo.
17 Nov 2020
Trip Leader Alex (TEQ-80) Premium Member
Yep that’s the plan. Pauly and Ian have Thursday off too and I believe will be there early too lucky buggers 👍
18 Nov 2020
Matthew (discomatt)
I now have Thursday off as well so will be leaving home at a decent hour, I have a couple of site inductions to complete and some paper work to finish off so hope to be on the road late morning or early arvo
18 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Looks like everyone, other than Alex & Nick, have Thursday off. I will meet Nick at the Caltex Longwarry about 3pm and plan to get to Dargo by 6-6.30 as we have 7pm dinner booking at the pub. Look forward to catching up with everyone Friday morning and looks like the 'weather gods' are going to be kind to us.
18 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Good trip Alex, thanks very much. Was great to catch up with everyone again after us all being locked up for some time. Enjoyed visiting Millers Hut again after so many years along with some tracks I had never driven previously. Very enjoyable, except the Old Moroka Rd..lol.

Big thanks to Pauly for helping with the majority of the work fixing my leaking fuel tank and also to Discomatt & Ian for lending a hand. Talking of Ian, enjoyed hearing about some of the 'functions' he has attending over the years around the campfire at Millers. Got some pics/videos to go through so will post up on Faceache due to not being able to post them here anymore. Again, thanks for a enjoyable weekend everyone.
23 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Short video of parts of the trip, as I got bugger all footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCARHFH1Eq0&list=PLjSp18mpvDmOgg8nZsUuoZ3zygMbmYmjl&index=47
29 Nov 2020
Matt (Outrage)
Hi Al, looks like the video has ended up with a copyright block.
30 Nov 2020
Allan (allanmac) Premium Member
Mmm, looks like I'll have to do it again....grrrr
30 Nov 2020
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TRIP COMPLETED

7 GOING, 5 Interested
7 adults
Trip Date
19-Nov-2020 (Thu) to 22-Nov-2020 (Sun)

Meeting Point
Italian Flat, Upper Dargo Road.
8:00 PM (Thu, 19-Nov-2020)