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Hi All,
Headed to the High Country for the Vic long weekend with a couple of mates and our sons. We were tagging along with another Paj and a Jackaroo. Headed straight to Licola from Melb Fri night – I was late leaving so met the others at camp. Arrived about 11pm up on Tamboritha Rd. Glad I found them – realised too late I had removed the SD card from my head unit with the Hema maps on it.
They also couldn't get a spot at the agreed site so I was glad we had agreed on a UHF channel. A quick set up of the swag followed by a couple of beers by the fire and and some tuna mornay that had been saved for us. Fell asleep looking up at the stars with the swag open.
Camp in the morning - note how clean the Paj looks!
Sat morning headed into Licola and up Glencairn Rd, airing down at one of the junctions. From there we made our way onto Black Soil Gully track. This was a fun track – everything was very dry all weekend.
We then headed up MacAlister River track and turned onto Butcher Country track. This would be the most challenging track I’ve done. There were a few climbs that I was a little nervous about but got up with no issues – the traction control got quite a workout at times. Learnt a bit more about the capabilities of the Pajero and myself. We took a break for lunch along the track to allow the Jackaroo auto trans to cool down just before a nice ascent. Got to watch a few convoys go up and down which was entertaining. The top of Butcher Country was rutted, dry and dusty – the dust just lingered making it hard at times to see the ground in front even staying well behind. This is where I copped a decent hit that I think dented the intercooler guard. There were some fantastic views on the way up and a variety of terrain. We could see why this track has a reputation for being very boggy at the top.
Pajero Salute on Butcher Country
Video
Top of Butcher Country
Next we turned onto Howitt Rd and took a left onto Zeka Spur down into the Wonnangatta Valley to look for a campsite. It was very busy and we ended up pretty far along before we found a spot. Had a swim to wash off the dust, cooked up dinner and relaxed by the fire with a few beers. Had another great sleep followed by a lazy pack up Sun morning.
Wonnangatta River by campsite
Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley
Sunday continued along Wonnangatta Track, up Herne Spur Track, and onto Wombat/Cynthia Range Track. Herne Spur was a great drive, but did I mention the dust?!! Our plan was to take Eaglevale Track and climb Billy Goat but there were too many cars so we headed into Talbotville. It was getting pretty busy on Cynthia Range and there was lots of passing and waiting. We attached ourselves to another group as they had people further along advising of the traffic.
On the way into Talbotville
We left Talbotville north up Crooked River Track, turned around and did it the other way. It was my son’s favourite track and he wants to do it again when there is more water. I loved it too. Nothing too challenging but a lot of fun. Next time we'll do the south section. After finding a spot to camp we saw smoke and heard about the fire to the South – good move we didn’t head to Billy Goat earlier.
Smoke starting to come over the hills
We decided to move on just to be safe and camp near Dargo, finding a nice spot at Ollie’s Jump Up. The swimming hole was fantastic, 7 or 8 feet deep and we spent a bit of time cooling off in the river. Dinner and a few beers then off to bed after a snooze in the chair.
Future Pajero owner
Monday morning had a sleep in, packed up after breakfast and had another swim before heading to Dargo to air up and have a beer. It is only then that the reality of the drive back to Melbourne kicked in. Got home about 5.30 after stopping for lunch on the side of the road.
Collected a lot of dust - inside and out!
I took a few hits underneath on this trip (Butcher Country) and ended up with a dent in my intercooler guard. The sump and gearbox plates held up well. No real damage. I will have to look at replacing the intercooler guard with something stronger and am chasing a little more lift (I have realised my small lift has sagged).
I’m already feeling the need to get out there again!
Cheers,
James
Headed to the High Country for the Vic long weekend with a couple of mates and our sons. We were tagging along with another Paj and a Jackaroo. Headed straight to Licola from Melb Fri night – I was late leaving so met the others at camp. Arrived about 11pm up on Tamboritha Rd. Glad I found them – realised too late I had removed the SD card from my head unit with the Hema maps on it.
They also couldn't get a spot at the agreed site so I was glad we had agreed on a UHF channel. A quick set up of the swag followed by a couple of beers by the fire and and some tuna mornay that had been saved for us. Fell asleep looking up at the stars with the swag open.Camp in the morning - note how clean the Paj looks!
Sat morning headed into Licola and up Glencairn Rd, airing down at one of the junctions. From there we made our way onto Black Soil Gully track. This was a fun track – everything was very dry all weekend.
We then headed up MacAlister River track and turned onto Butcher Country track. This would be the most challenging track I’ve done. There were a few climbs that I was a little nervous about but got up with no issues – the traction control got quite a workout at times. Learnt a bit more about the capabilities of the Pajero and myself. We took a break for lunch along the track to allow the Jackaroo auto trans to cool down just before a nice ascent. Got to watch a few convoys go up and down which was entertaining. The top of Butcher Country was rutted, dry and dusty – the dust just lingered making it hard at times to see the ground in front even staying well behind. This is where I copped a decent hit that I think dented the intercooler guard. There were some fantastic views on the way up and a variety of terrain. We could see why this track has a reputation for being very boggy at the top.
Pajero Salute on Butcher Country
Video
Top of Butcher Country
Next we turned onto Howitt Rd and took a left onto Zeka Spur down into the Wonnangatta Valley to look for a campsite. It was very busy and we ended up pretty far along before we found a spot. Had a swim to wash off the dust, cooked up dinner and relaxed by the fire with a few beers. Had another great sleep followed by a lazy pack up Sun morning.
Wonnangatta River by campsite
Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley
Sunday continued along Wonnangatta Track, up Herne Spur Track, and onto Wombat/Cynthia Range Track. Herne Spur was a great drive, but did I mention the dust?!! Our plan was to take Eaglevale Track and climb Billy Goat but there were too many cars so we headed into Talbotville. It was getting pretty busy on Cynthia Range and there was lots of passing and waiting. We attached ourselves to another group as they had people further along advising of the traffic.
On the way into Talbotville
We left Talbotville north up Crooked River Track, turned around and did it the other way. It was my son’s favourite track and he wants to do it again when there is more water. I loved it too. Nothing too challenging but a lot of fun. Next time we'll do the south section. After finding a spot to camp we saw smoke and heard about the fire to the South – good move we didn’t head to Billy Goat earlier.
Smoke starting to come over the hills
We decided to move on just to be safe and camp near Dargo, finding a nice spot at Ollie’s Jump Up. The swimming hole was fantastic, 7 or 8 feet deep and we spent a bit of time cooling off in the river. Dinner and a few beers then off to bed after a snooze in the chair.
Future Pajero owner
Monday morning had a sleep in, packed up after breakfast and had another swim before heading to Dargo to air up and have a beer. It is only then that the reality of the drive back to Melbourne kicked in. Got home about 5.30 after stopping for lunch on the side of the road.
Collected a lot of dust - inside and out!
I took a few hits underneath on this trip (Butcher Country) and ended up with a dent in my intercooler guard. The sump and gearbox plates held up well. No real damage. I will have to look at replacing the intercooler guard with something stronger and am chasing a little more lift (I have realised my small lift has sagged).
I’m already feeling the need to get out there again!
Cheers,
James
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