LOW-RANGE WANDERING

For over 12 months we had anticipated tackling the Wonnangatta Valley. Sitting at home, we reminisced about the previous 4WD tracks we had confronted, tackled and conquered. However, nothing that we imagined could have prepared us for the trip that lay ahead.

The drive in and out of the Wonnangatta Valley is arguably the most challenging 4WD experience in the Victorian alpine region. A concoction of hard clay and loose rocks, thrown onto a narrow track with hairpin turns, fallen tree limbs and in some cases whole trunks combine with water crossings and extremely steep inclines and descents. All these challenges and more contribute to the area’s reputation.

Towing our camper-trailer into the Wonnangatta Valley wasn’t our initial desire, so why did we do the unthinkable? Well, we decided to continue our travel around Australia from this point on and so the trailer just had to come. We admit that the journey in and out of the Valley wouldn’t have been as strenuous had we left the trailer behind, but the country is still difficult to traverse even without this extra burden. It is proof that towing a trailer is possible, but definitely not recommended.

We were lucky not to have damaged something on vehicle or trailer in our pursuit to conquer this magical part of Australia. If you decide to take it on with your camper, just be prepared to accept the very probably risk of repairs should something go wrong.

Since Mansfield and Dargo are the most accessible points of entry to the Valley, it is likely, like us, that your trip will start at either of these destinations. We commenced our trip at Mansfield and passed through some great camping locations such as Sheepyard Flat, the Bluff Hut and Lovicks Hut just to name a few.

Approximately 10km past Lovicks Hut is where we decided to camp on our first night. It took us four to fi ve hours to reach this spot from the bitumen turn-off at Merrijig, and if you wanted to take in the attractions on offer along the way we would suggest this be your first camp, too. The camp is located at the start of the King Billy Spur track, a great place to commence the second day of travel. The degree of difficulty increases the further you venture into this part of the country. You start to notice the hardness of the track below, as it crumbles away to a lumpy mix with barely any traction on offer.

The track starts narrow, until it is only just possible to manoeuvre past another oncoming vehicle. We were unfortunate enough to come across a group of four fellow travellers on our way up a fairly steep and rocky section of track.