Thread: My $3.95 bra

so should we expect to see these commercially available in the yew year

Hey Vesko, are we testing it in the High Country between Xmas and New Year? I'm only good for a few days but I can pick which days.

Originally Posted by RIN03

so should we expect to see these commercially available in the yew year

Yea, that's a viable commercial opportunity

Originally Posted by mikehzz

Hey Vesko, are we testing it in the High Country between Xmas and New Year? I'm only good for a few days but I can pick which days.

Hi Mike, that’s the plan. I will have four days (setting off on 26 Dec) to get to Melbourne.

I am a bit confused; the High Country doesn’t look straight forward. I am reading the Atlas & Guide with its 25 Top 4WD Trips and cannot decide which of them are suitable/possible for my Landie (and my experience). The first day I will probably drive to Tom Groggin campground and the next day if it is dry I will attempt to get to Omeo. Then I don’t know, probably zigzagging the easier drives around, until I get to Melbourne on 30 Dec to meet my wife there for the New Year party.

I’ll be happy if we meet somewhere. Let me know and let’s hope it doesn’t rain.

My plan was Tom Groggin, Mt Pinibar, Mt Blue Rag, South Basalt track to Talbotville, then some river crossings to Billy Goats Bluff and the Pinnacles Fire Tower, then across through Wonnangatta and Craigs Hut to Mansfield and back out onto the freeway. I'll be in the FL2 as well, the Jeep needs new tyres. I've done a lot of it before in either the Freelander or the Jeep. If it rains we'll be stuck at the bottom of a gully somewhere in our short arsed cars. There will be under belly bruising on some of the tracks like Billy Goats, but ok if taken slow. You can bale out onto normal dirt roads all over the place if you get uncomfortable. Make sure you have brake linings, the HDC will be working overtime.

Update, Santa is bringing new tyres for the Jeep so the FL2 is staying home.

Hey Mike, I’m glad Christmas came early for you.
I looked at the places in your plan. They are all wonderful, so much to see, but they all come with a warning: “very steep!” and “not for the unexperienced drivers”. They even mention that Billy Goat Bluff is one of the steepest tracks in the state. This got me anxious, as I am not of the bravest types. I wouldn’t even dare climb Mt Pinibar, so I'll probably take it easy.
I guess any route between Tom Groggin and Omeo will have “very steep!” sections (unless driving around through Corryong). We’ll see.

From Tom Groggin to Omeo you either go via Davies Plain or near Mt Pinibar although you don't have to go up the mountain itself. If you go through Davies Plain the track is very steep in parts of McCarthy's or Limestone Creek. I did it last year in the Freelander. I know we both usually travel solo but I would advise travelling with someone on these tracks especially in the Freelander.
Billy Goats is quite steep but what makes it more of a challenge is how long it goes. It seems like around 10kms of solid climbing although the track really isn't that bad, there are a few rocky sections that can catch the bottom of the car. The Freelander will get a temperature warning on the transmission for sure in summer time.
If you want scenic and easy then the roads between Omeo and Dargo or Omeo, Mt Hotham and Dargo are good. To test the bra you could drive from Dargo to Talbotville camp grounds following the river. You cross it quite a few times from memory. Talbotville is a pretty camping area but probably chock full at that time.