A couple of weeks ago ARB newsletter had a competition to win a position in the DRIVE 4 LIFE charity drive to the Victorian High Country. I was lucky enough to win this prize.
On Saturday 18th April we hooked up the camper and headed to Bright. With a stop at Tarcutta for lunch we arrived at Bright about 5:30.
Sunday morning saw us up early and going to berry farms, deer and emu farm, wineries and another local shops. We had to meet the rest of the drive 4 life guys at Harrietville at 3:30 and this is where we were put into our groups and received our bags of goodies, then back to Bright for a night sleep.
We met up with everyone at 8:00am on Monday in our groups and after photos headed for the hills. We took the Dargo turn off heading for Talbotville. Morning tea was about 10:30 on the side of the track. We reached camp about 1:00 and set up tents and campers. The rest of the day was used to meet the others a little more.
Tuesday morning had us going to Blue Rag along the Basalt Track, but only 700m out of camp our group leader Peter gritting his teeth.... well smashing them.....13 teeth from his rear crown wheel of his Prado. So back to camp and evaluate the situation. Peter would stay back and make a start on the repair. On the track again on our way to Blue Rag, lots of burnt out areas along the way, but already a new lot of regeneration has started. Blue Rag is a very nice place to visit with awsome views and great track to get there. That night Peter’s diff was removed and the damage assessed.
Wednesday we were off to the Hope mine, Dargo and Grant Township. The track leading out of camp was the Crooked River Track, this track had 25 river crossing and after the Hope mine it was big hill climb back to the main track. For lunch this day was at the Dargo pub burgers, steak sandwiches chips and not a lot of salads as well as a beer to wash it down. The group visited Grant and another mine on the way back.
Thursday was off to Billy Goats Bluff and the Pinnacles. These two had some spectacular views from both spots. The drive up to Billy Goats Bluff had some of the truck scrambling for traction. On leaving Billy goats Bluff I noticed some fluid on a rock, on inspection I found it to be diesel from one of the Pajeros. This must have been from the bash plate because there was no damage to see to be leaking from. At the Pinnacles there is a fire watch tower which is maned for 3 month of the year. The view is amazing and you can see 360 degrees from there.
Friday had very one reluctantly packing up their tents and campers just in time before the rain came and settled in. Towing trailers out of Talbotville wasn’t a hard trip up the mountain. Driving along the Dargo high plains rd we came across some drovers and their cattle which stopped us for a couple of minutes. The fog got worse as we headed for Mt Hotham. It was so bad I could only see 5m in front of me. After a cold windy (6 degrees) late lunch it was a race back down to Harrietville, well if you can call it a race doing about 20km/h thru the fog. Finding motels and caravan park a nice hot shower and it was off to the pub for awards presentation. A BBQ from the local social club, raffles and a few beers before farewells.
Saturday had us up early, bags out of the motel and at a cafe for brekkie. “On the road again” and on the way home. Saturday they had snow in Mt Hotham with a larger dump on Sunday. With a stop at Holbrook for lunch and at Goulburn for a brake we were home about 6:30
This trip was a wonderful week away for a great course as well as meeting new friends in and out of Sydney as well as interstate. A big thanks to ARB, Chris Bates, Mick Whitehead and everyone who attended to make it as good as it was.