2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Saturday - 7 January 2006

We left Sydney on Saturday 7 January and headed to Bright with our car packed for a 7 day 4WD tag along trip to the Victorian High Country. It was our first camping trip that was longer than an overnight stay.

As we drove Mike kept thinking that there was something that we forgot and eventually we worked out that we forgot the pole for the tent!!! No tent pole, no camping, as our tent was a centre pole tent. With much desperation we finally located a camping shop in Wodonga that stocked our Freedom tent only to arrive and find that they closed half an hour before we arrived.

With usual Skovron perseverance and luck the owner came back down and sold us a pole for our tent. We wondered what else we had forgotten and vowed to make a check list to tick off for future trips.

The views as we drove from Wodonga to Bright were just spectacular.We met for dinner on Saturday night at the pub in Bright with all the other participants of the trip. It looked like it was going to be a great trip with lovely people.

Views of the valley as we headed for Bright

Magnificent first view as we headed to Bright to start our Victorian High Country Trek

Victorian High Country

Views of the valley as we headed for Bright

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Sunday - 8 January 2006 Day 1.

We started bright and early on Sunday morning with Wayne, our trip leader, outlining the trip and headed off from Bright to Lake Cobbler, where we had morning tea, on the Mt Buffalo power line trail.

The sky was blue, the scenery was magnificent, the bush flowers were plentiful and varied and the day was beautiful.

We drove in convoy procedure and slowly got used to each other.

We stopped at Lake Cobbler for lunch and viewed our first cattleman’s hut.

Our first major challenge was to drive down “The Staircase”. Every vehicle was carefully guided down “The Staircase” by our trip leader Wayne as correct wheel placement was most important to avoid damage. This was a most exciting start to what Wayne promised would be a week of increasing challenges, from a driving point of view, with fantastic sights and scenes getting better every day.

We headed for King River where we set up base camp for the following two nights. It had been a really hot day and so cooling off in the river sounded like a really great idea even though the water was REALLY cold.

At least we could get rid of the dust of the day.

The camp fire was fantastic, a BBQ dinner and getting to know everyone a little better was a perfect end to a full day.

We slept well and were ready for an early start on Monday.

Our first meeting - Wayne outlining the trip

Our first group shot
Back: Terry, Lynn, Lloyd, Milan, John, Ken
Front: Wayne, Belinda, Eliza (hidden), Carol, Chris, Kristina, Barbara, Wendy and Jonathan

Our first look at the track

Views of the Mt Buffalo Power Line

Mt Buffalo Power Line

First viewpoint on the Mt Buffalo Power Line trail

Wayne Desmond - our fantastic trip leader

Wild Thistle

Morning Tea stop on Mt Buffalo Power Line

Mt Buffalo Power Line

Mt Buffalo Power Line

Lake Cobbler

Lake Cobbler

Cattleman hut at Lake Cobbler

Two Kookaburras in Gum Tree

Wild flowers

Wild flowers

Wild Bottlebrush

Looking down the waterfall

View down the valley from the waterfall

Terry at the edge of the waterfall

Not much water flowing at this waterfall

Twins? Carol and Wendy at the waterfall

Shaggy Mountain Pea

Gorgeous wild Daisy

Huge tree just fallen over - look at the shallow root system

Colours on this fallen tree were fantastic

Ken on the Staircase

Terry coming down the Staircase

Terry on the Staircase - check out his wheels

Lloyd on the Staircase

John coming down the Staircase - look at his wheel

John coming down the Staircase

Mike at the start of the Staircase

Mike coming down the Staircase

Mike coming down the Staircase

Mike coming down the Staircase

Mike coming down the Staircase

Mike on the Staircase

Wayne directing Mike down the Staircase

Cattleman hut at King River camp site

We pitched our tent at the King River camp site

It was so hot Carol had to put her feet in the King River

King River by our first camp site

King River

Carol - the water is crystal clear but oh so cold - King River

Carol enjoying a very cold dip in the King River

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Monday - 9 January 2006

It is Day 2 of our trek through the Victorian High Country.

After a hot breakfast of BBQ eggs and an 8:30am briefing we were ready for our adventure. We were promised that each day would be better driving than the previous day.

We stopped for morning tea at Mountain No. 3 where we had phone reception and could ring family to let them know that we were having a fantastic time.

We meandered through magnificent forest country and climbed up and up to the snow gums for great views over Mansfield.

We visited a cattlemans mountain hut where some of the Man From Snowy River was filmed.
We then headed up to Craig’s Hut, main site of the filming of The Man from Snowy River. There we enjoyed spectacular views and beautiful mountain flowers and had lunch. Each day’s trek was another feast for the senses.

After lunch at Craig’s Hut we tackled the challenging Monumental Trail.

We headed back to camp for a great hot shower with water from the river, camp fire, dinner and great company.

Wayne was right – each day was more exciting and challenging than the day before.

The bush toilets were more than adequate and we slept like babies.

Start of Day 2 - Victorian High Country Trek

Early morning view of track

Heading towards Mountain No 3

Track in Victorian High Country

Bush wild flowers

Roadside bush wild flowers

Track on way to Mountain No 3

Snow Gums heading to peak of Mountain No 3

Snow gums on Mountain No 3

Morning Tea at Mountain No 3

Bush orchid

Bush wild flower

Bush scene on Mountain No 3

Trees on Mountain No 3

Snow Gum on Mountain No 3

View of Mountain range

Bush Flowers

Cattleman's Hut

Inside cattleman's Hut

Cattleman's Hut - used in the film "Man From Snowy River"

Outside Bush Toilet

Healthy cattle in the Victorian High Country

Craig's Hut made for the movie "Man From Snowy River"

View from Craig's Hut

Another view from Craig's Hut

Craig's Hut

Rear view of Craig's Hut

Front Verandah of Craig's Hut

View from Craig's Hut

Craig's Hut

Carol at Craig's Hut

Back of Craig's Hut

Beautiful mauve Daisy

Jonathan, Wendy and Ken

Milan and Kristina

Lloyd and Chris

Belinda and Wayne

Terry and Lynn

Mike and Carol

John and Barbara

Ken's truck on the Monument track.

Mount Stirling

We headed home down the Monument track. It had been another great day.

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Tuesday - 10 January 2006

Today was Day 3. We woke early as we had to pack up camp and be ready to leave after our 8:30am briefing.

It was another beautiful day with blue skies as we headed off to explore the beautiful Bindaree Falls. The tree ferns are lush, tall and abundant and the walk took us behind the falls.

We then climbed to Bluff Hut and Lovick’s Hut. These huts provide shelter for the mountain cattle men that herd the cattle in the summer months.

We viewed the Mountain range near Bluff Hut and saw where some of the horse riding scenes for the film “The Man From Snowy River” were shot.

We crossed the high country with its beautiful snow gums and arrived at Howitt’s Hut as the weather was closing in and it was starting to rain.

There were 2 horse riding tag along trips arriving at the same camp site and we watched the horses grazing, feeding and drinking water from the water tank.

It's 8:41am our day has started and we are crossing a river
on the way to Bindaree Falls.

Beautiful tall trees by track to Bindaree Falls.

Morning light and dust on track heading to Bindaree Falls.

Small bridge at Bindaree Falls.

Another species of wild mountain flowers.

Our group at walking track leading to Bindaree Falls.

Climbing walking track to Bindaree Falls.

Bindaree Falls.

Bindaree Falls.

Bindaree Falls.

Behind the waterfall at Bindaree Falls.

Lush ferns at Bindaree Falls.

Carol and Mike at Bindaree Falls.

Our trucks parked at Bindaree Falls.

Crossing river to Bindaree Hut.

Bindaree Hut.

Back view of Bindaree Hut.

Morning Tea Time at Bindaree Hut.

River at Bindaree Hut.

Wild Flowers

Looking down at the bend in the river on
our way to Bluff Hut.

Wendy and Carol enjoying the river.

This lock was cut by man.

Looks refreshing.

St Johns wart.

Crystal clear water in this river.

John on track below the snow line.

Majestic.

Beautiful Mountain Ash Forest.

Information on Bluff Hut.

Bluff Hut.

Bluff Hut.

Inside Bluff Hut.

I counted 12 bunks inside Bluff Hut.

Bluff Hut.

Backyard at Bluff Hut.

View behind Bluff Hut.

View from above Bluff Hut.

View from above Bluff Hut.

Yep - another mountain wild flower.

Our trucks parked at Bluff Hut.

One of the sites used in the filming of The Man from Snowy River.

One of the sites used in the filming of The Man from Snowy River.

Looking down the Valley.

More wild flowers.

One of the sites used in the filming of The Man from Snowy River.

The view from above Bluff Hut.

The view from above Bluff Hut.

Members of our group enjoying the view above Bluff Hut.

Wayne tying down firewood on his truck

Loading firewood onto John's truck.

Fixing firewood logs which had moved on Wayne's truck.

Snow gums in the bush.

Looks like a ball but this mountain wild flower is made up of lots of little flowers.

And looks like this from a distance.

Driving down the track.

This is the track

Fallen log cut just wide enough to allow our truck through

Another mountain wild flower.

Ferns, wild flowers and river bed - beautiful scenery.

Track heading to Howitt Hut.

Rock slide on Mountain side - Wayne did not know what caused it.

It went down the mountain on the other side of the track too.

See the tree growing on large centre block.

Howitt Hut.

Bush scene near Howitt Hut.

More wild flowers - this time outside Howitt Hut

Another mountain wild flower.

Just one of those rustic mountain scenes.

Inside Howitt Hut looking at fireplace.

Carol inside Howitt Hut holding visitors log book.

Camp Billy on the boil at Howitt Hut camp site.

Horses grazing at Howitt Hut.

Horses grazing at Howitt Hut.

Horses grazing at Howitt Hut.

Horses grazing at Howitt Hut.

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Wednesday - 11 January 2006

Today was Day 4. It rained quite consistently during the evening, night and morning and we experienced the pleasure of packing up the tent in the wet.

We had breakfast in the car to stay dry. The cloud was low and the countryside spectacular.

We had our 8:30am briefing at the camp fire at Howitt Hut and then headed off for the days challenge.

The Zeka Track into Wonnangatta Station was challenging in the dry but it had been raining all night and that made the driving even more challenging with slides in the mud and puddles, all part of the 4WD experience.

The wet weather meant we didn’t stop at some of the planned stops but we crossed the Wonnangatta River and climbed the infamous Herne Spur. A spur means either a steep climb or a steep decent.

The views and the 4WD were spectacular as we followed the ridge line and plummeted into the Wonnungurra Valley.

By the time we arrived at our campsite for the next 3 nights, the site of the old Talbotville Township on the Crooked River, the sky was blue again and the night was warm.

We had a hot shower, a great dinner by the camp fire, great company and a good night’s sleep. Who could ask for more?

Camp morning briefing at Howitt Hut. It had rained all night but we were all chirpy and ready for another great day.

Oh what a beautiful morning as we headed out for Wonnangatta Station and the Zeka track.

Two way traffic on this narrow track in these conditions meant taking great care.

Driving across the plains onto Wonnangatta Station - the fog and rain were quite mystical.

The track was spectacular in the mist.

Information on Wonnangatta Station.

Foundation stones are all thats left of the main house on Wonnangatta Station. Many properties in the Victorian High Country have been destroyed by bush fires.

Looking across the plains at Wonnangatta Station.

We stopped here for lunch under the trees to get away from the rain - Wonnangatta Station.

We stopped here for lunch under the trees to get away from the rain - Wonnangatta Station.

Mike and Carol's truck on the Zeka track. The track was steep, wet and very slippery.

Road signage at the cross road from Wonnangatta Station to the Zeka track.

Driving out accross the plains at Wonnangatta Station.

The Zeka track

Wayne encountered a problem at a conservation mound climbing the Zeka track So we all had to wait whilst he cleared a fallen tree.

View from the Zeka track

Tree splintered like a match just snapped in two

Nature is just amazing

Look how tall the trees are compared to Terry and Lynns truck.

Views on the Tea Tree Range.

Views of the track on the Tea Tree Range.

On the Tea Tree Range

Trees blown over littered the countryside. Look at how shallow the root system is.

Track road sign with wild flowers everywhere.

On the Tea Tree Spur Track

View from the The Tea Tree Range

Ken crossing one of the many rivers on our trek.

Ken crossing one of the many rivers on our trek.

This is a conservation mound and we crossed hundreds in this trek When the truck is at this angle all you can see is sky.

Cattle everywhere in the Victorian High Country looked really well fed and healthy.

Ken crossing one of the many rivers on our trek.

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Thursday - 12 January 2006

Today, Day 5, we had the company of local historian and Dargo Head Master, Rob Christie.

He recounted the history of the area as we travelled over 26 river crossings of the Crooked River, through Gold Rush Country, into Dargo for lunch at the Dargo Hotel.

We stopped at the ruins of and old pub and bakers oven on the way to Dargo.

We then toured through the old township of Grant, visiting Grant Cemetery, the remains of an old Gold crushing battery, and walked about 800 metres though an old Gold Mine.

He had lots of detail of the stories of the area that had become a passion for him.

It was a leisurely night back at camp as the sky glowed pink, the moon rose over a mountain and the camp fire glowed warmly

Another beautiful morning at the camp site.

Rob Squires, local teacher, historian, writer, real estate agent, you name it he did it came down to Talbotville to escort us on a tour of Dargo, Grant and an old gold mine today.

Carol filling thermos for today's trek to Dargo and surrounds.

Another wild flower.

Crossing the Crooked River.

Rob Christie at the bar ruins of an old pub on the track.

St Johns wart growing wild in the bush - considered a weed in this region.

Historian Rob Christie recounting history at site of old Pub on the track.

Old bush oven

We crossed the Crooked River 26 times today.

Crooked River Crossing.

Crooked River Crossing.

Dargo Store where we bought fuel and supplies for the rest of our trek.

Dargo Miners Cottage.

Dargo Hotel where we stopped for lunch.

Rock crushing battery used to extract gold

Steam engine used to drive crusher battery for gold mines.

Information on Dargo Crooked River Goldfield.

Grant Cemetery sign.

Rob Christie (left) telling us about Grant Cemetery.

One of the graves at Grant Cemetery

Another of the old graves at Grant Cemetery

The entrance to the old Gold Mine we visited.

Just inside the gold mine.

Carol inside the old Gold Mine

Gold bearing Quartz inside the old gold mine.

Heading back to Talbotville from the Goldmine, Grant and Dargo.

Views of the ranges on the way back from Dargo

Rob Christie, Wendy, Wayne, Carol, Ken, Terry and Lynn enjoying the views.

Views on the way back from Dargo

Views of the Ranges on the way back from Dargo

Views on the way back from Dargo

We sat around the camp fire with Billy boiling - it was just so relaxing at night.

Sun had set at our camp site after another great day.

Moonrise at Talbotville Township Camp Site.

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Friday - 13 January 2006

It was an easy morning as we were coming back to the same camp tonight. This meant that there was time for a BBQ breakfast.

After the 8:30am briefing we headed off for the Billy Goat Bluff Track to the Pinnacle.

Each day the drive had become more challenging and today was no exception. The track was as the name implies, a rocky track fit for Billy Goats. It was cloudy when we left. We had morning tea at the helipad and couldn’t see the Pinnacles because it was in cloud.

The drive was steep and when we got to the Pinnacles it was covered in cloud but we were lucky enough to have some of the cloud clear before we left.

We didn’t see the spectacular view to its full extent but the variety of the weather allowed us to experience the different moods of the High Country.

The ranger at the Pinnacles explained to us how he spotted and communicated any fires he observed and the cloud cleared enough for us to see the helipad we had come from where we had morning tea.

By the time we arrived back at the helipad on the way down the cloud had cleared enough for us to see where we had been at the Pinnacles.

On our decent we crossed the Wonnangatta River several times on our way home to base camp at Talbotville.

On our home journey we had to rescue a trail bike rider who had driven off the cliff and ended up in a patch of blackberries. Thank goodness he wasn’t hurt and Wayne and Terry had the skills and equipment to recover the bike and allow him to go on his way.

We finished the day with a hot shower and some of the group cooked dinner in camp ovens which are always fun to watch.

Wonnangatta River heading to Billy Goat Bluff Track and the Pinnacles.

Wonnangatta River heading to Billy Goat Bluff Track and the Pinnacles.

View heading to Billy Goat Bluff Track.

Heading to Billy Goat Bluff Track.

View of the track from the Helipad to the Pinnacles.

Assembling at the start of the Billy Goat Bluff Track heading to the Pinnacles.

Views from the Helipad on the way to the Pinnacles.

Carol at the Helipad on the way to the Pinnacles.

Driving the Billy Goat Bluff Track to the Pinnacles.

Views from Billy Goat Bluff Track

Views from Billy Goat Bluff Track

Driving the Billy Goat Bluff Track to the Pinnacles.

Views from Billy Goat Bluff Track

Road sign to the Pinnacles

Our group at the Pinnacles.

Pink buds on Bush

Love the wild flowers against the stark rocks.

Spiders web

Green buds on bush

Our group at the Rangers Lookout.

Carol walking up to Rangers Lookout at the Pinnacles.

The Pinnacles Letter Box. Note the "No junk mail" sign.

Rangers Lookout at the Pinnacles.

Wendy, Ranger, Rangers grandson and Chris. The Ranger was explaining what his job entailed.

Rangers map of the area - note the Crooked River on the map.

Mike at the Pinnacles.

Leaving the Pinnacles.

Fog lifting - Helipad on the right

Rangers lookout at the Pinnacles shrouded in fog.

View from the Pinnacles

Wild flowers at the Pinnacles.

View of the Helipad (small clear patch on right) from the Pinnacles.

Abundance of wild flowers looking up at the Rangers Lookout at the Pinnacles.

View behind the Rangers lookout

Mike and Carol - lunch just below the Pinnacles

Jonathan and Ken's truck on the Billy Goat Bluff Track

The view from Billy Goat Bluff Track

Alpine National Park sign

Heading home from the Pinnacles along the Billy Goat Bluff Track

The Pinnacles from the Helipad

View from the Helipad of the Pinnacles (highest peak on the left) and the track we took.

Ken's truck on the track back from the Pinnacles

Heading down the track from the Helipad

Randall track

Conway Track

Views as we headed back from the Pinnacles

Wayne, or wonderful trip leader directing the bikers in the recovery.

Terry ready to winch through shackle block on Wayne's truck.

The three bikers with the bike in the blackberry patch

John, Wayne, Milan and Lloyd recovering the trail bike. Belinda in the background watching.

Recovering the trail bike

Hard work pulling the bike back to the track

Recovering the trail bike

This is one very lucky trail bike rider. Lloyd and Belinda looking at the recovered bike.

The trail bike fell from the track (left) into the blackberry bushes down the embankment (right)

Two of the trail bikes

Crooked River Track sign on our way home

2006 Great Divide Tours - Victorian High Country Trek

Saturday - 14 January 2006

This was the last day (day 7) of our trek along the Victorian High Country.

We broke camp at Talbotville Township Site and drove to the highest point of our travels, some 1730 metres above sea level to a place called Mount Bluerag.

Our trip leader Wayne had promised a most exciting day and his promise was kept. Originally he intended for us all to drive up Basalt Knob track but alas he could not drive over the huge first conservation mound, so we had to take another route to our first stop, morning tea at the Red Cabin.

After that we drove along the Bluerag track to Mount Bluerag. Carol drove our truck all the way, and seeing she had not driven all week, we were all very impressed by her driving skills and achievement.

At the top of Mount Bluerag we all took in the breathtaking views, had the compulsory group photo taken by Belinda, Wayne's wife, then proceeded down the same track to the bitumen crossroad.

Here we all said our goodbyes and took our own way to where-ever we were going.
It had been a fabulous week where we created great friendships with wonderful co-participants in this adventure.

Wayne had been a terrific trip leader and the experience will always be remembered with great joy and pleasure.

We camped at Talbotville Township Site for three nights

Carol & Mike Breaking camp at Talbotville Township Site

Wendy, Ken and Jonathan packing up

Terry and Lynn

Milan and Kristina breaking camp

Lloyd and Chris

John and Barbara packing up

Eliza, Belinda and Wayne

Carol & Mike - Carol making breakfast

Regrowth on Left - bare on the right

Victorian High Country track

Victorian High Country track

Victorian High Country track

Views as we drove

The Red Cabin

Morning Tea stop at the Red Cabin on the Basalt Knob track going to Bluerag

Red cabin

Beautiful wild flower

Nature is just fantastic

Inside of Red Cabin

Regrowth after bushfires

The silver of the gums - what a sight

All burnt out by bushfires

Signpost from Basalt Knob track to Bluerag

Burnt out Mountain Ash on the track to Mount Bluerag

Burnt out Mountain Ash on the track to Mount Bluerag

Views on the track to Mount Bluerag

The track is just so narrow

What a view

Snow Gums at around 1300 metres on the Bluerag track

Scenery was amazing

On the track to Mount Bluerag

On the track to Mount Bluerag

On the track to Mount Bluerag

The track to Mount Bluerag

Wild flowers everywhere

The view as we drove to the peak of Bluerag

Driving the steepest track to the top of Mount Bluerag

Views from Mount Bluerag

Wayne pointing towards the Pinnacles from Bluerag

View of surrounding Mountains from Bluerag

We did it! Carol drove us to this 1730metre high point - Mount Bluerag

Group photo on top of Mount Bluerag. Left to right Wayne, Jonathan, Wendy, Ken, Barbara, John, Terry, Carol, Lynn, Mike, Lloyd, Chris, Kristina and Milan

Ah Jonathan - his favourite pose

Mount Bluerag sign - Victorian High Country

The shrubs were just so colourful

Victorian High Country

Mountain view - Victorian High Country

John following Lloyd on the way down from Mount Bluerag

Mountain view - Victorian High Country

Heading home down from Mount Bluerag - our Victorian High Country trip is over. What a wonderful experience. Our trek companions were just marvelous people.

Beechworth - a beautiful old gold mining Town in Victoria famous for the trial of Bushranger Ned Kelly, home of Governor General Sir Isaac Isaacs, world champion pole vaulter Emma George, and where Burke (of Burke & Wills Explorer fame) was the superintendant of Police

Beechworth - Town Sign Post

Tapestry in Town Hall Chamber

Mayoral Chair - Beechworth

Beechworth Town Hall Gardens information

Huge Pine trees at Beechworth Town Park

Beechworth Town Park

Beechworth - old Uniting Church

Beechworth Gaol information

Beechworth Gaol

Beechworth Wardens Office Information

Wardens office - Beechworth

Chinese Museum - Beechworth

Beechworth Court House

Artist impression of Ned Kelly

Beechworth Courthouse from the public gallery

Armour worn by Ned Kelly

Armour worn by Joe Byrne - one of the Kelly Gang

This is the dock where Ned Kelly sat through the trial of the Kelly Gang - Beechworth Court House

Judge Carol

View of Beechworth Court House from Judges bench

Oath - on bench of Judge

Inside Judges Chambers - Beechworth Court House

Judas Door - Beechworth Court House

Judges Robe - Beechworth Courthouse

Judge Sir Redmond Barry who presided over the case of Bushranger Ned Kelly

Jury voting box inside Jury room of Beechworth Court House

About Judge Redmond Barry

Judge Redmond Barry judgement

Beechworth Telegraph Station

Beechworth Telegraph Station Information

Brass holder at the dock inside Beechworth Court House

Morse Code

Inside Beechworth Telegraph Office

Beechworth Court House

Stone Lock-Up information

Beechworth - Lock up. Left cell is where Ned Kelly was held

Beechworth - Lock up

Beechworth - Post Office

Beechworth - Main Street

Beechworth - Camp Street

Light at Beechworth town centre

Beechworth Pub

Beechworth Pub

Beechworth Church made of local stone

Carol with Ned Kelly - famous Australian bushranger

Beechworth Pub

Beechworth Burke Museum

Town reconstruction inside Burke Museum at Beechworth

Ned Kelly death mask. They hanged him then made this death mask then cut off his head and removed his brain. Unbelievable!

Beechworth Powder Magazine Information Board

Beechworth Powder Magazine outside of town

Beechworth Powder Magazine

Deed box stored in Beechworth Powder Magazine

Gunpowder stored in barrells at Beechworth Powder Magazine

Beechworth Slab Hut

Beechworth Slab Hut Information

Beechworth Slab Hut

Beechworth Slab Hut