East Gippsland Parks and Forests - Pre Seasonal Opening Track Check
John & Prue Hasler are the Regional Representatives for East Gippsland, east of the Snowy River and work very closely with the local park rangers. As such a trip has been organised to enter the area with the rangers before the tracks are officially opened. John and Prue are very experienced trip leaders and participants will find this trip very interesting and very informative. The routes will include parts of the iconic Deddick Trail, Mount Tingaringy and the magnificent forests of the Errinundra area. There will be remote mountains and spectacular views. There is also the possibility of visiting long forgotten gold mining areas.
The trip will feature Seasonally Closed tracks not yet open and some MVO tracks. This is an opportunity to visit a fascinating and remote part of Victoria in the company of Parks Rangers with a terrific knowledge of their area. We will be clearing the tracks of trees and branches fallen during winter, in preparation for Track Opening (2 weeks later) in time for Melbourne Cup weekend.
Families and Newer Members with 4WD Driver Training are Welcome.
As many of you know, we are the Regional Representatives for Four Wheel Drive Victoria for East Gippsland, east of the Snowy River. The Parks Victoria Ranger in the Bendoc area contacted us in 2007 offering to take us and a group of 4WD Club members on a trip into this area. The trip was successful and we will be doing it again this year on the weekend of 18 and 19th of October. You are invited to participate.
We plan to run 2 convoys each led by Parks Victoria staff from East Gippsland. “Wing” Hagger is Ranger responsible for Snowy River NP, Errinundra NP and Alpine (Tingaringy) NP. Dave Burton is Ranger in Charge from Orbost Office.
Proceed to Orbost which is 375km from Melbourne. A Friday night departure is recommended.
Full fuel tanks are required from Orbost with up to 450km to be covered on forest roads and bush tracks including extended sections in 4WD before returning to Orbost. Fuel is only available at Orbost.
Bush camping is available at Goongerah (approx 70km and 70 min north of Orbost on the Bonang Hwy) on Friday night.
If you are unable to make it to Goongerah on Friday night, please meet Dave Burton at the Parks Vic/DSE Office 171 Nicholson St., Orbost (VicRoads 85 J 5 / 351 M 9) at 7:30am on Saturday.
The meeting place is Goongerah and meeting time 8.45am. Participants will be assigned to Group 1 or 2 and, after briefing, we will start at 9:00am.
This trip is unsuitable for trailers, caravans and campervans.
Suitable only for dual range four wheel drive vehicles.
No dogs, cats or firearms are permitted as we will be travelling in National Parks.
BBQ lunches will be provided by Parks Victoria.
Saturday night will be bush camping on private property on the banks of the Bonang River, with toilet facilities and hot showers (for those that need them). You will need to carry all your food, water and cooking facilities.
As the terrain we are travelling through will include rainforest and high altitude areas you will need to be prepared for wet and cold weather for both clothing and camping.
The trip is rated Medium with possible Hard sections dependent on weather and track conditions. Depending on the route taken, we will cover up to 450km on forest roads and bush tracks including extended sections in 4WD before returning to Orbost.
All participants are required to have completed Driver Training.
Recovery gear is to include snatch strap, front and rear recovery points, at least 2 rated shackles, wheel chains if you have them, shovel, axe, hand winch if you have it, gloves, and other recovery gear you usually carry. Tyres must be at least All Terrain tyres, with Mud Terrain preferred. Each vehicle is to have a UHF radio.
If you have completed the Chain Saw course please bring your chainsaw and safety gear.
Maps and Books of Interest:
4WD Touring SE NSW and East Gippsland, Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage
Car Touring and Bushwalking in East Gippsland, Grant Da Costa. 1988
Spatial Vision -Touring the Victorian Alps
Vicmaps 1:50K Murrindal-Yalmy, Deception Deddick, Goongerah-Ellery, Murrangower- Bemm River
CMA NSW 1:50K Delegate
Hema - East Gippsland and the Sapphire Coast
Parknotes Brochure - Snowy River NP Visitor Guide
The trip will conclude at Orbost 375 km from Melbourne mid to late on Sunday afternoon.
Places are limited so please contact us to book into this trip. Further details will be sent to you on receipt of your e-mail booking.
All bookings must be lodged with us by Wednesday 1st October.
John and Prue HASLER
Phone 03 5975 7350
Mobile 0428 833 471
Email j.hasler@bigpond.net.au