Dargo Base Camp
Date and time: 9:00am Sat. 6th March 2021 to Monday 8th March
Description: For many years RRCV has held a base camp at Dargo on the Labour Day weekend in March. We have previously camped at the Wonnangatta Caravan Park at Waterford, however the owners have closed this park. Apparently they need to do a lot of upgrades to conform to CFA and other requirements, which they cannot afford nor have the desire to do.
We have now arranged to stay at the Dargo River Inn. I have only driven past their camp ground, but it looked reasonable from a distance. It is clearly not as private and quiet or as shady as Waterford and not on the river, but there is a range of cabins/powered/unpowered accommodation, it is closer to Dargo, there are amenities and there is a fairly large camping area.
For those new to this event, the Dargo area has a lot of history to it as well as very spectacular scenery and great 4WD tracks. ALL MEMBERS are welcome. New Members who have not completed driver training will be catered for and are most welcome.
This is a basecamp is for 3 nights: Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Bring your own tent, camper or caravan. We will cater for all 4WDriving skill levels, from novice to experienced drivers, so there will be trips with varying degrees of difficulty. Trips will be decided closer to the weekend when weather and track conditions are known but there will be several different trips occurring each day, returning to base camp each afternoon.
Before the Saturday night dinner, we would like to have people coming to a common area for some pre-dinner drinks and nibbles (byo drinks and a small plate to share).
Dargo is approached via Princes Highway through Sale and Stratford. Approx. 23 km past Stratford turn towards Fernbank, follow signs to Dargo (take care on the Dargo road especially if towing). The Dargo River Inn situated on the Lower Dargo Road and is well signposted. Turn right just past the 80 Kph restriction sign as you enter the Dargo township. Please try to arrive at the Caravan Park anytime on Friday or before 8:30 am on Saturday. In the park, follow the RRCV signs – the Trip Leaders will be there to meet you.
Caravan Park Bookings: This year you will need to book your accommodation with the Dargo River Inn directly , Ph +613 5140 1330 or see www.dargoriverinn.com.au. We have made arrangements for our group to occupy an area with both powered and unpowered sites, so make sure you mention that you are with the Range Rover 4WD club so you are allocated a site with our group. If you want to book a cabin or a powered site, you will need to book fairly early, since this is a popular weekend in Dargo. There is a large area for unpowered sites, so if you don’t require power there is less urgency. If you wish to come early or stay longer you can arrange this as part of your booking, although there should be no problems with these requests.
Weather: Alpine environment, potentially cold and wet. Bring appropriate clothing and footwear. We have had wet weather in the past, so please review the weather forecast for the Alpine area prior to the event and bring clothing, footwear and camping gear suitable for the conditions.
Equipment: Well-maintained vehicle with low range (or equivalent), good clearance (200mm recommended as a minimum), good off-road tyres (All Terrain, 60 profile recommended as a minimum), recovery points, standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel and UHF radio (or let me know if you need one borrowed from the club).
Hat, torch, good footwear, warm clothes (cold nights), NAME TAGS, kids bikes.
Simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas (byo thermos), food for 3 days, drinking water and port.
DO NOT bring: Pets, firearms, or motorbikes.
Trip Standard: Medium – some steep, low-range hill climbs and some rocky tracks!. Possibly hard if wet and slippery.
Fuel: Fuel on the way and available at Dargo (no LPG).
Distance: Dargo is approximately 320 km (4 to 5 hours) from Melbourne. Trips each day are from 50 Km to 90 Km of mainly low range driving.
Duration: 3 days
Convoy limit: None. This trip will cater for large numbers.
Meeting arrangements: We will meet at Base Camp at the Dargo River Inn, Lower Dargo Road, Dargo. Dargo is approximately 4 to 5 hours from Melbourne. There will be a driver briefing at 8:30 am on Saturday morning, ready for a 9:00 am departure. If you plan to arrive on Saturday morning, please allow time to air down and be ready for the 9:00 am departure.
Trip Leaders: Graeme Carter, phone 0400 195 932, email graeme.carter23@bigpond.com
