4WD Validation trek 6 Marysville to Mt Matlock
Date and time: 9:00 am, Sunday 16th of July
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
This day trek explores the area east of Marysville. The road starts off as a good bitumen secondary road to the Lake Mountain turn-off, continues east and winds its way through the Yarra Ranges National Park. We then make our way to Mt Matlock via dirt road. This area is a good place to spot wildlife such as lyrebirds. The last kilometre or so tackles the climb to the trig point. There is a likelihood of snow as we’ve had a generous dump. We’ll continue to Woods Point from Mt Matlock trig via four-wheel drive track, however, we may be restricted due to poor conditions. Otherwise, once finished at the trig point, head back to the main road and return to Marysville the same way we came or proceed east to Woods Point.
This trek is a great option if you have been visiting the Woods Point or Walhalla area as it provides a circuit route back to Melbourne while passing through some delightful mountain country.
Weather: Alpine environment, potentially cold and wet with possible snow. Review the Alpine weather forecast leading up to the trip and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if you vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
A well-maintained vehicle with normal road tyres are OK for this trip (All Terrain tyres would be preferred), UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club). Bring your standard recovery gear including, rated snatch strap, shackles and a shovel.
Standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel must be carried. Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Additional Equipment required: Morning tea and lunches will be in the bush– byo simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas (byo thermos).
Maps and Reference Material: 99 km’s from Melbourne CBD Travel to Hillsville along Maroondah Hwy (B360) and turn onto Marysville Rd (C512) to Marysville.
Trip Standard: Easy – Mainly gravel forestry roads.
The drive-up Mt Matlock is a little steeper than the route you have travelled so far and has a few washouts, but it’s all well within AWD capability. However, if there’s a lot of snow then this might turn into a difficult trek. Since the idea is to get as far into the snow as you can, if that doesn’t mean driving all the way up Mt Matlock, so much the better.
Fuel: a full tank ex Marysville, Hillsville
Distance: Approx. distance from 69.4 Km of mainly high range driving.
Duration: 1 Day
Convoy limit: 6 vehicles
Meeting arrangements: We plan to meet on Murchison Street at Marysville outside the Visitors Information Centre and depart at 9.00am sharp. If you plan to get coffee beforehand, then you will need to arrive a little earlier. We will aim to finish about 2.00pm in Matlock.
Trip Leaders: Luciano Cinel – Rick Thomas, Phone - 0418512319, 0413600500 Email – luce.cinel@gmail.com
