Marysville to Mount Matlock II (and back)

Date and time:    Sunday, 1st November 2026 9:15 am – 05:00 pm

Trip Standard:  Easy/ medium in dry conditions, but after rain roads may become wet and slippery (particularly on clay sections). The route primarily follows gravel forestry roads and tracks, with a short climb to Mount Matlock that is rated as medium difficulty.

Driver training is not required.

Description:  Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the below requirements for this trip.

The trip is initially based on Trek 8, 'Mt Matlock', from the 5th Edition of Robert Pepper's book. It is a relatively straightforward drive along well-maintained forestry roads, including the Marysville-Woods Point Road and the Warburton-Woods Point Road, and can typically be completed in 2 to 3 hours.

To make the day more interesting, I would like to include a number of detours and explore several alternative routes between Marysville and Mount Matlock. Along the way, we will stop at a range of scenic and historic attractions, including Pfeiffer Falls, Evelyn Falls, Cora Lynn Falls, The Big Culvert, and the Cambarville Historical Settlement. If time permits, we may also take a short walk to either the Elephant Tree or The Big Tree.

The majority of the route will follow green-rated roads; however, there will also be a longer section on Frenchmans Spur Track.

There are several easier alternatives to reach the destination, and we can adjust the route on the day if any of the planned sections appear to be more challenging than expected.

Weather:  Yarra Forest and Mount Matlock area in spring can be sunny and warm or colder and wet. Please check the forecast before departure and come prepared with suitable clothing and footwear. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

It is a dry weather trip, so I reserve the right to cancel or postpone it with a few days’ notice if rain is forecast.

Equipment:  Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for this trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.

A well-maintained 4WD vehicle, normal road tyres are OK for this trip in dry conditions (All Terrain tyres would be preferred and required when wet), UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club). Bring your standard recovery gear including rated snatch strap, shackles, recovery boards and a shovel.

Meals:  Morning tea and lunch stops will be in the bush – BYO simple meals, snacks and water.

No camper trailers, pets or firearms.

Maps and Reference Material:  Rooftop’s Marysville - Lake Eildon Adventure Map (Edition 4)

Fuel:  a full tank ex Marysville

Total distance:  157 km, Marysville – Matlock (83 km), Matlock – Marysville (74 km)

Duration:  1 day

Convoy limit: 8 vehicles

Meeting arrangements:  We will depart at 9:15 am from Marysville from the front of Marysville Country Bakery (17 Murchison Street, Marysville VIC 3779). If you plan to get coffee beforehand, then you will need to arrive a little earlier.

We aim to finish the trip at approximately 5:00 pm in Marysville.

On the way back we will be driving along road C511 (Warburton-Woods Point Road) and C513 & C512 (Marysville-Woods Point Road). These roads are partially gravel and partially sealed. If someone wants to drive in their own pace instead of convoy, there will be possibility to finish in Matlock.

Trip Leader: Piotr Pecho mobile: 0427 439 908 email: piotr.pecho@gmail.com  

Club Guest Registration policy:  It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.  i.e.  non-members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader. 

Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at: Temporary (Guest) Membership

Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.