Peter van Riel + Alanah & Georgia (TL)
1154
Jeep
Participants
Mbr
Number
Vehicle Details
Rob & Deb Hailey
1043
Cruiser
NT Pajero
Mike & Jan Loton
1151
Pajero
Phil & Kerri Mercuri
1742
Patrol
Helmet & Elke Blaedel
1566
Cruiser
Pajero NX
Pajero NX
Ron & Carol Reed (TEC)
963
Pajero
MUSTER - Good Friday Wonnangatta Trip
Trip Reports
Wonnangatta Trip with Peter Van Riel Friday 30.3.18, well that’s how it commenced ……
Six cars in total left camp at 9.20am Friday with Peter van Riel as trip leader and headed north out along the Dargo High Plains Rd.
At Wongungarra (Grant Junction) we turned off onto McMillan’s Rd where we aired down. Noticed a “for sale” sign in the bush at the edge of the road – Old Bandicoot Hotel site for sale – anyone interested ?
We bypassed the old Grant township site on the way up to Collingwood Spur track and -stopped for photos at the top – great panoramic views.
We followed the Collingwood Spur track and stopped for a morning break at `Winchester. It was here that Pete made a call to return to camp. The Jeep was experiencing radiator problems and overheating. Rather than risk damage by continuing the trip and stressing the radiator with the steep climbs on the return journey (whatever goes down has to come up !) he chose not to continue with the descents into Wonnangatta and to return to camp. Ron took over to continue the trip leading.
After descending Racecource Track (and never even saw one) and on crossing the Crooked River we did a lefty and picked up Station Track which then took us to Cynthia Range Track. These were all great tracks and fortunately the weather conditions were on our side. Spectacular high country views.
Cynthia Range Track took us to the intersection of Wombat Range and Herne Spur Tracks and our plan was to descend into the Wonnongatta Valley on Wombat and return on Herne Spur.
Wombat Range Track was a great although slow and careful descent into the valley.
Two tracks follow the Wonnangatta River along the valley. We followed the high track along the side of the mountains to the homestead.
Lunch was by the river near the homestead. Ron did a tyre change as he was uncomfortable with some damage to one of his tyres.
After lunch there was enough time to examine the old homestead site. Just a stone outline today of the original floorplan. The homestead was accidently burnt down by bushwalkers in 1957 although some of the stockyards and old cemetery have been restored to something like their original form. The station was established by Oliver Smith, an American, who came across the valley while prospecting for gold. Those pioneers were really something special when you consider that they cleared the land and drove stock out and travelled in and out of the valley in bullock drays with supplies. No roads, just tracks, and what a task it would have been for the bullocks, either pulling uphill or trying to travel downhill with enormous loads in the drays. Certainly to be admired.
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