Victoria Bound Part 3
The High Country
November 1996
Club Members Head South And Meet Up With The Victorian Subaru Club
We had arranged to meet Andrew R at Mansfield at midday on Thursday 21 November to head up into the High Country. As we left Mt Beauty the car began to hiccup, cough and splutter, becoming worse and the temperature gauge rising. After meeting up with Andrew and Priscilla, Nobby and Andrew spent two hours under the bonnet trying to discover the problem. We took the car around to the local RACV and he recommended not to drive the car as he was sure we had done a head gasket. His first suggestion was to tow us back to Brisbane! Following this he said it would take him 7 days to fix the car. We did not have that sort of time, so we tried Chemiweld in the radiator. This being unsuccessful Andrew put in an emergency call to Des L of the Subaru Club and he generously offered to help fix the problem. We decided to leave the trailer at Mansfield and headed off to Werribee. Andrew and Priscilla made their way to Bindaree Hut in the High Country.
We arrived at Werribee at 8.30pm and Des had the hood up as soon as we pulled in. Nobby and Des worked on the car until 11pm until two bolts refusing to come out, halted their progress. Cynthia and Des extended their home, hospitality and mechanical knowledge to us and we will remain truly grateful for this. By the next morning it was obvious that the problem was the head gasket and Des (between work commitments) and Nobby worked on the car until 10prn the following day.
We had word from Andrew that it has snowed at Mt Buller, not far from camp, Thursday night consequently they requested more blankets as it was bitterly cold. Kevin ventured up on Friday evening and it was decided that Cynthia, her daughter Rowena, Nobby and I would drive up early on Saturday morning. Des was unable to attend due to work commitments.
The alarm went off at 4.10am. We had an easy run to Mansfield stopping only for fuel, supplies, a McDonald's breakfast and our trailer. We reached Bindaree Hut and the camp site at 9.30am. Found Andrew, Priscilla and kids, Kevin, Glenn and Darren arrived at 12.30am Saturday morning after becoming lost. Their four hour trip turned into several.
Following greetings, coffee and erecting our tents and camper we headed off, Taking the Circuit Road to Clearhills our destination was Craig's Hut. Craig's Hut was built for the film 'The Man from Snowy River'. Whilst the hut is a popular destination it is only for viewing and not used for accommodation. At an approximate 1700m above sea level the views from Craig's Hut are truly magnificent.
Following lunch we headed down Monument Road. About 200m from the end of Monument we came across a huge wash out with a rather muddy bog hole. Priscilla decided to see how deep the bog actually was and discovered it to be knee deep in several places. After discussions on the best way to tackle the hole Andrew cleared it. This was not to be the case for Glenn and his front end was literally stuck in the mud. After several shakes and wheel spinning attempts Darren finally wadded into the mud to attach a snatch strap and Andrew pulled him out. Nobby was next and cleared the bog with no problems. Kevin drove Cynthia's car through with ease. Continuing on we all took a leisurely stroll into Bindaree Falls. Drove back to camp for dinner, recapitulation of events, drinks and then peaceful slumber.
Leaving camp at 10am the next day we travelled along the Bluff Link Road, turned into Sixteen Mile Road, then Bluff Road and onto Lovick's Hut. This hut was built by the Lovicks who ran horse safaris from it. The family has been associated with the area since 1873. Lovick’s Hut is the first hut above the Snow Gum line which indicates you are in the High Country. The hut is well maintained and even has a hot shower. The views from this area are once again breathtaking and we enjoyed lunch in the magnificent surrounds.
After lunch Cynthia decided to leave us and headed back via Brocks' Road. We continued on down Sixteen Mile Creek Track into Pike's Flat. A short stroll took us to Fisherman's Hut a well maintained refuge. Each hut has a visitor's log book and this makes interesting reading. We noted entries from all over the world, poetic and short verses, fishing and weather reports.
Continuing on we arrived back at camp after following the Bindaree end of Sixteen Mile Creek Track. Glenn and Darren packed up and decided to leave via Lake Cobbler and "The Staircase" back to Wangaratta. Kevin left a little later via the Circuit Road and Mansfield.
The following day Nobby and I, along with Andrew, Priscilla and the three children travelled along Bindaree Road to Circuit Road to Speculation Road and Visited King's Hut. We lunched at Lake Cobbler and continued on viewing numerous waterfalls along the Cobbler plateau. We returned to King Hut via Little Cobbler Road. We then took the King Basin Road traversing several creek crossings along the way. Coming out at Pineapple Flat we continued along King Basin Road and turned off and took the Black Landing Track back to Circuit Road.
Most of the tracks were easy 4WD and several 2WD cars had ventured along he tracks, as had walkers and bike riders. Travelling back to camp we noticed the smell of smoke and the car began to make unusual noises, again! Stopping we CB'd Andrew who came back and found the problem to be a seized bearing in the idler pulley. He took the belt off and we set off for camp. Following hot showers, dinner and chat we all fell once more into bed.
After a late start to the next day, as Nobby, Andrew and Priscilla played around in the cars, we headed off to Mt Buller. Taking the Howqua Gap Track and its 30 bouncing spoon drains we treated ourselves to a relaxing lunch and views at one of the restaurants at Mt Buller. After a drive and walk around Mt Buller we headed back to camp the same way.
The following day saw us pack up and head off once again. Nobby decided to risk taking the loaded trailer across the Howqua Gap Track as it was much quicker and Andrew eagerly followed. Just before Mansfield we parted company with Andrew and Priscilla heading back to Bendigo and Nobby and I deciding to travel to Lakes Entrance via Jamieson and Licola. The road from Jamieson to Licola was 93kms of twisting dirt road and while many turn revealed great views we were pleased once we were off this road. From here we travelled along the coast road, sightseeing and stopping overnight at Lakes Entrance, Eden and Bateman's Bay before having a few days in Sydney and Maitland with relatives and friends.
The High Country Trip was made possible and more enjoyable through the generosity of the Subaru Club of Victoria. Their local knowledge of the area, comrade and company made the trip well worth it and we thank them sincerely.