Victoria Bound Part 1
November 1996
Club Members Head South And Meet Up With The Victorian Subaru Club
We had been planning our five week trip to Victoria for several weeks and compiled a large folder of information from trip notes, national parks facts sheets, 4WD magazines and books by Ron and Vic Moon. All plans were now complete. However, after attending a Subaru Club meeting and reading a Victorian Subaru Club magazine I discovered that the club was planning a 4 day trip through the Murray-Sunset and Border track areas. After several phone calls to Andrew from the Victorian club we decided to change our travel arrangements and meet up with the club for this trip.
We travelled down to Victoria from Brisbane camping in our new off road camp trailer. Our overnight stays along the way included Coonabarabran, West Wyalong and Bendigo. It was so cold in Bendigo we had to purchase another feather doona which proved to be a wise decision. On Friday 1 November we made our way to Horsham and spent the night there. We had been advised that the Border Track was not suitable for trailers so we left the camp trailer secured at a caravan park.
We arose the next morning to our first warm day since arriving in Victoria. After an early breakfast we headed up the road towards Mildura to our meeting destination, Hattah General Store.
Arriving at 9.30am we were quickly followed by Kevin O'L in a standard Brumby; Andrew R and children, Phillip and Christine with Priscilla G and son Dylan in a lifted, Turbo MY wagon and Ian K in a lifted L Series Turbo Touring Wagon. This group had spent the night at Hattah Lakes National Park. Following a short time later were our trip leaders Des and Cynthia L with children Rowena and Adam in a lifted L Series wagon. Newcomers to 4WDriving Troy and Brenda and boys, Ryan and Aaron in their standard L Series Touring wagon arrived a short time after. Introductions, and of course the customary Subaru comparisons and squats under cars were made before we headed off.
After travelling approximately 20kms towards Mildura we made a left hand turn over a railway track, then turning right we entered the Murray-Sunset National Park. Covering an area of 50,700 hectares the park was established in 1979. In 1991 the park was expanded to 633,000 hectares and renamed in the Aboriginal language of the local tribes, Yanga Nyawi. Pronounced 'yan gin ya wee', it means 'sunset'. Travelling along the Raak Track we encountered evidence of previous gypsum mining. The relics and reminders of the hardships encountered during the mining made an interesting stop for both adults and children.
Continuing on we stopped and shared our lunch with the flies at Rocket Lake. Onwards via the Underbool Track to Mt Crozier. An energetic few decided to climb Mt Crozier. A climb to the lookout was worthwhile as it offered expansive views of the surrounding desert with salt bush flats and grassland plains scattered with sand dunes.
From Mt Cozier we continued onto the ancient Pink Lakes. As we approached the larger of the lakes there is a definite tinge, of what appears to be, shimmering water. The visual impact of the lake far outweighs the technical explanation for the takes pink hue. The colour is due to a salt tolerant algae that secretes a red pigment. On closer inspection there is no visible water but a crust of salt crystals. As a consequence, neither Lyn nor the children got to paddle in the water. Andrew decided not to venture onto the lake in his car as he had had a mishap on a previous trip and had become bogged.
An information board is maintained at the entrance to the Lakes. Remnants of the salt harvesting that occurred up until the 1980s is also evident. There are many examples of the salt harvesting activities, such as stock piles and railway tracks, littered throughout the region.
Continuing we made our way onto the highway onto Pinnaroo for refuelling, petrol for the cars and ice creams for the convoy. However, prior to this we had a slight encounter at the Fruit Fly Inspection Station. After discussions with the inspector we left our fruit at the station, went into Pinnaroo fuelled up, and picked our fruit up on the way back.
Being unable to take our fruit across the boarder created a change in our trip plans. Des, our trip leader, decided to start the Border Track right from the highway. Continuing until late afternoon we established camp at Scorpion Springs. The day had been an easy run with no difficulties encountered by car or owner. That evening we sat around the camp fire, helped Rowena celebrate her 16th Birthday and all slept well.
We awoke early to a much cooler, windy day and were eagerly on our way. The first 'real' hill on the Border Track proved challenging. Cynthia, Andrew and I tried unsuccessfully to conquer it and finally decided to take the "chicken" track. Unfortunately this proved to be just as rough and rutted. Eventually we all bounced over and around but not without casualty. One of Kevin's tyres came away from the rim. We were truly amazed at the speed at which the Victorian Club members swung into action. With pit crew precision the tyre was changed within three minutes (!) and we were on our way again. Well done!
The second hill (more like a mountain) was just as hazardous. The hill was steep and Des literally bounced over. Kevin tried next and became stuck fast. Andrew then attempted to tow him but unfortunately broke a rear axle. To our amazement Andrew had a spare front axle and the parts he required fitted the rear. With the help of his mechanic 'apprentice', Priscilla they were back on the road in no time. With Kevin still stuck up the hill, the Victorian Central Hill 4WD Club offered to relieve Kevin of his embarrassment.
Following these incidents Des decided to split the convoy. He would take the two unlifted Subarus, Kevin and Troy, on the inland Scorpion Springs track. Cynthia would continue and escort the other three turbo vehicles along the Border Track. It was decided that we would meet up for lunch at a point where the two tracks converged.
Along the way we encountered several clay pans that could have easily swallowed a Subaru. Extremely soft sand dunes, mallee roots, deep ruts and steep hills provided us with plenty of challenges and entertainment. We were surprised to encounter several other 4WD clubs along the track. On a number of occasions we also surprised them, showing them exactly what Subarus are capable of. It was reassuring that many of these club members were polite and helpful, offering information on the condition of the track and map references.
Continuing, Lyn and I were a little miffed as to why our wipers were mysteriously swiping. Upon stopping to survey a forthcoming hill we discovered the problem. As we attempted to travel on, the car would not start at all. CB'ing for help it was discovered that the car had blown a fusible link. Andrew to the rescue! Onward we forged only to be confronted with strange noises coming from the rear passenger wheel. Upon inspection it was found that the rear tyre was catching the guard. Out with the inflatable jack, removal of the guard, attack with a hammer and we were on our way again.
The last hill before lunch proved to be the most difficult. It was steep, sandy and had several tracks leading to the summit. Just trying to decide which track to take was a task in itself. Andrew made several attempts and was finally given a hand by the Central Hills Club. Lyn and I made one ascent, only to be confronted by a Landcruiser stuck on the top of the track we had decided to try. Another attempt saw us all over.
Once over this hill we travelled another 7kms before we met up with the rest of our group. After a quick lunch, as it was already 3pm, we continued along the Border Track to Red Bluff Conservation Park. A steep walk led to the lookout proved a wonderful view where red rocky cliffs contrasted with a vast sea of mallee and heath. As we left Red Bluff, Kevin lost another tyre from its rim and the Subaru Pit Crew swung into action once again.
We continued along the Border Track, which we had now nicknamed the 'Never Ending Track'. Travelling along we encountered rabbits and changes in the countryside as the mallee gave way to rolling green cattle pastures. We finally reached Nhill were we pumped up tyres, refuelled and said goodbye to Kevin. as he had work commitments In Melbourne the next day. Des went onto Horseshoe Bend in Little Desert National Park to establish our camp site. By 8.30pm the remaining convoy limped into camp site; tired, hungry and adrenaline pumping after completing a big day.
We all slept tight and had a leisurely start to the next morning. Some more than others, with Brenda sleeping in until almost midday. Lyn and I decided to pack up and head off for the Grampians. Before we left, most of the group headed into Dimboola. We had a look at the sights and a little snoop in the antique shops before heading off.
We would like to thank the Subaru Club of Victoria for the trip. They made us feel instantly welcomed and part of the 'family'. So friendly are this little bunch that they have organised another 4 day excursion for us into the High Country in a fortnight's time.
Nobby & Lyn Stockhausen SC 383
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