A fun autumn trip exploring tracks from Wandiligong to Mount Murray, returning to camp in the Buckland valley.
6 vehicles with 9 participants met at the Bandiana Theatre at 8:30 am on a glorious Saturday morning. A quick driver briefing (including making sure those without a winch were sandwiched between those that did have one) and a reminder on convoy procedures set the way forward.
We headed toward Yackandandah & Myrtleford, then stopped at Porepunkah for morning tea. Continuing on through Bright, we turned off to Wandiligong & continued on Morse’s Creek Road. After a short “sightseeing detour” up Growlers Road, we continued out to Mongrel Creek Road, then turned off to Nolan’s Creek Road. For someone who has not been out 4WD’ing for about 10 years, it was lovely to be back in the gumtrees and tracks!
Road conditions were good – dry, limited dust but more rocky than I remembered. The weather was perfect – warm and sunny. Following along Nolan’s’ Creek Rd, we then turned onto Demon Creek Ridge Track and climbed up to about 1,100m. The next turn was left into Clear Creek Track which took us all the way back down to the Buckland River – an ideal spot to stop for a bite of lunch. The river was quite low so did not require anyone to walk it first, and we continued back down the Buckland Valley Road before turning left into Scotchman Creek Track and starting to climb again. The tracks were quite well used and we did not have to do any track clearing along the way.
From Scotsman’s Track we turned into Buffalo Range Track, then into Twin Creek Track – the views from here were great at 1,222m. Turning into Mt Selwyn Road it was a stark reminder of the 2008 fires that burnt so many of the Mountain Ash trees – still evident with the vast areas of dead skeletons that remain standing. Continuing along Twin Creek Track onto Mt Selwyn Road, then down Dingo Creek Track (back down to 600m), up the Great Dividing Range Track (Seasonal closure), Selwyn Creek Road and Twins Jeep Track we came across two very fit (and quite tired) walkers who were on day 6 of their journey, hoping to finish off their trek in another 2 days. We figured they might get quite cool camping on top of the mountain tonight!
A final turn into Mount Murray Track took us to the end of the road with just a short walk to the top. The views from here (1,630m) really were spectacular & we were lucky to be there with lots of daylight left & clear weather.
After just a short stay on Mt Murray, we headed back down to ensure we got to camp with enough time to comfortably set up and get the fire going before dusk. Norm led the way for the first 50m, then Sandy resumed the lead down Mount Murray track, Twins Jeep Track, Mount Murray Logging Track, Selwyn Creek Track and Buckland River Road before finding the first available camp site along the Buckland River. Jamie and Libby showed just how much you can fit in an MUX (and how many goodies can be sourced from BCF). Norm showed you don’t need a tent – the back of the wagon works fine. Doug & Di left the pin in and avoided blowing up the grenade. Laura camped closest to the fire and left her new Crocks unscathed. Sandy and Jenny avoided any need to clean the car – “There is no dust when you are in the front” and Vance rejoiced in the benefits of technology – no longer having to get out to lock the hubs, press the clutch or use a gear lever. Meals ranged from simple sandwiches to a culinary masterpiece of Ozpig cooked T bones.
A leisurely start to Sunday morning saw us pack up and be back on the road by 10:30 am, heading for a coffee stop at Porepunkah before returning home. Total trip distance was about 320 km. A safe, fun and interesting trip – many thanks to Sandy for planning, organising and leading the trip.