Has anybody taken their BT to the Vic. High Country ?

Hi Willie
Although we have not been on the road from Suggan Buggan to Benambra we have been through Suggan Buggan from Jindabyne along the barry way and that part is ok. (our avatar is a shot from along that road) According to this sitehere the limestone road is a good gravel road suitable for 2WD cars so should be no problem. We turned left a little past there and went down across McKillops bridge to Bonang so cant help with any of the rest

Hi Willie
We used to do a lot of 4wding in the area north of Licola, lots of challenging 4wd tracks. We would like to go back sometime and take the BT up to the Howitt High Plains. There are camping areas on the Wellington River just north of Licola. If you drive towing the BT on the main dirt roads keep an eye out for logging trucks. I was thinking when we get back down there it might be better to drive up (when towing) at night so that you can see on coming vehicles if any.
Will be interested to read how you got on.
Enjoy.

In 2012 we took the BT from Lakes Entrance to Jindabyne and camped overnight at Suggan Buggan. The road up to SugBug is twisty and narrow, my wife did not like it at all, I thought it was quite good. Only saw one car on the first day and three on the drive into Jindabyne. Just take your time and enjoy. Just love those type of tracks, not rough at all.
Chris.

Hello Willie.
Did some drives around the high country in 2009 with the BT. Went down the Monaro highway from Newcastle to Orbost then to Buchan. Went to Suggan Buggan by mistake. Missed the turnoff. Four wheel drive books say anyone who tows anythig down this road is nuts. It is very narrow winding no guard rails, big drop offs, single lane in a lot of places. Someone must back up. Camped at Suggan Buggan. Nice camp area. Toilet only. Small stream at the camp area and old school house. Drove back up hill next day then went via Native Dog Flat to Omeo. Native Dog Flat is a great place to camp. We only stayed for brekky but beautiful place, small stream for trout. We travelled the Bogong High Plains Road, Drove to Licola. Did a day trip to Howitts Hut. Could get the BT up here. Drove to Dargo then up the Dargo High Plains Road to Mt Hotham. This road from Dargo is steep. I was going to Grant but just kept going. Sorry I missed it. All of these roads are OK for BT. just take it easy. It is not called the high country for nothing. All roads wind up the mountains with great views over the side. We went in November and the roads only opened on the 1st November. Could not go to Mt Stirling as the road opens on 1st December. Great trip. Go for it

Image Could Not Be Found

This photo is taken from a magazine article. The Barry Way in all it's splendor.
This is exactly how I remember it.
Just do it.
Chris.

Thanks for all the answers.

It has given me more of an idea about what I will find, but I think I will have to make most of the decisions after talking to other travellers and locals on the spot.

Cheers,

Willie.

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This is a still shot of us on the Barry Way. Taken from our ITB100HD Black Box Video mounted behind the rear view mirror.
Chris.

Hi Willie

If you are going to have the van in Omeo there is a very nice camping area at Victoria River on the Mt Hotham rd. You can camp beside the river and I have even caught trout in the river around there ( I'm the world worst fisherman).
The Hotham road to Cobungra where the Victoria river turn off is is quite wide and should be no problems for the BT. The camping spot is listed in my Camps 4 book as camp 123. I have not taken my BT there but have taken my camper trailer in there a few years ago. The whole area is good for having an explore around and if you follow the Victoria River rd to the end (without van) there are remains of an old power station / crushing battery on the Victoria river. Lots of old gold mines and water races in the area. I still am a member of a ski lodge at Mt Hotham (started building it in 1969) so I know the area quite well.

Regards
Phil

I have asked the question on Exploroz and there have been a few answers.

One guy says he and friend took their vans into Talbotville and had a great campsite and an excellent base where they could unhitch and explore the surrounding country.

Hi Willie,
There are to many areas in the high plains to mention where you can go.
Check with the locals and drive with care.

Trout fishing is excellent in the Mitta Mitta River and the Snowy to mention two. The pondage below Dartmouth is also worth a go as is the Dartmouth Dam itself.

We have camped on the Mitta for 25 years at Easter (though not the last 2 as we were in WA prospecting). We will be back for a couple of weeks at Easter this year. The Mitta Valley is one of the best valleys in Vic and the trout fishing is terrific.

One year we took the long way to Mitta Mitta from Wodonga. From Wodonga to Mt Hotham, Omeo, to Mitta Mitta. Lots of good camp sites. The Blue Duck Pub for a meal at Swan Reach a short walk from our camp on the creek. The Walnuts (on the Omeo Hwy south of Mitta) is another great camp site.

cheers
Noel

Helllo Willie. Sorry for the late reply. I only put snippets of our trip in my last reply. A good book to check the tracks in this area is "The High Country 4WD and camping Guide" by Lewis and Savage. We left Newcastle and drove down the Monaro Highway to Cann River then on to Buchan and /suggan Buggan. Replaced our tracks and went down the Benambra Road to Benambra then Omeo. Left Omeo on the Omeo Hway and turned up the Bogong High Plains Road to Mount Beauty then Bright. Went to Myrtleford Whitfield then Mansfield. Did day trips to Craigs Hut while here. We were going to drive to Licola over the mountains bur the road was closed due to snow. Did not believe it but decided against it anyway and drove to Locola the long way on the tar via Healsville, Moe, Heyfield then Licola. We did a day trip up the mountain to Howitts Hut. Could get the BT up here. Drove to Sale where we spent time with friends. Don't miss a trip to Walhalla. (old gold mining town). Then to Dargo. Road out of Dargo is very steep. We missed going to Grant but was told BT could get there. Followed Dargo High Plains Road to Mt Hotham Road. Follewed to Mt Hotham, them Omeo again. Drove Benambra/Corryong Road to Coryong. There are magnificent camping areas along this road beside the creek. Nariel is a great spot.Did day trips from Coryong to Khancoban, Geehi Huts, Keebles hut, Major Clewes Hut. Tried fishing in the creek. Caught nothing. From Coryong drov to Cabrmurra then on to Canberra and home. Magnificent trip. All roads wind up hills. As I said earlier, it is not called the high country for nothing.
Sorry if this is long winded. Take your time and do lots of day trips
Col