Any one interested in joining me doing some tracks around Anglesea tomorrow?
Steve in basic JB74 with standard sized mud tyres.
Otways trip tomorrow (15/2)
Moderator: Committee
Re: Otways trip tomorrow (15/2)
Winchelsea to Angelsea
https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1qHYRcAGox7Xby4A (Note Haggards Track permanently closed, drive 2-3km further along Gum Flats Road to very start of Allardyce track instead of taking Haggards and meeting Allardyce further south.)
Anglesea to Aireys Inlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8arehRTrrZhYAegL6
Aireys Inlet to Memorial Arch
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PE4DgYrUXFxJEDeE8
Lorne to Big Hill Track
https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2ATKktSRipaNSY76
https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1qHYRcAGox7Xby4A (Note Haggards Track permanently closed, drive 2-3km further along Gum Flats Road to very start of Allardyce track instead of taking Haggards and meeting Allardyce further south.)
Anglesea to Aireys Inlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8arehRTrrZhYAegL6
Aireys Inlet to Memorial Arch
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PE4DgYrUXFxJEDeE8
Lorne to Big Hill Track
https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2ATKktSRipaNSY76
Last edited by GreyOne on Sun 16 Feb, 2025 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Otways trip tomorrow (15/2)
If anyone is interested in doing this trip later.
* We had mud tyres on otherwise stock JB74, but have done this route with factory tyres in the dry. Probably ok in wet with factory tyres if you have a winch or other vehicle to pull you out. Drivers need to be able to pick correct lines, and spotter was required a few times to keep out of ruts. So there is a chance you can get stuck on some sections with standard vehicle. No passing traffic despite being a Saturday, so you could be in for a long wait if you did get stuck.
* All tracks along route in good 'fun' condition except Haggards track is permanently gated off, so you need to drive 2-3km further along Gum Flats road to the start of Allardyce Track.
* The side tracks around Paddys Swamp road are deeply rutted and not suitable for unlifted cars. We had to back out several times. You need to stick to the main gravel road in this pine forest section coming out of Winchelsea. Lots of mod-hard short routes for lifted vehicles.
* There are dozens of sections where you have easy or hard option, so its good for a group with mixed capability. There are maybe half a dozen spots where you might want to get out and walk your path first due to deep rutting. There was only one section where we couldnt avoid a rutted muddy dip, and road tyres would have been interesting especially in a single car without winch, but no problem for mud tyres.
* It was raining during the day but roads were not slippery, although it has been very dry for weeks. Oddly we had trouble driving up a steep bitumen street in Lorne when the rain came down hard, with the wheels spinning much to the amusement of the local behind us.
* Leaving south eastern suburbs of Melb at 8am gave us plenty of time to drive the full circuit and be back at 7pm. No lunch stop. EDIT: Used FULL tank of petrol. Lots of fuel options.
* If low on time: Big Hill Track is sedate and not much different to what you would have seen all day, so drive 5 Mile creek out of Lorne, then stay on bitumen and return to Melb, skipping Big Hill Track. Or skip the whole 'Lorne to Big Hill Track' section and save 1-2 hours.
* Good mix of coastal scrub, rainforest, pine plantations, open forest, sand, hard packed clay, gravel, mud, etc.
Get in touch if you are interested in doing this trip as Ill probably do it again before seasonal closures.
* We had mud tyres on otherwise stock JB74, but have done this route with factory tyres in the dry. Probably ok in wet with factory tyres if you have a winch or other vehicle to pull you out. Drivers need to be able to pick correct lines, and spotter was required a few times to keep out of ruts. So there is a chance you can get stuck on some sections with standard vehicle. No passing traffic despite being a Saturday, so you could be in for a long wait if you did get stuck.
* All tracks along route in good 'fun' condition except Haggards track is permanently gated off, so you need to drive 2-3km further along Gum Flats road to the start of Allardyce Track.
* The side tracks around Paddys Swamp road are deeply rutted and not suitable for unlifted cars. We had to back out several times. You need to stick to the main gravel road in this pine forest section coming out of Winchelsea. Lots of mod-hard short routes for lifted vehicles.
* There are dozens of sections where you have easy or hard option, so its good for a group with mixed capability. There are maybe half a dozen spots where you might want to get out and walk your path first due to deep rutting. There was only one section where we couldnt avoid a rutted muddy dip, and road tyres would have been interesting especially in a single car without winch, but no problem for mud tyres.
* It was raining during the day but roads were not slippery, although it has been very dry for weeks. Oddly we had trouble driving up a steep bitumen street in Lorne when the rain came down hard, with the wheels spinning much to the amusement of the local behind us.
* Leaving south eastern suburbs of Melb at 8am gave us plenty of time to drive the full circuit and be back at 7pm. No lunch stop. EDIT: Used FULL tank of petrol. Lots of fuel options.
* If low on time: Big Hill Track is sedate and not much different to what you would have seen all day, so drive 5 Mile creek out of Lorne, then stay on bitumen and return to Melb, skipping Big Hill Track. Or skip the whole 'Lorne to Big Hill Track' section and save 1-2 hours.
* Good mix of coastal scrub, rainforest, pine plantations, open forest, sand, hard packed clay, gravel, mud, etc.
Get in touch if you are interested in doing this trip as Ill probably do it again before seasonal closures.