Date and time: 9:00am, Tuesday 10 January to 1:00pm Saturday 14 January 2023
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
The Foresters are feeling operatic so they are conducting a family friendly Grand Tour of Far East Gippsland in two Acts. This is Act 2.
Where better to welcome in the New Year than on the trail with a group of fellow Club Members doing what we do best?
Starting in Buchan we will explore areas of the Deddick Valley and Snowy River National Park. Some of the highlights we aim to visit include Jackson’s Crossing, Deddick Trail, McKillops Bridge, Little River Gorge, Seldom Seen, World’s End, Mount Tingaringy, Black-Allen Line, Monkey-Top, and the Bowen Trail. Our final itinerary depends on current weather and track conditions. We will finish by lunchtime on 14 January in Orbost.
Whilst that may sound like a lot, we want to take time to enjoy these sights. After all, this is holiday time!
Please carry all food and water for 41/2 days plus cooking and camping equipment. Morning tea and lunches will be in the bush each day – byo simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas. Clothing and closed toe footwear for warm and possibly wet conditions (depending on forecast).
No camper trailers, pets or firearms.
References: Rooftops ‘Snowy River – McKillops Bridge – Lakes Entrance’ and ‘Cann River – Orbost – Delegate’ Adventure Maps. Far East Gippsland Back Road Tours Guide
Accommodation: We will bush camp in designated National Parks campsites with drop toilets available.
We will be camping out at Buchan Caves campsite on the night of the 9th. There are currently other camping spots free there. Book through Parks Victoria website if you are considering that option.
Weather: This area has a high level of rainfall, even in Summer, so expect rain. Otherwise these areas will be warm to hot. There are snakes in these areas so closed toes footwear is recommended.
Review the Tubbut and Bendoc weather forecasts leading up to the trip and bring appropriate clothing, footwear and camping gear.
The fire warning levels will be monitored leading up to and during the trip. The trip will be modified or cancelled if the fire danger is too high.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
Good off-road tyres (All Terrain, 60 profile recommended as a minimum), UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club), a well-maintained vehicle with low range (or equivalent), good ground clearance (200mm recommended as a minimum), recovery points, standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel. Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Additional Equipment required: Sunscreen, camping gear suitable for summer alpine environments, some cold and wet weather clothing as alpine weather can change suddenly, optional swimming gear, air compressor and tyre gauge, MaxTrax or similar recovery equipment. A chainsaw and PPE are useful for the odd fallen tree. A winch may be handy if you have one. Each vehicle ought to bring half a bag of firewood for our nightly group campfire (depending on weather).
Trip Standard: Medium – Many tracks are easy, but there are some which would become medium if wet. One or two short optional sections are classified as hard.
Fuel: Enough fuel from Buchan for 600km. There are no planned fuel stops so please carry extra fuel as needed. It would be a good idea to carry an extra full jerrycan or two of fuel.
Distance: Melbourne to Buchan 350kms. Buchan to Orbost 600km. Orbost to Melbourne 370km.
Duration: 5 days
Convoy limit: 10 vehicles
Passengers & non-member participation: If you wish to bring a passenger that is not a partner or your child they must register as Temporary Members to join in. See our website for details. Temporary (Guest) Membership
Temporary Members are NOT allowed to drive with out speaking to the Trip Leader first. This is to ensure that the driver and vehicle are sufficiently prepared for the trip.
Meeting arrangements: We plan to meet at the park, near the public toilets at the Southern end of Main Street, Buchan at 9.00am for our trip briefing. (What3Words reference https://w3w.co/mercenary.members.wider). We aim to finish about 1:00pm in Orbost on the Saturday.
Trip Leaders: James Lawson, Phone - 0429 265 550, Email – lawsonj71au@gmail.com
