Following James' successful desert MVO trip we are running another trip to Wyperfeld / Murray-Sunset / Big-Desert over the 4 days from Saturday 22nd April to the ANZAC holiday on Tuesday 25th. We will hopefully have a look at some MVOs as well as visiting some tracks and spots we know and love. (NB Monday isn't a holiday so book leave if you need to)

Starting in Wonga Park camp we will be exploring Wyperfeld, Murray Sunset, and Big Desert with exact route TBA. If we get trip details in quickly we should be able to get a permit to explore some of the MVO tracks that the public can’t normally access. I have been in touch with the Parks Victoria Rangers and they are more than happy for us to use their MVO tracks again as long as we have our permit. The end point should be in the Rainbow area. 

Please carry all food and water for 4 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 footwear for sandy, cold and possible wet conditions (depending on forecast).

No camper trailers, pets or firearms

Reference:  Meridian Maps – Victoria’s Deserts Touring Guide 5th Edn.

Accommodation:  We will bush camp in designated National Parks campsites with drop toilets available.

Weather:  Desert environment, potentially cold nights. 

Review the Underbool weather forecast leading up to the trip and bring appropriate clothing, footwear and camping gear.

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 should have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent. 

Additional Equipment required:  Air compressor and tyre gauge, MaxTrax or similar sand recovery equipment. Each vehicle ought to bring a bag of firewood for our nightly group campfire. A toboggan or similar is handy at Snowdrift campsite if you have kids with you. :-)

Trip Standard:  Medium - The sand tracks are straightforward, but there are a few sandhills and deeper sections of sand that will give you a chance to build your sand-driving skills.

Fuel:  Enough fuel from Hopetoun for 300km on mostly sand. There will be a planned fuel stop at Pinnaroo about half way through the trip.  For sand driving multiply your highway fuel usage by 1.5 to estimate fuel usage.

Distance:  Melbourne to Hopetoun 400kms. Hopetoun to Rainbow 450km. Rainbow to Melbourne 420km. 

Duration:  4 days

Convoy limit:  10 vehicles

Passengers & non-member participation: If you wish to bring a passenger that is not a partner or your child visit 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 Wonga Park campground, Wyperfeld National Park, at 9.00am Saturday for our trip briefing (many will be staying there overnight from Friday). We aim to finish about 1:00pm in the Rainbow area on the Tuesday.

Trip Leaders:  Mark Bown & Sherry Mayo, mark.bown@csiro.au, 0437 251 645

Please get in touch if you have any questions.