Date: Saturday 10th June to Monday 12 June

Description: High country seasonal closure book end tour, led by Ross Dean

This trip is a mobile tour, camping in different locations each night, and is unsuitable for elaborate tents and camper trailers. We recommend a swag or small tent,

Our tour starts in Licola, traversing the Butcher Country track, visiting the Howitt High Plains, several cattleman huts and spectacular views of the Alps, coming to conclusion at Sheep Yard Flat (near Mansfield) on Monday after lunch.

Weather: Alpine environment, potentially cold and wet. We have had wet weather and snow in the past, so please bring clothing, footwear and camping gear suitable for the conditions and keep an eye on the weather forecast for the Alpine area.

Equipment: Good off-road tyres (All Terrain, 60 profile recommended as a minimum), UHF CB radio (or one borrowed from the club), A well-maintained vehicle with low range (or equivalent), good ground clearance (200mm recommended as a minimum)

Also bring: Light camping gear (recommend swag or small tent), food and drinking water for 3 days / 2 nights in the bush. Clothing for wet and cold conditions.

Morning tea and lunches will be in the bush each day – byo simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas (byo thermos).

No camper trailers, pets or firearms

Standard recovery gear: Rated recovery points, rated snatchem strap, dampener and shackles and shovel.

Driver Skills & car capability: Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent. It should also NOT be your first trip after training, do some easier trips first.

Trip Standard: This trip has a solid Medium rating, not extreme. Can get hard if we add water

There are several river crossings which can vary in depth, some requiring a snorkel, depending on conditions.

Parts of the track are steep and rocky, other parts are muddy or snow covered (I hope for snow but no guarantee)

Fuel: Full tanks of fuel leaving Licola (fuel is not always available). Fuel additive for Diesel cars is recommended

Distance: Licola is approximately 245 km from Melbourne, and the return to Melbourne, from Mansfield, is about 180. 

Duration: 3 days

Convoy limit: 4 vehicles (will extend to 8 so add yourself to the waitlist)

Meeting arrangements: We will meet at Licola general store and camp ground and depart at 9.00am, on the Saturday. We will aim to finish after lunch, in Mansfield, on the Mobday.

Club Guest Registration: Guests can come as passengers only. It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.

i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.

Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at: Temporary (Guest) Membership