Date and time: 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday 22nd March
Trip Standard: Medium
Description: Tallarook State Forest, situated only an hour and 15 minutes’ drive of Melbourne, provides excellent opportunities for recreational four-wheel driving.
This trip combines two treks from the 5th Edition of '4WD Treks Close to Melbourne':
Trek 3 – Tallarook Plateau and Trek 13 – Tallarook Wanderings.
We will tackle a mix of easy and medium tracks, perfect for those keen to test their skills and vehicles without going extreme.
Although we will be following two treks from the book, this is an exploratory trip without a prior reconnaissance. Expect rugged terrain, winding bush tracks and forest roads – most of which I will be driving for the first time. There are other easier alternative roads and we can alter the route if the planned trek appears to be too hard.
We will visit Mount Hickey, the highest point in the forest at 805 m above the sea level. There are various granite outcrops around the forest, great as short scenic stops or lunch spots.
Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the below requirements for this trip.
Weather: Early autumn around Melbourne is typically sunny and warm, but conditions can vary. Please check the forecast before departure and come prepared with suitable clothing and footwear. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
This is strictly a dry-weather trip. If rain is forecast, I reserve the right to cancel or postpone the trip with one week's notice.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for this trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
A well-maintained 4WD vehicle with All Terrain tyres, UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club). Bring your standard recovery gear including rated snatch strap, shackles, recovery boards and a shovel.
This is a medium-difficulty trek. While generally manageable, wet weather can significantly increase the challenge, making roads slippery, with muddy sections and standing water in places.
Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Meals: Coffee stops will be held in the bush, so please bring your own simple morning and afternoon tea.
Maps and Reference Material: Rooftop’s Toolangi-Macedon Adventure Map and Tallarook Forest Activities Map
Trip Standard: Medium in dry conditions – combination of easy and medium tracks (low range driving will be required).
Fuel: a full tank ex Melbourne (fuel available in Broadford)
Distance: Melbourne – Broadford (90 km), Broadford – Murchison Gap Lookout (75 km of high and low range driving), Murchison Gap Lookout – Melbourne (99 km) – Total: 265 km
Duration: 1 day
Convoy limit: 8 vehicles
No camper trailers, pets or firearms.
Meeting arrangements: We will depart before 9:15 am from Broadford from the front of The Duck Inn Cafe (101 High Street, Broadford VIC 3658). If you plan to get coffee beforehand, then you will need to arrive a little earlier.
We will aim to finish about 4:00 pm at Murchison Gap Lookout (Strath Creek Road).
Trip Leader: Piotr Pecho mobile: 0427 439 908 email: piotr.pecho@gmail.com
