Wallan- Strath Creek Day Trip
The trip follows Trek 19 in the Robert Pepper's 4WD Treks Close to Melbourne book.
The trip is through the more isolated areas of the Mount Disappointment State Forest from its south eastern corner near Upper Plenty to the historic village of Strath Creek at its northern end. It passes through the Wandong Regional Park, visiting a number of very nice campsites and the Strath Creek falls.
There are a number of scenic viewing spots over the valleys that will be visited along the trip. The forest consists of mountain ash in the wetter parts, with messmate stringy bark and candlegums in the drier parts and manna gums around the creeks.
The trip involves both low and high range with some creek crossings and some relatively steep ascents and descents with spoon drains requiring high clearance. The trip concludes at Strath Creek with the return trip to Melbourne via Broadford or Flowerdale.
Trip distance is 63 km.
Bring morning tea and lunch
An option is available to those attending this day trip to stay on after the trip and camp overnight in the Mount Disappointment State Forest, at the Andersons Garden campground, which will be visited on the day trip. It is described by Robert Pepper as" a delightful, grassed camping area on the site of a former homestead beside the Sunday Creek, surrounded by towering mountain ash, with toilets and fireplaces " It is located at the end of the sealed Clonbinane Road, off the Hume Highway about 8km east of Wandong. If the weather is inclement on the days leading up to the Saturday or on the day, then this camping option may be cancelled and we will just undertake the day trip. Can those members attending the day trip, please indicate in the comments box on their sign up or email the trip leader, if they wish to camp overnight.
Meeting arrangements
Meet at the Ferguson Plarre Bake house in Wallan for a 9.00 am departure. For those travelling to Wallan via Whittlesea, their meeting point can be at Upper Plenty on the corner of Clarke's Road and the Wallan/ Whittlesea Road at 9.15 am. Let the trip leader know of your intended meeting point.
Trip standard - Medium to difficult in parts depending on the weather.
Equipment - Usual recovery gear of a snatch strap, shackles, shovel, dampener, jack base etc. Vehicles required to have good ground clearance, good AT tyres and a UHF radio. Wear appropriate clothing to suit weather conditions on the day.
Trip Leaders: Graeme & Carolyn Allen - 0477488434 or graeme.allen86@gmail.com
Convoy limit - 10 vehicles