the victorian high country

AN MRT logo ADVENTURE

the victorian high country map image the victorian high country map image
distance icon
Distance: ?? km

The Victorian High Country (VHC) is a sprawling area of natural park in the northeast of Victoria that covers over 276,000 square kilometres. It is approximately a 3.5-hour drive from Melbourne and offers a wide range of different terrain to explore depending on the time of year.

time to drive icon
Time to drive: 7 days

Around a week is recommended to see a good majority of the area and enjoy the camping and 4WDing it has to offer.

terrain icon
Terrain: Easy - Extreme

The tracks range from easy to extreme, so planning is essential. The terrain features steep climbs, shaly rocks, mud, and ridges with drop-offs. Track difficulty depends on traction, with some tracks requiring low-range gearing. Tracks close in winter due to snow and in summer due to bushfires.

An MRT X-Series Chassis Mount Canopy equipped vehicle parked on a dusty road with a scenic backdrop of layered mountain ranges. The vehicle is fully loaded with gear, including a spare tire and additional equipment on the roof rack, ready for off-road adventures in the rugged landscape. A couple enjoying a serene moment together in a natural rock pool, surrounded by dark rugged cliffs that create a secluded and peaceful environment. Their smiles reflect the joy and relaxation of swimming in such a tranquil and picturesque setting.

This trip, I was travelling solo as Bianca was back at work, and I was just finishing up from the Melbourne 4WD Show.

I arrived at my first camp at night and had come down what had turned out to be a very slippery descent. So my first challenge for the day was getting it back up! With a bit of momentum, lowered tyre pressures, low range, and a diff lock – the mighty Dmax was able to get back up the hill. It doesn’t appear like much when reviewing the footage – but the mud was very slippery and at the top of the hill was a section that has caught people out in the past and sent them towards the sheer cliff drop off to the side. Luckily for me, that wasn’t the case, and we carried on our journey to the next campsite.

After airing the tyres back up, I got back onto the black top and headed towards Reid’s Campsite, about 2 hours from the first location. The roads in this part of the country are very winding and slow going with hairpin turns and steep ascents and descents around every bend – so even on the road, it pays to have your wits about you. While I say “black top”, it’s not technically the road – but they are gazetted tracks that wind through the national park and connect campsites and 4WD destinations. There is no phone reception for a lot of the area, so offline offroad maps like Hema or paper maps are a vital part of navigation.

Upon arrival at Reid’s Camp – I had the whole place to myself. Whether that was related to the severe storms predicted for the area, or that it was just mid-week, we would find out soon. It wasn’t actually the camp I had originally planned to stay at, However, as I was travelling solo, I decided to not take any unnecessary risks by undertaking more challenging tracks which could have led to getting stuck without help!

Reid’s Camp, like many others in the area, are all free camps run and maintained by the Victorian Government and park rangers. This is quite a foreign concept to people outside of Victoria, but a welcome change! I set up camp in this beautiful forest and got a fire cranking as it was getting very cold. Due to the prevailing winds, I got a quick dinner prepared for an early night and getting stuck into a big day tomorrow.

After a very rainy night at camp, I was keen to get packed up and get some breakfast and coffee in preparation for the day. It’s times like this that make me very thankful to have the set up on the back of the Dmax that I do, providing a sheltered area out of the rain to cook, a place to store a large fridge, keep my batteries and electrical system ready to use with appliances like the induction cooker – there’s not many cafes in the middle of the VHC so being able to bring my own brings a touch of luxury to camping.

Despite another windy, wet, and dreary day, I wasn’t going to let that stop an adventure, so I pointed the car in the direction of Lake Mountain – a popular snowboarding destination during the snow season. Unfortunately, once I got to the turnoff, the road up to the mountain was closed due to fallen trees and debris from the weather. The next destination was Steavenson Falls – only a 700m return walk down a flat path. I had the falls all to myself but the view was absolutely stunning.

To finish off the day, I decided to head to Jawbone Lookout before heading to camp in the same area! The hike was definitely more challenging than the previous falls, but a lot more of an interesting and rewarding hike with a sensational view at the peak. With incoming storms – I didn’t hang around long so I quickly made my way back to the car.

Cooks Mill Campground was the destination for tonight’s camp and a short drive from the Jawbone trailhead carpark. Due to my limited time to explore the area, and the terrible timing with the weather, this marked the last day of my time in the VHC for this trip – but it definitely won’t be my last! I plan to come back here on my lap around Australia next year and properly check out some tracks and all that it has to offer.

A dusty MRT X-Series Chassis Mount Canopy equipped off-road vehicle traveling on a rocky desert path

RECOMMENDED GEAR

MRT logo

X-Series Chassis mount canopy

Read our full build here

Storage Solutions

  • MRT Jerry Can Holder for extra fuel or water
  • MRT Pantry
  • MRT Slide-out Under Tray Drawer as kitchen unit with a storage system for food
  • 130L Bushman Fridge
  • Slide-out drawers for easy access to tools and camping equipment 
  • Designated spaces for recovery gear and spare parts (our MRT Canopy Toolboxes are great for this)

Recovery Gear

  • Recovery Points (recommended)
  • Snatch Straps and Shackles (recommended)
  • Recovery Boards (e.g. Maxtrax) (essential) 
  • Shovel

Camping Gear

  • Swags/ Tents
  • Portable Gas Stove
  • Camp Chairs and Table

Vehicle Protection

  • Underbody Protection (bash plates) 
  • Bullbar
  • Suspension Upgrade (+GVM upgrade if necessary)
  • All-terrain Tyres
  • Snorkel
  • Gearbox and Diff Breathers (recommended)

Navigation and Communication

  • UHF Radio (in-vehicle and handheld) 
  • Satellite Phone or Personal Locator Beacon (for emergencies)
  • GPS and Topographical Maps
  • Wikicamps or other camping app

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

  • Tyre Repair Kit 
  • Spare Air Filter + Snorkel Sock
  • Automotive Tool Kit
  • Cable Ties/ Wire
  • Spare Tyre, Hoses, Belts, Oil, and Coolant
  • Air Compressor and Tyre Deflator
  • Suitable Jack for your vehicle

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CONTACT US TODAY

Our friendly and experienced team of professionals are ready and waiting to answer any further questions you have in regard to MRT products and services. Call us on 1300 650 090 today. We encourage all to visit one of our Brisbane, Sydney or Perth showrooms and check out our latest products and team updates on Facebook and Instagram.

BRISBANE & GOLD COAST STORE

VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS

14 Dixon Street, Yatala
QLD, 4207, Australia
Phone: 07 34622300

PERTH STORE

VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS

29 Discovery Dr, Bibra Lake
WA, 6163, Australia
Phone: 08 61462543

SYDNEY STORE

VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS

6/463 Victoria St, Wetherill Park
NSW, 2164, Australia
Phone: 02 81035306

MELBOURNE STORE

VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS

150 Hume Highway, Somerton
VIC, 3062, Australia
Phone: 03 9961 3882

Visit MRT's showrooms in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth. See the latest products and keep up with team updates on Facebook and Instagram. The knowledgeable and friendly team is on standby to address any questions through email, instant chat, or phone call.

1300 650 090
[email protected]