[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px|||” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” locked=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_color=”light” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(28,28,28,0.9)” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ title_font_size=”35px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” parallax_effect=”off” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Due to the number of cars signed up for the Charlies Creek trip this year and the closure of Davies Track, the group was split into two: one led by Paul Sheahan to take the more challenging route to Charlies Creek via McFarlane Flat Track, Cobberas track and Limestone Creek track, and one led by Sue Alexander taking a less challenging route via Limestone Road, Native Dog Flat and the Misery Trail.
They planned to meet at Charlies Creek at about the same time on Saturday afternoon.
Participants (the hard way)
Paul Sheahan – Landcruiser 105
John Raineri – Discovery 2
Stuart and Jane Minton – Navara Dual Cab
The Totens – Defender 130
John and Julie Reis – Discovery 4
Andrew and Jan Lockley – Discovery 4
Participants (the less challenging way)
Sue Alexander: FJ Cruiser
Paul and Kaylene Koppe: Disco
Ron and Jo Clayton: Landcruiser
Kevin Phillips: Mazda Ute with Rhino slide-on camper
Chris Hopkins aka Hoppy: Prado
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Day 1 – the hard way (Paul’s group)
The Toten Family volunteered to write the trip report for day one of the Charlies creek (the hard way) (after being late to Williamsdale by a couple of minutes).
Departing Williamsdale on Friday night, the Totens and the Sheahan clan stopped at Jindabyne for Pizza while the Mintons headed down to Willis to get set up for the night. We had an uneventful trip down to Willis and were welcomed by Kevin on arrival where we set up pretty quickly and retired for the night.
Saturday dawned fine and clear with barely a breath of wind. We departed Willis at 08:30 and turned right off the Barry Way on to the Ingeegoodbee track and stopped at the helipad for a quick look at the view. After photos were taken, we headed down and turned on to Macfarlanes Flat track and stopped at the Ingeegoodbee river for lunch.
After lunch, we continued along Macfarlanes Flat track past the walking trail to Cowombat Flat and the source of the Murray. The ascent on the Coberras trail is often an interesting one and this trip didn’t disappoint. Paul easily made it to the top of the rocky section with no assistance, however the Mintons’ Navara, Totens’ Defender 130 and John Raineri’s Disco 2 needed a gentle tug over the steepest part. These were the only recoveries necessary as the Disco 4s walked up the rocks with no issue.
The convoy stopped at Native Dog campground for a brief rest after the excitement and then headed down Limestone track, past the Poplars turnoff and up to Charlies creek to meet with the rest of the group. A lively discussion (and some ribbing) then ensued about how Disco 4s were the best vehicle in the high country (except for a certain poverty pack Landcruiser that always seems to be at the front of the pack)
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Day 1 (Sue’s group – the less challenging way)
Kevin and the Koppe’s camped with Paul’s group at Willis on the Snowy River on Friday night, while Sue, Hoppy and the Claytons departed Canberra at 7am on Saturday morning. We travelled via Cooma Macca’s, the Jindabyne servo and the Barry Way to the Willis camp site. The plan was to meet Kevin and the Koppe’s at Native Dog Flat for lunch if they weren’t waiting for us at Willis (which they weren’t). 11kms south of Suggan Buggan, and 99kms from Jindabyne we turned right onto the well graded Limestone Road. It was a beautiful morning’s drive with not a cloud in the sky. The Snowy River along the Barry Way was sparkling, fresh and flowing well, the mountain views spectacular and the drive through the bush on Limestone Road to Native Dog Flat very pretty.
We encountered a number of motor bikes coming from the opposite direction on the Limestone Road, a couple with side cars and not a lot of control. After safely passing a number of them, Sue was travelling uphill on the dirt road around a left hand bend and encountered a 1000cc BMW bike on the wrong side of the road and heading straight for her. The rider went into a slide on braking and came off the bike, rolling under Sue’s car and the bike coming to a standstill just in front of the FJ. The rider was very shaken but okay except for a sore shoulder. We got the bike upright for him, sat him down, made sure he was okay and continued on.
We thought we may have been able to hear some radio transmissions from Paul’s group to our north but obviously too many mountains in between us to hear how they were travelling. We arrived at Native Dog Flat camping area at about 1pm in time for lunch, with Kevin, Paul and Kaylene waiting for us. Another 4WD club group from Wollongong were also having lunch at Native Dog but they were heading further southwest in the direction of Omeo. After our break and now with a convoy of five, we continued along the Limestone Road, passing Limestone Creek track on the right hand side which Paul’s group would later take after emerging from Cobberas. We turned right after 17km onto the Mt Misery Road, which was a reasonable track but not as well formed as the Limestone Road. Low range not required yet. 16km later we made a left turn onto Dapples Creek Track, recommended to Sue by the Omeo ranger as the best way to connect to the Misery trail to get to Charlies Creek from the south. The drive was through beautiful bush and mountain ash.
Once we turned onto Dapples Creek track, the drive became more challenging and low range was required, with some steep sections, ruts and loose rocks. Sue lost traction on a steep section which had some deep ‘moguls’, but after reversing a short distance and engaging the FJ’s rear diff locker got through with no difficulty. Kevin got hung up on the same section, but by taking a different line and with some more momentum got safely through, as did the rest of the convoy. This was the first ‘bush’ outing for Ron and Jo’s new 200 series Landcruiser, so Ron was busy trying out which buttons to press to get him up the steep bits.
After 8km, we intersected with the Misery Trail which would take us to the 4 way intersection with McCarthy’s and Buckwong tracks, just south of Charlies Creek. We were looking forward to being in camp by about 3pm, but 5km shy of Charlies Creek we encountered a large tree, approx 1m in diameter, fallen across the track. There was no way to get around it and no chainsaw, which left our options to abandon getting to Charlie Creek to rendezvous with Paul and backtrack to Native Dog Flat for the night, or move the tree. Luckily Ron’s brand new Landcruiser was fitted with a brand new winch and between us we had a saw to remove all the saplings from around the root system of the tree, chains and a winch block pulley. Hoppy sawed down trees and Ron, Paul and Kevin set up the chains around the tree and the winch cable, while Jo sat in the Landcruiser, foot firmly on the brake. Masterfully, Ron gradually winched the tree forward, changing the angle of the cable and block a couple of times until the tree was clear of the track. The tree removal held us up for about an hour but we arrived at Charlies Creek camp at about 4pm with no other campers (or Paul) in sight, and the place to ourselves. Three of us set up tents, Kevin opened the back door of his pod camper, while Ron and Jo set up their new stretchers and swags under the awning of their car.
No sign of Paul’s group by 5pm, so we started drinks and nibbles without them, lit the fire and waited. They arrived at about 6pm after a very long and eventful day (see other trip report) to make up the final group of 11 cars and 21 people. We had a lovely night around the fire after everyone was set up, and heard all about the adventures of both groups. We retired around 10pm to a chilly night.
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Day 2 Sunday
Sunday was a designated ‘rest day’, so a good sleep-in was had by all. Kevin and the Claytons opted to stay in camp for the day, the Sheehans, Totens and Reis headed off at about 10am for a recce of the Kings Plain Track, while Sue took the remainder for a drive via the Davies Track and Davies Plain to Davies Hut.
Drive from Charlies Creek campsite to Davies Plain Hut (approx. 15kms)
The scenic and green High Plains are magical with the backdrop of other mountain ranges on either side of the ridge. The landscape is inspiring and unique, though evidence of the devastating bushfires is still present.
After our scenic drive, we stopped at Davies Plain Hut for lunch. There were a couple of other four wheel drive groups already onsite, with one being the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria. It was great chatting to other enthusiasts out enjoying the wonderful landscape.
The Davies Plain Hut was originally built by the Gibson family. John Gibson first took up the lease in 1892. The last cattle grazed there in 1956. The hut is constructed of Woollybutt logs, with a steep gable tin roof and weatherboards. Inside the hut, there is a dirt floor, with a large fireplace to one end. The hut was substantially rebuilt in about 1995, and a wood store was added at the end of the hut. There were many reports that the hut burnt down in the 2003 fires, but luckily that wasn’t the case.
Davies Plain Hut really captures the beauty of being so isolated within the mountains.
After a wander down to the Davies Plain Creek and a leisurely lunch, it was time to set off back along the dips and winds of Davies Plain Track to base camp at Charlies Creek Campground. Another pleasant day enjoyed in the beautiful alpine region.
We were back in camp for a restful afternoon, relaxing and chatting and watching other 4WD’s pass through Charlies Creek. One group stayed and set up camp a bit further down the track from where we were camped. Paul’s group were back in camp a little later after a more challenging drive due to the extreme gradient of the Kings Track. They dipped their toes in the Murray, had lunch and changed Tote’s punctured tyre. After their arrival back, Paul head off with Tom, Lexi and Mackenzie to collect/chop /saw firewood and supplied the camp with enough to last the rest of the season. We all had a lovely evening together around the fire as a result, with some showing off their camp oven cooking skills and sharing the spoils.
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Day 3 Monday
On Monday morning we awoke to a very thick dew and fog, so no hope of drying the tents prior to departure time. We decided to do the right thing and not return to Tom Groggin via Davies Track because of its official closure. Led by Paul, the convoy travelled via the Buckwong Track, past Buckwong Hut, to the Mt Hope Road and Tom Groggin Track then joining with the Mt Pinnabar Track for the final steep descent to Dogman’s Hut and the Murray River crossing at Tom Groggin. It was quite beautiful driving through the forest in the fog for the first hour or so, but the fog gradually lifted to a third beautiful day of cloudless sky. We stopped along the Tom Groggin Track for morning tea amongst the mountain ash and encountered no other cars. The ford across the Murray at Tom Groggin was disappointingly very low, barely up to the wheel hubs in depth, but the entry from the Victorian Side had very deep ruts. We waited while a couple of blokes with their 4WD’s stopped in the river were filling the ruts with river stones so that they could exit the river. They kindly allowed us across first, testing and compacting the rocks they had placed in the ruts.
At Tom Groggin camping area on the Murray River, the convoy stopped for lunch and farewells. Some of the group headed off straight back to Canberra via the Alpine Way, while others had a leisurely lunch at the picnic area. Paul and Tom (Sheahan), Lexi and Mackenzie (Toten) and Sue all had a delightful swim in the river before heading home.
It was a great weekend of wheel driving, camping, good food and wine, camaraderie and spectacular scenery. Many thanks to Paul and Sue for organising the trip.
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