There were a few other groups (including Military This was a trip that looked like being cancelled as Vehicles Club) but the site is large so all groups we went through lockdown 6.0 in Victoria (and were able to find plenty of space to set up camp. especially Melbourne). The 80% double vaccinated road map release point was looking to be after the weekend, but a late rush of needles in arms was enough for an announcement – travel restrictions to lift Friday 6pm. The weather looked fine so most of us headed out for the approximately 350 km drive on Saturday morning. Horseshoe Bend camping area is about a 5 minute drive out of Dimboola, just past where the bitumen ends but easily accessible for those with campers/caravans. But that would be as far as most would be able to get in the park. As the name suggests, the Wimmera River bends around the campsite. It is nicely laid out and with one toilet block (with flush toilets!), fire pits and some barriers to separate vehicle and tent campers. Parks Victoria do require online booking and a fee.
Saturday
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Sunday First scheduled group drive. Airing down, it did not take long to find the sand to explore the northern tracks of the National Park. Less than 1 kilometre from the campsite, we turned left into Pomponderoo Hill Track which after passing a few properties narrows to a single lane sandy track. The sand was deep and loose in parts and some dunes required considerable momentum to ascend. Unlike Milmed Rock and Border Tracks early in the year, the surface was relatively smooth so the ride was good. For those who haven’t done much sand driving, tyres are aired down to 18PSI and speed maintained between 20 to 30km/h to maintain momentum need for the heavier sand and dunes. Morning tea was at McCabes Hut (now just old concrete slab and an empty water tank).
Albrecht’s Mill Dam
From there it was a drive along Pumpjack Track to a dam and old windmill at Albrecht’s Mill. Must be still working as there was a large volume of water. Here we discovered one of the Outbacks bent one section of the black plastic underbody cover. No damage, other than the plastic that needed to be fully detached. Needless to say, it didn’t take much to convince the owner to get in touch with Dave at Road Less Travelled for engine and transmission bash plates. Despite the tracks being 99.99% dry, it did not seem to take much urging for Rick to give the only bog hole seen so far a go. Halfway through the engine stalled. Some spray into the distributor and underway again. -2-
Bog Hole was very much optional
From here it was a short run to Salt Lake Track which was a dirt road up to Kiata Campground for lunch. Kiata is a free site but very large and well set up with numerous facilities and shelters, with taller trees and grassed as much as any part of the desert is. From Kiata it was a few back roads to near the Western Highway and a look at the Pink Lakes. The lake was large and very pink. The shoreline was crusted with white salt. It was only a few kilometers back to Dimboola.
Pink Lake
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Once it got sufficiently dark, a group of drivers mostly those testing out their extensive driving lights, went for a short night run. This time we went south along sand tracks until turning back towards the river and back into camp. The desert tracks look great under lights and a few mobs of kangaroos lite up.
Monday Keong decided to head home with his family back before he could leave needed to replace the completely deflated from tyre. There didn’t seem to be any damage so hopefully it could be saved. The rest turned south along Eagle Swamp Track which took about an hour to exit the park and passing 2 dry salt pans. Another good sand driving track. Mt Arapiles came into view and it a series of dirt roads got us to the road from the south went directly to the summit. The view to the north is quite spectacular. From there we proceeded to the town of Natimuk and lunch in the shade in the park.
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Pink Lake
The wildflowers were also out in bloom but there will be more of those in the photo competition. Great short trip with even further options for a repeat visit to add to the Border Track and Wyperfeld earlier in 2021 as we add to our desert collection.
Trip Participants Tim F
Toyota FJ40
Martin & Dot
Forester
Keong & Anya Y Peter K & Amanda Nick & Deb L
Forester
Rick & Jackie K Peter D Daniel H Stewart & Garielle S Michael B & Sharon
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Vehicle
Outback Outback L-Series Mitsubishi Pink Lake Pajero XV Outback
Mitsubishi Delica