Route into Talbotville - towing
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 14:39
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Steve
1800kgs van with decent clearance (dirt roader) but not good departure angles going to
Talbotville from the north. This is our first time in the High Country and the most obvious route seems to be via Harrietville, St Bernards onto the
Dargo High Plains Rd then via Lankey Plain and Grant
Junction. I thought I'd read another route in the archives (can't find it now) that there was a route via Myrtleford but the tracks look a bit challenging that way. Is the river water ok to put though the hot water system for showers? We keep our
drinking water seperate anyway. Advice appreciated.
Reply By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 14:55
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 14:55
Hi Steve,
The best way in is via Grant. You will have no trouble with clearance but it is very narrow in
places. This doesn't create a problem to you but if you meet traffic it can be a bit tight. (Some reversing to be done by someone) When i tow in there i try to pick a time that will not have a lot of traffic going out. A brilliant
camp area and the streams are crystal clear if there hasn't been any recent heavy rains. Enjoy.
Regards from Big Col.
AnswerID:
355457
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 15:44
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 15:44
Col,
are you talking about the route that I mentioned? Is that the most direct/easy way in?
FollowupID:
623506
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 16:05
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 16:05
Hiya Steve
I would drive along the Great Alpine Rd till you hit the Upper
Dargo Rd...Then Head South till you hit the Mt Grant turnoff which would be to your right....Then down Mt Grant to
Talbotville...Nice easy drive towing....Watch out for cattle all the way along upper
dargo road...
cheers
FollowupID:
623508
Follow Up By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:28
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:28
Hi Steve,
From the
Dargo High Plains Rd you turn into Grant road which changes it's name into McMillan road after Grant. (
Check out the cemetary) It then continues directly into the
Talbotville site.
This is the only route a sizeable van will make it relatively easily. My van weighs about the same as yours.
Check out my profile re my van.
Regards from Big Col.
FollowupID:
623515
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:41
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:41
mine's 18'6" - I'm beginning to wonder......there are a mind boggling options of where to go. It has taken us a while to narrow it down to two base camps. Maybe Sheepyard and Buckland would be better options. What attracted me to
Talbotville were the open
views of the mountains, whereas other spots all seem to be closed in and wooded, which is nice but there's nothing better than waking up to a real mountainous view, or enjoying happy hour with same. Any other options? Oh, I should mention we have our little dog with us.
FollowupID:
623521
Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 16:39
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 16:39
Steve McMillan's Rd down from Grant is the easiest route in although it's a steady down grade & very narrow (single lane on & off) for about 4 km with limited passing. It would not be a good place for 2 people towing large vans to meet so ideally you'd have someone go ahead to warn others you were coming.
The other option that one could tow in via would be from
Dargo then along the Crooked River Rd to Winchester. This route has half a dozen or so crossings of fairly major streams which in the dry months are normally straight forward but suitable more for offroad going vans & campers. The rd in is also narrow in
places although has plenty of passing opportunities.
There is no direct option to tow a van in from Myrtleford.
Water is more often clear but on a busy weekend 4x4's doing the 23 river crossings upstream will stir the mud up until it's brown.
Cheers Craig............
AnswerID:
355467
Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:12
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:12
There is no way the van would negotiate the Crooked River Rd.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:34
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:34
We want him to have a pleasant experience why send him through rivers and i agree with shaker how is he going to get from crooked river road to
Talbotville with that towing behind him,Halfway along you have steep rocky outcrops with a small
cliff on the otherside !
Cheers
FollowupID:
623518
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:47
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:47
we've been agonising over a decision for two base camps between:
Mitta Mitta, Buckland, Sheepyard and
Talbotville. We did fancy
Talbotville because it seems to have an open aspect where you can enjoy the mountain
views from
camp. We'll have about 10 days in the area and are happy to look at other options. We have some limitations with a small dog. Maybe Buckland and Sheepyard would be better. Anywhere around Whitfield? Bennines? Dandongadale areas? Or nearer
Mansfield.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:48
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:48
erm.... that's "Bennies" must have Penines on the brain ;))
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 18:06
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 18:06
I should mention the tug is a Defender, so no probs there. My limiting factor would be van size (soft roader pop-top, good clearance on 16" wheels but I wouldn't fancy climbing out of rivers with it due to no departure angle) I don't want to be a nuisance to others, nor do I fancy backing up any great distance. I suppose late afternoon might be ok for
Talbotville but I'm cooling off on that idea, unfortunately. Perhaps day visits will do us.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: gjcumming - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:40
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 17:40
Steve.
McMillans road is very narrow and has some tight bends. How Long is you van?. Someone going ahead with CB contact is a good idea.
Regards: Grant
AnswerID:
355476
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 18:49
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 18:49
it's 18'6" mate. I think I'll give
Talbotville a miss and maybe settle for somewhere else. I'd appreciate suggestions bearing in mind the reason we chose
Talbotville ie: open
views,
water supply and dog friendly.
cheers,
Steve
FollowupID:
623532
Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:10
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:10
Righto Stevo i personally think you'll be fine going in down Mt Grant (Mc Millans Road) You could always unhitch at the top and drive down and sus it out for yourself first...But you could go to the Wonnangatta River Caravan Park about 8kms from
Dargo (south) right on the Wonnangatta River,Then you can go out for the day exploring the surrounding areas...Or the Upper
Dargo Road has nice nice flats by the river (upper
Dargo River)
Send me your email address and i will quickly send you a snapshot of some areas you can look at etc etc...
AnswerID:
355493
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:55
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:55
we weren't planning on caravan parks esp feeling hemmed in etc, but hey, if it makes life easier........ just for a few days, if it allows us an insight into that area.....j.
stevemac9@bigpond.com.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:57
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 19:57
would I get the palace-on-wheels to italian Flat etc?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 20:31
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 20:31
***has nice nice flats by the river***
Sorry mate bit of a stutter there lmao...The caravan park is really nice,if not on a weekend or holiday you'll feel like you hav it to yourself anyway...That way you can look at the McMillanTrack (Mt Grant to
Talbotville) and the Upper
Dargo Rd....How are your 4wd skills,Beginner,Medium,Advanced ??????
Then once i know i can suggest
places....
Cheers
FollowupID:
623555
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 20:41
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 20:41
did you get the email address?
medium 4x4. We'll be on our todd but have a winch, no air lockers but the usual recovery gear.
Italian flat looks accessible
FollowupID:
623562
Reply By: pickle - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 21:52
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 21:52
Maybe try Black
Snake Creek camping area. Approx 13klms from
Talbotville on the Crooked River Rd. Reasonably sized area on the Wonnangatta River with a drop dunny and easy towing a van in.
Dave
AnswerID:
355539
Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 22:20
Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 at 22:20
that looks interesting mate - might be a goer
I'll Google Earth it.
FollowupID:
623587
Follow Up By: Steve - Monday, Mar 23, 2009 at 10:37
Monday, Mar 23, 2009 at 10:37
is the access along Short Cut Rd and Crooked River Rd ok? or would I have similar probs with oncoming traffic as on McMillan Rd due to the narrow road?
cheers
Steve
FollowupID:
623624
Follow Up By: pickle - Monday, Mar 23, 2009 at 16:54
Monday, Mar 23, 2009 at 16:54
Nothing like Mcmillians, lot wider most of the way. Short cut is wide as
well. The only thing you might have trouble is turning into the
camping area from
Dargo way. Might have do a U turn and come from the other direction.
Also look at Italian Flat
camping area off Jones Rd just Nth of
Dargo. Easy access with van also.
Dave
FollowupID:
623696