Wombat State Forest Overnighter

(05/04/25 – 06/04/25)

Attendees:

Merrick Young TL (80 Series Landcruiser)
Dave Toogood and Guest (60 Series Landcruiser)
Phil Kleiner (Shorty Pajero)
Steve Condello (Shorty Pajero)
Peter Stevens and Guest (80 Series Landcruiser)

Meeting at Gisbourne mid morning on Saturday was almost a blunder. Who would have guessed that there would be two bakeries called the exact same name. Luckily one was closed and we were able to make connection over mobile. Gathering all attendees together we slammed a couple down of pies and commute the short distance to the start of the tracks in Wombat State Forest.

Either minutes later and we were airing down in a pretty vast pine forest. A few minutes later and we were making our way through some easy tracks that twisted through the pine forest. It certainly gave you the feeling of what it could be like in the US or Canada. All of a sudden we popped back out into the natural gum forest and made sure to engage four wheel drive. Twisting through the trees, beside bogholes and up/down little hills we were entertained with interesting but not overly hard driving.

As our confidence grew we started to attempt some tracks with harder rating on the NewTracs app. This provided challenges for those who were game and these came in the form of bogholes and rutted/rocky hill climbs. Plenty of obstacles where everyone could get out and watch the action take place.

Tackling a “Red Rated” Track in the afternoon on Saturday it yielded some good action, especially after Dave’s 60 series decided to stop halfway up a challenging hill climb. Luckily a tighten up of the battery terminals was all it needed to be fixed.

Stopping at an un-named camp on a small hilltop we called it a day and collected some firewood. It’s at this point Dave and his guest headed off home while the rest of us began to relax. A nice campfire and chat later, somehow midnight had snuck up on us. Well almost all of us, I reckon I saw Phil sneak a couple of naps.

The next morning Andrew let us know about his busy schedule heading to Shepparton and beyond, from there we fair welled him and his passenger for a safe trip home. The three remaining vehicles decided to take the long (but actually short) way out to Gisbourne. Snaking our way out of camp and through the State Forest making our way all the way out to Gisbourne Road.

Airing up, Pie’s seemed to be on our mind again and we decided to make another trip into town. Visiting the same place as the Saturday meeting point we shared another delicious pie and sweet treat. Sitting around at just after 12 we had a brain wave, why don’t we wash our cars at the local car wash before heading home. What a brilliant idea, it was great heading home in a clean car and after shedding all the clay made the car pull much better than if we’d be hauling a tonne of mud home.

A great, fun trip to a new destination for me. Thanks to all the members who came it was great to enjoy your company over the weekend.