Southern Forest 4WD Adventure with Land Rover 4×4 Club & Bushman Bud

G’day all,

We had been looking forward to catching up with the Land Rover Owners Club of Tasmania Inc as we had found them both helpful and friendly in making us welcome as visitors of the club.  I must say I was curious though how the Land Rover would perform offroad and how long it would take for the usual friendly banter of makes and models of cars to fire up…not long was the answer…approx 2 minutes into the drivers meeting at the beginning of the day.  There was a couple of Toyotas along for the day and the Land Rover owner were getting stuck in early.  It was probably a sign of being friendly and respectful towards new visitors that the comments about our Nissan were strangely silent…perhaps kept to the quite banter of inside car dialogue.  Hopefully we didn’t ruffle too many feathers by suggesting that we didn’t want to pull any Land Rover owners out…it was said in jest though…and it didn’t happen either.

So we met in Kingston at 9:00am and were soon on the way after Chris had ran through the day’s events and possible challenges on the way.  The day was about driving a few tracks to check out whether or not they would be adopted by the club as part of the agreement between 4WD Tasmania and Forestry Tasmania.

So we headed out of Kingston on the Huon Highway to Lollara where we turned off onto  Lollara Road and followed the Huon River.  The drive out to Lollara was great for us new comers to get a feel for the surrounding countryside near Hobart and we received great radio coverage from the trip leader Chris about various things to look out for.  Unfortunately I am still wondering about “Sleeping Beauty” and am hoping that other members were lucky enough to spot her!

Onwards through Ranelagh onto Lonnavale Road, Dennison Road (crossing Little Denison River) before stopping at the start of the Barn Back Track for a look.  Chris offered that any members could have a drive up the first few hundred if they wished.  Peter and I took up the challenge, Peter branching left and Bushman Bud branching right.  Although the track was a little slippery with some tiny ruts, it did not present a challenge…apparently further along the track it can get a little willing.  Still no recoveries for the day…

It was then onto the Weld River for a look at the track that ran along the river.  All members went for a walk along the first few hundred metres of the track for some two legged action…again no casulaties…other than a few close escapes…better action to come…on two legs…

The track along the Weld River looked like it could be fun and Chris assured us that it was.  Unfortunately Peter couldn’t convince the rest of the group to head down the track for a “closer” look so we were left wondering what could have been?  Chris noted that we should come back, Peter quickly decided he would follow and I was quick to add that I would gladly follow at the back…another date possibly?  I know I left that spot drewling and wanting more.

Following along the Weld River for a short distance we looped off to the right following some higher country as an alternative route to back track a little.  I can’t remember where we had morning tea but I think it was somewhere along this loop.  I guess the spot doesn’t really matter it was the great chin wag and the friendly members of the club that I will remember about morning tea.  It is always nice to catch up with people who share a love for the great outdoors and who know their backyard…really, really well.

Following on we crossed the Huon River and took an immediate right hand bush track for a crossing of the Arve River.  This was an easy picturesque crossing other than a well disguised hole near the far bank.  I heard a rather large thump on the passengers window when we dropped into the hole, a dazed “oahhh,” and lucky me a subdued hand brake for the rest of the trip…now Chris where is that challenging stuff hey?

Well the only recovery of the day happend here.  The tail end Landcruiser followed the Patrol (yours truly) through the wheel ruts leading down to the crossing and found its differential kissing the ground.  That stopped any going back or forward and it was time for a Nissan to pull out a Toyota.  I know back at Perth at the West Coast 4×4 Club (www.westcoast4x4.com.au) this would mean bragging rights until the favour was returned…perhaps we will let this little one slip by the way side in the hope I can attend another trip in the future…please!  A gentle tug had the Cruiser back on safe ground and off we went.

The next sectionof the trip (until we crossed the Arve River again) was an interesting track with a few, sometimes deep, muddy water holes.  They left the foot hovering over the accelerator pedal in case a few more HP’s were required when the ground got a little too slippery and soft.  It was here that we had our first…I won’t say last…mishap of the trip…more about that later.  One of the Land Rover’s was unfortunate to pick up a flat tyre.  This was quickly changed but unfortunately resulted in an early day for the driver.

Back over the Arve River and to the start of the famous Willimette Creek Track.  Apparently this one is really tough with plenty of winching required to get through.  The start of this track was therefore given a miss and we moved on up the hill to the midway section of the track for a look.  It was here that Bushman Bud ended up as the second, most embarrsing casulty of the trip.  The Williamette Creek Track had been split in two by a new logging track, meaning the exit out of the track was extremely steep and very muddy…as I was about to find out.  As members started joking about me driving down, I decided quickly it was probably a rather silly joke and not one that I would fall for…us West Australian’s are a bit smarter than that you know.  So…what made me take the following action I can only wonder…perhaps been in Tassie too long…maybe…Well I am a curious being by nature and the fact that the track looked like a real challenge made me want a closer look.  I couldn’t see round a corner and that was frustrating me…so…over the bank I went and about 1m down the slope until I felt my feet sliding.  Well no problem I thought I would ride this one out…I know how to ski.  Well gravity took over, the slope was very steep and my feet were moving quicker than what I could control.  Starting to feel my feet slide out from under me I and not wanting to end up on my backside (which in hind sight would have been better for all clothes and expensive camera concerned) I decided to steady myself with my hands.  This worked for all of about 2 seconds and then my elbows hit the ground, my camera took a dive in the mud and I got…lets say…very muddy.  I must say that this was to the delight of all the onlookers who were cheering out for more.  Needless to say you can always guarantee that there are plenty of cameras around so my much damaged ego has probably been well publisized.  Please though, would someone be kind enough to send me a photo that I can cherish.  With the crowd begging for an encore and me wondering how on earth I was going to get back up this very muddy hill I was relieved to find a chicken track which I thankfully negotiated with ease.  If only I had seen this track before I marched on down.  You know the only real disappointment was that of my wife, who regreattably missed the hole thing.  She is still wishing she had captured it on video and is must upset that I didn’t wait until she a gotten out of the car…sorry honey.

From here is was onto the upper part of the Williamette Creek Track which was relatively easy, however mudy in sections.  The Toyota Hilux struggled on one steeper section, getting stuck on some badly placed logs, before clearing the logs, reversing down and giving the vehicle some more revs and flying up the hill.

Lunch was next on the cards and we stopped off at a quarry near to the Razor Saddle.  It was windy and cold and a few were taking cover in their vehicles whilst others were pottering around.  I was trying to clean my camera but gave up after a few minutes, so apologies that there are not more photos.  The kids, Joey Jess and Orangatang Amy enjoyed climbing up and down a few of the “safe” rock piles and there were a few more delightful conversations with members.

The next part of the trip took us over Scott’s Divide.  Chris had obtained a key to the forestry track and so through the gate went and up on top of the Fourfoot Plain full of many rocky ledges and button grass.  After a few klm’s of bouncing up and down I am usually begging for the end of the track.  This was no exception and was helped along by the close foilage in parts.  The saving grace was the view from up above which was pleasant.  Hey, maybe that’s a little harsh…each to their own I guess, it was an interesting track though.

From here we headed into Geeveston to drop off the key we had obtained.  It was here that we lost another member who headed off home for a warm shower and early dinner…I suppose.  Perhaps it was just to sit near a warm fire.

From Geeveston we headed out to another track for proposed adoption.  We headed out along Hermon Road turning left into Boney Road.  This track took us over the Swearing Bobs Plain, past Wobbly Creek until meeting up with Hopetoun Road.  The track was a nice drive, without serious challenges.

We pulled over about 1 klm from the Huon Highway on Hopetoun Road for afternoon tea.  Another nice cupper warmed the soul as did a few more interesting conversations.

The day ended here with the club and we went out seperate way after reaching the Huon Highway.

For Bushman Bud and family we headed to Geeveston where we put air in our tyres before carrying onto to Huonville.  Here we turned right, grabbed some fish and chips and continued on following the beautiful coast road back to our campsite at the Gordon Foreshore.

Our thanks for the great day go out to the trip leader Chris Boden and all the members of the Land Rover 4WD Club for welcoming us as visitors and taking the time to catch up with us throughout the day.  You have an awesome club environment backed up by friendly members who have a common respect for the great outdoors.  It was certainly a pleasure to catch up with you all and enjoy the company and the drive, thanks.

We hope we can join you when you next journey out…perhaps on all of those hard tracks we looked at…we will return!!!

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Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Tags: 4WD, 4WD Club, 4WDing, 4x4, Adventure, Bushman, Bushman Bud, Camping, Free Camping, Offroad, scenic, Southern Forests, Tasmania, Track