The first time I went to Wyperfeld (December 1969 I think, but could be 1968
or 1970), the ranger (Rudd Campbell I think) took my parents and I and a
young friend, for a private tour around some of the tracks, in his Land
Rover, for most of one day. There was only on other visitor to the NP (an
older couple) during the about three days we were there. I sat on the back
flap of the Land Rover and saw it all in reverse. I doubt it was the track
that people are writing about here but it was a lot of fun. I would have
been about 12 y.o. Lots of first birds for me that day, of which I recall
Pink Cockatoo, W-w Chough, Malleefowl........
Sorry for being off topic, I suspect the question would be equally or better
addressed to 4WD club chatlines.
Philip
-----Original Message-----From:
On Behalf Of Ross
Macfarlane
Sent: Thursday, 11 October 2012 6:15 PM To: ; 'Luke
Shelley';
Subject: RFI: Wyperfeld tracks
The rangers are no longer based in Wyperfeld itself, but they are still
there in Rainbow. I have the office number if you need it.
-----Original Message----- From: Paul Dodd Sent: Tuesday, October 09,
2012 9:25 PM To: 'Luke Shelley' ;
Subject: RFI: Wyperfeld tracks
Hi Luke,
Others have probably already stressed the difficulty of this track, but I'll
add my bit...
I've driven that track a good seven or eight times - and each time I do it
scares the willies out of me. The sand is incredibly deep in places - in
particular on the corners - so, as a result it is easy to lose traction in
the worst of places. Surprisingly, the sand is often deep on the upslopes of
the hills - and there are many hills (dunes really). If it has rained, you
would be better off as it makes driving on the sand easier - however, after
really heavy rain, the water accumulates in wheel ruts and other
inconvenient spots, so you are alternately dealing with deep sand and mud!
I have driven it in a "soft" 4WD - a BMW X5, of all things. Whilst not
recommended for "real" four-wheel-driving, its incredibly wide tyres made
driving on sand a dream. The torque-y diesel engine was really helpful too -
especially on one occasion, when following another vehicle that became
bogged, I had to stop in deep sand on the upward side of a dune.
I have also driven it in a real 4WD - a Mitsubishi Pajero. Once again, the
diesel engine made a lot of difference. I haven't driven it in a Subaru, or
a smaller soft-roader like an X-Trail or a Honda CR-V.
There are several tracks in Victoria that I wouldn't consider driving
without precautions - plenty of food and water in case you get stuck, and
the appropriate recovery gear like snatch straps and perhaps a hand winch.
These tracks include the one that you've mentioned, the Salt Lake track in
Little Desert, the border track (in places) and Red Bluff Track in Big
Desert. I would also strongly recommend driving in the company of another
vehicle.
I notice that a few others have recommended notifying a ranger. My
experience with that is that rangers are very thin on the ground in
Wyperfeld.
I hope this helps and doesn't deter you from adventuring!
Paul Dodd
Docklands, Victoria
-----Original Message-----From:
On Behalf Of Luke Shelley
Sent: Tuesday, 9 October 2012 9:15 AM To:
Subject: RFI: Wyperfeld tracks
I'm planning a trip to the mallee region over the Melbourne Cup weekend. I
have been a number if times, but one thing I have not done is drive from the
Wonga Campground to Casuarina Campground along the tracks that join Dattuck
Track and Meridian Track.
Does anyone know if this is easy to do in a softroader 4wd (e.g. Subaru
Forester, Nissan X-Trail)? Ideally I'd like to be able to drive into
Wyperfeld from the south, then up to Casuarina Campgroud, and from there
across to Pink Lakes via Underbool.
--
Luke
Sent from my iPhone
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