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Track Profiles - Jason Sonneman
Приєднався 14 січ 2015
Here's a few videos profiling some of the interesting 4wd tracks that we've come across - when we can be bothered filming! Our videos are mostly filmed directly from our vehicle so you can see what the tracks are going to look like when you're out there driving. We try to point out features along the way including vegetation and landscape features, track obstacles and river crossings, and provide a general opinion on track difficulty.
Please be aware that all of these videos profile footage taken from our 80 Series Landcruisers which are well set up, and have front and rear diff lockers. Some tracks that look easy to drive may not be as easy in other 4wds.
We hope these videos are informative and give you the confidence to head out and enjoy our great outdoors. See you out there!
Please be aware that all of these videos profile footage taken from our 80 Series Landcruisers which are well set up, and have front and rear diff lockers. Some tracks that look easy to drive may not be as easy in other 4wds.
We hope these videos are informative and give you the confidence to head out and enjoy our great outdoors. See you out there!
Black Soil Gully Track - VHC
This video profiles Black Soil Gully Track which runs between Bull Plain Road and the Macalister River Track. This track descends into the Macalister River valley and is the entry point to the Macalister River Track via Licola. The upper sections of the track are in great condition and involve some steep climbs and descents. The track conditions deteriorate towards the lower end with major track rutting and erosion, combined with some steep sections (we even managed to bottom out the rear of our lifted 80 Series). This lower section of the track is reasonably safe to drive in the dry, however it would be a completely different prospect in wet conditions (a clay soup). I hope you find the video informative. See you out there!
Переглядів: 427
Відео
Macalister River Track - VHC
Переглядів 20421 день тому
This video profiles the Macalister River Track which runs along the Macalister River between Black Soil Gully and Butcher Country Tracks to the north of Licola. This is a fun track with seven river crossings (eight if you include the top crossing at Blue Plains Spur Track). The crossings are not to be taken lightly, particularly when the river levels are up. We did this trip when the Macalister...
Fraser Track - Pyrenees State Forest
Переглядів 10621 день тому
This video profiles Fraser Track located in the south-east corner of the Pyrenees State Forest. The track follows a ridge line between Ebling Track and Main Break Road, and is a fun way to enter the Pyrenees State Forest. The track conditions are reasonably good, with steep slopes, variable track rutting and loose rocks to negotiate. This is a track that most 4wders could safely negotiate (in d...
Nolan Ridge Track - Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 16321 день тому
This video profiles Nolan Ridge Track located to the west of Blackwood. The track is divided into two sections - Section One between Lerderderg Track and Nolans Creek Road, and Section Two between the two Nolan Creek intersections. Section One is a great 4wd track that everyone can drive, lots of climbs, rutting and track variation - a good fun drive. Section Two is short, lumpy, heavily rutted...
Zeka Spur Track - VHC
Переглядів 86421 день тому
This video profiles Zeka Spur Track, one of the most popular ways to enter the Wonnangatta Valley. The track conditions can vary notably between seasons and tricky in wet conditions. The upper sections of the track are generally in good condition and have many switchbacks to negotiate. Track conditions generally deteriorate towards to the lower sections which are steep, rocky and often rutted. ...
Butcher Country Track - VHC
Переглядів 51021 день тому
This video profiles Butcher Country Track, a track that I consider to be one of the 4wd best tracks in the VHC. The track climbs from the Macalister River to the Howitt Plains, and takes you through some awesome forested areas. The track is fairly rough and involves taking on some decent climbs/descents and track obstacles. A feature of this track is the spectacular views into the upper Macalis...
Sugarloaf Track - Pyrenees State Forest
Переглядів 10421 день тому
This video profiles Sugarloaf Track which is located in the SE corner of the Pyrenees State Forest. The track follows a narrow ridge line and involves climbing some decent slopes. The track condition is poor with deep rutting on many of the steep sections. This track is part of a series on the Pyrenees State Forest. Keep an eye out for some other great tracks in this area. See you out there!
New Ottie Track (revisited) - Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 38321 день тому
This video profiles heading up through the technical section of New Ottie Track. We've previously driven down this track, so I was keen to have a crack heading back up the steep section. This track is a bit of a mess and needs to be tackled with caution - it's steep, traction is sketchy and there are a few decent step ups to negotiate. Hope you enjoy the video. Catch you out there!
Razor Track - VHC
Переглядів 2247 місяців тому
This video profiles Razor Track which does a big loop between the West Buffalo Track and Harry Shepherds Track. The track is seasonally closed and passes some amazing landscapes, with major views towards the Cobbler Range and The Razor and The Viking formations. This is one of the best 4wd tracks in the VHC with some great climbs and descents, and a few small creek crossings. I recommend headin...
Camp Creek Track (West) - VHC
Переглядів 2407 місяців тому
This video profiles the western section of Camp Creek Track which runs between the Mt Buggery Track and the Abbeyards Road. The track is well maintained and an easy drive. It’s got some steep climbs and descents, but nothing that should worry anyone. The track crosses the West Buffalo River just before the Abbeyards Road intersection. The river level was up when we did it due to overnight rain ...
XL Track - Lerderderg State Park / Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 7187 місяців тому
This video profiles XL Track - one of the longest 4wd tracks running through the Lerderderg-Wombat Forest area. The track starts at Obriens Road (Lerderderg SP) and runs north to Firth Road (Wombat SF). The southern section of the track is seasonally closed and has a fair bit of decent technical 4wd sections. The northern section is well maintained and easy going. As with all Wombat Forest trac...
Mount Buggery Track - VHC
Переглядів 2457 місяців тому
This video profiles the Mount Buggery Track which runs from the SEC Access Track at Dandongadale to Camp Creek Track near Abbeyard. The track runs along a series of ridgelines with some great views. The track has some steep climbs and descents, is well maintained and can be safely driven by drivers of all experience levels in dry conditions. I would recommend that less experienced drivers do th...
McDonalds Spur Track - VHC
Переглядів 2847 місяців тому
This video profiles McDonalds Spur Track which is a fun little 4wd track located to the west of Lake William Hovell. The track runs between Christophers Road and the Mansfield-Whitfield Road, and takes you up a short steep climb with a rocky clay track. McDonalds Spur Track is seasonally closed so not an option during winter. Worth a look if you're in this neck of the woods, or looking for an a...
Black Range Track - VHC
Переглядів 3027 місяців тому
This video profiles the Black Range Track which runs from Whitfield to Lake Buffalo along the Black Range. The track is approximately 25km long and takes you along a series of ridgelines with some reasonably steep climbs and descents. The track conditions are reasonably good and this is a great track for 4wders of all abilities. Whilst you are in the area, you can drop off the track into the Ed...
Wombat Track - Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 2227 місяців тому
This video profiles Wombat Track - located to the east of Blackwood in the Wombat State Forest. Wombat Track is seasonally closed and can be driven as a route (Wombat - Hayden - Ruth Tracks) from Chettle Road to North Blackwood Road. These tracks are off the beaten track and take you through some nice bits of forest. There's only one main obstacle to take on, a steep rutted clay section along R...
New Ottie Track - Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 7677 місяців тому
New Ottie Track - Wombat State Forest
Diggers Track - Lerderderg State Park / Wombat State Forest
Переглядів 1,7 тис.8 місяців тому
Diggers Track - Lerderderg State Park / Wombat State Forest
Ratcliffe Track - Lerderderg State Park
Переглядів 1 тис.8 місяців тому
Ratcliffe Track - Lerderderg State Park
Boggy Hole Access Track (Finke River)
Переглядів 2,4 тис.8 місяців тому
Boggy Hole Access Track (Finke River)
Border Track Part 2a - Murray Sunset NP to Ngarkat Conservation Park
Переглядів 4668 місяців тому
Border Track Part 2a - Murray Sunset NP to Ngarkat Conservation Park
Border Track Part 3 - Red Bluff Campground to Little Desert NP
Переглядів 5588 місяців тому
Border Track Part 3 - Red Bluff Campground to Little Desert NP
Border Track Part 4 - Little Desert NP to the Limestone Coast
Переглядів 40910 місяців тому
Border Track Part 4 - Little Desert NP to the Limestone Coast
Thanks for the info, loved the vid. Btw, how did you capture the driving bits - what camera and mount did you guys use? It’s beaut footage.
Hi, Thanks for the feedback. I recall this was a GoPro Hero 7 mounted on the bull bar (just above the number plate). We've recently moved to the newer generation of GoPro's 9-12 which are a game changer as far as usability. Cheers
done this in november melbourne cup weekend and was stuck for 6 hours winching
Reckon Simex tyres are the go if you want to take on those holes!
Awesome video. Thanks for mentioning the river level. 1.3m today, and not much rain forecasted for the next few days. I wanna do this next weekend, Black Soil - Macalister - Butcher Country - Zeka Spur.
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a great trip - have fun.
Awesome video man. No BS, just facts. I really appreciate it.
Handy information, thanks. For conception sake, could you also mention what gear you are using, range selection and average speed along the tracks. Because camera's do not show inclines to any extent, the viewer would get a better appreciation of the grades if you were to comment whether low-range 2nd, or 4th etc, etc.
Thanks for the feedback - I'll definitely mention that in the future
Good one thank you.
I can comment on the location of the gate for your info. The first original gate was up near the Bull Plain Spur but proved to be useless because the red-necks simply bashed around it to access the McCalister. The area being relatively easy to cross country. The current gate is located on a narrow cutting, preventing the red-necks from attempting a bypass on the sideslope. The original track, before it was re-aligned into Black Soil Gully, simply followed the very steep spur line virtually straight towards The Sisters. It was extremely steep, hazardous and was impossible to maintain due to the gradient and the toll that winter's rain placed on it every season, so hence the current alignment. If you look carefully to your left, as you head down towards the river, you can make out sections of the old spur track on very steep country. It was a hairy old drive up or down in the old leaf sprung Patrol's, Landies and Tojo's of the day!
Hi, That makes a lot of sense. You see gates placed like this everywhere - I wasnt thinking about people heading cross country to bypass them, but that makes perfect sense. The park rangers must tear their hair out at times! Cheers
Jason, where did you go after you got to Dawson City. Do you head out via Dinner Plain, Omeo, Dargo, or another way.
@@burneybysouth Hi, we went via Swifts Ck and then to Omeo. Dawson City is a good campsite. There's a stack of huts just to the west worth checking out. Sing out if you can't spot them on your map. Cheers
@ Thanks Jason, I am looking to connect across to the Dinner Plain Track and head out north and then out beyond Mt Selwyn. I am told the Cassilis Historic Area has some interesting late 19th century mining ruins, including those huts you mentioned, that I am thinking of exploring. Once again, thanks for the great videos.
Thx for sharing
It's a lotbetter than 34 od years ago.. 2 trips done FJ40 and Honda 2450 quad - with patience and care and a chainsaw no problems. The Honda atv was used on the very first track now closed. Both units made it up the "widow maker" hill near the homesteas ruins- FJ40 had a lot of human ballast....
250 Honda
That's a great story!. I've heard some interesting stories about the 'widow maker' from former parks rangers. Things sounded a lot more wild in those days. If you get caught up there these days - big fines.
Great videos Jason. A great resource. I have a trip planned for 10 vehicles in a few weeks to Haunted Stream and I just sent you video to everybody so they understood what to expect with the crossings. Thanks
Hey mate, Great videos! If you could add month and year travelled to your content that would be awesome
Thanks for the video, really useful content!
Very informative and well produced, thanks.
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing. Great info!!
GREAT VID!!
What a great resource your channel is, thanks for the videos
Nice one mate! Any new Lerderderg/Wombat videos coming out soon?
There's a couple of interesting ones in the gun! Cheers
@jasonsonneman excellent mate! Keen to see
The condition of this track has changed significantly in the two years since this video was released. We traveled down it a few days ago and there was a very steep, powdery section where traction was very poor. We decided to go out via Humffray River Track & Wombat Range Track, which had much better traction (though was still steep & rocky). We heard that another convoy broke a rear diff trying to climb Herne Spur.
We camped at the base of Hernes last week but headed up Harts Spur Track on the way out. It had definitely washed out a little compared to early last year. I would say Harts is on a par with Hernes regarding slope and difficulty.
Absolute legend 💪👌
Strange we where there a month ago and it was closed
@@davidholzgrefe7298 fairly sure its seasonally closed, open now. Only one open during closed season is Diggers
Thanks so much for the informative video!
Great video mate, it was closed when I went past last week. Keen to give it a go when it opens in November.
Cheers for the video going to give it a crack this week
Thanks for publishing this. Would you be able to recommend beginner tracks in Lederderg/Wombat for a solo beginner? I've just gotten a 60 series and am keen to learn
@@_pacalis Hi, I would probably hit the Wombat to the west of Blackwood for some easier tracks.
Great place and big river crossing when I last did it ❤❤❤
Enjoying your videos. Hope to get back to the VHC soon, amazing place to explore.
Thanks for showing what this track is like, haven't quite been game to attempt it knowing it's a steep down then up. I would probably do it opposite direction when dry. Climbing those rocks would be hard on an ADV bike.
Hi, If coming from the other direction, the only tricky bit to negotiate (other than the rock section) will be the clay bit coming out the other side. Reckon this could get messy depending on how wet winter has been. Cheers
Great track, you got a nice clear run. We came through on ADV bikes and there was a traffic jam at the big holes, someone decided to try their luck on the 2nd from the right, didn't work out to well. Here's a short video of it. Also have a long version of the day. ua-cam.com/users/shortsL2erBwupneM?feature=share
@@OzADVRider not one 4wd sighted! Thanks for the link - awesome
Did this track a decade ago, too wet to get up the rocky section in the fading light, boy that was a cold night sleeping out in our rigs. Amazing how much it has changed, those ruts were 8" high not top of the doors like now! Thanks for posting.
Cheers, it's become a proper 4wd track these days. There are now signs at either end warning of iminent damage to vehicles. Looking at the scapes on tree and rocks along the way, I suspect few vehicles get through unscathed. Those rutted sections would be a nightmare in the wet!
Is gunns track accessible down at the buckland valley rd end? Thanks for sharing
You would have to come in via either Paddy Hill Track or Pheasant Creek Track at the Buckland River Road end. Fairly sure Gunns is closed atm for winter.
You didn’t get to XL mine, the namesake of the track. It’s a fairly overgrown side shoot, that leads to the mine, which up until about 20 years ago, had a ladder on the angled decline into the main shaft for 40 metres, before branching out at that point to side tunnels.
Cheers, I'm definitely tracking that one down! Will be in touch if we cant locate it on our maps. We did check out a couple of mines in the area which are home to a threatened species - so didnt show any footage.
ripper...great vid, cheers
Where? 🤷♂️
Just west of Blackwood off Lerderderg Rd
@@jasonsonneman I had to look it up. So Victoria. Lol.
Good video! Earlier in the year I was trying to get from the Pheasant Ck Track to the Gunns Track on my little dirt bike (heavily loaded up, riding solo) but when the Pheasant Ck track got VERY steep and rocky, and I had no traction, a big Mitsi Canter camper thing with lockers was also scrambling for grip to so I chickened out and back traced my route to Bright
Thanks for the feedback. These tracks are deceptively steep - we had the lockers in on at least one slope. Wouldnt be too keen to ride a bike up there!
This drive is very familiar to me. 😊 Looks like you got a cracking day for it.
Nice, I’m doing that track this weekend. Is that a recent video? Interested to see if the water levels are about what they are here as I’ll be in my adventure bike 😂
Yep, a few months ago. Been stuff all rain so you should be sweet.
Do you speed up the video in parts or is that the speed you normally drive on the tracks or thru the water crossings ? Just trying to gauge if I am a Captain Slow or not 🙂
All at normal speed, the video from the car always makes it look faster than it is. TBH, I probably drive my 80 a bit quicker than many. That day we were meeting others and in a bit of a rush. Best to take it easy!
I have a picture of me from 26 years ago in my FJ40 after just coming down the rocky section into the creek, it was a much more difficult track back then
It would be great to see your photo.
So would you be able to get a Hybrid Van there to camp???
Hi, If it's a 4wd you should be OK. Nothing too difficult as far as 4wding is concerned. Cheers
That track doesn't even rate an easy... Compared to the Cobberas track nearby. Is Cobberas still closed?
I believe so
I love that drive. We went through to Palm Valley and Hermannsburg. Albert Namatjira country. Fantastic. that was 32 years ago. Do it.
Nice video, I was there 12 months ago it is a great drive. Thanks for sharing
I went to Fink-e and was repeatedly informed there's no e whenever I said it. It's just Fink. So why the hell have the e I countered. Silence. lol Thanks for the video it's a beautiful place.
I keep saying the 'e' too, I know better but old habits!
The reason its double black ,is because of people who cant drive. A normal 4×4 , driven properly will suffice , you dont need a lift kit. 😅😅
We did all these tracks for years and years in old Landrovers never a problem but with modern cars u you would need a lift
Agree! Many newer 4wds also have longer wheel bases too.
Good info and video. Thanks
Hi just an update, it looks like UA-cam may have messed up your link, it only has about half of the url address highlighted and working.
Thanks for taking the time to post, was interesting to watch.
Very good content keep it coming very informative for people who just want to know what these tracks are like,
Great video. I visited it about 14 yrs ago with the family. Kids thought it was great.