MURRINDINDI AND BLACK RANGE

Driving up it was cold and wet. Like all the previous week was but there was a good sized convoy waiting at Narbethong, (doing very good business in ski and chain hire) so it was time to turn on the wipers and head into the forest.

Plantation Rd, led into Yellowdindi and then Murrindindi, all good gravel forest roads. First stop was at the Cascades but the rain was heavy enough to discourage any walk to the cascades. Then it was a short run past some very good riverside campsites to the Suspension Bridge area over a fast running Murrindindi River. The rain had eased.

A sealed section north took us to the dirt Cheviot Road and the Cheviot Tunnel. After a walk through the tunnel, (almost pitch black in the middle) and still in good condition, it was time for lunch.

The tunnel completed in 1889, is some 201 metres long and was built for the Tallarook, Yea to Mansfield railway line which closed in 1978. For a time you could drive through the tunnel (see photo) but now it is part of a railway bike trail.

After lunch we followed Scrubby Creek Rd into Black Range Rd and finally SEC (and Old SEC) Rds.

These were wet but good dirt surfaces through the Black Range State Forest. Parts of this area was badly burnt in 2009 but the regrowth is complete. SEC was a winding scenic descent and climb

under massive pylons which give it the name for those who remember the old state run power company. Around this point there was some chatter on the radio around directions and as feared the convoy has broken. Peter headed back and the convoy was reunited but this did demonstrate the need even in relatively easy conditions, to wait for the vehicle behind you at turns. The rain was back (it never really left) so he headed back out and soon we were airing up in a clearing alongside the Melba Hwy for the drive home. Hopefully the visitors will be back as full members for future club trips. A future overnight trip in warmer, drier conditions will be planned to this popular area.

Trip Participants Vehicle

Tim & Kerry F (Trip Leader) Land Cruiser FJ40

Rick & Jackie K Subaru L Series Les R Forester Peter K Outback Tristian Z Forester

Michael B Pajero Mark T Forester Chris B Subaru L Series Mark G Forester Allen T Subaru XV