Wombat state forest / Lerderderg state park

Hey, i am pretty new to this whole 4wd thing but an looking for a bit of fun. Have friends who want to bring along their 4x4's also and have all the recovery gear i need. I drive a GQ SWB which will have 4 inch lift and 35 mickey baja claws on it. So.... my question is this:

Does anyone head up the wombat area 4wding and can you recommend some decent or long tracks that are accessible and maintained (not having to reverse for 3km cause the track disappears or is covered in trees). If someone can post a list of good tracks i should check out i would appreciate it. Should be out in the new patrol by next weekend.

Have'nt been to tat area since a couple of years now mate but if you guys drive up (or down) Firth road you will come across a few nice tracks...eg. Diggers track, Blue Gum track and a few others which are nice too. I suggest you keep clear of the various bog holes if you don't have a snorkel as some of them are much deeper than they look. Happy wheeling mate and post up a few pics if you can.. Cheers !!

Thanks mate, that's usually what I do, but thinking we only really see a very small overly used section of the forest, it would be good to find out what else is out there. And yeah I have a snorkel :), but no diff locks, only LSD.

Was their a few weekends ago, XL track was ok but not overly hard. Running off Lerdederg RD there was a heap of awsome tracks but can't remember the names of them sorry, we just used a map we got off Ebay on the wombat state forest and that showed every track we drove, cost about $10 from memory. Great scenery out their too. Hope you have as much fun as I did.

Have a look further afiedl around Trentham and Blackwood. There are some fantastic tracks if your game. The fire tower on top of Blue Mountain at nearby Blackwood is always a good point to aim towards.

From memory Native Cat Track and Frenchman Track were fun to drive and should be no problem with your setup.

A map would help you lots since many tracks in the part have seasonal closure form now till November. I've this one: http://www.meridianmaps.com.au/produ...tour_guide.asp It's OK but misses smaller tracks in some areas.
I'd recommend buying and downloading VicMap Topo 30 maps as a GPSed PDF which you can use in the free iOS app PDF Maps. http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps...opo30Front.jsp

Back of firth park theres a track that is slippery and muddy - go with other vehicles - at least some one can pull you out if you get stack. Also consider the no 1 fire track of carrols lane

Ditto on the bog holes in Wombat some are lined with front number plates, think it was Burnt Mill rd, Deeeeeep holes, skinny tracks with lots of over hang

We go into the wombat often on club trips - its 30 minutes from melton

anybody been up there lately im looking to hit some tracks next week and have bit of a look at the scenery

I'm thinking of heading out somewhere on the 3rd. I've been out there before but was just camping so didn't get too adventurous, I'm interested if there is a few good scenic spots to aim for...
Fire tower? Also saw something about an old miners hut?

There used to be one up the river from AMber lane - It was on the way to the tunnel if you follow the river (walking)

My First time 4wding and first time nearly seeing a car roll after my mate payed a visit down Lloyd's track.

Being new to 4wd I recommend you join a club - therer are a 3 in melton

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Originally Posted by GQ TANK

Being new to 4wd I recommend you join a club - therer are a 3 in melton

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Yerh I'm really keen on doing a four wheel drive course. I've never driven a car on 4wd tracks, and have only been once. But very keen to learn, I've just purchased my first 4wd drive. I must admit to, when I did go I was on the ball the whole day, I came up with good solutions out of a bad situations. From 5 novice 4wders and two cars there on the day, it was myself and another bloke that new what was going on. I must thank australian 4wd action DVDs alot, they helped so much. Watch,listen, and learn. Is all I got to say.

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Originally Posted by agius91

australian 4wd action DVDs alot,

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Careful there mate?????

If you want to learn you are welcome to come along to one of my easy to medium trips I do every now and then for novices.

What set up is your rig?

Never ever go on your own........ I can tell you first hand.

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Originally Posted by agius91

Australian 4wd action DVDs

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Just because you've watched porn doesn't mean you know how to make love to a woman.

Yes to have to basic knowledge is great off the videos, I must say, but without proper guidance things can go sour very quicker as you've already found.
It's things like that you should avoid or change tactic before attempting the track.

I'll be in for another Wombat trek.

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Originally Posted by MEGOMONSTER

Just because you've watched porn doesn't mean you know how to make love to a woman.

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Lol. Comment of the day.

On a serious note. I'd definitely tag along to a novice trip at dissa or something as I'm pretty amateur my self.

I would also go, nothing to gnarly as the wife and kids would be coming.

I am planning on running a trip to Mt Disappointment, which has three slightly challenging sections :devilred: mixed throughout the trip, but is good for everyone and I also think a good place to start for beginners, as there are tracks around the harder sections if you don't feel confident enough - everyone came away with smiles from the last trip and no damage ..... stay tuned as I just have to work out when, as now school has started back weekends aren't as free anymore, and I am leading another trip with our little club for Labour Day weekend so have some planning to do for that one.

Mic

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Originally Posted by Bloodyaussie

Careful there mate?????

If you want to learn you are welcome to come along to one of my easy to medium trips I do every now and then for novices.

What set up is your rig?

Never ever go on your own........ I can tell you first hand.

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At the moment it is standard. I won't be going for a long time, I know my car isn't capable atm. I havnt even got the basics. So there's no point in attempting anything yet. The DVD's are helpful for someone like me, that hasnt been before.

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Originally Posted by MEGOMONSTER

Just because you've watched porn doesn't mean you know how to make love to a woman.

Yes to have to basic knowledge is great off the videos, I must say, but without proper guidance things can go sour very quicker as you've already found.
It's things like that you should avoid or change tactic before attempting the track.

I'll be in for another Wombat trek.

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Totally agree, with you there mate. I'm not going to jump in deep end straight away, I'll wear floaties for Abit until I can swim. Just seeing my mate nearly loose a 25 grand car. Is something I don't want to do.

we have also done a few trips to macedon - there a lot of easy tracks

Mate, even in standard trim your Patrol will be more than a match for many tracks. They are super capable out of the box and with some smart wheel placement will get lots of places.

Mic, I've never been up to Mount Disappointment I'd be keen to poke the nose up a few tracks around there too.

And Mego, I'm with Hodge, that comment is gold.....and I will be borrowing it!

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Originally Posted by Drewboyaus

Mate, even in standard trim your Patrol will be more than a match for many tracks. They are super capable out of the box and with some smart wheel placement will get lots of places.

Mic, I've never been up to Mount Disappointment I'd be keen to poke the nose up a few tracks around there too.

And Mego, I'm with Hodge, that comment is gold.....and I will be borrowing it!

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I hadn't either and after lots of driving in Toolangi, and some of the closer spots I made it a policy to avoid all the closer spots to Melb, as they only get trashed, but I made the choice to check out Mt Dissa, and it was great ... something for everyone, and all done in an easy day as it is so close

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Originally Posted by Drewboyaus

Mate, even in standard trim your Patrol will be more than a match for many tracks. They are super capable out of the box and with some smart wheel placement will get lots of places.

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I'm really keen to go up to lerderderg and drive on some gravel roads, for the mean time. Something I can do by myself. I've got road tyres on her atm, should I drop the psi down and how much too. I've pretty much spent all my money on the car and insurance. so I havnt got and cash to start doing mods yet.

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Originally Posted by happygtu

I hadn't either and after lots of driving in Toolangi, and some of the closer spots I made it a policy to avoid all the closer spots to Melb, as they only get trashed, but I made the choice to check out Mt Dissa, and it was great ... something for everyone, and all done in an easy day as it is so close

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Been up there twice, just following easy-ish stuff in my Navara and it was awesome. I've just got the basic rooftop map of it, which is now out of date as it still states that "the ladder" is open. But there is countless tracks everywhere, really need some guide up there with a bit of know.

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Originally Posted by agius91

I'm really keen to go up to lerderderg and drive on some gravel roads, for the mean time. Something I can do by myself. I've got road tyres on her atm, should I drop the psi down and how much too. I've pretty much spent all my money on the car and insurance. so I havnt got and cash to start doing mods yet.

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Mate as Drew said, you would be surprised where a stock as rock patrol will get to. Don't make the same mistake that I have. I waited until I geared up the patrol for months and months. During that period I had s***loads of time to go out wheeling and explore, but because my patrol was "stock" I chose not to.
Now that it's pretty geared, I don't have time to scratch my self, let alone go wheeling. So, still go out and enjoy the car, have fun, nothing too hard, just enough to wet your feet a bit and get a taste for it. Don't wait till it's fully done up ready to go anywhere!
As for your tire pressures, first I should ask do you have a compressor to bring them back up after wards??

Nah I havnt I got a compressor, I can pick one up easy there not too expensive, should only set me back $140 for one of those thumper ones, there's the servo just up the road too. I did check the tyres today the back two are 90% road and the front are a/t but it would be like 80% road. I would only drop them to 28?? max psi, I'm just going to do gravel roads not too much but I'm still out there, better then being at home.

First thing I would think about doing (spending your money for you) is to change those tyres to a good set of 5 all-terrains (or muddies depending on what driving you do).

With the dry weather you can get away with the road tyres - I would go down to at least 25psi - as a start.

I still recommend you get involved with a club - going by your self is asking for trouble.

We have had stock trucks on our trips - but also have vehicles that can help to recover.

I live in melton, and regularly hit the wombat with the club Im in

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Originally Posted by agius91

Nah I havnt I got a compressor, I can pick one up easy there not too expensive, should only set me back $140 for one of those thumper ones, there's the servo just up the road too. I did check the tyres today the back two are 90% road and the front are a/t but it would be like 80% road. I would only drop them to 28?? max psi, I'm just going to do gravel roads not too much but I'm still out there, better then being at home.

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I think you have a lot to learn my friend...... come out with one of our groups and see what you can do in a stock GU.

I never realised how capable they are till last weekend , when with the guidance of some very experienced people from here I did things I never thought possible , check out the qld trips for the photos , the only mod I have is a 2in lift and 33s in a full highway tyre , but you need to go with experienced people listen to them , and be honest about your own skills ,

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Originally Posted by Bloodyaussie

I think you have a lot to learn my friend...... come out with one of our groups and see what you can do in a stock GU.

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Yerh for sure, I'll come out. But I will take it very easy. When ever your free let me know.

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Originally Posted by GQ TANK

With the dry weather you can get away with the road tyres - I would go down to at least 25psi - as a start.

I still recommend you get involved with a club - going by your self is asking for trouble.

We have had stock trucks on our trips - but also have vehicles that can help to recover.

I live in melton, and regularly hit the wombat with the club Im in

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Thanks mate I appreciate your opinion. I will look into joining a club.

Just had a quick read thru and as Hodge said don't wait till its done up to have fun in it mate. I have very little off rd experience but the first time i ever went wheeling was with the great people of this forum and i learned a hell of alot so listen and take their advise mate coz your getting years of experience in a couple of minutes!

Heading that way in about five weeks time and I'm really looking forward to it. Have a list of tracks that I have gathered from searching the forum and a Meriden map of the area. It states that there are many track that are not on the map because they are closed or soon to be or old logging tracks and not to use them as you will get lost. Looking at the area it dosen't surprise me.

Let us know when your up there, I'm not to far away. Could possibly get away for a quick spin.

Don't know what these guys are like but are local to the area. Could check them out.

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