Swifts Creek Ride Report (Australia Day Weekend)

[hahnelw]

The maps had been bought, the GPS routes uploaded and we had 5 starters for our two day trip to Swifts Creek. The plan was to drive up to Swifts Creek on Sunday night, set up camp and spend the whole of Monday. The first step was achieved and we met Mick and Steve who had come up earlier in the afternoon and done a short ride.


The Campsite


Steve and Ian ready for a days riding.

On Monday morning we all got up at daylight and had a coffee and got the bikes prepped for the day. Up the tar to Cassilis and then onto Charlotte Spur track. After a couple of k's we came to some medicine ball size boulders blocking our path, where the water had washed away all the soil. There was a steep dropoff on one side and a steep bank on the other. Mick attacked it on the KTM 525 EXC but rest of us were still unconvinced and after much shaking of heads Mick rejoined us and we went looking for another track.

Mt Delusion Rd was the one we chose. It joined to our previously planned route so it a minor adjustment. A quick blat down Grassy Ridge track had us on Mt Baldhead Road and then onto the fantastic Jones Rd. Jones Rd is highly recommended, narrow and steep in places, but fast and flat in others it was a blast to ride. A crossing at the Wentworth River and then further down Jones Rd and into Dargo for lunch. Can highly recommend the food and the friendly service at the General Store. Had a great burger, fueled up and headed down Lower Dargo Rd and then Tabberabbera Rd through some hilly country. This was great riding country!

The country changed as we entered Sandy Creek rd in the Mitchell River National Park. On to Burnetts Rd and back to Mt Baldhead rd which is a major forestry track. We then hightailed it back toward Swifts Creek with the bikes cranked up a fast as felt safe. The last stretch on the Brookville forest rd was also a lot of fun, with a windy bitumen section to finish off.

At the campsite after 250km (about 90% dirt) we all grabbed a shower and headed to the pub for a counter meal and a beer.

Woke up early the next morning to find that Mick was suffering with a shoulder injury and would have to be a scratching for the half day ride we had planned. He had face planted on a short ride he and steve had done on the Sunday, while riding back down a steep hillclimb he had done for a bit of fun. Bugger!!

The four of us (two KLR's with Ian and Warren, one DR with boxhead on board and an XR400 with Mark as pilot) headed off down Swifts Creek East Rd to Windy Ridge Rd, which had been recommended to us by the guy at the local servo. He was a KTM rider and the advice was great because the scenery and riding on this track were the highlight of the trip.


Steve on Windy Ridge Rd

Ian on Windy Ridge Rd

Mark on Windy Ridge Rd

My KLR resting under a tree.

After opening and shutting a number of gates on this farmland (its a public rd) we entered the forest and the track got really interesting with steep hills, overgrown track, and sheer dropoffs at the edge. Eventually we emerged on Nunniong Rd and wound our way along good track at a much faster speed than on Windy Ridge! We arrived at the Washington Winch, which was a steam driven winch used to haul felled logs up the hills using a very long cable. Got a few pics while we had a break.




Mark was keen to head up to the fire tower on Mt Nugong, which is one of 72 fire towers in Victoria, and this one is the highest. The GPS said we were nearly at 1500m altitude. The views were spectacular and the tower was impressive with huge solar panels, comms dishes and other facilities. We had a quick chat to the guy who was about to start his shift and he was friendly but wasnt going to let us up the tower for any photos, mumbling something about OH&S bullshit! Fair enough.



We then headed for Bentley Plain and the legendary Moscow Villa Hut. We were impressed with the quality of the hut and had a good look around. There is also a camping site nearby with another small hut, toilet and fireplaces.




After Moscow Villa we headed down Bentley Plains Rd to Spring Gully Rd, which again went through private land and was marked No Through Rd. We got to the steep section and found it topped with coarse gravel which meant a difficult hill climb. After my KLR decided it was tired and wanted a little lie down we all made it to the top. (Thanks for the help guys). A quick blast back to the campsite and we packed up showered and hit the road for home. A great trip and brilliant location.