28^th December 2004

Situated on Donnelly Creek to the north of Walhalla, O'tooles Flat is an ideal place to head for a day trip or even a weekend stay. Some challenging sections of track, creek crossings and many nice camping spots in the area will have you coming back time and again.

The standard is medium in the dry with a couple of difficult sections should the tracks be wet. Intermittent showers persisted throughout our trip, however we were able to cover all the tracks we intended. It is our suggestion that this trip should only be attempted by experienced four wheel drivers in high clearance vehicles with a proper low range transfer case.

The Thomson dam, Melbourne's major water supply dam is the starting point for our trip. It is located 170 kilometers south east of Melbourne about 1.5 hours drive from Pakenham. With an early start from Melbourne we arrived at the dam at 9:30. The dam was built in two stages, in the 70's a tunnel system was drilled and blasted through the Great Dividing Range to the Upper Yarra dam. Finally in 1983 the dam wall was finished and ready to store Melbourne's water.

A stop at the dam enabled us to reduce tyre pressures. This not only helps smooth the rough dirt roads and tracks but creates a larger footprint which enhances traction, especially when the going gets tough.

We head towards the main Walhalla – Woodspoint road where we turn left for a short run to the Trig track turnoff on the right. It's not long before we have 4WD engaged as the track starts taking us up and down some steep sections. The track is in excellent condition, however with rain falling it isn't long before we reach a very steep downhill section before the CMF track intersection. There was a part here when in first low range, the wheels started skidding on the slippery surface.

The Trig track has quite a history. I remember some 20 years ago doing this trip with two other vehicles, both were Nissan MQ Patrol wagons and neither driver had done any four wheel driving before. In fact one of the vehicles was a hire vehicle especially for the day. We proceeded down the track which was very steep, rutted and some rock ledges to the Aberfeldy river where we had lunch.

It was impossible for standard vehicles to climb the other side of the track as the ruts were 1 to 1.5 mtrs deep. There used to be a widely used photo of a 60 series Cruiser negotiating these ruts. If memory serves me correct it was owned by the Brown brothers (later of ARB fame) who had their newly designed diff locks fitted to both front and rear axles. Anyway the photo was spectacular with front wheels miles in the air.

On our way out (the way we came in), one particular section caused me to have two goes, the next vehicle had four or five and by this time the guy in the hire Patrol didn't want to drive the vehicle up. After settling him down and giving instructions he set off and made it first try. We couldn't believe how easily he did it until later at home checking the specs on the series 2 MQ to find out it came standard with a rear LSD.

Ah how things change, today that part of Trig track comprises about 12 switchbacks up the side of the mountain which you can see clearly as you reach the CMF track intersection where we turned left. The track winds its way around the side of the mountains for a while with one little creek crossing and does a name change to North East track and eventually drops down to the Deep Creek Track.

Deep Creek track also winds around and across ridges for a number of kilometers before dropping down to cross the Aberfeldy river again. This time however, we spotted a rutted exit. We crossed the river and tried to keep our wheels on the high sections of the ruts, but as the track had a left hand bend, the back wheels slipped into the almost meter deep holes where we soon came to a halt. No matter how hard I tried with all the tricks like swinging the steering wheel to and fro or applying the brakes while accelerating I couldn't go any further.

The only option was to reverse back and try again taking a slightly different line. The right side of the track had quite a ledge to climb first but then looked a better option. Off I set, I had to have two goes at the ledge before I made it over, but again my back wheels slipped into the big rut. This time I kept my foot down, even though the Prado was completely sideways the vehicle finally climbed free.

From the ruts, it was a quiet drive back to the Walhalla Woods Point road where we turned right and headed for the Merringtons track turnoff. We turned right and wound our way down a two wheel drive track to the Merringtons camping ground. Merrington's Flat was once the location for the farm and residence of Daniel James and Frances Jane Merrington in the late 1880's until approx 1920. Now Merrington's Flat is a popular camping, 4 wheel drive area and deer hunting location.

Proceed out of the Merrington's camp ground and do a hard right turn into Williamson Spur track. After the first creek crossing stay left now on Junction track with Williamson Spur track on your right. The Aberfeldy river is crossed for the second time and quickly we approach the river for the third time. Stay on Junction track and head for Donnelly Creek track and cross for the third time.

The track now climbs again, nothing serious, and when Donnelly Creek road (track) is reached turn right. Proceed a short way and a track with a gate and side track around the gate are on your right. Last time I was here we went down this track to the river where an enormous ferral cat was seen. It was about the size of a panther but had tabby markings, so we decided to go down again and have a look. This track is rough in a couple of place but opens up at the river. In days gone by it was part of the old Jorgenson mine which is just around the corner. This time however, there were campers with dogs, so no sighting of the wild cat.

Back to Donnelly Creek track and turn right. It is not long before we pass the old Jorgenson mine site, but decided not to stop as there were a lot of campers. Donnelly Creek track winds its way around the valley floor. The track is very easy and can carry a bit of traffic at times.

At the Flats track intersection continue straight ahead along the Donnelly Creek track. To the left can be seen the grassy camping ground of O'tooles Flat through the trees. At the next intersection turn hard left to reach O'tooles. This is a large flat grassed area once used for grazing, but now for camping. It's a very popular site and even has pit toilets.

On leaving O'tooles we retraced our steps back to Flats track where we turned left. This is a good solid long climb up the mountain, but just before reaching the Williamson Spur track a detour around a very steep rocky section has been made. For any confident four wheel driver with a reasonable vehicle this old section of track is a must. You will bounce and wheel spin your way to the top.

On reaching the top turn right into Williamson Spur track. The track winds its way down the mountain and eventually reaches the Junction track where we had passed earlier in the day. Turn left at this intersection and you wind your way back to Merrington's. Continue straight on along Merringtons track back to the main Walhalla Woods Point road where a left turn will have you heading back to the Thomson dam wall.

Trip Standard

If dry weather is the order of the day then this would be an easy/medium trip, however, the slightest bit of rain and sections would become difficult (albeit a lot of fun). Probably the most difficult would be the ruts out of the creek crossing on the Dream Creek track. There is no way around them, so at least one vehicle is going to require the equipment or persistence to get through.

Maps

Beardmore 1:25000

This is a great day trip covering around 400Km from Melbourne and back. It offers some challenging sections of track and beautiful scenery. There are plenty of nice areas to stop for morning tea and lunch or to just let the kids run off a bit of steam. DVD's of this trip and others will be available shortly.

Trip Notes

The starting point for this trip is the wall of the Thomson dam. This is reached by travelling along the Princes Highway through Pakenham, Warragul and finally turn off at Moe for Walhalla. Go through Erica and past the Walhalla turnoff heading for the dam. It is about 1.5 hours from Pakenham, so an early start is best.

0.0km	Start at Thomson dam wall and continue over the wall where the road becomes gravel.
3.2km	Turn Left at the Wallahalla – Woods Point Road.
0.2km	Turn right into Trig track. There is one steep descent which, when wet can be very slippery.
1.6km	Left turn into CMF track at the cross road.
5.3km	Left Turn into Dream Creek track. Towards the end of this track is another crossing of the Aberfeldy river with a very rutted exit.
6.0km	Turn right onto the Wallhalla – Woods Point road.
0.6km	Turn right onto Merrington track (not up the steep electricity track).
3.8km	Slight left onto Williamson Spur track. Merrington's camping ground turnoff on the right. A good place to stop for morning tea and let the kids have a run around.
1.9km	Continue straight ahead now on Junction track with Williamson Spur track heading to the right.
0.2km	Head right still along the Junction track towards Donnelly Creek track. There are a couple of side tracks here for various camping spots along the river.
1.0km	Turn right onto Donnelly Creek track.
0.6km	Continue straight ahead past track on right. This track on the right only goes about 300 mtrs to the river where a very large cat has been sighted.
0.1km	Grave site of Bono the dog.
3.5km	Continue straight ahead past the White Star track on the left.
0.5km	Continue straight ahead past the Flats track on the right.
0.2km	Turn left into O,Tooles Flat camping ground. Avery large grassy area, well maintained with pit toilets.
0.2km	Back to Flats track and turn left. This is a steady steep climb with the last section offering an alternative to go up the old section of track complete with rock ledges.
3.2km	Turn right onto Williamson Spur track.
5.0km	Turn left still along Williamson Spur track with Junction track on the right.
0.9km	Merrington camping ground reached again. Continue straight ahead along the Merrington track.
1.8km	Turn left into the Walhalla – Woods Point Road, heading back to Thomson dam.
6.4km	Turn right onto the Thomson dam road and back to the dam wall.