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Billy Goat Bluff
This is one of the steepest tracks in the Victorian High Country, so be prepared. It should only be attempted by experienced 4WD enthusiasts.
Essential information
| Grading | Difficult. Low range and high clearance, especially at Billy Goat Bluff |
|---|---|
| Time | A day (overnight if hiking in to Lake Tali Karng) |
| Distance | 125km |
| Longest drive without fuel |
125km, Dargo to Licola; 1-day endurance in heavy conditions required |
| Fuel & supplies | Dargo, Licola |
| Best time of year | Spring and summer for wildflowers - closures during winter |
| Warnings | Tracks around Mount Buller are subject to close anytime between May and January because of changing conditions. Call the Mount Buller & Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board Ph (03) 5777 6077 for information. |
| Fire bans | Sections of Alpine National Park will be closed on Code Red (catastrophic) days |
| Facilities | Dargo, Licola |
| Important contacts | Dargo DELWP office Ph (03) 5140 1243 Dargo General Store Ph (03) 5140 1219 Omeo Region Information Centre Ph (03) 5159 1679 |
| Activities | Bushwalking, horse riding, fishing, camping, rock climbing, hunting (restrictions apply), horse riding |
The Track
View on Hema Cloud | View Fullscreen Map
Using Dargo as a setting off point, head south on the Dargo Road to the Short Cut Road or London Stores Corner. Turn west and head down into the Wonnangatta River Valley on the Crooked River Road. At Kingswell Bridge, turn north onto the Wonnangatta Road then south at Billy Goat Bluff Track. This is one of the steepest tracks in the state, so be warned.
You should take time out at the Pinnacles Fire Tower (a short detour off the road) to enjoy the spectacular views over the remote country around you. This tower will be manned during the summer fire season. From the Pinnacles, continue on to Horseyard Hut on the Pinnacles Road, then on to McFarlane Saddle and eventually Arbuckle Junction. From Arbuckle Junction it is an easy descent down to Licola on the good gravel all-weather Tamboritha Road.
Camping
Kingswell Bridge, Moroka Hut (no vehicle-based camping) and McFarlane Saddle are all bush camping areas with no facilities, notwithstanding the picnic area at Moroka Hut. Black Snake Creek camping area has toilets, while Horseyard Flat camping area has toilets, fire pits, a picnic area and drinking water.
Things to do
Dargo, known for its century-old walnut trees celebrated every Easter, makes a great starting point for lots of 4WD adventures. For a special experience, make a detour to Lake Tali Karng for a beautiful, quiet place to fish and camp.
The Hidden Lake
Nestled deep into the mountains, Lake Tarli Karng is a beautiful and special place. It is said that it was formed 1,500 years ago when a rock-slide careened down into the valley, damming up the Nigothoruk River (now known as the Wellington).
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