Newman's Track

Drive to Mount Terrible: Newman's Track

Sam Richards from Camper Trailer Australia heads into Victoria’s High Country for a mid-winter drive on Newmans Track, where winding forest trails lead towards the 1,260-metre summit of Mount Terrible.

The High Country is home to well-known destinations that draw four-wheel drivers and travellers from across the country. But with such a vast region to explore, some of its quieter corners can slip under the radar. The country around Baw Baw and Lake Eildon national parks, to the south-west of the High Country, is one such area. It’s closer to Melbourne than many of the famous peaks farther east, yet still offers plenty to enjoy, both on and off the track.

A few colleagues and I headed to Newmans Track for a winter outing. The track turns off near the Pines Camping area, one of several low-cost campsites in the region. From there, it winds south-east through forest, climbing from around 300 metres above sea level towards the 1,260-metre summit of Mount Terrible.

It’s a steady climb rather than a straight run uphill. The route bends through the bush, with some narrower sections and plenty of turns as it gains height. There are switchbacks along the way, but we found them manageable while towing. The slow pace gives you time to take in your surroundings, although drivers should stay alert for changing surfaces, tight bends and other track users.

High Country Victoria 4WD Pack and bundles

Plan your next High Country trip with Hema Maps’ High Country Victoria 4WD Pack and available bundles. A useful companion for mapping out tracks and destinations before you leave home.

Conditions can change the drive

Newmans Track is marked as an easy route, but that rating doesn’t tell the whole story. After rain, the loose surface can become muddy, and tyre grooves may fill quickly. In those conditions, the climb can become more demanding, especially where the track steepens or cuts across a slope rather than following the ridge.

Tyre pressure is one factor to consider when conditions call for extra grip. On our trip, lowering pressures to around 20 PSI was relevant to the muddy surface, but there isn’t one setting that suits every vehicle or situation. Vehicle weight, tyre type, terrain and driving style all matter. Adjust carefully to suit the conditions, and reinflate to an appropriate pressure before returning to faster roads.

Wet weather can also make it harder to judge the surface ahead. Take your time, look for signs of water and soft ground, and avoid driving around obstacles in a way that could damage the track or surrounding vegetation. If conditions worsen, turning back can be the best decision.

A tree stopped our climb

We didn’t make it to the summit. A large gum tree had fallen across the track and blocked our way. With limited time and little equipment for clearing an obstacle of that size, we decided to turn around.

It was disappointing to miss the top, but a fallen tree is a reminder that access can change between trips. The track may have been cleared since our visit, or there may be new obstacles or closures to consider. Before setting out, check the latest information from relevant land managers and local authorities. Carry recovery and communications equipment suited to your trip, and don’t assume a track will be open or passable just because it was accessible on a previous visit.

If Newmans Track is blocked or unsuitable on the day, there are other routes around Mount Terrible, including Mount Terrible Track and Donald Track. Check their current status and difficulty before choosing an alternative, and make sure the route is right for your vehicle, experience and conditions.

The views make the journey

Although we covered only the first two-thirds of the roughly 12-kilometre track, there was plenty to appreciate. As the route climbs, the scenery changes. Down low, the region’s shaded streams and water crossings bring a different kind of appeal. Higher up, the trees open in places to reveal layers of mountains and broad views across the land below.

On our winter trip, low cloud and fog rested over the nearby peaks. It added to the atmosphere and made the forest feel especially remote. Those views were part of the reward for taking the slower route through the hills, even without reaching the summit.

Newmans Track is a good example of how the High Country offers more than its best-known destinations. The drive can be about the journey as much as the endpoint: the climb through the trees, a glimpse between the ridgelines, or the sense of being well away from the everyday. Winter weather can bring its own challenges, but it can also transform the landscape.

Plan for the season

Conditions in this part of the High Country can shift with the seasons. Some tracks may close in winter when they become too wet or difficult to maintain. In summer, bushfire risk can affect access, and fires or planned burns may change the landscape. Track grading and maintenance can also alter surfaces over time.

Before leaving, check for seasonal closures, fire restrictions and current track conditions. Let someone know your plans, take a suitable map and allow enough time to change your route if needed. If you’re towing, consider the length and turning space required, and be prepared to stop and reassess where the track narrows or the surface becomes difficult.

Newmans Track may not always deliver an uninterrupted run to the summit, but the climb, forest scenery and winter views make it a rewarding High Country drive when conditions are right. Go prepared, travel to the conditions and leave yourself room to turn back if the track tells you it’s time.

Explore the region with Hema Maps’ Victoria’s High Country Atlas & Guide. It’s a handy reference for planning routes and finding more places to visit across this varied part of Victoria.