Light offroad test locations

[ErichFromm]

This is not an entirely "bushwalky" type topic, but....

As mentioned in another thread I recently signed up for a new Subaru Forester to help take my son and I to more hard to reach hiking locations.

I'm quite keen to see what the Forester can do and am hoping someone can suggest a good location? Hopefully something not too far away, not too extreme - just a little beyond the capabilities of a 2WD. I'd prefer not to put a dint in my first new car in the first year

[GPSGuided]

How about a beach with some sand dunes? Bring a shovel and some pads. You'll get to test without risks of dings and dents (unless you get too carried away with it).

[neilmny]

Not many beaches you can drive on in Vic.
Try the Toolangi State Forest area, just be very aware of log trucks and city 4x4 heros that think they are in outback Australia or some other remote place and that no on else is around.

[north-north-west]

There are a number of State Parks fairly close to Melbourne that have a range of 4WD tracks of varying standards. Bunyip, the Mt Macedon and Lerderderg areas . . . there are also a lot of rough roads and variable 4wd tracks around the Baw Baw.
Make sure you have good maps, because these areas have absolute mazes of tracks.

[Travis22]

Congrats Erich, sorry I must have missed your news on the new purchase. Congrats again they are a magnificent vehicle all round.

Dints to the exterior body panels should be easily avoided but you might drag a little underneath here and there

How far are you happy to travel? Somewhere like the summit of Mt Terrible would be a great drive in the Forester. But u need to take specific tracks or you'd be in trouble. If such a drive interests you I'll grab the map out and write out the suitable tracks to take.

Bunyip / Lerderderg are as NNW pointed out a maze of tracks, most mundane ones with a few very tough ones thrown in the mix.

Travis.

[photohiker]

Head on up the Birdsville track and on to Big Red.

[Earwig]

Where you test will depend on where you want to go. When I bought my xtrail I took it for a test spin around Lake Eildon NP. I chose Eildon coz its only 30 minutes from home.
http://ian-folly.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/test-drive.html

Some options around Marysville, Eildon and Mansfield:
- Mt Terrible - I took our subaru up Danes Spur to the summit and down Terrible track (heading north) without a problem.
- Big River Road - Marysville to Eildon
- Lake Cobbler (great spot to camp and walk) travelling in on Lake Cobbler Road (basically rough 2wd) and then head to King River via Little Cobbler Track - you can retreat the way you came if it gets too rough but you should be fine. Avoid "The Staircase" on Speculation Road - needs heaps of clearance and a winch just in case.
- Bluff Hut should be do-able, ditto Craigs Hut.

Don't go through anything you don't think you'd be able to retreat over easily - and don't make any wrong turns - and have fun.

[Travis22]

"The Staircase" hasn't been a staircase for a while now. Still rocky but no steps.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

Thanks for the responses all.

I'm a bit limited in that it will always be a single car, no one to pull me out if I get in trouble. I need somewhere close as my 2 year old may not enjoy a 4 hour drive.

Travis - would love some directions if you have the time.

Earwig: how do the X trail and Forester compare? I was all decided on the X trail until the troublemakers on this forum pushed me towards the forester.... WOuld be curious how you compare the two.

Pretty sure Bluff Hut is doable by 2WD? I've driven up to Refridgerator Gap with my little Pulsare before and walked the rest (Bluff Hut down)....

Bunyip / Lerderderg is the perfect distance away: anyone know of a particular route? I've been down to oBriens many times but never deviated from that....

[ErichFromm]

Head on up the Birdsville track and on to Big Red.

If only.... These days I'm grateful to just have a long weekend free.

[Travis22]

If we can tee up a mutually suitable day I, we'd be happy to join you. It's a lovely day trip, and My 22 month old would love it too. It is a pretty full day but there are plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs, look around and let the bubs out of the car.

I'll grab the maps out tonight and give you some directions / track names.

Same goes for the bunyip/ neerim area. I'll get some track names for you however most are either dirt roads or 35" tire swallowing bog pit hell holes lol.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

If we can tee up a mutually suitable day I, we'd be happy to join you. It's a lovely day trip, and My 22 month old would love it too. It is a pretty full day but there are plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs, look around and let the bubs out of the car.

I'll grab the maps out tonight and give you some directions / track names.

Same goes for the bunyip/ neerim area. I'll get some track names for you however most are either dirt roads or 35" tire swallowing bog pit hell holes lol.

Travis.

Thanks Travis: and would love to do a day trip. I'm doing my best to get my kid addicted to the outdoors so every bit helps

No hurry with the map details: I don't pick up the car for a couple weeks yet.

[walkon]

This is not an entirely "bushwalky" type topic, but....

As mentioned in another thread I recently signed up for a new Subaru Forester to help take my son and I to more hard to reach hiking locations.

I'm quite keen to see what the Forester can do and am hoping someone can suggest a good location? Hopefully something not too far away, not too extreme - just a little beyond the capabilities of a 2WD. I'd prefer not to put a dint in my first new car in the first year

As a matter of interest what tyres are you getting on this car first

[ErichFromm]

Just the stock geolanders. Too early to be getting specialized tyres

[north-north-west]

Pretty sure Bluff Hut is doable by 2WD? I've driven up to Refridgerator Gap with my little Pulsare before and walked the rest (Bluff Hut down)....

Well, I couldn't get my Hilux up there without going into 4wd, and I've done the Staircase in a 2wd (admittedly shortly after it was graded). It's steeper and rougher than you think.

[Moondog55]

Any back street in Brunswick should be rough enough to test even large 4X4s

[Earwig]

Thanks for the responses all. ... Earwig: how do the X trail and Forester compare? I was all decided on the X trail until the troublemakers on this forum pushed me towards the forester.... WOuld be curious how you compare the two.

I tested one of each - on bitumen, test drives from the owner's place - and also had a drive of a Captiva (I think it was). I liked the Subaru and the Xtrail, didn't like the Captiva. I was buying second hand and a good deal popped up on an Xtrail first. I think I was leaning to the Xtrail anyway after talking to a couple of people who owned x's who said they were good. I don't think you could go too wrong with either the subaru of the nissan really.

Happy hunting Erich.