Bellthorpe NP Trip

 

Sunday 10^th August a group of members headed out to explore the Bellthorpe National park.

 

Bellthorpe has a wide range of driving on offer with track surfaces ranging from rocky to clay and sand-based tracks. The naturally changing conditions of the park always provide something a bit different when we head out and Sunday was no different.

Meeting at Wamuran for a quick caffeine hit before we headed off there were a few laughs about the last time we headed out and how we spent the afternoon placing maxtraxs to create a constant run of traction to get ourselves up the hill and, with recent rain, what would be installed.

Starting out from the Stony Creek day-use area, it was a relief to see the gate open, allowing us to head up Branch Creek Road. The road is mostly a rocky shaly base, the areas that were damp were not an issue. In true Bellthorpe style the track would change quickly to quite muddy sections which required a bit more momentum to get through. Near the top of the road we turned onto Dog Creek road, which is a relatively short detour but with a quite steep descent down to the creek bed.

Last time we drove this it was completely dry and hard. The changed conditions made it feel quite different as we made our way down with reduced traction. Crossing the creek at the bottom with a solid base to exit, we made our way back up the other. Leading the group has its benefits of being the first car up, but you could hear over the UHF there was a bit more care and line consideration for the following vehicles until one got caught out by an ill-placed rock that also caught the tail shaft. A quick winch and some strategically placed rocks underneath had him cleared and on our way.

We passed another car at the top who was checking his pies in his oven, but as we passed he wasn’t keen to share, so we kept moving stopping at the Beacon View lookout for our own lunch. A great spot to stop with fantastic views out over Kilcoy and surrounds.

After lunch, we made our way down Gorge Break. The Hema measured the drop from 580meters at the lookout down to 180 meters at the bottom of the track, whilst steep the track had recently been graded, and it was in pretty good condition, especially considering the recent rain. Of course what goes down must go up, and the climb was sharp and constant. There was a real pucker-up moment when the track in front appeared almost vertical, but thankfully it continued around to the right and, whilst steep, was certainly manageable. We climbed back up to about 450 meters with no vehicles having any difficulty.

A bonus line presented for the more endowed drivers and a couple had a crack, despite their best efforts low hanging diffs caught them out.

Time was going well so we agreed on one quick detour on our way to Brandon's Mill. Turning off Bellthorpe Park Road, we slipped onto a side track that we had driven a number of times. The track was soft and very rutted as you entered, and it caught a few of us out as we made our way down. Some spotting and line adjusting done, we were all at the bottom, making our way towards the creek bed only to be presented with a completely blocked track with three large trees down.

With no way forward, we were now reversing on a one-way track looking for an appropriate place for a 10-point turn. Eventually, with the cars pointing in the right direction, we started to make our way up the really soft rutted exit. With the light starting to fade, this time being the first car up was not a benefit and becoming stuck deep in the rut we had to revert to winching the car out. Second car up trying an alternate line equalled all the maxtraxs out and building a bridge for traction over and over as he crept through the rut – Bellthorpe 2.0 was here. Once the vehicle was on a straight run he managed to get out the rut almost overshooting the track and made his way to the top.

Next car up with the benefit of seeing the previous two made a flawless drive staying out of the deep rut and making it all the way to the top in a single go. The last two vehicles up with minimal fanfare although I also nearly shot off the side with an over correction had us looking for an air up point.

A couple of recoveries and a blocked track added to the entertainment of the day. Elisha definitely looked like she was enjoying Justin's driving and Barry picked up a hitchhiker which had a good feed on him.

The day finished off at Woodford with everyone enjoying a cold beer.

We all look forward to the next trip that being at this stage Janowen Hills 4WD Park 29-31 Aug 25. Registration for this trip can be made by the website or from Member Jungle App.