MMM4

The restrictions of covid and the post-pandemic world delayed this trip for years, but we finally got around to it and holy cow it was fun!

Heading off early Friday morning, basically this trip would be the reverse of MMM1, but it got off to a shaky start when one member mistook the day and was a long way behind. Luckily though, due to another member's car deciding it would rather part ways with the not holding the sway-bar end link on, we had long enough delays for the other one to catch up!

With some Supercheap Auto lug nuts holding the end link in place, we resumed our trip through Gippsland to Bruthen for lunch. Now comes the fun stuff - From Bruthen up into the hills is the Great Alpine Road, one of the best stretches of tarmac the state has to offer with epic scenery too! Working our way up to Swifts Creek, a little detour through Cassilis and a stop at the Kosciusko lookout to check out the spectacular view and on to Mt Hotham for the overnight stop. However, as we climbed, the temperature dropped. The forecast for Saturday was never great, but as we arrived at Danny's Lookout at the top of Mt hotham for a quick look at the view before heading in to the accommodation, there was no view - the clouds had rolled in and the wind howled with a vengeance. With air temp at a less-than-comfortable 1 degree and wind chill making it ""feel like -10"" it was time to settle down to a hot meal (with a quick play in the snow first).

Day 2 we awoke to a significant dusting of snow (about 10-15cm) and very little visibility. After giving the cars plenty of time to warm up, we headed off into the mist. The top of the mountain was slushy with snow and made for treacherous conditions, but we took it slow until the roadside was devoid of the white stuff then we could resume a more enthusiastic pace, heading down the mountain to a proper breakfast in Harrietville. Making our way across Tawonga Gap, we refuelled in Mt Beauty, brimming the tanks for the long stretch before us. Up the mountains again, this time heading to Falls Creek where the only delay was the road reconstruction around the Bogong Village landslide. At the top we were again met with snow and opaque grey vistas, but the snow-dappled greenery and chilly mists of the Bogong high plains made for a brilliantly picturesque landscape for us to zoom through! Heading south again, we tackled the breathtaking Omeo Highway with all its twists and turns, low-gear corners and epic landscaped switching from lush damp forest to huge rocky cliffs and outcrops, then to open rolling farmland as we made our way into Omeo for lunch and a much-needed break from the long stretch to get there! After the break, we turned around and did it again, this time heading down the hill all the way through Glen Wills and on to the awesome Mitta Mitta Pub for a fantastic dinner and a well earned sleep.

Sunday morning we took things a bit slower. After the action packed day yesterday, we headed up to Dartmouth Dam for a look at the water before heading back down the valley towards the nearest fuel at Yackandandah. Filling up with 42-46 litres each told us that we didn't have much wiggle room left in the tank for detours on that leg! With our fuel worries abated, on we went to Beechworth for a hot lunch but found it to be absolutely bustling! Turns out there was a car show taking up most of the main street through the centre of town! Eventually we managed to find parks, go for a wander to check out some of the machinery on display, then get some food and headed off again, this time heading through the twisty roads of King Valley and Whitlands. Finally we arrived in Mansfield for an afternoon coffee break and the official end of the cruise. Our cars significantly dirtier than they were setting out and all a bit tired after 3 long days driving over a thousand kilometres! But all exhilarated from the journey!