In the next few months i would like to tow my 22ft caravan up into the high country,i have never been up there before so i would appreciate any feedback
Depending on where you go there has been a lot of fires in Vic high country so best to check with local villages you intend to visit just prior to your trip.
It is usually a vey nice place to visit in the summer months, beautiful views and great photo moments with some of the birds.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
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Sorry for the late reply, I don't often read this section but I imagine your trip has been delayed due to C19.
The High Country is fairly large and varies considerable in its accessibility to vehicles especially vehicles with caravans so an indication of where you are intending to go would be useful.
Many roads are very narrow and winding and it can quickly become most invigorating when a log truck travelling in the opposite direction appears, like magic, at far too great a speed from around a blind bend - it's probably best for less than fully confident drivers to avoid these roads. A UHF CB may be useful to announce, on channel 40, that you are "Travelling north on the Great Alpine Road with caravan - currently at X". But *do not* rely upon that giving you a clear run.
Some roads are *very* steep and may reach an elevation of 1500m or so, your vehicle must be in good condition and with enough power to tackle such climbs - you really, really, do not wish to test your hill-start skills on such a climb with a caravan on the back. I was down to high range first on the Omeo Highway climbing to 1350m of elevation and had the climb continued for another 500m duration would probably have had to drop into the low range box... and this on bitumen too. In the case of an automatic gearbox watch carefully the transmission fluid temperature and ensure the fluid is in good condition before your journey.
Mobile phones don't work across much of the HC so, again, the UHF CB may be useful but in that area their range is often only 1km or so. However with a van in tow you are not likely to be too far off the bitumen nevertheless I know 2WD campsites up there which don't see a human for weeks. An EPIRB (PLB) is always a wise investment.
Having given you all the bad bits I'll end by saying that is truly God's Own Country up there, I love it. The water in the rivers is pure, the sky is blue and you can see forever from the mountains. In the winter the cold crisp mornings are magical.
Enjoy your journey and respect the beautiful High Country.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
