For those not in the know, the Victorian High Country is a Very Popular 4wding Destination here in Australia, and for plenty of good reasons. Having never been to the Vic High Country Myself, and with the plan of making it down there oneday for a trip, I decided to Put the word out there and ask a few other genuine like minded G60 enthusists about there thoughts and interest if we were to organise a trip.
It Proved to draw plenty of expressions of interest, So me and the other Genuinely interested guys got a Plan going were everyone threw there idea's on the table and from there we soon had the Tripped Planned and Set in Concrete.
The Next couple of months was spent by all parties, getting our 40 year old trucks upto scratch and ready for the trip of a life time. It consisted of Plenty of blood, Sweat, Swearing and Cursing, Even a trip to the hospital for a few stitches in my hand, But we will save that story for another day, In the end it was more then worth the many a late nights in the shed, for some only having there cars registesteed for a month, not much time to iron out any possible gremilins, but they were dedicated, true to there word and were gunna be there regardless.
Myself and the Sydney Boy's Cos, David (RED DOG) and Ross (ROSS COLLINS) not Having any Previous High Country Experince, we were Very lucky to have Clayton (GNU) who lives literally a stones throw away from the foothills of the country throw his hand up to be the heart of this trip, the bloke knows the place like the back of his hand and without his dedication, local knowledge and true blue aussie mateship, we would of been up the Creek Without a Paddle!
Along for the Trip We also Had Dave (Not a Member) who lives almost on the doorstep of the Highcountry aswell Join us in his freshly Rego'd 1976 G60 Patrol Ute, talk about a proper shakedown test.
We also had one stray along in the only Non G60 Vehicle, he is a true G60 enthisist like us, but unfortunatly with no chance of the g60 making the trip this time round, Kev (LIMITEDSLIP) tagged along in his "frankenissan" a Dual cab 1980 Nissan MQ Patrol, The history of this "frankenissan" of kev's is rather intruiging, having started life in 1980 as a white 2 Door Single Cab Tabletop Ute, then sometime over the last 40 years a previous owner decided to make it into a 2 Door "Extra/Space Cab" before somone else decided to make it into the 4 Door dual Cab that it remains as today, That is not the only Qwerky modification this old girl has seen, anyway enough of that, moving on..
Hailing From Northern NSW, It was a 1500km Drive Each way Down to where we were to be meeting up with the other fella's in East Gippsland Not Far From the town of Stratford, Then I would need to undertake what we estimate was going to be 800km of offroad driving for the week, then another 1500km return drive home after the trip, I did the math, and came to conclusion that in a 1970 G60 Softtop, around 4000km was alot of distance to travell withing a 2 week Time frame, A big ask for an old Girl, add in the Fuel Prices, the Accomdation along the way, the only feesible way was to get the old girl Trucked down to Clays Place.
With the Original Roof Section of the Canvas being old and starting to fall apart, I decided to pack the canvas in the back so that it wouldnt be destroyed by the time it got down there on a truck, it actually Faired alot better then I thought it would, and With the day to Spare Before the other Fella's began rolling into town at Clay's Place, I Un-packed the Canvas and fitted up the roof Section only to realise I had left the Section above the rear doors at home, Luckily Clay had the Piece I needed laying in his shed, Bingo that'll work pefect.
By this stage Ross Collins Rolled into town in the "Ross-a-Bago" his rippa 1968 G60 Patrol Ute, having not met ross personally, I was super Excited to meet him after years on contact on the forums and finally get to check out what is possibly the most toured G60 around, and yep by this time my jaws were flapping overtime and I Forgot all about packing in the Rear Door Section.
Clay Forgot a few last Minuet Supplys, as Did Ross and myself, so early afternoon seen us three fellas shoot off into nearby Maffra for last minuet Supplys, While Dave(RED DOG) , Cos and Kev (LIMITEDSLIP) were making a mile heading south down the Monaro Highway. From Cooma and Sydney, we even had time to get a photo of the old g60's and ross in the shopping centre carpark.
We got back from Shopping and had Time to spare, so Clay offered us to throw the old Girls up on his hoist for a last minuet look over, what a bloody ledgend, So up with Ross's old Ute We Went, all Checked out Ok then Clays old Man Came around for a BBQ and a Few Coldies, Not Long after Kev rolled in in the Big Dual Cab MQ Patrol we all had a good laugh at his pride and joy the "frankenissan", Midnight Rolled around and Dave and Cos finally Rolled in the big 1979 G60 Ute Performing Faultlessly for the 12 Hour Drive Down From Sydney, Out came Clay with the Maps for a quick Briefing of the trip outlay, plenty of Chin Wagging from all Except Dave (REDDOG) who had not been well for the previous Few Days which has caused him to lose his voice, but either way the bloke was coming regardless, Swags were rolled out in the Shed and We Hit the Hay.
Early Rise and Shine on Monday 23rd April 2018, We were set to Meetup with Dave C in Briagolong at the Servo as some of us Needing to fuel up Tanks and jerry cans for the trip.
Once we had all filled up, we headed for Marathon Road soon we hit the dirt and began getting into the hills, the road was easy going but a bit corrugated, so we soon pulled up for an Air Down as All trucks were running full pressure in the tyres.
Once we were all Aired down, we kept making tracks towards Moroka Hut were we would pull up for a Smoko Break and to check out and a look see around the area. This Hut Was Built next to the Moroka River in 1946, But in 2012 Had a Makeover due to many parts being damaged by Fire.
After Smoko at Moroka Hut, We Began heading over to the Mount Wellington Area where we would call out first nights camp Under the Big Gum's at Millers Hut. Climbing to the top of mount wellington was a great drive, Steep in spots, nice rocky and tight with a few tight switch backs, overall a walk in the park for the mighty g60's.
Once arriving at Millers Hut, most of the blokes were keen to setup camp, once camp was setup, Myself and Clayton (GNU) were keen to take the short drive up to the Sentinels Lookout, Kev (LimitedSlip) was keen to come, so he jumped in the shorty with me and came in handy taking a few pics of the g60s on the tracks, The Track was Very Overgrown, Lucky the duco isn't showroom, Even got the old girls to do a couple of fun little step ups, the track was quiet tight, so probably a good thing the longer wheelbase Utes stayed back at camp.
Leaving millers hut nice and early, we climb back up the range and across mount welling then over to Horse yard Flats for a look at the Hut, then on over to Billy Goats Bluff.
Mount Wellington
Horseyard Flat Hut
Arriving at the Pinnacles lookout we all parked in a line up, soon after we had other fellow 4wders turning up who showed a great interest in the old g60s and a lot were eager to take some snaps of the old girls, another 4WD Drove on in and with the driver to busy looking at the g60s he didn't see a tree stump that was cut off rather low and the front diff of his relatively new Toyota Hilux caught it and brought it to a screaming hault stalling the vehicle
A short walk on up from the car park is the Pinnacles lookout, a True on top of the world place, these photos don't do it justice, there is a fire tower up there, and with such a clear day as when we were there, can see for miles on end.
Heading down billy goats making out way over to Talbotville for the nights Camp, shortly after Arriving in Talbotville we had some fellow campers from further over wander on over for a yarn and a look see at the old G60s we found everywhere we went we were the centre of attention
even met some fellow owners from back in the day, always makes for a great way to end the day. 
this is Part one, several more days yet to come but getting late and tired, so will add to this in next few days. cheers
