[VIC] Yarra Ranges

[LeftRightOut]

What a day! Because neither my wife or I had organised each other a valentine's day present, I decided to take us on a road trip through the Yarra Ranges. My wife had not seen that part of Victoria at all (we're from NSW originally), but I've spent many days up there on two wheels.

Cruised on up to Healseville, through the black spur, and had lunch at the Black Spur Inn (highly recommended). After a very leasurly lunch, we headed through Marysville (which was kind of depressing, seeing how much of it is no longer there), and took a detour to the top of lake Mountain. Flew back down to the main road and progressed through Reefton Spur, to Warburton, then left at Launching Place through the back of the Dandenongs via Gembrook and Emerald then finally home (bayside, south eastern suburbs).

All up, we did close to 300km, and we were gone for around 5-6 hours including lunch.

I knew this car was good (NC MX5), but today (including my new Voodoo shifter) was simply THE best driving experience of my life. Went hard at times (not as much as I would if on my own) but even cruising it was immensely enjoyable.

UPDATE: Forgot to add, had the roof down the entire way, and the road surface right the way through (except for Launching Place/Gembrook leg) was brilliant. Take my advice, get up there, and you will not regret it.

UPDATE 2: Forgotr another very important bit... NO TRAFFIC! Along Black Spur I had one car in front (which didn't bother me), but he pulled over and let me through anyway... had to put on a show for such a nice gesture ;-)
Overtook one other car just after Reefton Spur (and passed a cop soon after), but they were the ony two hold ups in over 200km of dream roads!

Cannot wait to do it again!

Click below for the map of this route.
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104477449394169219182.00047f7686944ed44fc75&ll=-37.707183,145.566788&spn=0.507383,0.834274&z=11

[taminga16]

I feel your grin.

Greg.
P.S. Voodoo's, Really are magic! And keep out of my backyard. The Launching Place/ Gembrook Rd is pretty, early mornings are beaut (look out for swamp wallabies) a stop at Kurth Kiln is worth it. from Gembrook continue on to Pakenham Upper, Mt Burnett and then Cockatoo (see map), tight, pretty with lots of change in elevation. PM me and I will send a map with some scratches. OH! The Garage Caf'e. Cheers.

[LeftRightOut]

I've done the Mt Burnett (Mt Barker?) route many times on the bike (quickest twisty run from my house). I actually took the MX straight there after picking it up. Never done the extended run like todays one though... if the weather is good tomorrow, I may go back up there on the bike... not sure my arms can handle that long a run though.

[land864]

Hey Lefty

If you liked that , try the trip out through Yarra Junction and up through Powelltown and Noojee across to Mt Baw Baw.
Your MX will love it. my Subaru used to
Just be careful
Home via Princes Hwy or any number of options
Pete

[LeftRightOut]

It's on the list mate... you've gotta love Victoria, so many good roads for two wheels or four. We should have t a new license plate tag "Victoria - The Road trip State"

[land864]

What the heck is a Voodo shifter

Black magic gear shifts

[Water Boy]

I heart Reefton Spur. Prefer to do it the other way to you thought as its a nicer run up the hill from Warburton to Marrysville.

[username]

:O hardly any traffic on the black spur? you sure were lucky! everytime i go up (to the missus' holiday house in eildon) we seem to be stuck at least twice behind someone whos slow

it is a really nice drive though...glad you enjoyed it ;)

and incase you do go in the future...just be careful of cops cause there can be quite a few at times, mainly targeting speeding bikes but still!