b'CLUB SPOTLIGHT LAND ROVER OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIAsome big big timber in Errinundra! My group wasold and new forests. As a Gippslander, the drive led by Parks Victoria Team Leader Ranger Garyis one of renewal and a constant reminder of the Bellesini and we worked as a team to remove somefragility of our ancient land.extremely large fallen trees from the tracks in theBut the real adventure begins in Orbost, the northern part of the park, using a combination oflast bit of civilisation before you head into the chain sawing and innovative winching (has anyoneremote lands of the Errinundra Plateau and the heard of the Spanish Burton winching technique?). AGreat Divide. It is 82km from Orbost to Bendoc, a great day and the Rangers were very appreciative offantastic drive on a bike or in a sports car but our help.in a Defender it could be considered a challenge, We all converged on Bendoc that night for thedespite being sealed most of the way. However, traditional BBQ put on by the local community as adriving slowly has its advantages and one does get way of thanking us for our efforts. We also enjoyedto see first hand the largest temperate rainforest a very interesting and informative presentation byon mainland Australia. If you have never driven Rena, a local Ecologist and Errinundra authority. Funthis road I would strongly recommend the drive, factareas of the Errinundra have not been burnt byand with a few magical campsites along the way it wildfire for 8,000 years due to its natural retentionis something to enjoy. This time round the impact of water. of the bush fires of 2020 was clearly evident, All in all it was a weekend that will remainwith many, many dead trees providing a constant in my memory and further enhances the specialreminder of how harsh the fires had been.relationship we have built with the Rangers andI reached Bendoc and a few kilometres later local community of Far East Gippsland. Wilson Hut. An old workers hut, restored sometime By Ellen-Jane Browne (LROCV & RRCV) ago, but on a beautiful wooded plain where the Friday a few weeks ago saw me head eastsilence was deafening. A great campsite, about as far towards Bendoc and an overnight camp at Wilsonfrom our capital city as one can go in East Gippsland. Hut. The road east, though long, is one of thoseBut a great place to catch up with RRCV, LROCV glorious trips that takes you through the heart ofand Pajero friends and members. A cosy fire and Gippsland with the magic of the Great Divide alwaysincredible stars made for a lovely night.sitting to your left. It also allows you to experienceSaturday morning saw us gather at the Parks Gippsland to the fullest, with the plains of CentralVictoria Office in Bendoc for a full briefing and Gippsland shifting constantly from open farm landassignment of our teams. Three teams our brief to to magnificent and ancient forests, and as you moveassist in the clearing of trees from tracks due to be further east the country changes to mountains andopened over Cup Weekend. Having done this in the 24 TRACKWATCH|March 2024'