Mountain Times

The extraordinary people and places throughout the Victorian Alps.

- Matt Raudonikis

IF YOU’VE been watching the videos that came with this issue of the magazine and the two before it, you’ll know we had a pretty good trip through the Victorian High Country. Ronnie Moon planned the route to capture some of the best places the High Country has to offer four-wheel drivers during a two-week adventure, and we reckon he nailed it. Stunning landscapes, challenging tracks, historical mountain huts and goldfields, as well as some top camps with great mates.

To join us on this adventure we gathered some of the best brands in the 4x4 industry, and some of those guys took the time to join us on the trip. Lightforce was the principle sponsor of the video series, and Lightforce’s Craig Brumby joined us in his freshly-kitted out Toyota Hilux. Leigh Hardman from Marks 4WD brought his amazing portal axle and auto trans-equipped Land Cruiser 79 double-cab, which made light work of the tracks.

GT took care of the catering on the trip and he was driving MSA Accessories’ fully-equipped Hilux. Having the MSA drawer system and drop-down fridge slide in the ’Lux made his task easier, and we all know you have to keep the crew well fed and hydrated. We also brought our then long-term test Nissan Patrol along for the ride, while Ron was in his trusty LC79.

Other supporters included Toyo Tires, who sent us a set of its yet-to-be-released Open Country R/T tyres to fit to our Patrol; while Ron scored a set of Open Country M/Ts on his Cruiser. Ron’s Cruiser also has a pair of Clearview’s wide wing mirrors on it, as well as a set of Lightforce’s amazing HTX230 HID/LED combo lamps. We also put a Lightforce 40-inch LED light bar on the Ironman rack on the Patrol. So we had a solid group of well-equipped 4x4s and a top crew along for the ride.