Traversing a region full of recent and ancient history, the drive from Corryong to Tom Groggin cuts through picturesque alpine country along sometimes-rugged 4WD tracks.
Essential information
| Grading | Low range and high ground clearance; recovery gear may be required (not suitable for towing) |
|---|---|
| Time | Half a day |
| Distance | 151km, Corryong return |
| Longest drive without fuel |
122km, Corryong to Khancoban; one day endurance required for heavy 4WD conditions |
| Facilities | Corryong, Khancoban |
| Best time of year | Summer; road closures apply in winter |
| Permits and fees | Vehicle entry fees apply per day for Kosciuszko National Park |
| Camping |
Tom Groggin Campground, Kosciuszko National Park |
| Important contacts |
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, Corryong Ph (02) 6076 3100 or 13 61 86, http://delwp.vic.gov.au Corryong Visitor Information Centre Ph (02) 6076 2277, www.murrayriver.com.au/corryong Khancoban Visitor Centre Ph (02) 6076 9373, www.snowymountains.com.au/town/khancoban |
What to expect
Corryong is a quiet village, home to around 1300 people and is an ideal base for an extended stay to explore the magnificent Upper Murray Region and Snowy River/Kosciuszko Alpine areas. It is steeped in the history of Jack Riley ‘The Man from Snowy River’. Riley lived in a hut at Tom Groggin and met the poet Banjo Patterson in the late 1800s. They trekked throughout the Kosciuszko and Snowy ranges together, Riley providing the inspiration and material for the now famous poem The Man from Snowy River. Riley’s grave can be found at the Corryong cemetery.
Bush camping is available at the base of Mt Pinnibar at Dogman Hut on the Victorian side of the Murray, and at Tom Groggin on the NSW side. These sites have very basic facilities but are in beautiful surrounds.
The drive
From Corryong, our trek travels south down the Nariel Valley from the Murray Valley Hwy. Take the Nariel Rd 8km west of Corryong, and turn left onto Dunstans Logging Road (24km south from Murray Valley Highway, just past Crawford Crossing). Stay on Dunstans until you reach the Dead Finish Track, which meets the Pinnibar Track for the climb to Mt Pinnibar.
The view at Mt Pinnibar is a spectacular 360° with Mount Kosciuszko ahead of you. From Mt Pinnibar you descend down into Tom Groggin: this is very steep and should not be attempted after rain. The Murray River crossing at Tom Groggin must be walked every time before you drive it. The crossing is crescent shaped and deeper towards the NSW side – vehicles have been lost in strong currents here.
From Tom Groggin it is an easy return run on the Alpine Way to return to Corryong via Khancoban. Previously, it was popular to use the more interesting and difficult Wheelers Logging Road through Wheelers Creek and Wheelers Hut, south of Nariel. This track has sustained major flood damage and at the time of research was not expected to be repaired in the foreseeable future.
Maps & navigation for this track
Hema HX-1 Navigator
Hema Explorer App
High Country Atlas & Guide
High Country Map