CamperMate
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel advice and restrictions are frequently changing. Get the latest information (here)
  • Accommodation
        • ACCOMMODATION
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ALL DESTINATIONS
  • Campervan Hire
        • BUSINESSES
        • Britz
        • Let's Go Motorhomes
        • Mighty
        • Maui
        • LOCATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • BROWSE ALL
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
  • Book Experiences
CamperMate
  • Win the Ultimate NT Road Trip
  • Holiday Here This Year
  • List Your Business
  • About Us
  • Maps
  • Accommodation
        • ACCOMMODATION
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ALL DESTINATIONS
  • Campervan Hire
        • BUSINESSES
        • Britz
        • Let's Go Motorhomes
        • Mighty
        • Maui
        • LOCATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • BROWSE ALL
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
  • Book Experiences
CamperMate
  • Accommodation
        • ACCOMMODATION
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ALL DESTINATIONS
  • Campervan Hire
        • BUSINESSES
        • Britz
        • Let's Go Motorhomes
        • Mighty
        • Maui
        • LOCATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • BROWSE ALL
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
  • Book Experiences
Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
  • Victoria

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak

  • March 19, 2019
  • No comments
  • 9.2K views
  • 4 minute read
  • Glenn Marshall
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Mount Pinnibar is one of the most challenging peaks to reach in Victoria. From its summit, you can see Mt Kosciuszko to the east, Mount Beauty to the west and the Cobberas to the south. It used to be the highest peak that you could drive to during winter snows, and is a challenge even in the dry. Mount Pinnibar is also my favourite mountain that I have successfully tackled many times. Would it be the same this time?

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
An extraordinary alpine panorama

The Murray River

The first challenge is crossing the Murray River at Tom Groggin. You see, there isn’t a bridge – just a ford whose water levels can change at any time. Just pick your gear and cross smoothly in an arc heading downstream before turning upstream to reach the exit track.

The base is covered in river stones and the water is crystal clear mostly. A set of polariser sunglasses certainly helps you pick your line, but if in doubt, always walk the crossing first – on a hot day it is well worth it. In fact, I do believe this to be the only place you can now ford the Murray River.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
Driving across the Murray River is always a thrill

Tom Groggin Station has a link to A.B Patterson’s “The Man from Snowy River” when Banjo visited the property in 1890. Here he met Jack Riley, station manager at the time and a renowned horseman. It is thought that Jack was the inspiration behind the poem, and Jack’s grave can be found in the Corryong cemetery.

Dogman Hut

Just over the Murray River and accessed via the Tom Groggin Track, Dogman Hut is a great place to base yourself if you want to tackle Mount Pinnibar on a day trip. The hut was constructed in 1964 by the Lands Department for the bloke who was trapping feral dogs in the area. Just a short walk to the Murray, it is a great place to try your luck trout fishing. Camping at the hut is free but remember to take only photos and leave only footprints.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
The campsites at Tom Groggin come in a range of sizes to suit all

You can also camp on the NSW side which is part of the Kosciuszko National Park. While camping is free, you will need to pay an entry fee of $17 per vehicle per day, except between the June and October long weekends when you will be charged $29 per vehicle per day. You can buy a pass at Khancoban Visitor Centre 24 hours a day or at the pay point between Jindabyne and Thredbo.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
If you can snag the Dogman Hut as a camping spot, you’re on a winner

Mount Pinnibar

Time to tackle the mountain. From the turnoff to Dogman Hut, the Tom Groggin Track soon begins to climb steeply. Lock it in low and pick the right gear to just crawl up the track. When dry, traction is good but in the wet, it is a totally different story. I think it would be fair to say that the track would be almost impossible after good rains.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
A good set of AT or mud tyres are needed in the high country

Once you reach the Mount Pinnibar Track, it flattens off for a few kilometres, but don’t let that fool you. There are some gnarly steep sections that will have you scrambling for traction, and sections with some well-defined moguls too. Towering Mountain Ash dominates the hillside, and the last 4km will really challenge your skills and your vehicle, so take your time.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
It is steep in this neck of the woods

Once you reach the junction with the Mount Gibbo Track, there is only 1km to the summit. That final kilometre is rough and shaly but the views that smack as you crest the hill will blow you away.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
The last scramble is a real wheel spinner

Don’t forget to capture the mandatory image of you all standing there under the trig point. Park your 4WD with wheels turned on the hump for that epic magazine shot, or just find a spot to sit and take in those stunning alpine views. At 1772m, you are afforded great views of the Victorian and NSW High Country.

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
The perfect sunset can be captured from atop Mount Pinnibar

Where to from here?

There are quite a few options from here. You can retrace your steps back down to Tom Groggin, enjoying the climb down the mountain. The whole route can easily be completed within a day.

Another option is to backtrack to the Wheelers Creek Log Trail and then take the Mount Gibbo Track and check out the views from Mount Anderson (1650m) and Mount Gibbo (1757m).

Mount Pinnibar: reaching the alpine peak
The views from Mount Gibbo are just as spectacular

If you climb down Shady Creek Upper Track, you will be able to check out Wheelers Creek Hut, another great camping spot on Wheeler Creek. If you continue down the Pinnibar Track to Dead Finish Track then turn left onto Dunstans Logging Road, you will find Gibsons Hut nearby.

Corryong is close by too. You can get there by turning right on Dunstans Logging Road from Dead Finish Track or navigate to Walkers Log Road then Nariel Gap Road, with both routes accessing the Corryong Benambra Road.

Where to stay on the way

  • Caravan Park
    Colac Colac Caravan Park, Corryong
  • Discovery Parks
    Discovery Parks – Jindabyne
  • Holiday Village
    Buckenderra Holiday Village
  • Holiday Park
    Great Aussie Holiday Park, Bowna

Download the free CamperMate app

So what the hell is CamperMate? We’re basically a bunch of travel addicts who love the outdoors, which is why we’ve created one place where you can book caravan parks, rent campervans, as well as share your experiences and stories. Whether you’re planning your next Australian road trip or camping adventure don’t forget to download our free app before you go, to find everything you need when you’re on the road.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Glenn Marshall

Glenn is part of our Outdorian program, a community of travelling contributors who share stories, images, videos and first-hand experiences from their adventures around Australia.

Previous Article
Crossing the Nullarbor – what’s it really like?
  • South Australia

Crossing the Nullarbor – what’s it really like?

  • March 17, 2019
  • Megan and Cameron Wilson
View Post
Next Article
Rock tors Cathedral Rock National Park
  • New South Wales

Cathedral Rock National Park – you’ll be bouldered over!

  • March 21, 2019
  • Kevin Smith
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Victoria

Where to see Silo Art between Adelaide and Melbourne

  • August 23, 2021
  • Glenys Gelzinis
View Post
  • Victoria

Wandering through time at Walhalla

  • August 16, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
View Post
  • Victoria

5 Delectable Experiences on the Gippsland Lakes

  • June 21, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
View Post
  • Victoria

A High Country Playground

  • May 5, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
View Post
  • Victoria

5 Easy Autumn Getaways from Melbourne

  • April 12, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
View Post
  • Victoria

Treasures of Victoria’s Goldfields

  • March 18, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
View Post
  • Victoria

Up your staycation game down the Mornington Peninsula

  • March 4, 2021
  • Jenny Guala
View Post
  • Victoria

Six ways to sample the Otways

  • February 12, 2021
  • Miriam Blaker
Search Articles By Location
Recent Posts
  • A Guide to Road Tripping the Red Centre Way in the NT
  • A Guide to road tripping the Nature’s Way in the NT
  • Uluru region guide
  • Kakadu region guide
  • Alice Springs region guide
webcasinode.com
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Accommodation
  • Accommodation NSW
  • Accommodation QLD
  • Accommodation VIC
  • Accommodation SA
  • Accommodation WA
  • Accommodation NT
  • Accommodation TAS
Destinations
  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Northern Territory
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
Campervan hire
  • Campervan hire Sydney
  • Campervan hire Brisbane
  • Campervan hire Melbourne
  • Campervan hire Perth
Information
  • About Us
  • Privacy and Security
  • Terms & Conditions
  • List your business
  • Maps
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
© CamperMate 2019

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Powered by Convert Pro

Please Insert Your Valid Phone Number

We will send you a SMS containing the download link.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please Insert Your Valid Phone Number (1)

We will send you a SMS containing the download link.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.