Billy Goat Bluff Track

The road

Billy Goat Bluff is the steepest 4WD track in Victoria and one of the hardest in the country. The 11-kilometre run from Wonnangatta Road near Kingwill Bridge climbs 1,200 metres to The Pinnacles fire lookout - a gain that would be steep on a sealed mountain road, let alone a track built from rock steps, clay ruts and exposed granite. The first few kilometres from the Wonnangatta Valley floor are deceptively moderate, following the base of the spur through stringybark forest. The gradient kicks up once the track leaves the creek and begins the direct assault on the ridgeline. The rock steps are the defining feature. Some are natural granite shelves the width of a vehicle, others are stacked log and rock constructions built decades ago by the Country Fire Authority as access for fire trucks. Many of the constructed steps have partially collapsed, leaving gaps and off-camber drops that require careful wheel placement. The clay sections between the rock steps become slick after any rain and are impassable in wet conditions. The track narrows at several points to barely more than the width of a LandCruiser. There are no passing points on the steepest sections, so meeting an oncoming vehicle creates a serious problem. The summit at The Pinnacles is worth the effort. The fire lookout sits on a rocky outcrop with views across the Wonnangatta Valley, across to the Howitt Plains and south to the Crooked River country. On a clear day the panorama extends over 100 kilometres. The descent is harder than the ascent - gravity works against you on the rock steps and braking on loose surface demands constant concentration.

The region

The Wonnangatta Valley sits in the heart of Victoria's Alpine National Park, roughly midway between Licola and Dargo. The valley was once home to a small pastoral settlement - the remains of the Wonnangatta Station homestead are visible near the junction of the Conglomerate Creek and Wonnangatta River. The valley is also the site of one of Australia's most enduring unsolved murders, when the station manager and his cook were found shot in 1918. The surrounding country is remote alpine forest, heavily forested ridges and deep river valleys with minimal vehicle access.

Before you go

No fuel anywhere near this track. Fill up at Dargo or Licola before heading in. The track is strictly dry-weather only - clay sections become lethally slick after rain. No mobile coverage. Travel with a second vehicle whenever possible. A winch is not optional for most drivers. The track is closed in winter and should not be attempted in marginal weather. Let someone know your plans before going in.

More roads like this

Blue Rag Range Track

Victoria · 16 km

Crooked River Track

Victoria · 8 km

2.8 ★

Haunted Stream Track

Victoria · 25 km