GOING for GOLD (PART 2)

We’d had a ripping few days exploring Rawson and Walhalla but with offroad tracks beckoning, we were all ready to abandon bitumen and civilisation in favour of something a bit more gnarly. As we strapped on the MaxTrax, ate breakfast at the Erica General Store and picked up our lunches from the caterer, the anticipation was palpable.

In the chill air of the morning, we set off towards Woods Point. As we traversed the southern tip of the Thomson Dam, with water to our left and a drop to our right, we could make out burnt land in our sideview mirrors. The trees on the hillside had been charred by a recent blaze — we were reminded of why we were here, and not on the other well-known route near Dargo.

So, as we advanced towards the uncertainty of the forest, awaiting the sudden sound and jolt of tyres hitting dirt, we sat in silence, asking ourselves the question, is this going to be as awesome as we’re hoping?

INTO THE THICK OF IT

Soon after traversing the southern tip of the dam, the Thomson Dam