You know when you plan a cruisy 4WD trip with your best mate, expecting a bit of dust, some scenic views, maybe a cold beer at the end?
Yeah this was not that trip.
We head out to Brunswick, spirits high, weather spot-on, rigs ready to roll. The plan was simple: bit of exploring, bit of chilling, maybe find a good lookout to park up and crack one open later. Easy, right?
About 4 hours in I (Zak) (let’s call him Captain Confidence) spots a side track and reckons it looks like a bit of fun.
To be fair, it didn’t look too bad. Bit soft, sure, but nothing crazy. Thirty seconds later, I'm buried up to the doors in what can only be described as a mud milkshake.
So out comes the gear. Winch, recovery boards, and a whole heap of “maybe try this?” mixed with “nah, that’s worse.” What followed was 2 hours of slipping, sliding, swearing, and full-body mud immersion therapy. I’m not even joking I had mud in places that haven’t seen daylight since, (honestly i dont know, this one was actually alot of hard work)
Eventually, we get me him out. Bit of creative thinking, bit of brute force, and a whole lot of teamwork.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Would they let me pick the next track? Not unless I’m wearing a wetsuit.
So if you’re heading out to Brunswick for some off-road exploring, do yourself a favour: Bring recovery gear.
Pack a second pair of undies.
And maybe keep your mate on a leash.
Gear Notes
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Tyre pressures down to 16–18psi: The ground gets soft quick, especially around water-logged sections.
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Winch: Non-negotiable if someone’s going exploring off the main line.
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Recovery boards: Ill help- Tip, black or cream recovery boards disappear in clay / mud
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Old clothes: Mud doesn’t care what you’re wearing.
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Tarp or bag for muddy gear: You'll thank yourself later.
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Comms (UHF or phones if there’s service): Good for calling for help… or just roasting your mate from a distance.