Wandoo Woodlands

John was first to arrive in his Isuzu MU-X at our meet point at the corner of Berry Brow Road and Great Southern Highway. The morning was cold, and while John showed up in shorts, Zeljko in his Toyota FJ Cruiser (Trip Leader) arrived next in long pants and a jumper. A biting eastly wind made it feel even colder.  Not too long after Zeljko, Keri arrived in her blue Toyota Hilux.  The trip originally started with 6 members registered but there were some late cancellations.  Nevertheless, after some casual chit-chat, we were eager to start exploring and St. Ronan’s Well was our first stop and only a short drive in an easterly direction.  

The route taken. 

 

 

John, Keri and Zeljko at the meet point 

 

 

The route into St. Ronan’s Well was expected to be straightforward—a gravel road about 200 meters in length from the Great Southern Highway.  As we turned onto the St. Ronan’s Well track, we encountered a deceptively small puddle about 30m in.  It didn’t seem too bad, about the length of a car, and I estimated it to be around 10 cm deep. That assumption turned out to be very wrong. 

Zeljko, an experienced off-road driver, went ahead without checking the depth and was immediately reconsidering his decision and perhaps too late.  Fortunately, the base was solid gravel, but the puddle was actually about 70 cm deep. Despite being in 2WD, the FJ Cruiser idled through without a hitch.  More good luck than anything else. 

 

 

Sneaky bog hole 

 

 

Next up was John, being less experienced, we played it safe by attaching a snatch strap to the vehicle’s transport tie-down point. There’s always some debate about using tie-down points—are they rated? Will they hold? But sometimes, you just have to make a call.  We decided to set up John's recovery gear to the factory tie down point.  This does always start a debate on whether you should or shouldn’t.  You hear lots of reasons why you shouldn’t and often negative and sometimes rightly so. 

According to the Load Restraint Guide 2018, when transporting a load, the restraint should handle 80% of a vehicle’s mass moving forward, 50% to the side or rear, and 20% vertically. Since John’s MU-X weighed about 2200 kg, we estimated the tie-down point could handle 1660 kg as a minimum. After all, when the car is on a transport vehicle as a load, it is secured by the tie down point to the truck's bed. If John got stuck, a light pull would suffice or probably two or three people giving it a push.  Thankfully, John crossed the bog hole smoothly, maintaining steady control and one would say a textbook crossing.  

 

 

John crossing the bog hole on the way back

 

 

Keri, who had more off-road experience, took the puddle at a slightly faster speed, sending a wave of water that soaked my feet as she grinned like a Cheshire cat. 

Keri creating a bow wave 

 

 

When we finally reached St. Ronan’s Well, we were surprised to find the area quite overgrown for what was meant to be a picnic or rest stop. We searched for the well but couldn’t spot it, even though we were probably looking right at it while reading the plaque near the picnic table.  As to the picnic table, one may reconsider whether it’s a good idea to utilise the table as the thick grass made the area feel a bit unsafe—potentially harboring tiger snakes—but exploring the surroundings was still enjoyable. 

 

 

Overgrown grass at the picnic table 

 

 

Before heading to our next destination, Observation Hill, we took a moment to appreciate the vibrant wildflowers and the golden canola crops scattered around the landscape.  The canola fields that turned on the colour were on Wambyn Rd.  It was a short drive along Wambyn Rd until we found a spot to park.  There were a few others out and about doing the same thing, taking in the golden yellow fields.  A pleasant way to end mid-morning and time to consider heading into the Wandoo Woodlands area. 

 

 

Canola fields 

 

 

We left Wambyn Road and made our way to the Great Southern Highway, turning shortly afterward onto Catchment Road.  Catchment Road was a hard, gravel surface—dry and occasionally dusty.  It was a stark contrast to the area around St. Ronan’s Well, which, as the crow flies, was only 4.5 km away. 

At Mount Observation Lookout, we circled the route twice, trying to figure out where to park.  After completing the second lap, we found a cozy spot with a table, offering a nice view and relatively clear grass.  It was the perfect time to boil the kettle—or, in true 4WD fashion, fire up the Jet Boil.  We paused for morning tea, taking a moment to relax and enjoy the surroundings. 

 

As we finished our hot drinks, we discussed the next part of our trip: the Power Line Tracks.  John wasn’t sure what to expect, as he had heard some advice that sounded a bit daunting.  However, being part of our 4WD club, the focus is always on the journey—and more importantly, how we handle any obstacles that come our way.  The Power Line Tracks offer the perfect opportunity for this in a safe and controlled environment, allowing us to take our time and really learn how our 4WDs behave.  Often, the vehicle’s capabilities exceed the driver's confidence, and the MU-X proved its worth soon enough. 

 

 

John taking in mother nature 

 

 

Keri took the lead, with Zeljko tagging along as tail-end Charlie.  The bush was breathtaking this time of year, filled with vibrant wildflowers, lush green trees, and rivers flowing with plenty of water.  We were in no hurry, taking our time to appreciate the beauty of the Wandoo Woodlands. 

As we drove, Zeljko spotted a tent about 100 meters north of the main sector route.  Curious, we parked the cars and decided to investigate.  The tent was large—big enough for three people—white with a simple frame.  It appeared to be a collection point or perhaps a trap for insects like flies or mosquitoes, likely set up for research.  After a quick look around, we assumed it had been installed by one of the State agencies and moved on. 

 

 

The tent 

 

 

Next, we ventured down a side track that seemed simple and straightforward at first.  However, like the initial mud hole, it proved more challenging than expected.  A small clearing between two large trees—about 3.5 meters wide—showed signs of recent motorbike activity.  As I drove the FJ through, it got bogged down almost immediately, despite being only 2 centimeters deep.  The clay base offered no traction.  Even with both front and rear diffs locked and the car in low range, it wouldn’t budge. 

It was time to bring out the winch.  We anchored it to a nearby tree, and in no time, the FJ was free, sparing us from needing to use the Max Trax or getting covered in mud.  However, while turning around, I got stuck again—the ground was just too wet and slick.  Checking the map, I realised we were right in the middle of a creek line, albeit a small one. 

During the self-recovery, Keri got the opportunity to use a winch for the first time, something no doubt on the shopping list now.  Once we were unstuck, we returned to the main track and continued exploring various campsites, small creeks, and shaded areas—ideal for camping. 

Soon enough, it was time to head towards the Power Line Tracks. We started driving north, enjoying a smooth and scenic ride along a good gravel road, which characterised much of the day’s journey. 

 

 

FJ Cruiser bogged 

 

 

Time was starting to slip away, so we decided to take good gravel roads to reach the intersection of Talbot West Road and Nganguring Road, where we headed west. The track was in relatively good condition, though it was clear that recent heavy rains had left their mark—mud holes, eroded sections, ruts, and wombat holes (or bog holes) were scattered throughout.  The strategy was slow and steady, carefully navigating each obstacle as it came. 

We soon encountered our first bog hole, which presented several different paths to choose from.  I took the lead, with John following my track, while Keri, as always, chose her own route.  This set the tone for the day, alternating between smooth sections, rough patches, bog holes, water crossings, and puddles.  Each challenge was met with patience and precision, focusing on technical driving rather than aggressive maneuvers. 

We spent about two hours on the Power Line Track, and all the vehicles made it through unscathed—no damage, scratches, or dents. The MU-X, being the least modified of the group, demonstrated that even standard vehicles can handle tough terrain with the right approach.  Its strengths, combined with a shorter wheelbase and excellent tyre placement, ensured that no obstacle was too difficult to overcome. 

 

 

Keri undertaking a controlled descent	John poised for the controlled pitch

 

 

Some of the ruts were enormous, over a meter deep, clearly carved out for more performance-focused or heavily modified 4WDs.  As the day progressed, the track became quieter, with most others packing up and heading out. 

By late afternoon, around 4.30 PM, we decided to wrap up our adventure and head north, making our way back to the Great Southern Hwy not too far from Horton Rd and home bound.  A great day was had by all.