Cows, Curves & Coal: The 2025 C&V8 Strezlecki Safari

Weekend Report

Geof and Jen really outdid themselves, wrangling together a weekend escape that included green hills, forest tunnels, rock pools, sandstone cliffs, and a black coal mine — basically every terrain except snow, and only because it didn’t rain (touch jarrah, as promised).

It All Began in Tooradin…

At the Old Jetty Café, a sleepy gang of CV8 adventurers gathered for coffee, scones, and the usual pre-run chinwag. Spirits were high, caffeine flowed freely, and not a single person admitted they were worried about the dreaded 3.3km of dirt road ahead.

Saturday: The Scenic Assault

The Grand Ridge Road lived up to its name — rolling hills, epic bends, and cows that looked mildly confused to see so many shiny classics cruising by. From Poowong to Allambee, we powered on to Mirboo North where lunch at the Grand Ridge Brewery gave drivers a chance to refuel (some more generously than others).

We then wound our way down to Inverloch for the night. Most brave souls tackled the dirt section at a blistering 20 km/h, while (no one owned up to it) took the more dignified (and cleaner) Route B — proving once again that there’s no shame in self-preservation when it comes to dust on chrome.

Sunday: Cliff Views & Coal Mines

The coastal cruise/race from Inverloch to Wonthaggi past Jen’s property, along the coast road, then the rolling hills were dramatic, but no less scenic. We traded hills for cliffs, some of our participants used the section to practice their racing skills, then we ventured to the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine. 

A great venue for for visitors, plenty of parking, good coffee and an excellent guide for our mine tour.

We welcomed Louise and Noel Burch for Sunday lunch in Loch — Louise proudly representing last year’s Hymie Scarf laureate, scarf flapping like a badge of honour.

No rain, minimal dust, plenty of laughs, and no breakdowns (unless you count someone leaving their sunglasses in the mine gift shop). A huge thanks to Geof and Jen — and to the MGB GT V8 for giving us an August excuse to keep doing this every year.

Thanks to Captain David and Dianne Brewster and, Geof and Jen for a fantastic weekend