TREFFEN Oz
Latitude Start: South 37 57 Latitude East 145 33
Latitude Finish: South 37 27 Latitude East 147 15
In the week prior to Easter 2000 we held our first "Treffen" in Australia.
A Treffen is a German word meaning "A gathering of like minded soles" and while Haflinger and Pinzgauer Treffens are regularly held in Europe and the UK it was our first in Australia.
Initially people from overseas said they would be loathe to attend because shipping their vehicles to Australia would be tremendously expensive but then we explained that it was not our intention to get them to do this but rather travel as "guests" / passengers in Australian vehicles.
We had four Pinzgauers attend (all 712, 6X6's) three Haflingers and four non Steyr Puch vehicles. Six people from the UK and one from Austria and a whole "heap" from Australia attended.
We began the Treffen in Melbourne and preceded to Gembrook where within 90 minutes of leaving the city we were involved in 4WDriving. Within the next week we would travel some 1000 kilometres through the Victorian bush camping at night around blazing log fires.
I "think" everybody enjoyed themselves (I know I did) and plans are now in the offing to have another Treffen in Oz in 2002.
The initial gathering place in a local shopping centre car park provided an ideal photo opportunity for all involved, while the mystified faces of local shoppers added to the entertainment.
The four Pinzgauers involved provide most of the transport for the overseas passengers and their luggage.
"Briefing the troops" before departing on our adventure.
90 minutes from the start the "fun" began!
Richard saying "there, there, little Haffy your OK"....... no, in actual fact he's guiding Richard's over this rickety old bridge.
There are some magnificent spots in the area.
...and scenes!
Tony negotiating the "drop off" from a interesting track back onto the main road.
