King Billy Track runs between the Howitt Plains end near Mt Howitt and the junction with Brocks Road and Bluff Track.

Don't look at the distance and think you'll knock it over quickly.

The track is slow going in sections and we'd allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy it properly, depending on track conditions, traffic and how often you stop.

And you'll probably want to stop.

The terrain and scenery change noticeably as you work your way along the track, which is a big part of why we rate King Billy so highly.

King Billy gives you a bit of everything.

There are rocky sections, steep climbs and descents, tight switchbacks, creek crossings and slower technical sections mixed with easier stretches where you can just enjoy driving through the mountains.

Some sections run through thicker forest before the country opens back up again into more exposed High Country.

There's also a prominent rock scree section along the route that adds another change of scenery.

It's the variety packed into such a relatively short track that makes King Billy so enjoyable.

You're not spending hours driving the same type of terrain.

One of the defining features of King Billy is the switchbacks.

There are several groups of them throughout the track, with some tight enough that longer vehicles need a little more thought about positioning and picking the right line.

They're not extreme, but combined with the rocky surface and elevation changes they make the drive much more interesting than simply following a gravel track through the mountains.

It's exactly the sort of High Country driving we enjoy.

There are also several creek crossings along King Billy.

When water levels are low they're generally straightforward, but like every water crossing in the High Country, conditions can change significantly after rain.

They add another element to the track and break up the rocky climbs and descents.

As always, if we're not sure about a crossing, we'll get out and check it before driving through.

We'd rate King Billy as moderate.

In good, dry conditions, an experienced driver in a properly equipped 4WD shouldn't find it overly difficult, but it's definitely a proper 4WD track.

We'd recommend all terrain tyres as a minimum.

Good ground clearance is important and low range is something we'd definitely want available, particularly through the steeper climbs and descents where controlled speed makes the drive much easier.

The rocky sections can get chopped up and conditions can change considerably between trips. Rain can make the track more challenging again, particularly on the steeper sections.

It's not a track we'd recommend tackling on highway tyres.

Take your time, choose your lines and drive to the conditions.

There are harder tracks in the Victorian High Country.

There are longer tracks.

There are tracks with bigger river crossings and more difficult obstacles.

But King Billy is still our favourite.

For us, a great 4WD track doesn't have to be the hardest track you can find.

King Billy has the right combination of terrain, scenery and enjoyable four-wheel driving.

You're climbing and descending, working through rocky sections and switchbacks, crossing creeks and watching the landscape change around you as you travel through the mountains.

It's challenging enough to keep the drive interesting without the entire day becoming about getting through one ridiculous obstacle.

That's what we like about it.

King Billy also sits in a brilliant part of the High Country for putting together a bigger trip.

At one end you've got Howitt Road and the Howitt Plains area, with Howitt Hut nearby.

At the other end, King Billy reaches the junction with Brocks Road and Bluff Track.

From there you can continue exploring towards places including Lovicks Hut and Bluff Hut, making King Billy part of a much larger High Country run.

That's how we'd recommend experiencing it.

Don't just drive King Billy and turn around.

Build it into a proper High Country trip.