Alfred Nicholas Gardens, Sherbrooke

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens are located in Sherbrooke, high up in the Dandenong Ranges, 45 km east of Melbourne, on the Sherbrooke Rd.

They are managed by Parks Victoria, and are the original gardens of the "Burnham Beeches" estate, dating back to 1929.

The property was acquired by Parks Victoria in 1972.

The 12 hectare Gardens are renowned for their extensive water features, pools, a boathouse, the Blackfish Pond, Mountain Ash trees, many walking tracks, fern gullies, a Rotunda, an arboretum, an island, Dandenong Ranges sculpture, pretty footbridges, and a picturesque lake filled by two waterfalls.

The lake and upper pools are the habitat for a family of ducks!

The key attraction is the ornamental lake, surrounded by mature trees. The gardens are set on a sloping site, pedestrian access to the lake being via a long steep path.

I explored these magnificent gardens on Monday afternoon July 6, 2009, on a bleak, misty and overcast day.

Ther total walking distance was about 3 km.

Admission is $6.90 for adults - $5.30 concession - children under 10 free. Visitors are asked to place their entry fees in a small box just inside the main gate.

The full set of Photos of my visit show some of the features and attractions in the Gardens - the Sassafras Walking Trail is located at the lower perimeter.

For further Information and a map, see

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=40

Warburton - the scenic Yarra River Trail

On Sunday afternoon July 5, 2009, I visited Warburton, about 80 km east of Melbourne, in the mountains.

My target was the Yarra River Trail, about 6 km total, taking about 90 mins to complete, or two hours with stops for refreshments and photos!

I completed all of the Trail, starting at the eastern access point opposite the camping ground on the Wood's Point Rd, where there is an information board with a colored map and sign describing the Trail and access points.

The album shows many features and attractions along the Trail, including several bridges, rushing water, rapids, the Brisbane Creek, the Lookout, lots of ducks, hounds, and people!

My route was along the northern bank - an option for the return is to follow the alternative track on the southern bank.

The Trail can be undertaken as a complete walk, or as smaller step-on, step-off segments.

Signs have been placed along the Trail - becoming lost would be almost impossible!

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Blue Tonge Bend hike in mid-winter, Warrandyte State Park

The Blue Tongue Bend Peninsula is a pleasant area in the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD, next to the Yarra River.

The Blue Tongue Bend walking trail starts at the Jumping Creek Reserve, and follows the river for about 2.5 km, reaching rapids and rocks.

This is the viewpoint and is signed - the opposite bank is part of the Koornong, another section of the Park.

The track ends here - the return to Jumping Creek Reserve is via the fire management road.

Several interesting features are along this road, including the old stone/brick open-air Chapel, with its raised dais and rows of circular stone seats. This structure is not shown on any maps, nor is it signed. It's reached from an overgrown foot-track, about 1 km up from the Blue Tongue Bend view point. Its date of construction and purpose are not known.

Further along, from the ridge top, there is a good view of the preserved stables and outbuildings of the former Stane Brae farm, across the Yarra gorge. This farm site may be reached from a turn off from the fire management road, known as Freeland Road, and leads down to the river. Mobs of kangaroos live there!

Continuing along the fire management road, a picnic table is reached, at the junction of the Nature Trail. This trail disappears into dense scrub and reappears further along the road.

The walking distance was about 6 km, which included the visit to the mysterious Chapel. My visit was on a cold, bleak and wet Saturday afternoon, July 4, 2009.

A Brochure Box at the Jumping Creek Reserve contains laminated copies of the Parks Victoria Notes and map about Blue Tongue Bend. These notes should be returned to the Box after use!

The large covered Information Board at the Reserve has information about the area, with a large colored map.

Readers of this article who may have information about the history and purpose of the Chapel are invited to contact me privately via Email.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.