Sherbrooke Forest Trails

I visited the Sherbrooke Forest, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD, on Tuesday afternoon April 28, 2009.

My base was Grant's Picnic Ground, whence I explored the Margaret Lester Forest Walk, Coles Ridge Rd, then along Tregallas Track, and back via the Bleakley Track.

This was about 3 km in total, on a bleak and wintry day!

Tregallas Track is named after Jack Tregallas, an early naturalist photographer, who lived in a small log hut until his death in 1938. His main interest was the study of the habits of lyrebirds.

Grant's Picnic Ground always has large communities of white cockatoos, galahs, and parrots, who congregate there for seeds, which may be purchased from the Kiosk.

The Margaret Lester Forest Walk passes through an old logging area, and interpretative signs, featuring reproductions of old photographs, are placed at vantage points describing the history of the region.

See the full set of Photos of my visit, which include images of the intepretative signs on the Margaret Lester Walk.

Sphinx Rock Coastal Hike, Portsea

Sphinx Rock is an unusual rocky outcrop in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, at the southern end of the Portsea Surf Beach, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

I visited the Rock on Monday April 27 2009, a bleak, windy and overcast day!

I started at the upper car park at the end of Back Beach Rd, Portsea, then descended to the beach, passing the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.

From there, I continued along the beach and the windswept sand dunes to the Rock itself, and up a wooden staircase to a viewing platform.

From there, I returned to home base, a distance of about 4 km.

This walk forms part of the long 24 km South Coast Trail, which extends from London Bridge (Portsea) to Cape Schanck.

The viewing platform can also be reached from a walking track from the end of Normanby Rd, Sorrento, or from the carpark at the end of Ocean Beach Rd Sorrento.

See the full set of Photos of this trip!

Balnarring to Merricks Coastal Hike

Balnarring Beach is about 70 km SW of Melbourne, a coastal community on Westernport Bay.

It is popular for fishing, boating, swimming, beachcombing and rockpooling.

I visited this nice beach on Anzac Day, Saturday April 25 2009, for a beach walk to Merricks Beach, a return hike of about 6 km.

The tide was in, so the reefs were not exposed, but there were good views along the coastline as far as West Head, Flinders, and across the Bay to Phillip Island.

Part of the walk passes through the interesting Balnarring Bird Sanctuary, adjacent to Robertson Park.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean National Park is 95 km from Melbourne.

It was opened to the public in 1988 - prior to that it had been out of bounds to most people for more than 100 years.

It's association with early settlement, shipping, quarantine and defence give it great significance and its natural features are diverse.

At the extreme western tip of the Park is Fort Nepean, the site of extensive defence fortifications built in the early 20th century, abandoned in 1945.

Nearby is Cheviot Hill, which at 54 m above sea level is the highest spot in the Park, with three Lookouts.

Below the Hill is Cheviot Beach, where former Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in 1967 - there is an excellent Memorial to him overlooking the Beach.

The views from the various Lookouts are magificent, across Port Phillip Bay and westerly past Point Lonsdale.

Many of the fortifications, tunnels, gun emplacements and barracks may be inspected.

Access to the Park is via the Visitor Centre, about 1 km past Portsea village. An admission fee is charged. This was $7 per person for a "Walking Permit". Higher fees, $16 per person, apply for people wishing to use the Transporter service, a tractor-driven "road train" of small, quaint, covered open vehicles, which runs 7 km (14 km return) from the Visitor Centre to Fort Nepean every two hours. There are three stopping points along the way, on sealed Defence Rd, for drop-off and pick-up.

Cars are not permitted beyond Gunner's Car Park, 2 km from the Visitor Centre. From there, visitors may use the Transporter, cycle (very steep in parts!) or walk.

A printed Visitor Guide is provided as part of the admission fee.

It is 7 km return from the car park to Fort Nepean.

About half way along, there is a side foot-track and staircases to Cheviot Hill Lookout and a circuit walk and Lookouts at the summit, adding about 2 km to the journey.

My walking visit on Thursday April 23 2009 was from Gunners Car Park, to Cheviot Hill Lookout, then on to Fort Nepean, about 9 km total, which included inspections of Fort Pearce, Eagle's Nest, the Harold Holt Memorial. and the various fortifications.

Parks Victoria ask walkers to use the foot-tracks to reach Fort Nepean and not walk on Defence Rd. Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, a major foot-track, Coles Track, was closed for upgrading.

Large sections of the area are bounded by high barbed-wire cyclone fences, the former military testing range, with notices advising people not to go in there, due to the dangers of unexploded bombs.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Please see the Parks Victoria website further information, at
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=281

Reid's Tramway Walking Track, Powelltown

On Wednesday April 21 2009 I revisited Reid's Tramway Walking Track.

This is a 4 km return route, which starts at the settlement of Powelltown, deep in the Yarra Forest, some 65 km east of Melbourne.

he Track follows the path of an earlier Tramway, to the site of Reid's Timber Mill. That closed down decades ago, and all that is left is a rusting old bogey, and mill machinery. The Mill building itself disappeared decades ago, and there is a huge pile of decaying sawdust on the site, almost buried in the thick forest.

Care is needed on the Track - it is very slippery and covered in bark, branches, leaf litter, and fallen trees, with little recent maintenance. Caution is needed on the old wooden footbridges, which are starting to deteriorate.

This is the "short route" - a loop track continues over the Blackwood Creek Bridge, linking with the Big Bertha Track, ultimately ending at the Powelltown Picnic Ground.

I had walked the Big Bertha Track route on a previous visit.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

South Coast of Phillip Island, clifftop hike to Redcliff Head

The South Coast of Phillip Island, some 120 km from Melbourne, offers some magnificent cliff-top scenery across Bass Strait and the surrounding region.

I explored this wonderful location on Tuesday April 21 2009, and my visit started at the Pyramid Rock car park, about 3 km south of the Back Beach Rd, not far from the Grand Prix racing circuit.

Pyramid Rock is a superb rock formation jutting out into Bass Strait, and is best viewed from a Lookout about 200 m from the car park, reached by a pathway and stairway.

From the carpark, I then walked to the amazing Redcliff Head along the formed Redcliff Head Track on the cliff top, passing Storm Bay and Red Bluff.

At Redcliff Head there is a windswept Lookout, offering amazing panoramas along Bass Strait, with Wild Dog Bluff to the west, and overlooking nearby Berry's Beach.

Total walking distance was about 5 km.

In my opinion, this clifftop walk is among the very best on the South Coast!

See the full set of amazing Photos of this trip!

Point Leo to Merricks Coastal Walk

Point Leo is a small settlement on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

It has excellent beaches, and extensive reefs are exposed at low tide.

I visited Pt Leo on Monday February 9, 2009, doing a 6 km (return) beachwalk from the car-park to Merricks Beach.

The tide was out, and the vast reefs were exposed.

The views were spectacular, north to Sandy Point, and east to Phillip Island.

Many seabirds were nearby, looking for fishes!

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Portsea Foreshore Reserve

On Sunday April 19 2009 I visited Portsea, about 120 km south of Melbourne, on the Mornington Peninsula.

My visit concentrated on about 3 km of walking tracks in the Portsea Foreshore Reserve and nearby, which extends generally for about 2 km east of the town of Portsea. It includes the historical Point King Lookout/cairn and beach, and Shelly's Beach.

European visitation of the area dates back to 1802 when Lieutenant Murray spent over three weeks exploring its features. He named Point Nepean and, at Point King, he thrust the Union Jack proprietorially into native soil. A cairn now marks the spot.

The region was once used for lime production, and the remains of old kilns may be seen.

Walking tracks and staircases lead down to the Foreshore Reserve and the sandy beach, reached from Point Nepean Rd west of Sorrento. The main access points are from small car parks at the end of Point King Rd and Hemston Avenue.

Point King Beach has many private bathing boxes and small boat sheds, nestled at the base of the cliffs. The main jetty extends about 100 m into the Bay.

The views from the clifftop walking tracks and the Lookout are spectacular, with marvellous panoramas across the Bay, to Arthur's Seat, and over the Sorrento small-boat harbour. The Queenscliff passenger ferry was making its way to Sorrento.

See my set of Photos of the visit!

Black Flat Trail - Warrandyte State Park

Black Flat Trail links the Jumping Creek Picnic Ground with the historical gold mining area of Black Flat.

It is in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The Trail, 4 km return, follows the Yarra River Gorge for much of the way, passing through bushland and crossing Jumping Creek.

Some parts are steep and stony, and there are excellent views of the Yarra from the clifftop section.

This was my autumn visit, on Friday April 17, 2009.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Exploring Hastings - Westernport Bay

Hastings is a town about 60 km south of Melbourne, situated on an inlet on Westernport, a major port and important environmental area. Hastings has multiple marinas and is home to many recreational boating activities.

I visited Hastings on Tuesday April 13, 2009, exploring the historical jetty, the boat harbour, and the long walking track on the foreshore.

Many pelicans congregrate near the jetty, waiting for scraps of fish given to them from local fishermen, and the nearby Fresh Fish Shop!

Hastings is the starting point for the 26 km Westernport Walking/Cycling Trail which extends to Balnarring.

Other walking trails starting at Hastings include the Bittern Coastal Wetlands Boardwalk, and the trails the nearby Warringine Park.

There were excellent views over the mangroves across the Hastings Bight towards Long Island and Long Point.

I also visited the Yaringa Marina and Boat Harbour, about 5 km to the north of Hastings.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Mount Worth State Park

Mount Worth State Park, about 125 km SE of Melbourne, takes in 1040 hectares of natural forest, regenerating native bush and cleared pastures in the western Strzelecki Ranges, south-east of Warragul.

A network of walking tracks radiate from the Moonlight Creek Picnic area. These include the Giant's Circuit 1.8 km, Moonlight Curcuit 8.5 km, Gardiner's Mill Track 1.5 km one way, Maslin's Mill 800 m one way.

In the 1920s, 12 timber mills were operating in the region - all that remains are sawdust heaps and rusting machinery.

I visited the Park on Easter Monday April 13 2009, reaching it via Darnum and the Allambee Estate Rd.

There were spectacular views to the north across pine plantations over the Latrobe Valley to the Baw Baw Ranges.

I explored about 4 km of walking tracks.

Visitor Guides are available at the Information Kiosk at the picnic ground.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

For further information, see Parks Victoria at

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=159

Tea Tree Creek Bay in autumn - Flinders Coast

Tea Tree Creek Bay is a wonderful secluded cove on the Flinders coast, 90 km from Melbourne, in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

It is about 3 km west of the town of Flinders, and is accessed by a 1 km foot-track and staircase from the Boneo Rd. A small car park is located at the start of the signposted track.

There are magnificent views looking south across the open ocean of Bass Strait, as well as the dramatic coastlines from the clifftop, in either direction, with waves breaking over large basalt rock formations.

I visited the Bay on Easter Sunday April 12 2009. I usually go down there every six months - this was the autumn trip! I followed the beach track to East Point, then back to the staircase, then up to the top of West Bluff, a total of about 3 km.

The cliffs rise about 50 m from sea level.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Shoreham Beachwalk in early autumn

On Good Friday, April 10, 2009, I went down to the Shoreham Beach, about 70 km SE of Melbourne, on the Westernport Coast.

My visit was mainly a 4 km (return) beachwalk NE towards Pt Leo, which included an exploration of the large reef.

There was interesting boating action nearby - the views towards Phillip Island about 10 km distant were excellent, with the Nobbies clearly visible.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

To see a regional map centred on Shoreham, please visit
http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=sm&v=OXDTG7MLMA1I

Mt Lofty in Early Autumn

Mt Lofty is the highest point in the eastern section of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

On April 9, 2009, I visited the area, doing a 4 km return walk to the Mt Lofty Summit, starting at the gate to Stephen Track off Reserve Rd, reached from Jumping Creek Rd.

This walk took me up Stephen Track steeply to the summit, then along the ridge, to a turnaround point near the fire track.

The views from the summit are outstanding, easterly across the Upper Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges, and south to the Dandenong Ranges.

There is a picnic table and seat at the Summit, and an information board is nearby at the junction with Wayne Track.

See a map of the Warrandyte Region at
http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=sm&v=6GHCJP69CIT4

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Bunurong Marine National Park

The Bunurong Marine National Park extends along approximately 5 km of coastline from 2.5 km east of Cape Paterson in Southern Gippsland (120 km SE of Melbourne) to the eastern end of Eagles Nest Beach (about 6 kilometres south-west of Inverloch), and offshore for approximately three nautical miles to the limit of Victorian waters, encompassing a total of approximately 2,100 hectares.

The Bunurong coast is special - a coast full of striking rock formations, attractive sandy coves, rugged sandstone cliffs and prominent headlands. The coastal waters also contain a remarkable range of habitats that support abundant marine life, nurtured by an unusual set of environmental conditions.

The name "Bunurong" refers to the local Aboriginal group that have lived in this area for thousands of years and have used the coast extensively for food gathering.

These coastal waters share the cool waters of Victoria's central and western coasts, but unlike those shores, are relatively protected from the southwesterly swell by the position of far away King Island. The gently sloping rocky seafloor is also uncommon in Victoria.

The park contains extensive intertidal platforms and subtidal rocky reefs that are uncommon along the Victorian coast. These sandstone areas provide numerous microhabitats and contribute to the area having a very high diversity of intertidal and shallow subtidal invertebrates. There is a mixed assemblage of brown algae and seagrass, supporting a high proportion of Victoria's marine invertebrates, including brittle stars, sea cucumbers, barnacles, sea anemones and chitons.

(The above information is acknowledged to Parks Victoria)
See http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=254

I visited this spectacular region on April 8 2009, which included Cape Paterson. My trip included a 3 km (return) walk along the cliff tops from Cape Paterson to The Channel Beach and westerly along the surf beach. I also visited Undertow Bay, Twin Reefs Bay, and The Oaks Bay, which are east of Cape Paterson.

These Bays may be viewed from observation points from signed car parks off the Inverloch Rd, and are accessed by staircases.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Sherbroooke Falls in early Autumn

On April 4, 2009, I did a 3 km circuit walk to the Sherbrooke Falls, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My journey started at the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground car park, then along Sherbrooke Track, to the Falls viewing bridge, along Ridge Track and O'Donohue's Track, then along Link Track, and back to the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.

Most of the walk was in the rain, through the mist - other walkers passed me, well rugged up and we exchanged pleasantries!

This section of the Forest is very pretty, at any time of the year, passing through tall timber and fern gullies.

New emergency signage has been placed at some of the track junctions, advising people in difficulties to ring OOO and quote the designated emergency number.

These signs are very prominent, white on blue background.

See the full set of Photos of this visit!

Exploring Warneet, Westernport Coast

Warneet is a village about 50km southeast of Melbourne. on the north of Westernport Bay.

With a population of around 460, Warneet is one of the smaller towns in Australia, and is at an altitude of about 9m above sea level.

It's popular for fishing and boating, and is located on the Rutherford Inlet. On the opposite bank is the village of Cannon's Creek.

Several interesting walking tracks start at the South Jetty, around the inlet and through extensive mangrove wetlands.

I visited Warneet on April 5, 2009, and explored the Main Walking Track (from South Jetty to North Jetty), and the interesting Mangroves Walking Track, a total distance of about 4 km.

See the full set of Photos of my visit

Badger Weir Park - reopened after the bushfires

The Badger Weir Park is 65 km east of Melbourne, near the town of Healesville, in the Melbourne Water catchment area.

Three walking tracks lead from the picnic ground to the Weir, passing through superb sub-tropical rain forest and tree ferns.

The Lyrebird Track has been reconstructed and passes next to the creek.

The area is a habitat for lyrebirds.

The picnic ground is excellent, with innumerable rosellas and cockatoos!

I visited the Park on April 2, 2008, on a 3 km early autumn hike which took me on a circuit along the Lyrebird, Coranderrk and Slip Creek Tracks.

The Park had been closed for several weeks after the disastrous bushfires of early February 2009, which threatened Healesville, and was reopened on March 31.

Thankfully, the Park was spared from the fires.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Corinella - Westernport Bay

Corinella is an idyllic seaside town, about 110 km SE of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay. It's a small peninsula of land surrounded on three sides by water, and reached from the Bass Highway, along the Corinella Rd.

Corinella is blessed with panoramic picturesque views of the sea and islands along with a very pleasant year-round climate and has ideal access to the bay for most types of boating craft.

A lovely blend of rural grazing and farming land surrounds the Corinella peninsula with a broad range of agricultural production, including prestigious thoroughbred racing horse farms, beef and dairy cattle, red deer farming, flower and herb growers, winery viticulture and many more, all prospering in this ideal seaside climate.

Corinella is a very important historic town, and is one of the first towns settled in the state of Victoria, indeed Australia.

Its historic significance to Australia's settled history is very important and is not widely recognised or advertised. Most historical talk of Australia's settlement birth is always focused on Sydney and NSW; however Corinella was actually the site of the first Government House in Victoria and was a town at federation.

One of the first British settlements in what is now Victoria was established here, albeit briefly, in 1826.

In that year, a French vessel under Dumont d'Urville examined Westernport, arousing apprehensions about French colonisation of the southern coastline. Coupled with this was the favourable report of the Westernport district made by explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell who believed that their 1824 overland journey from NSW had terminated at Westernport.

Unfortunately they were mistaken, having actually completed their trek at Port Phillip.

On the basis of their comments, Governor Darling decided to forestall any prospective French plans by establishing a military and agricultural settlement at Westernport.

Captain Wright was dispatched with troops, 21 convicts and William Hovell. Wright established a small military settlement at the present-day site of Rhyll on the north coast of Phillip Island and called it Fort Dumaresq. However, fresh water proved a problem and the outpost was moved to Corinella which was called Settlement Point.

The above information is sourced to the "Visit Corinella" website, at http://www.visitcorinella.com, and used with acknowledgement.

I visited Corinella for the first time on April 1, 2009, and my exploration took me to Settlement Point, the walking track to the lookout and the jetties.

I found the historical cairn on the hill at the end of Jamieson St, which marks the site of the original settlement, from which a walking track took me to good views of the Bay.

I also visited the nice beach at nearby Coronet Bay.

Two beautiful pelicans were near the jetties - several small fishing boats were in the main channel, and the Corinella to French Island ferry was chugging its way across the Bay.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Shiprock Falls - Kurth Kiln Park

The Shiprock Falls Reserve is in the northern section of the Kurth Kiln Regional Park, 65 km east of Melbourne, and 7 km from the town of Gembrook, just off the Gembrook-Woori Yallock Rd.

The McCrae Creek flows through the Reserve, and the falls cascade down from rock cliffs and past huge granite boulders.

I visited the Reserve on September 3, 2007, exploring 1 km of walking tracks, with good views of the falls.

See the full set of Photos