Yarra River Reserve, Warrandyte State Park

On Monday afternoon June 29, 2009, I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I explored the Yarra River Reserve, starting at the Taroona Reserve car park, and reaching Mullen's Rd, my turnabout point.

The 4 km return route was along the popular shared pathway, passing many other people with hounds, kids on bikes, people fishing and walkers.

The Yarra ducks had appeared - white, brown, and multi-colored!

See the fulll set of Photos, which show many features along the route, with some good views of the Yarra.

Beachcombing hike at Balnarring, Westernport Coast

Suspension Bridge, Merricks Creek Estuary


Merricks Creek Estuary

On a bleak, overcast and cold Sunday afternoon, June 28, 2009, I ventured down to the Balnarring Foreshore Reserve, Wssternport Coast, about 70 km SE of Melbourne.

This is one of my favourite places, with a long sweeping coast extending from the Balnarring Point in the west, to Somers Beach, in the east.

I left the car at Robertson's Park, next to Balnarring Beach, and beach-hiked along the foreshore to the interesting swaying suspension bridge at Somers. This crosses the Merricks Creek estuary, and leads into the Coolart Wetlands and Woodlands.

Nearby is the large Somers Childrens' School Camp.

This was my turnabout point, and I safely negotiated the return hike along the coast, trying to avoid huge nipping barking hounds taking their owners for beach walks!

Unfortunately, a heavy winter mist had come down over the Bay, blocking the normally good views to Phillip Island.

The hike was about 4 km return. See the full set of Photos, with giant dogs, and an image taken around 1940!

Orchard Track, Pound Bend,Warrandyte State Park

On Saturday afternoon June 27, 2009, I went over to the Pound Bend Section of the Warrandyte State park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My task was to investigate and explore the site of the former large farm and orchard, which occupies the extreme easterly end of the Pound Bend Peninsula, adjacent to the Yarra River.

Parks Victoria owns and manages this area, and their depot, workshops, stores, and buildings are located there.

Two interesting walking tracks were explored - the Orchard West Track, and the Farm Circuit Track.

Access to these Tracks is from a small car park at the start of unsigned Tank Track, opposite the main gate of the Parks Victoria facility, at the end of sealed Pound Bend Rd.

Orchard West Track leads down to the river, and then westerly through the site of the former orchard, ending at high impassable cliffs near the Pound Bend Tunnel.

Directly opposite is the Norman's Bushland Reserve, and the Rapids.

Many of the original orchard plantings have survived, but are being overgrown by weeds.

Gold mining at Pound Bend ceased in 1909, agriculture stopped in 1985, and grazing ceased in 1996.

The Farm Circuit Track leads off from the Orchard West Track, and follows the perimeter of the old farm around a large cleared area, next to the river. This track ultimately ends at a small gate at the junction of the Pound Bend Walking Track, which is followed up the hill to the YHA cairn. From there it is a short distance do the car park.

Large mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos reside in this area!

The first Youth Hostel in Australia was at this location, built in 1940, but no trace remains.

The total walking distance was about 4 km, through this section of the Park which is not often visited by hikers.

There are no signs, but the tracks are shown in the Parks Vic Management Plan. The Plan states that it is not intended to develop the orchard site for day visitors.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Ferris Walking Track - Bunyip State Park

On Thursday afternoon June 25, 2009 I journeyed out to the Bunyip State Park, 65 km east of Melbourne.

My task was to explore the Ferris Walking Track, located deep within the southwestern section of the Park.

The Park had been closed to visitors after the Black Saturday fires, and many of the tracks have now been reopened.

Ferres Track links the Mortimer Picnic Ground with Silvertop Ridge Track, passing through excellent forest and fern gullies, along the Diamond Creek Gully.

There are two footbridges and a boardwalk - the total distance is 4 km return.

Sections of the Track are steep, with an increase in altitude from 69 m to 128 m.

See the full set of Photos of my visit, including a bunyip!

Shoreham Coastal Reserve, Clifftop Hike

On Wednesday afternoon June 24, 2009, I went down to the Shoreham Coastal Reserve, about 70 km SE of Melbourne, on the Westernport Coast.

I parked on the foreshore, then hiked along the beach, crossing the creek, up to the clifftop, through the tall pines, and along the Clifftop Track.

The Track ended at the entrance to the camping ground, which was my turnaround point.

Two viewing platforms provided astonishing panoramas towards Phillip Island (about 10 km distant) with the Nobbies clearly visible, and along the coast past Point Leo to Balnarring.

The hike was about 4 km (return).

The photos show the beach, the creek, the pine trees, the clifftop track, the access gates, the bushland, the viewing platforms, water birds on rocks, and the beautiful coastal panoramas.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit, which include a Google Earth view of the walking route.

To see a regional map centred on Shoreham, please visit

http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=sm&v=OXDTG7MLMA1I

Fiddler Gully Gold Hike, Warrandyte State Park

On June 23, 2009, I went out to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the small picnic area on Gold Memorial Rd, on the banks of Anderson Creek, then did a 3 km circuit hike up Wildcat Gully Track, Wildcat Link Track, Dead End Track (!), and Fiddler Gully Track.

These tracks are in the historical mining region of Fiddler Gully, which dates to the 1850s.
Gold panning in Anderson's Creek is still popular!

Dead End Track is aptly named - it terminates on the top of the precipice overlooking the Anderson Creek Gully!

Sadly, I didn't discover any nuggets - all gone!

See the full set of Photos of this visit.

Pound Creek Track, Sherbrooke Forest

An interesting 2 km hiking route is in the south-western section of the Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges NP, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My visit was on Monday afternoon June 21, 2009, starting at the car park on the Belgrave-Monbulk Rd, opposite Limbscombe Break, at the back of the Tavern.

This took me along Hillclimb Track, then into Avard's Track, climbing steeply to the top of the hill opposite Sandell's Rd.

From there, I joined the Pound Creek Track, which descended through forest to a junction with Hillclimb Track, then back to the carpark. There is a rise in altitude on Avard's Track from 287 m to 333 m - the track is slippery, steep and rocky and care is needed in damp weather.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Norman's Bushland Reserve - Warrandyte State Park

On Sunday afternoon June 21 2009 I visited Norman's Bushland Yarra River Reserve, Warrandyte State Park.

This was reached from the car park and picnic area at the end of Bradley's Lane, opposite the Pound Bend Tunnel.

The 4 km return route followed the north bank of the river to the end of the track at the rapids, passing through bushland and regrowth forest.

There were nice views of the river, and colored fungi had appeared along the track.

See the full set of Photos of my visit, which shows images along the track, the river, the thick forest and cliffs on the opposite bank, the rapids, and the Pound Bend Tunnel.

There is also an image of two people at the base of the steep cliffs on the opposite bank, who had entered that section of the park through a "No access" gate, only to find that the track had vanished at the base of the cliffs!

Rock Track Circuit Hike, Olinda

On Friday afternoon June 19 2009 I went up to the Woolrich Lookout, Chalet Rd, Olinda.

This offers magnificent panoramas over the R. J. Arboretum across the Yarra Valley, extending from Mt Slide in the west, to Mt Littlejoe, in the east.

The various other peaks included Mt Tanglefoot, Mt St Leonard, Mt Monda, Mt Riddell, Mt Toolebewong, Ben Cairn, Mt Donna Buang, and Mt Littlejoe.

From there, I did a 3 km circuit hike, which took me along Dam Rd, past the dam, along Rock Track to Lookout Rocks, then on Golf Course Track (adjacent to the Golf Course), up the hill to Chalet Rd, and back to the car park.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Glen Fern Valley Bushlands, Upwey

Glen Fern Valley Bushlands Reserve is a 40 hectare protected forest area in Upwey, 30 km east of Melbourne.

Ferny Creek runs along the bottom of the Bushlands.

I visited the Reserve on Thursday afternoon June 18, 2009, as a follow-up to an earlier trip, exploring some of the walking tracks.

This was a 3 km circuit hike, which took me along Ridge Track, New Track, Sarah's Track, Creek Track, Loop Track, Depot Track, Kunzea Track and Quarry Rd.

The Bushland is fast becoming a recgnized nature reserve in the foothills of the Dandenongs. The main entrance is at the car park on Glenfern Rd, at the start of New Rd. From here, Glen Fern Ridge Track starts - a map and colored information brochure are available at a box next to the entrance.

The Friends of Glenn Fern Valley Bushlands Inc. does much of the maintenance in the Reserve. It's a non-for-profit community group, and major achivements include:

. Reservation of the land in 2003
. Flora and Fauna surveys
. Weed control
. Setting up new picnic tables and seats along the Track network
. Planting hundreds of trees
. Gained the cooperation and support of local government, business and many community volnteer groups

Scouts, Venturers, primary school groups, University and College students join with local resident volunteers in planting, weeding, and on Community Discovery, Clean Up Australia, and Tree Days.

Working bees are held monthly.

The site escaped the Black Saturday fires of February 2009, and has regained much of its natural values, and is the habitat of over 80 bird species, more than 200 indegenous plants, many mammals and reptiles, such as the Swamp Wallaby, Grey Kangaroo, and Koala.

There are nice views from the Ridge Track across the Reserve.

There are also excellent panoramas from the side of Glenfern Rd, opposite the main car park, looking across farmland to the Lysterfield Hills.

Comprehensive information about the Bushland Reserve, the activities of the Committee, and dates for working bees, is available from

http://www.glenfernbushlands.org.au

Please see the Photos of my visit!

Scenic Scout's Track, Warrandyte State Park

Scout's Track is in the northern section of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km NE of the Melbourne CBD, linking Market Garden Track with the Yarra River. It' s a fire management track, shared with walkers, with a change in altitude from 128 m to 45 m.

Market Garden Track is reached from a gate on Clifford Drive, Wonga Park, at a small car park, near the entrance to the Clifford Scout Activity Centre. It follows the ridge line past equestrian centres and farms.

About 1 km along this track, signed Scout Track branches off and descends steeply through bushland to the river, where there is a viewing point at the end of a large clearing. This is the turnaround point - the track actually continues past the river, reaching the nearby Activity Centre a short distance away.

The return route can be made by going through the Centre and back to the start at Clifford Drive.

There are superb views to the Yarra Ranges and Dandenong Ranges from Market Garden and Scout's Tracks, with Mt St Leonard prominent.

My visit was on Friday afternoon June 5, 2009, and total walking distance was 3 km.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Clifford Park Hill Track, Warrandyte State Park

On Wednesday June 17 2009 I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My visit was an exploration of the Clfford Park Hill Track, 4 km return, which is relatively unknown, linking Witton's Reserve with Scout's Track, on the edge of the Clifford Park Scout Activity Centre.

I started at the Witton's Reserve end, next to the canoe landing area, then followed the unsigned rough track up Clifford Park Hill, then down to Scout's Track on the Yarra, my turnaround point. Parts are quite steep, rocky and rutted.

This Track is the "missing link", not shown in Melways or Parks Victoria track notes, and is a piece of the "track puzzle" which enables walkers to travel all the way from the Lower Homestead Rd canoe launching ramp, around Mt Lofty, and then on to Witton's Reserve, through to Yarra Brae.

The track is in fact shown in the Warrandyte State Park Management Plan, but is un-named.

The name I have given it, Clifford Park Hill Track, is purely for my own convenience and identification!

It rises steeply from 69 m at Witton's Reserve, to the highest point at 98 m, on the top of the vertical cliff face above the river.

The track goes through bushland and scrub, and is occasionally illegally used by trail bikers.

There are interesting views from the high point across the Park and towards the Yarra Ranges.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Mt Donna Buang - June 2009 snow trip

On Monday June 15 2009 I went up to Mt Donna Buang, about 80 km east of Melbourne.

At 1250 m, the summit had about 20 cm of good early winter snow, and the road was closed at the car park.

From there it was a 500 m hike up to the top, along a very icy and slippery road!

It was sunny, with several Snowmen having been built by kids! The Lookout Tower was closed for the winter - temperature at 1 pm was 6 degrees.

My visit included a short hike down the Mt Victoria Track, but snow drifts were up to my knees and the track was impassable.

The other main track from the summit goes to Mt Boobyalla, and on to the Dom Dom Saddle, also closed for the winter.

Nearby is Management Rd 2 - this is gated and marked "Melbourne Water - Entry Prohibited". This road joins with the Boobyalla Track further down the mountain.

There were excellent views from the summit across the Alps and ranges, with snow covered Lake Mountain visible, as well as Mt Baw Baw.

On this occasion, admission fees were hot being charged, and the hot-dog trailer van which comes up from Warburton was absent!

So I had to be content with my hot mushroom soup from the thermos!

There is no cross country or downhill skiing at Donna Buang. In winter, the resort offers snowplay, sightseeing, and tobogganning.

Until the late 1930s, there was a ski village at Donna Buang, near the present day main car park, and downhill skiing was popular, but this was almost totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939. What remained was dismantled and rebuilt at other snow centres, such as Mt Buller.

The Donna Buang Rd was built in the 1920s, and members of the newly formed Melbourne University Ski Club, formed in 1929, visited the region often.

The downhill ski-run was subsequently closed down and became the toboggan run.

The lookout tower is the third generation - the first was a wooden structure built in the 1920s - this was replaced around 1940, itself later replaced by the present steel tower.

There are good signed lookout points on the Donna Buang Rd on the way up, past the Acheron Way turnoff.

See the full set of Photos of my trip!

Koornong Gorge Hike, Warrandyte State Park

The Koornong Section of the Warrandyte State Park is a 10 ha area of preserved bushland, adjacent to the Yarra River, in a former logging region, about 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

A special free school operated in the area between 1939 and 1948, and the land was originally owned by the Frencham Family.

I visited Koornong on Friday afternoon June 12, 2009, for a 4 km hike.

My walk started at a gated fire management track off a small car park at Koornong Crescent - there is a swimming area here and a canoe launching beach.

I followed the fire track along the cliff top, overlooking the gorge, until it made a sharp left hand turn. At this point, an unsigned foot-track was followed for about 100 m to a view point overlooking the river, at the confluence of the Pigeon Bank Creek.

Directly opposite is Blue Tongue Point - the Yarra here is known as Blue Tongue Bend, as it makes a big sweeping turn.

Returning uphill to the point where the fire track made its turn, I followed the unsigned Pigeon Bank Creek Track down through bushland. The track divided a short way along, the right hand branch descended over steps to the remains of the old weir over the Creek, then over a rickety footbridge. This track follows the eastern flank of the Gully and ultimately reaches sealed Menzies Rd.

I back-tracked to the junction and continued along the left branch, which is on the western flank of the Gully, eventually reaching a boardwalk and Pigeon Bank Rd.

This was my turnaround point.

There were excellent views of the Yarra from the cliff top - on the opposite bank could be seen the main walking track leading to Blue Tongue Point, which starts at the Jumping Creek Reserve.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

A hike around the Olinda Volcano Crater

On Thursday afternoon June 11 2009 I went up to the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km ast of the Melbourne CBD.

My visit was a 3 km hike along part of the eastern rim of the former volcano, starting at the access gate at the junction of Falls Rd and Bartlett Track, at an altitude of about 459 m.

Bartlett Tk was followed to the junction of VW Track, which is officially closed, but is still available for walkers.

This track was followed in a northerly direction, and then a steep rocky descent reaching the junction of Olinda Creek Rd, at an elevation of 266 m, a descent of some 200 m!

That was the turnaround point.

The track follows the Olinda Creek Valley, which is immediately to the west, in rugged and inhospitable forest, logged out in the 1940s, and then ravaged by bushfires.

The origin of the name "VW Track" is unknown, and the southern sction was originally an access road for loggers. The steep rocky northern section was added as an extension for walkers.

Here is some background information from Parks Victoria:

The Dandenong Ranges represent the remains of an ancient volcano that existed more than 300 million years ago. Weathering and streams have eroded the old volcano to such an extent that it is largely unrecognisable today.

The whole block is separate from other mountain ranges and it is of an earlier volcanic derivation than the vast majority of other volcanic areas in Victoria.

The Dandenong Ranges is a result of volcanic events that produced a complex igneous rock system of Upper Devonian age. This occurred in two stages. The first stage involved numerous volcanic lava flows while the second was a series of cauldron collapses resulting in distinct intrusions.

About 350 million years ago the formation of the Dandenong Ranges began with a general weakening of the earth's crust.

Some 300 million years ago near the township of Olinda a large volcano welled up through the earth's crust, creating four distinct lava flows over a period of time.

The full article may be viewed at
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/resource_kit/resources/pverksection4a0911.pdf

See the full set of Photos of my visit, including a Google Earth image which shows the Dandenong Ranges viewed from the east - the volcanic formations are of interest!

Winter walk to Long Bridge, Sherbrooke Forest

On a very cold and rainy afternoon on Tuesday June 9 2009 I went to the Sherbrooke Forest, for a 3 km circuit walk. This started at the gate at the entrance to Wattle Track on Sherbrooke Rd.

My route followed Wattle Track to the historical Long Bridge over Sherbrooke Creek, then along Sherbrooke Track to the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground, then into Lloyd's Track and back to the car.

My objective was to sight and identify Fungi, which appear during winter in the Forest, and I was not disappointed!

I passed other walkers, one of whom was well protected from the rain under a large blue umbrella. Two other walkers were preparing hot soup at the Nicholas Gardens carpark with a small portable camping stove.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Lyrebird Walk in the Sherbrooke Forest

On Monday June 8 2009 I ventured out in the cold and rain to the Sherbrooke Forest, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

From a starting point at Cooke's Corner, on Grantulla Rd, I went along the Lyrebird Walk, through splendid forest and fern gullies, reaching Grant's Picnic Ground.

From there, I continued along the foot-track next to Grantulla Rd, arriving back at Cooke's Corner, a total distance of about 3 km.

Sadly, no lyrebirds were seen!

This track is steep in sections, with a change in altitude from 420 m at Cook's Corner, to 350 m at the creek.

Care is needed in wet weather.

See the full set of Photos.

Eagle Nest Track, Olinda Forest

One of my favourite hikes in the Olinda Forest, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD, is along the Eagle Nest Track.

The hike starts at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground, at the end of Eagle Nest Rd, turn off from Silvan Rd.

The route follows the Lyrebird Creek gully, reaching Hermon's Track, then circling back to the Picnic Ground, crossing the historical bridge oiver the Lyrebird Creek.

This hike is about 3 km in total, and passes through tall timber forest, fern gullies and tall tree ferns.

My visit was on Monday afternoon May 18, 2009.

See all of the Photos of myt visit!

The beautiful Cornus Track, Olinda Arboretum

On Thursday afternoon June 4 2009 I visited the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of the Melhourne CBD.

My excursion was a 4 km return hike along Mathias Rd, Golf Course Track, and Cornus Track, adjacent to the National Rhododendrum Gardens and Arboretum.

There were magnificent displays of brilliant red Cornus trees (Red Dogwood) along Cornus Track.

From Golf Course Track, there were nice views to the east, towards the Yarra Ranges, Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria, and Mt St Leonard.

My hike started at the junction of Falls Rd and gated Mathias Rd, and passed through tall forest, fern gullies, and next to a creek.

A family with young children on Mathias Rd were quite excited, as they had just seen a lyrebird!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Wallaby Paddock hike, Sherbrooke Forest

Wallaby Paddock is in the Sherbrooke Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is the site of a former potato farm of the 1940s.

It is reached from Grant's Picnic Ground, on the Belgrave-Kallista Rd, following the Hardy Gully Walking Track, then Neumann Track.

The route passes through lush ferns and tall mountain ash, through mainly regrowth forest.

I discovered a lyrebird and two Eastern Grey Kangaroos at Wallaby Paddock! At Grant's Picnic Ground there were the usual assemblages of parrots and cockatoos, having their afternoon snack of seeds purchased by visitors at the Kiosk!

There were also two white Long Billed Corinellas amongst the multitudes, not often seen here!

Many nice colored fungi had appeared along the tracks.

My visit was on Wednesday afternoon June 3. 2009, and the total walking distance was 4 km.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Mt Lofty River Trail, Warrandyte State Park

The Mt Lofty River Trail is a 5 km (return) track in the Warrandyte State park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It starts at the Witton Reserve, reached from Jumping Creek Rd, and follows the Yarra Gorge around the foot of Mt Lofty.

Part of the track is on a fire management road, which continues to the summit of Mt Lofty.

The walk ended at the Yarra Viewpoint, where there is a seat and nice scenes of the river and gorge.

My visit was on Tuesday afternoon June 2, 2009.

A school group, from Tintern, was also exploring the Track, on a field excursion.

A work crew was undertaking weed spraying nearby.

The Track has been recently upgraded, with a gravel surface and new drains, and overhanging vegetation lopped.

There are seats and picnic tables at several locations along this nice Track.

See the full set of Photos of this walk!

Olinda Creek Walking Track

The seldom visited Olinda Creek Walking Track is a 3 km circuit in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is reached from gated Management Road 13, off the Olinda Creek Rd, and follows the Olinda Creek Gully to a beautiful fern glade on the banks of the Creek. The return route is via the link track to Olinda Creek Rd, then on a foot-track beside the road back to the car.

Remains of former logging activity of the 1940s era may be seen along the track, which passes through regrowth forest and fern gullies. The area was ravaged by bushfires between 1948 and 1955, and again in 1962.

At the Creek there is a depth measurement gauge.

I explored this interesting Track on Monday afternoon June 1, 2009, the first day of winter - there were many colorful fungi along the route.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!