Gold Heritage Walk - Warrandyte State Park

The Gold Heritage Walk is in the Warrandyte State park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD. The signed 3 km track passes many relics of early goldmining in the area, dating back to the 1850s, and winds its way around Fourth Hill.

It can be accessed from various locations -it is steep and rocky in parts and care is needed.

My exploration started at Wildcat Gully Track, at the Gold Memorial Rd picnic area. I ascended the steps, passing the remains of a Miner's Hut of the 1950s, Johnson's Mine, Monument Mine (the last of the working mines - closed in the 1960s), Upper Monument Mine, the old open mines worked by the Chinese, Fourth Hill Summit, then along Betton Track, and back on a short-cut track to the main track.

Johnson's Track is passed near the Summit - this leads to the top of Johnson's Mine, through scrub. Unfortunately, no gold was ever found in this mine!

Nearby is the tunnel into Geraghty's Mine (year 1859), which may be inspected - this is on the eastern sector of the Heritage Walk.

Full details of the Walk, with a map, may be downloaded from

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_2212.pdf

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Sherbrooke Falls Hike

The old weir


Sherbrooke Falls

I was in the Sherbrooke Forest, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD, on Wednesday afternoon July 29, 2009.

My trip was to look for the original Weir, which had been built across the Sherbrooke Falls, around the year 1940.

Success! Its remains were discovered adjacent to the Sherbrooke Track, almost hidden in thick growth, just up from the Sherbrooke Falls.

My 5 km circuit exploration started at the Ferny Creek Picnic Ground car park, then along Hackett Track, Edgebrooke Track, Sherbrooke Track, Ridge Track, the Falls, Edgebook Track, Moore Firebreak Track, and back to base.

Sadly, the Falls are now only a trickle, due to the drought.

See the full set of Photos of my visit, which include some historical images taken in the year 1940!

Pound Bend Hike - Warrandyte State Park

On Tuesday afternoon July 28, 2009, I visited the Pound Bend Section of the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My 5 km exploration took me along the main Walking Track, adjacent to the Yarra River, to the large open paddock managed by Parks Victoria.

I continued along the river bank next to the paddock on an "unofficial" track, passing the high rocky cliffs to my turnaround point.

Mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos reside in the big paddock - they were watching me, some with cute Joeys!

On the main Track, I saw an unusual unidentified beautiful bird.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Silvan Forest and Stonyford Creek

On Monday afternoon July 27, 2009, I ventured out to the Silvan Forest, adjacent to the Silvan Reservoir Park.

The purpose of my visit was to explore the course of the Stonyford Creek - the Reservoir was built across this creek in the years 1911-1914. The Creek started on high ground near what is now Mt Evelyn, then flowed into the Olinda Creek.

When the Reservoir was built, the Stonyford Creek appeared to have been blocked off near its source. Only a small section of it remains today, winding through preserved forest around the Nature Trail, taking outflow from the Reservoir into the Olinda Creek, at the Stonyford Rd bridge.

The embankments of the old Creek are still visible, but heavily overgrown - it came out near the former Quarry.

My trip was a 4 km forest circuit, starting at the Overflow Car Park on Stonyford Rd, opposite the main gates to the Park, then along the Olinda Creek Track. This joined the Grey Gum Track, then passing the perimeter of Melbourne Water's large purification plant nearby, and back to the car.

Part way along the hike, the rains came down - the tracks turned into quagmires of thick red mud - I was not dressed suitably for this, with only a thin jacket, and my camera and I became drenched! I did my research into the origins of the Creek, despite the rain!

A Kookaburra started laughing at me from his vantage point up a tree next to the Olinda Creek Track.

Silvan Reservoir has only a small catchment of its own, and is mainly a holding/distribution point, fed from the Cardinia and O'Shannassy Reservoirs. Underground pipes carry water from Silvan to storage basins at Preston and Surrey Hills, the latter about 1 km from my backyard!

See the complete set of Photos!

Exploring the O'Shannassy River

On Sunday July 26, 2009, I visited Melbourne Water's O'Shannassy River Catchment region, east of Warburton, about 70 km east of Melbourne.

My 5 km exploratory hike started at the closed gate on the Wood's Point Rd, crossing the bridge over the Yarra, then along Management Road 1.

Walkers are now permitted to use Road 1, which leads to the O'Shannassy Reservoir, about 7 km further north. Following Rd 1, about 2 km from the start, a junction is reached at Rd 17, also accessible to walkers, which leads to the O'Shannassy Lodge, about 1 km further on.

The O'Shannassy River is crossed not far from this junction, and my turnabout point was about 500 m towards the Lodge Complex. On the return, I made a short side track through a Melbourne Water gate down to the O'Shannassy River at the large firebreak.

Road 1 follows the O'Shannassy River Valley - the river may be glimpsed far down below at varuous points. There are good views of the Yarra at the bridge at Wood's Point Rd - the O'Shannassy River joins the Yarra at this point.

Secretive and secluded, the Lodge Complex is leased to Narconon, a drug treatment rehabilation organization based on the teachings of Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. It was formerly the accommodation centre for workers employed on construction of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct, Weir and Reservoir in the period 1911 to 1914.

The Aqueduct was decommissioned in 1997, and the maintenance track is now a magnificient shared 28 km trail, which starts at Don Rd, near Wesburn, and ends at the O'Shannassy Weir.

The lodge is one of hundreds of properties managed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Victorian public, but leased to companies and other groups in a bid to offload maintenance costs.

There is growing community concern as to why this commercial enterprise is permitted to operate, with proposals being offered that the Lodge Complex be made available to all members of the public for day or extended recreational or educational visits.

Public vehicle access is permitted only on Sundays, for patient visitors - the gate at Wood's Pt Rd is electronically controlled, and approved visitors need to key in a special code, undo two large padlocks, then open the heavy iron gates.

My visit also included a 3 km return hike easterly along the Aqueduct Trail, starting at the nearby Cement Creek Rd access point, and reaching the old maintenance huts. This is where water from the open aqueduct entered the syphon pipe system near the old Cement Creek Weir, and emerges about 1 km west of the Cement Creek access into the continuation of the open aqueduct.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Mullum Mullum Park

Mullum Mullum Park is a vital wildlife corridor in Melbourne’s east and home to Rufous Night Herons, Powerful Owls, Wedge Tailed Eagles and Peregrine Falcons.

The park was named Mullum Mullum after a public naming competition in 2007. Many believe the name to mean ‘place of many eagles’ or a variation of the Wurundjeri word ‘Ballum Ballum’ meaning ‘place of many butterflies’.

The park features some remarkable remnant vegetation. For cyclists and walkers there are approximately 2,000 metres of trails, including the Mullum Mullum Creek Shared User Pathway.

Officially declared in June 2009, Mullum Mullum Park is the result of wide spread community interest and involvement, particularly from the Friends of Mullum Mullum Valley.

Adjacent is Schwerkolt Cottage, an original pioneer's stone cottage in a garden setting surrounded by 2.25 hectares of bushland. August Schwerkolt began building the cottage in 1884 and the three rooms of the cottage are furnished in the style of the period. Other buildings on the property include a slab barn, smithy, a stone smokehouse and a wine cellar.

A museum built of local stone and timber was designed to complement the cottage. Opened in 1977 the emphasis of the museum is on local and social history. Special collections include an excellent textile collection from the 1800s to the 1950s and a wide range of locally made clay products made by the many brick and tile works established in the area in the early 1900s. A collection of farm implements and household items is housed in the outdoor display area at the rear of the museum.

The EastLink Trail runs through the Park. It's a three-metre wide concrete path, suitable for cyclists and pedestrians. Winding its way through the Mullum Mullum Valley, it heads south to connect with the Dandenong Creek Trail before crossing Greens Road in Melbourne's south-east.

This is a link to a Media Release about the official opening of the Park:

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-environment-climate-change/mullum-mullum-park-to-protect-remarkable-bushland.htm

I visited the Park on Friday afternoon July 24, 2009, for a 4 km hike along many of the tracks and trails, which included Yarran Gheran, the Hillcrest Forestway, and the Schwerkolt Cottage Complex.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Winter hike in the Olinda Arboretum

One of my favourite places is the R.J.Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the 1975.

Many walking tracks pass through the Arboretum, some of them named after the plantation species.

I visited the Arboretum on Wednesday afernoon Jul 22, 2009. My 3 km circuit hike started at the small car park at the junction of Silvan Rd and gated Mathias Track. My route followed the Poplar Track, then on to Mathias Track, continuing along Fitzimmon's Track, then back to Mathias Track and the car.

Most of the trees were sleeping for the winter!

There were good views north to the Yarra Ranges and Mt St Leonard, from Fitzimmons Track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Badger Weir Reserve

The Badger Weir Picnic Reserve is in the Yarra Ranges National Park, 7 km east of the town of Healesville, about 60 km from Melbourne.

Named Coranderrk after the local Aboriginal reserve, the Weir and pipeline system were officially opened in January 1909, and supplies water via the Corandeerk Aqueduct to the Silvan Reservoir.

Walking tracks pass through the forest, on both sides of the Badger Creek, reaching the Weir.

The original Weir was replaced by the current facility in 1929, upstream. Its remains may be inspected, just off the Lyrebird Track, partly covered by vegetation and detritus.

I visited the area on Tuesday afternoon July 21, 2009, on a 3 km circuit hike which took me along the Lyrebird Track, Coranderrk Aqueduct Track and Stringybark Track.

I was surprised to meet up with a beautiful lyrebird!

In the picnic area, hordes of brightly colored parrots congregate, waiting for seeds!

The Weir is temporarily closed to visitors, to be reopened in October 2009, due to construction work.

The name "Badger" was introduced by the early settlers. One version is that they thought that the wombats were like English badgers. Another version suggests that the name was that of a horse, which had become bogged!

The Weir and its surrounds are listed in the Australian Heritage Database - comprehensive information about its history, construction and evolution is at

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=102623

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Lenister Farm Wetland, Lower Eltham

Lenister Farm Wetland is a large area of woodland, in the outer suburb of Lower Eltham, about 20 km NE of the Melbourne CBD.

At the confluence of the Yarra River and Diamond Creek, it contains a birdhide, interpretative signage, and a viewing platform on the river, with gravel pathways.

Adjacent is a new, modern footbridge over the Yarra, leading to the Main Yarra Trail and the Candlebark Conservation Area in the Templewtow muncipality.

Nearby is Lower Eltham Park and the Miniature Railway.

The Family Nature Trail, follows the Diamond Creek Valley.

I visisted this interesting area on Monday aftrnoon July 20, 2009, completing a 4 km hike which took me over the bridge, along the long boardwalk on the Lower Yarra Trail, through the Candlebark Conservation Area forest, around Lenister Farm Wetland, and along the Family Nature Trail.

Sadly, the Wetland was completely dry, due to the extended drought, but there were good views of the Yarra.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Peninsula Tunnels east of Warburton

About 14 km east of Warburton, 70 km from Melbourne, on the Upper Yarra Reservoir Rd there is a signposted turnoff to the Little Peninsula Tunnel Picnic Ground.

There are barbecue facilities and a short walk to the Little Peninsula Tunnel which was created to alter the course of the river in the goldmining era so that the prospectors could scour the river bed.

The Tunnel can also be reached from the upper car park, which is linked by a short track to the picnic ground.

Another tunnel is at the Big Peninsula, about 1 km further east along the highway, and tracks lead down from the small car park, to either side of the Tunnel. A small picnic area is at the bottom of the stairway.

The Goldfields Walking Trail starts nearby.

A new Information Board has been constructed at the Big Peninsula Tunnel viewing point. New wooden stairways and rails have also been built.

I visited the area on Sunday afternoon July 19, 2009.

See the full set of Photos of my visit

Exploring the Mortimer Nature Trail, Bunyip State Park

The Mortimer Nature Trail is a pleasant self-guided 3 km walking circuit in the Bunyip State Park, 60 km east of Melbourne, near the town of Gembrook.

It starts at the Mortimer Picnic Ground, on the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd, and passes through interesting bushland, fern gullies, and forest.

Interpretative signs explain the various features along the Trail, which crosses the William Wallace and Diamond Creeks.

I explored this Trail on Saturday afternoon July 17, 2009.

Nearby, on the Tonimbuk Rd, deep in the forest, are the remains of the historical Tonimbuk Charcoal Kiln, built in the 1940s.

The historical site has a protective fence and interpretation board, completed very recently in June!

Built in the nearly 1940s, the steel kiln is of a unique construction and one of only two known Portable Kilns used on-site in the local forests. While its history is not fully known it is hoped through such public exposure more of its uses and manufacturing details may come to light.

The Kiln is listed in the Cardinia Shire Heritage Study and on the Victorian Heritage Register in the Category “Forest and Timber Industry”. The Minark Heritage Victoria database describes this kiln as “of high scientific and Historical significance". Steps towards its preservation and proper identification are in the public interest.

Details about the Kiln are at

http://www.templesociety.com/Caught%20on%20Camera/2008/Tonimbuk/Caught%20on%20Camera.htm\

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Olinda Creek Walking Track in Winter

I was in the Olinda Forest on Tuesday afternoon July 14, 2009, reviewing walking track conditions and searching for Fungi.

Located in the Dandenong Ranges National Park,about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD iy 4 km exploration started from the small car park at the junction of Olinda Creek Rd and gated Track 18, at the confluence of Stonyford and Olinda Creeks.

This took me along Track 18, beside the Olinda Creek, on to Track 13, over the old bridge, along the Olinda Creek Walking Track, on to Olinda Creek Rd and back to the car.

Up until the early 1950s, this was a timber cutting area, and has been subject to bushfire devastation on several occasions since.

A disused concrete weir over the creek is about 500 m from the car park, built in 1931 when the nearby Silvan Reservoir was commissioned. The Reservoir was built on the Stonyford Creek.

See the full set of Photos, which includes an historical image taken in 1909 of the Stonyford Creek Bridge, which may be compared with an image of the same place taken on my visit almost exactly 100 years later!

Exploring Sweeney's Flats, Eltham

Sweeneys Flats is a relatively large preserved woodland park, on the north bank of the Yarra River, Eltham, about 30 km NE of Melbourne.

It is reached from Mt Pleasant Rd (Eltham), then into Sweeney's Lane. A car park and access gate are at the end of this road.

Members of the Wurundjeri tribe of Aboriginals originally inhabited the area. The area remains significant to descendants of the Wurundjeri. During the 1840s, the land around Sweeneys Flats was purchased by Thomas Sweeney, a former convict who established an extensive property built by hard work and initiative. The Hawthorn hedge that remains is still a small part of what was once a system of many hedgerows separating the paddocks of the property from one another.

Directly opposite, on the south bank of the river, is the Tikalara Park, Candlebark Park, and Main Yarra Trail.

The pictures were taken on Wednesday afternoon July 15. 2009, showing the views, river scenes, dry lagoon, former hedges, other hikers, the 1800s Homestead, and ducks, along the interesting 4 km (return) walking trail, which ends at the Griffith Bushland Park.

The river has several sections and exposed rock formations which are popular for swimming, paddling, and fishing.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Exploring Mount Dandenong

Burke's Lookout is high up on the western flank of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 35 km east of Melbourne.

It offers superb views across Melbourne's eastern and northern suburbs, with the city towers and Port Phillip Bay visible on the horizon.

Access to the Lookout is via the rocky Kyeema walking track, near the summit of Mt Dandenong. This gated track is reached from a small car park off Ridge Rd, adjacent to the TV transmission towers.

A side track leads to the memorial cairn, at the spot where the Kyeema DC2 aircraft crashed in 1938, with the loss of all 18 passengers and crew.

I visited the Lookout on Thursday afternoon July 16, 2009, as part of a 4 km exploration which took me along the northern section of the Kyeema Track, along Trig Track, and then into the beautiful gardens of the Mt. Dandenong Arboretum.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Exploring Stane Brae, Warrandyte State Park

Stane Brae is a large section of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of Melbourne.

It was originally a grazing and farming property, prior to its purchase by the Victorian Government for incorporation into the Park. River frontages were also acquired.

The stables and outbuildings of the former homestead have been converted into a rest and picnic area, with basic free overnight accommodation facilities offered for walkers, Parks Victoria personnel, and canoeists.

Some of the original plantings remain, and extensive revegetation activities are continuing.

There are excellent views of the surrounding hills, the adjacent Yarra River, with rapids and a small beach, suitable for swimming, canoe launching/landing.

Access is by canoe or on foot, from Jumping Creek carpark. The walk is about 7 km return, following fire access tracks.

There are mobs of eastern Grey Kangaroos resident at Stane Brae, and they were in copious numbers during my visit on Friday afternoon July 17, 2009!

See the full set of Photos of my trip!

Sherbrooke Falls during the Big Storm

On Saturday afternoon July 11, 2009, I braved the wintry elements and went to the Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My visit was to check out the state of the walking tracks to the Sherbrooke Falls.

My visit took me on a 3 km circuit from the O'Donohue's Picnic Ground, along O'Donohue's Track, past the Long Bridge, on to the Sherbrooke Track, then to the Falls viewing platform, and return.

The weather was atrocious - misty rain, and gale force winds over 100 km/h in the forest. The noise sounded like a jumbo jet taking off! Branches, bark and leaves were tumbling down. A huge Mountain Ash had fallen across Ridge Track near the Falls.

I met another hiker who had taken refuge in the base of a tall tree! All this was very scary, so we hotfooted it back to the car park.

The Sherbrooke Creek was flowing strongly over the falls.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Exploring Black Flat, Warrandyte State Park

Black Flat Reserve is in the Warrandyte Sate Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is reached from a small car park off Tills Rd.

It is the site of the alluvial gold mining of the 1880s - the only relics are the overgrown diggings.

The Black Flat Circuit Track is a 4 km loop, through the former diggings, along the Nature Trail, and passing the Yarra River. Part of the Track follows the Jumping Creek to Black Flat Walking Track.

The Track passes the site of the Mullen's Orchard, which operated from 1870 to 1914, adjacent to the Yarra.

There are picnic tables at this point, which is used as a canoe launching area.

For the adventurous, a rough foot-track goes from the orchard site westerly through bushland along the river bank, but becomes overgrown near the old watercourse. This links with another track which joins the management road. The remains of old concrete foundations are visible in a cleared area at the end of this track.

I walked the Black Flat Track on Friday afternoon July 10, 2009, a dull and overcast midwinter day!

See the complete set of Photos of my visit.

Kalorama Park in mid-winter

The Kalorama Nature Trail is a 3 km circuit in the Kalorama Park, 35 km east of Melbourne.

The Trail has recently (2009) been upgraded and extended, and passes through native forest, historical fruit orchards and exotic plantings.

Boasting spectacular views over the Silvan Reservoir and the south-eastern face of the Dandenong Ranges, Kalorama Park is perfect for picnics, barbecues or simply relaxing whilst enjoying the magnificent surrounds.

Kalorama Park is bordered by lush temperate forest on the eastern side and the Dandenong Ranges National Park to the north and south. The first Europeans to settle in the Kalorama valley area were Isaac Jeeves, Mathew Child and Jabez Richardson, with their families. The three families built their homes along what was then called 'Running Creek', now known as Olinda Creek. In 1870, Jeeves sold part of his allotment to Thomas Hand, who was a surveyor with the Upper Yarra Road Board. This allowed Jeeves to purchase land in the 'Gap' which was named Jeeves Saddle, and is now known as 'Five Ways'. The Jeeves family, through son Ellis and grandsons Hubert and Walter, retained ownership of part of the original title of land for nearly 100 years.

During this time the entire open section of the park was cleared of its natural vegetation, for logging and grazing purposes.

In 1963, the State Government purchased 13 hectares from the Jeeves family, followed by another nine hectares of adjoining land later on.

The 'Save the Dandenong's League' was instrumental in the purchase of this land to conserve it from further development and raised half the cost through subscriptions and a public appeal. Relics that still remain are the old farm shed, thought to be built by the Jeeves family in the 1940s, and the barbecue pavilion built by the Forest Commission to commemorate the site where Ellis Jeeves built a house.

The forest supports a diversity of wildlife. Stay alert and you may be surprised at what you see. Mistletoe Birds, Yellow Robins, Eastern Whipbirds, Crimson Rosellas and Golden and Rufous Whistlers are just some of the more commonly seen birds in the park. Nocturnal animals include Common Ringtail and Brushtail Possums, Sugar Gliders, Black Wallabies, wombats and echidnas. Remnant Mountain Ash forest covers the eastern section of the park.

This type of forest was prominent throughout the Dandenong Ranges before European settlement and the resulting widespread clearing. Mountain Ash trees can reach heights of up to 150 metres and may live for 400 years - due to a number of fires the oldest are around 150 years in age.

There are three distinct layers of vegetation below the canopy of Mountain Ash trees. Ferns and grass species make up the ground cover, with the mid-storey comprising Hazel Pomaderris, Blanket Leaf, Soft and Rough Tree Ferns, Musk Daisy Bush and Blackwood Wattles. Kalorama Park features around 80 orchard trees planted by the Jeeves family over 100 years ago. The orchard area consists of plum, apple, peach and walnut trees that are scattered through open cleared grasslands.

Other historically significant trees of Kalorama Park include two Elm trees above the five ways carpark, which were planted by the Jeeves family to mark the gateway to the original property.

Remnants of the original formal garden beds still remain today and have been restored with recent plantings of azaleas, rhododendrons, native ferns and grasses.

I visited this beautiful Park on Thursday afternoon July 9, 2009, which included a hike along the Nature Trail circuit. A marker just off the track, designated "11", is at the site of the original homestead, now hidden in thick regrowth.

See t he full set of Photos of my visit!

O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, Dee Rd Section, Warburton

Now part of the Yarra Ranges National Park, the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail is a long, step-on, step-off 27 km walking/cycling/horse route starting at Don Rd, Launching Place, and ending at the O'Shannassy Reservoir, about 80 km east of Melbourne, past the town of Warburton.

The Aqueduct was constructed between 1911 and 1915, and decommissioned in 1997. The maintenance track, known as Road 18, has been opened up progressively for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists, following transfer of land ownership from Melbourne Water to Parks Victoria.

The Trail passes through magnificent Mountain Ash forest, past fern gullies, with excellent views across the Yarra Valley towards Mt Little Joe and the mountains near Big Pats Creek. It winds its way around the base of Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria and Ben Cairn, passing many aqueduct engineering works, bridges, syphons, huts, distance marker posts and old maintenance sheds.

New access gates for management vehicles and walkers have been built at various locations along the route.

Sadly, there has been massive encroachment of vegetation, fallen trees, branches, and weeds in sections of the Aqueduct.

I have completed the 23 km of the Trail which is open to walkers - 46 km return, in several trips!

On Wednesday afternoon July 8, 2009, I reviewed a section of the Trail, starting at the access point at the newly constructed car-park and picnic ground at the end of Dee Rd, West Warburton.

There is an informative display board and map at the picnic ground.

My exploration took me east over the old trestle bridge, then on to the abandoned Outlet Valve No. 1 at the creek. This was my turnaround point - the distance was about 4 km overall.

See the full set of Photos of the features and views along this section of the Trail.

A comprehensive set of Trail Notes, and detailed maps, may be downloaded from the Parks Victoria Web site:

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_1751.pdf

The history and development of the aqueduct may be viewed at

http://www.aussieheritage.com.au/listings/vic/Warburton/OShannassyWeirAqueductandAssociatedFeatures/17556

Mid-winter coastal hike - Point Leo to Shoreham

On Tuesday afternoon July 7, 2009, a beautiful sunny cloudless mid-winter day, I travelled down to the Westernport Coast, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

My destination was Point Leo, the start of an exploration of the coastline to Shoreham Beach, a return beachwalk of about 5 km - temperature was about 12 degrees.

By 3pm, the sun was very low in the northern sky, casting long shadows along the beach.

The views across Westernport Bay were superb, to Phillip Island, and further along the coast to Flinders.

The On Tuesday afternoon July 7, 2009, a beautiful sunny cloudless mid-winter day, I travelled down to the Westernport Coast, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

My destination was Point Leo, the start of an exploration of the coastline to Shoreham Beach, a return beachwalk of about 5 km - temperature was about 12 degrees.

By 3pm, the sun was very low in the northern sky, casting long shadows along the beach.

The views across Westernport Bay were superb, to Phillip Island, and further along the coast to Flinders.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit, which show features of my beachwalk, with many hounds, other beachcombers, a cyclist, the foreshore, the reefs, and the track leading up to the Shoreham Camping Ground on the top of the cliff.

The waves were not good for surfing on this day!

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!