Tulum Beach - Coastal Hike

On Tuesday November 24, 2009, I visited the Tulum Beach Foreshore, Balnarring Beach district, abut 70 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

From the main car park at the end of Balnarring Beach Rd, I followed the Coastal Heath Track, leading into Merricks Track.

This was in pleasant coastal bushland alongside the Merricks Creek Estuary, reaching the main Tulum Beach.

I returned to the car park along the Beach, via the western point - the total distance was about 3 km.

The views across the Bay to Phillip Island were excellent!

The network of walking tracks in the heathland is well signed, with some nice views of the Merricks Creek Estuary and water birds.

Tulum Beach is a nice spot for swimming, boating, fishing, suntanning, or beachcombing, and extends to Somers Beach.

Black Flat Track - Warrandyte State Park

On Thursday afternoon November 25, 2009, I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and did the 4 km (return) Black Flat Track.

It was a very hot, humid and overcast day.

From the Jumping Creek Reserve car-park, my hike took me along the cliff top, with good views down to the Yarra, far below.

Reaching the Black Flat Track junction, I returned to the car park.

An immense thunderstorm, heavy rain, and lightning had reached the Warrandyte region, and I was drenched by the time I got back to the car!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

On a sunny day, this is a very picturesque locality, with the rapids and ducks; large Redfins often rise out of the river!

The Old Farmhouse in the Olinda Forest

On Monday November 22, 2009, I visited the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the access gate to Management Road 19, on the Olinda Creek Rd.

I followed Road 19, crossing the Olinda Creek, past the remains of the old farmhouse, then up the hill to the perimeter of the original farm.

I then explored the area adjacent to the Olinda Creek, examining the old diversion which was made in the 1940s to bring water into the Weir further along the Olinda Ceeek Rd.

Plantings made by the original owners of the farmhouse have run wild, including fruit trees and ornamental shrubs.

Large tree-ferns populate the banks of the Creek.

The farmhouse and land were acquired by Parks Victoria when the Olinda Forest was added to the Park in 1997.

From the high point at the end of Road 19, above the old farmhouse, there are good views across the Olinda Creek Valley to the hills surrounding the Silvan Reservoir.

Many cockatoos inhabit the area!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Blue Tongue Bend Hike - Warrandyte State Park

On Saturday November 21, 2009, a very hot and humid day, I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km from the Melbourne CBD.

I did the 4 km return hike from the Jumping Creek Reserve to Blue Tongue Bend.

Good views of the Yarra and fishermen trying their luck!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Number 16 Beach - Mornington Peninsula National Park

Number 16 Beach is part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, in the muncipality of Rye, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

It is between Dimmick's Beach and the Rye Ocean Beach.

The origin of the name is unknown!

It is reached from a small car park at the end of an unsealed road off Tasman Drive.

A sign at the car park gives directions to the beach, which is at the bottom of a track across the sane dunes and a staircase.

I visited this nice beach on Wednesday November 18, 2009, for a 3 km coastal hike which took me from the cliffs at a point known as "The Divide", then easterly towards the Rye Ocean Beach.

There are unusual rock formations along this section of the coast, and great views towards Gunamatta and Cape Schanck.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Badger Weir Park - Healesville

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 Reserve on Tuesday afternoon November 17 2009, on a 3 km circuit hike which took me along the Lyrebird Track and Coranderrk Aqueduct Track.

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

The Weir is temporarily closed to visitors, to be reopened by the end of 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!

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

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

Canoeing action on the Yarra, Warrandtye State Park

On Sunday afternoon November 15 2009 I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 30 km from downtown Melbourne.

Hot day, approaching 30 degrees.

I parked at the gate at the start of Stephen Track, off Lower Homestead Rd, and climbed to the Mt Lofty Summit. Glorious views of the Park, the Yarra Gorge, the Yarra Ranges, the Dandenong Ranges, the Heritage and Country Club golf course, and the Yarra Valley.

At the summit, two other walkers appeared, who had come up from the northern end of Stephen Track. We exchanged pleasantries about the spectacular views and went on our respective ways.

I descended the steep management track down to the water point on the River, then continued along the rough foot-track through the scrub, reaching the Lookout Platform. Then, along the main gravelled track over the boardwalk to the car park, and back to my car along Lower Homestead Rd.

All this was about 2 km.

Plenty of canoeing and fishing action on the river!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Somers Reefs - Westernport Bay

On Saturday afternoon November 14, 2009, I went down to Somers Beach, on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

From the main car park at the General Store I followed the Somers Foreshore Nature Trail, through coastal bushland, reaching the reefs.

The tide was out, exposing the vast reefs, which I explored.

From there I continued along the beach to Sandy Point, at the perimeter of the HMAS Cerburus naval facility.

Access to the beach beyond Sandy Point is prohibited.

My return was along the beach to the staircase leading up to the carpark and viewing platform - the hike was about 5 km total.

The reefs offer plenty of opportunities for rockpooling and reef exploring.

There was plenty of water action - yachts, jet boats, kayaks, swimming, paddling, cycling, sandcastles and fishing for toadies!

There are excellent views across the Bay from the Nature Trail.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Merricks Coastline beach hike

On Monday November 9, 2009, I went down to the Merricks Beach, about 70 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

From the car park, my coastal hike took me to the Eastern Creek Estuary, at Point Leo.

Much of the hike was in the ocean - the water was very warm - a hot day at 35 degrees!

The hike was 4 km in total, and there were nice views across the Bay to Phillip Island.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Olinda Forest Hike in early summer

On Thursday November 12, 2009, I went over to the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of downtown Melbourne.

My 3 km hike started at the gate on Management Road 13, at the junction with Olinda Creek Rd. This took me down to the old rustic bridga over the Olinda Creek.

Then, I proceeded along the unsigned and rarely-used circuit Track which follows the Olinda Creek Gully, which brought me back to my starting point.

Many beautiful blue and yellow wildflowers were in bloom.

This section of the Forest was subject to fuel reduction burning in 2008, as it is in proximity to the Flower Farm, the only remaining market-garden property in the area, dating back to the 1940s.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Action at Tulum Beach, Westernport Coast!

The Tulum Beach is a 3 km strip of sandy coastline, extending from the Balranning Beach to Somers Beach, about 70 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

The Merricks Creek Bushland and Coolart Woodlands border the Beach.

It is a popular spot for small boats, kayaking, yachts, surfboarding, wind-kites, land kites, swimming, paddling, sand castles, lying on the sand and beachwalking!

I visited this Beach on Saturday November 7, 2009, a hot day (32 degrees!) for the 4 km return beach walk to Somers Beach.

There was plenty of action, and many yachts were out in the main channel, off Phillip Island.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

The Valley - Olinda Firest

The Olinda Forest is one of my favourite locations, relatively close to the Melbourne CBD, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

A special place is the Valley Picnic Ground, reached from Silvan rd and Boundary Rd, from which several hiking tracks may be explored.

I visited the Valley on Friday afternoon November 6, 2009, then followed KC Track, then along Rifle Range Gully Track, and back to the picnic ground, about 3 km in total.

This area is a protected lyrebird habitat, and these shy creatures may occasionally be seen on Rifle Range Gully Track.

After leaving the Valley, I visited the Woolrich Lookout, which overlooks the Forest - this offers wonderful panoramic views across the Yarra Valley towards the Yarra Ranges and beyond.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Maroondah Reservoir Park - Healesville

The Maroondah Reservoir Park, Healesville, 60 km east of Melbourne, has been reopened, after several months, due to the disastrous fires which ravaged the area in February 2009.

The main Walking tracks from the picnic area at the base of the Reservoir have now been cleared of fire debris and footbridges repaired.

I visited the Park on Thursday November 5, 2009, with a 3 km (return) hike up to the scenic Reservoir Lookout along the Maroondah Forest Walking Track.

The reservoir was full, after recent heavy rains in the catchment feeders, and there were excellent views to the peaks of Mt Juliet and the Lake Mountain area.

Water was pouring over the spillway, into Myers Creek, which was a fast-flowing torrent!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Yarra River - Pound Bend Hike - Warrandyte State Park

On Wednesday November 4, 2009, I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 15 km from the Melbourne CBD.

I did the 4 km (return) Pound Bend Track, starting at the Pound Bend Picnic Ground, and continuing on the relatively unknown extension track around the Kangaroo Paddock.

See all of the Photos of my visit, which shows views of the Yarra River, kangaroos, a galah, a nice fungus, a duck family, and the Picnic Ground.

Historical photos show the Picnic Ground as it looked in the years 1900 and 1940!

Flinders Ocean Beach and Mushroom Reef

Located on the open Ocean Beach at Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula and covering 80 hectares in area, Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary supports the most diverse intertidal rocky reef communities in Victoria. The Marine Sanctuary comprises an extensive rock platform, with sheltered rock pools and coves protected by a shallow reef on the ocean side.

Flinders is about 80 km south of Melbourne and the Ocean Beach is part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

I visited the Sanctuary on Tuesday afternoon November 3, 2009.

From the car park at West Head Lookout, my 3 km return route took me down the steps to the Beach. From there, I walked past the exposed Reef, to the cliffs at the western end.

I returned the same way, with a short diversion to inspect the old sheds overlooking the Beach, near the viewing platform.

See all of the Photos of my visit, which includes one I took on January 12, 1952, looking west along the Beach. This was part of a beach walk from Shoreham to Flinders, as part of a 10-day summer holiday activity organized by the YMCA, at Camp Buxton, Shoreham.

The camera I used in 1952 was a Box Brownie, and it is still in good working condition.

For further information about the Sanctuary, please visit:

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0785.pdf

Clifford Park - Warrandyte State Park

The Clifford Park Activity Centre is a 20 hectare public access preserved bushland region 35 km NE of Melbourne.

Surrounded by hundreds of hectares of the Warrandyte State Park, it is owned by Scouting Australia - Victoria, and members of the public may explore it by foot at any time. There is access through it to the Yarra River precinct at the northern boundary.

Clifford Park, honouring the late Lord Clifford, is perhaps the most significant scouting site in Australia, having been the location of two Jamborees and the World Rover Moot.

It is part of the former 200 hectare property known as Yarra Brae Farm.

In 1962, the farm was the site for the 7th World Rover Moot the first world scouting event ever to be held in Australia. The World Rover Moot was attended by more than 1000 Rover Scouts from across the globe.

Following the death of Lord Clifford, Yarra Brae Farm was sold at auction in 1967. The new owners continued to allow scouts the continuing use of the area surrounding the old parade ground along the river.

After purchase by Scouts Australia in 1983, the site was used mainly at weekends as a scout camping and activity venue. In 1995, in an effort to be more proactive in the community the Committee of Management decided to sponsor a new organisation, The Friends of Clifford Park, and open the property not just to scouts, but to the wider public as the "Clifford Park Activity Centre".

The first subdivision of the farm was approved in 1983 and Scouts Australia, Victorian Branch was able to purchase freehold the present 50 acre site which became known as "Clifford Park".

At around the same time, the Victorian Government resumed the whole Yarra River frontage to become part of the Warrandyte State Park,

With the support of Manningham City Council, both Federal and State governments and TAFE institutes at Box Hill, Swinburne and Holmesglen, the Friends have helped transform the park into a place of adventure, excitement and passive recreation -- a centre that can accommodate the needs of both scouting and non-scouting communities and one of which the whole community can justly be proud.

With full catering being available, Clifford Park also offers seminar facilities for government, local government, education and corporate entities who wish to conduct programs or staff development activities.

All developments to this stage have been carried out according to a master plan approved by the City of Manningham, which emphasizes the values of environment, activities for youth and scouting heritage.

See all of the Photos of my visit of October 22, 2009, on a 5 km hike, showing the general environment, some of the tracks, the Yarra River, and the adjacent Warrandyte State Park.

There is comprehensive information about Clfford Park at the following Website, to which acknowledgement is given for some of the historical background in this Photo Album:

http://www.vicscouts.asn.au/CliffordPark/index.html

Balnarring Coast and Coolart Woodlands

On Saturday October 31, 2009. I went down to the Balnarring Beach Foreshore, (also known as Tulum Beach) about 80 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

From the main carpark, I walked along the beach, reaching the unsigned boardwalk/footrack leading to the bridge over the Merricks Creek Estuary.

This took me to the signed Woodland Walk, then along the north bank of the Estuary, then uphill to the boundary of the Somers Camp for Children.

From there, I continued to the big Suspension Bridge over the Estuary, then back along the beach to the carpark, a total distance of about 5 km.

A weird natural phenomenon had occurred along the beach. This was a massive grey fog, which had blown in from the direction of Phillip Island. I have never seen anything quite like this before! A gale force wind accompanied the Fog, reducing visibility to about 50 metres!

Strangely, the fog vanished at the western end of the beach!

It was a hot day, around 30 degrees, with many visitors swimming, paddling, beachcombing, sailing in small boats, or working powered craft.

There was excitement along the beach, due to Land Boarders and Kite Surfers with their colorful kites.

Kitesurfing (also known as Kiteboarding) is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites.

A kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water. In 2006, the number of kitesurfers has been estimated at around 150,000 to 210,000, with 114,465 inflatable kites sold that same year.[1]

The sport is becoming safer due to innovations in kite design, safety release systems, and instruction. Riding styles have evolved to suit riders and conditions, such as wakestyle, waveriding, freestyle, jumping, and cruising.

Land Boarders sit on a wheeled "board", using the wind and kite as the power source. This activity is usually done on flat beaches, or over snow!

See the full set of Photos of my visit!