The Bunyip State Park, 65 km east of Melbourne, 16,600 hectares, was severely ravaged by the February 2009 bushfires.
Some Sections of it have only been reopened recently for walkers, cyclists and horseriders. There is now only limited access for trail bike riders and 4WDing, pending the completion of restoration works.
The Park was proclaimed in 1992 - prior to that, the area was used for logging from 1898 until 1990.
Many relics of the timber industry remain - old stumps and logs.
I visited the Park on Monday afternoon March 1, 2010, with my base at the Mortimer Picnic Ground, just off the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd, the site of a former timber mill.
From here, several walking tracks and gated management roads lead into the forest.
I proceeded along the Nature Trail, which is a circuit, in the Diamond Creek Gully, passing beautiful fern trees and tall timber.
Interpretative signs along the trail describe points of interest.
The Trail reaches Steege Track, which I followed for a short exploration!
Then, I returned to the Nature Trail and joined the Tonimbuk Bridle Trail, signed for "walkers, cyclists and horses", which starts at the crossing at the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd.
I followed this pleasant trail for about 1.5 km, where it ended at the Gembrook Rd. The trail follows the Diamond Creek Gully, through tall forest and ferns. I then returned to base!
This area was once a logging region, and many relics remain - old stumps and logs, much of it having been damaged in bushfires.
The total hiking distance was about 5 km.
See all of the Photos of my visit!
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