Somers Coast, Westernport Bay

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

The eastern beach extends for several kilometres to the perimeter of HMAS Cerberus, the Naval Facility, a prohibited area.

I visited Somers on Saturday afternoon January 30, 2010. Leaving the car at the main car park opposite the historic General Store, I followed the clifftop trail through bushland, reaching the beach.

From there I followed the coast to Sandy Point and returned the same way, about 6 km total.

The tide was out, exposing vast rock pools and reefs.

There was plenty of action along this coast - swimming, beachcombing, rockpooling, sunbaking, colored igloo tents, cycling, hound-walking, kayaking, canoeing and speedboats.

Yachts from the Somers Club were engaged in their circuit race out in the Bay.

A note of caution - the 1 km section of this beach and foreshore leading to the HMAS Cerberus fence is in an "optional clothing" area!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Fingal Beach, Mornington Peninsula National Park

On Thursday January 28, 2010, I visited Fingal Beach, in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, about 100 km south of Melbourne.

It is reached by a 4 km (return) foot-track, starting at the Pines Picnic area on the Cape Schanck Rd.

The track initially winds its way through coastal bushland, passsing a lookout with superb views along the coast.

From there, it follows the cliff top, then reaches a junction. The track contuinues along the cliff top to Gunnamatta Beach, about 3 km further on.

The track to Fingal Beach starts at this junction, and is a very steep descent about 1 km on steps and a staircase to the beach, far down below.

The beach is sandy, with many rock formations exposed at low tide.

I went along the beach westerly towards Gunnamatta Beach, linking up with a previous hike of some weeks ago.

The return was up the steps, then along the "shortcut track" back to the picnic ground.

All this was about 4.5 km - there is a change in altitude from123 m to zero.

The ascent is rather tough! Not recommended on very hot days !

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Lookout Rocks, Olinda

On Wednesday afternoon January 27 2010 I went over to the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the entrance to gated Mathias Rd, off Falls Rd.

Reaching Golf Course Track, I followed this management track to the Lookout Rocks.

I returned via Golf Course Track and Cornus Track, then back on to Mathias Rd, a total distance of about 4 km.

The route followed the perimeter of the Rhododendrum Gardens, then past the Olinda Golf Course, with superb views easterly to the Yarra Ranges.

There is a change in altitude from 472 m to 513 m.

This is a lyrebird habitat, and I was fortunate in seeing one these very shy creatures crossing Mathias Rd, near the creek, then disappearing into the bush.

Lookout Rocks is a well-known destination, with visitors enjoying it since the early 1900s. In those years, there were nice views across the Yarra Valley, now obscured by tall timber.

I have included two historical images of people at the Rocks, taken in the year 1910.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Ascent ot Mt Lofty, Warrandyte State Park

On Sunday January 24 2009 I went across to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

From the canoe launching ramp at the end of Lower Homestead Rd I went along the walking track next to the Yarra, passing the Observation Platform, through bushland, then on to the water point athe foot of Mt Lofty.

From there, I climbed the fire management track to the summit, where there is a picnic table and seats.

I met some other hikers at the summit, and we exchanged ideas and thoughts about bushwalking.

Then, down Stephen's Track, past the Information Board, joining Lower Homestead Rd and back to the car park.

The views from the summit are spectacular, looking across the Yarra Valley towards Mts St Leonard and Monda, and to the Dandenong Ranges.

A mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos were on the hill opposite the river, part of the Country Club Golf Resort.

This was a 3 km hike on a rather hot day!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Ascent of Fourth Hill, Warrandyte State Park

On Saturday January 23 2009 I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km from the Melbourne CBD.

My objective was to climb Fourth Hill, looking for gold nuggets in the former mining area.

Sadly, no nuggets were found!

My 4 kn hike started at the car park on the Gold Memorial Rd. From there, over the creek crossing, up Wildcat Gully Track, passing the entrance to the tunnel leading to the old Geraghty's Mine, then up to the summit of Fourth Hill.

A reservoir and fire lookout tower once existed on the Summit, long gone.

Then, along Betton Track, the Gold Heritage Trail, and descending past old mines and back to the car park.

There are some interesting views from the summit.

The trail descends steeply in places and care is needed.

Interpretative signs along the Trail describe the early gold-digging activities of the 1850s.

Strange creatures inhabit the bush near the summit - a Bunyip came out on the track!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Action at Tulum Beach, Balnarring!

There was certainly plenty of action down at Tulum Beach, Westernport Bay, on Monday January 25, 2010!

It's part of the Balnarring Coast, some 70 km south of Melbourne.

I did the 4 km (return) hike along the beach from the main car park to Somers.

Nice place!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Timber Bushland Reserve, Warrandyte State Park

On Thursday afternoon January 21, 2010, I went over to the little known Timber Bushland Reserve, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the junction of Webb St and gated Pigtail Track.

I then followed this track, which is also a bridle trail, descending to the junction of Boundary Track and Pigtail Rd, passing another access gate at the end of Harding Rd.

I returned, via a 1 km detour along the rarely used South Hill Track, passing the former diggings area.

The Timber Bushland was added to the Park in 1981, and gold prospecting was carried out here in the years 1880s to the 1930s. Sadly, I didn't find any nuggets!

I met a prospector from year 1930 on Pigtail Track - he had come through the time portal!

All this was about 4 km, much of it on stony, steep, dry, and rocky fire management tracks, on a very hot day over 30 degrees!

There was a change in altitude from 98 m to 142 m.

There was a good view near the summit of South Hill towards the Yarra Ranges and Mt St Leonard.

Residential properties adjoin the Reserve.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Mornington Coast

I visited Mornington on Wednesday afternoon January 20, 2010.

It's a sea side town 57 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district, in the Local Government Area of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.

Mornington is known for its "village" atmosphere and its beautiful beaches. Mornington is a popular tourist destination with Melburnians who often make day trips to visit the area's bay beaches and wineries.

The town centre runs into the foreshore area and local beach.

The Post Office opened on 21 May 1856 as Schnapper Point and was renamed Mornington in 1864.

An earthquake measuring 6 on the Mercalli intensity scale struck the town on September 2, 1932 associated with the nearby Selwyn fault. Although no major damage or fatalities occurred it remains one of the strongest to strike an Australian urban area.

The town centre runs into the foreshore area and local beach, which features a yacht club, restaurant and park with playground facilities.

Mornington is an attractive destination for shopping and features some excellent restaurants and cafes.

I left the car on the cliff top, opposite the park, and walked down to the main beach. From there, I went out to the end of the long jetty. Then, it was up the hill to the Monument to Matthew Flinders, the rocky shore at Schnapper's Point, and the boardwalk along the clifftop.

I returned to the beach, and followed this past the bathing boxes to the west point, then back to the car.

The photos show the various attractions and water-based activities!

See all of the Photos of my visit, which show the various attractions and water-based activities!

The old gold mines at Black Flat, Warrandyte State Park

On Tuesday afternoon January 19 2009 I went over to the Black Flat Reserve, in the Warrandyte State Park, about 20 km east of the Melhourne CBD.

It is an area of woodland and bush, with old mine diggings, a variety of birdlife, a picnic area and a riverside walking track. Horses are not allowed at this site. It lies at the end of Tills Drive (an earthen road) which leads off the Warrandyte-Ringwood Rd (an extension of Yarra St) about 1.3 km beyond the turnoff to Whipstick Gully.

My route took me up the hill from the Tills Rd access gate, past the site of the alluvial diggings, then on to the Atkins Rd gate, with a diversion into the scrub searching for gold. Sadly, I didn't find any nuggets!

My return was via the lower level track back to Tills Rd - total distance was about 3 km.

The diggings date back to the 1880s - there are very few artifacts remaining, except the stone foundations of an old structure and some rusted metal.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

A Hike in the Olinda Forest

On Sunday afternoon January 18 2009 I went over to the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the junction of the Olinda Creek Rd and gated Management Road 13.

From there, I proceeded down Road 13, crossing the old bridge over the Olinda Creek, then ascended the summit.

The change in altitude was from 251m to 323m, steep in parts.

This route follows the perimeter of the Flower Farm, the only remaining commercial property within this section of the National Park.

After exploring the Summit, I returned the same way, getting soaked in unexpected rain! Total distance was about 3 km.

I met two pleasant Forest Creatures near the Bridge, they are in the images!

See the full set of Photos of my visit, which show some of the forest creatures!

Merricks Beach Hike, Westernport Bay

On Saturday January 16, 2009, I went down to Balnarring Beach, on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

From the small car park at the at the end of Seawind Rd, I followed the coastline to the Merricks Yacht Club, on Merricks Beach.

My return was via the same roure, about 4 km in total.

There was plenty of activity along the beach - swimming, beachcombing, rockpooling, mini-surfing, sandcastle building, yachting, small boats, and suntanning!

See all of the Photos of my visit, including my "Postcard from Merricks"!

Yarra River at Warrandyte - midsummer action!

On Sunday January 10 2009 I dashed over to the Warrandyte State Park, 15 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the Taroona Bushland Reserve, adjacent to the Yarra, and walked along the River Trail to the Bridge, about 3 km return.

This was a very hot day, with plenty of water action!

Hounds floating in inflatable dinghies? !

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Action on Balnarring Coast in mid-summer

Saturday January 9, 2010 was a hot bay, so I headed down to Balnarring Beach, on Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melbourne.

From the car park at the end of Balnarring Beach Rd, I followed the Coastal Heath Trail, past the Yacht Club, then on to Bayview Trail, reaching the Tulum Beach.

Tulum Beach is the eastern section of the Balnarring Beach, adjacent to the Merricks Estuary Bushland/Heathland and the Coolart Historical Homestead Reserve.

I followed the beach to Somers Beach. My return was along the beach, with a short detour to the Suspension Beach over the Merricks Creek. This was about 4 km in total.

There was plenty of color and action along the beach - swimming, beachcombing, sand castles, moats, rockpooling, cricket, paddling, sun tanning, yachting, boating, kites, and windsurfing!

See the full set of Photos!

The Blow Hole in mid-summer, Flinders Coast

The Blow Hole is a spectacular natural rock formation, on the Flinders Coastline, 90 km south of Melbourne.

The access road is about 1 km west of Flinders township.

I visited the Blow Hole on Thursday January 7, 2010, descending the long wooden staircase to the rocks, along the beach to the east cliffs, and then along the top of the high west cliffs.

My 3 km exploration coincided with an extremely low tide, allowing access over the black rugged volcanic rocks easterly towards Flinders.

It is possible to walk all the way to the Flinders Ocean Beach at low tide over these rocks.

There were quite a few visitors there, exploring the rockpools. The coastal views were spectacular!

Hang gliders above the cliffs gave a thrilling display!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Flinders and the Jetty

On Thursday January 7, 2009, I went down to the Flinders Coast, 80 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

After exploring the spectacular Blow Hole rock formation a few km west of Flinders village, I visited the Flinders Foreshore and went out to the end of the Jetty.

There was plenty of boating and beach action!

Almost 58 years to the day, on January 12 1952, I first visited Flinders, on an excursion arranged by the YMCA at Camp Buxton at nearby Shoreham.

We walked from Shoreham along the beach to Flinders village, and were taken back to the camp by bus.

See all of the Photos of my 2010 visit, which includes two recolorized pictures which I took on my Box Brownie on the 1952 trip!.

They show the Matthew Flinders Memorial and a view of the Jetty.

Interestingly, the Memorial looks much the same as it did 58 years ago - the boys in the vintage 1952 picture (at top) are two of my mates with whom I shared a tent at Camp Buxton.

The 1952 view of the Jetty shows that there has been extensive residential development to the east. Look closely and you'll see the boat launching ramp at the left of the picture, still there in 2010! There were very few moored boats there in 1952, as compared with 2010!