Exploring the Surrey Dive and Historic Heritage Brickworks

This album displays my photos taken on February 26, 2010, on an exploration of the Surrey Dive and the adjacent Heritage Brickworks, 15 km east of Melbourne town, in the Box Hill district.

In 1895 a market was opened near Box Hill railway station, which improved Box Hill's commercial importance. Box Hill was also the entry point for a tramline to Doncaster, which ran from 1889 to 1896. The 1890s also saw the opening of a gas works, several brickworks and a private girls' high school.

A site was bought by the Council from a brick works company in 1905, including a deep quarry from which clay had been taken. It became Surrey Park and the hole the Surrey Dive, a popular swimming hole, now an RC boat club.

The brickworks closed in 1988, and the quarry was filled in slowly. Much of the original tamping and grinding machines are still in place, though sadly smashed and graffitied by mindless fools.

In 1905 the newly formed Surrey Park Swimming Club petitioned the Council to purchase the former quarry site as a reserve. Surrey Dive became an official swimming pool with bathing sheds, springboards, and eventually a 10-lane course, making the Dive the first Olympic standard pool in Australia.

A ramp, springboard, a bathing shed and life buoys were purchased by Council. For many years Surrey Dive was the location of swimming carnivals watched by crowds of up to 3,000 people.

Swimming – for fun, fitness, or competition - has long been a popular activity amongst local residents. In the days before public swimming pools, the most well known swimming hole was the Surrey Dive.

The sheer cliffs and extraordinary depth of over 30 m attracted only the most experienced swimmers. The Surrey Park Swimming Club hosted regular swimming carnivals, the first of which was held in 1907 and featured a young Frank Beaurepaire, who won the one mile championship in record time.

After drought conditions forced the closure of Surrey Dive in 1967-68, the once popular swimming hole was converted into an ornamental lake.

While the experienced swimmers challenged themselves and others in Surrey Dive, there were few facilities for the young or inexperienced - despite repeated requests from the swimming club for improvements.

In the 1930s Ivy Weber, the first woman elected to Victorian Parliament and an advocate for health and fitness, organised a State Government grant to assist Council to build a new swimming pool at Box Hill.

The Box Hill City Baths, which were designed by City Engineer Frederick Kerr and featured tiles from the Australian Tesselated Tile Company, opened on 28 January 1939 in conjunction with the Australian Swimming Championships.

The Baths are adjacent to the Dive, and are now a heated outdoor facility, part of the Aqualink complex.

35,000 people went through the turnstiles in the first season and local schools were eager to use the Baths for swimming carnivals. The Surrey Park Swimming Club continued to use the facilities for training and competition and conducted learn to swim classes. Numbers peaked in the 1959-60 season when 105,000 came to the Baths.

The Brickworks site has been declared by the State Government as a Heritage Place.

The works opened in 1890, as the Box Hill Brick Company, but operations were suspended in 1892. In 1911 production restarted and in 1913 became the Standard Brick and Tile Co. Ltd.

In 1938 it was taken over by the Cooperative Brick Co., but did not operate during the war years 1942-1946.

In 1952, the works were converted to electricity and in 1966 were taken ofer by Brick and Pipe Co., until closing in August 1988.

In 1921, a 1 km railway line was built from the works to the sidings at Box Hill station. No trace of this line remains.

Surrey Dive and Aqualink is about ten monutes walk from my home here in Mont Albert and I regularly do laps in either the indoor or outdoor pools.

Surrounding the centre are several sports fields.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Valley, Olinda Forest

The Valley Picnic Ground is deep in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of Melbourne town.

It is a large cleared grassed area, formerly a rifle practice range in the 1930s, situated in the crater of the long-extinct Olinda Volcano, which last erupted 250 million years ago.

It is reached from unsealed Silvan Rd, then along Boundary Road.

Walking tracks radiate from the picnic area.

I visited the Valley on Thursday afternoon February 25, 2010.

From the picnic area, I followed the old jeep track down the open paddock, reaching Rifle Range Gully Track. I then proceeded along this track, adjacent to the Rifle Range Creek, to the quaintly named "K.C. Track".

I went up this track, which took me back to the picnic ground, a total distance of about 3 km.

Rifle Range Gully Track passes through a protected lyrebird habitat - occasionally these shy creatures may be seen.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring Fiddlers Gully, Warrandyte State Park

On Tuesday afternoon February 24, 2010, I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of Melbourne town.

I left the car at the picnic ground on Gold Memorial Road, adjacent to Anderson Creek. Fording the creek, I proceeded up gated Wild Cat Gully Track, then turned into Wild Cat Link Track.

This took me steadily uphill, reaching Webb Rd.

Then, I went along Dead End Track along the ridge-top adjacent to the old gold-mining area of Fiddlers Gully.

Dead End Track is what its name says - an old gold mining track which ends on the top of the steep cliffs above Anderson Creek!

From there, I returned to the car the same way - total distance was about 3 km..

Fiddlers Gully was once a gold mining area, in the 1850s to 1870s, but little evidence remains, apart from a few mounds of tailings and excavations.

There was an increase in altitude from 68 m at the start, to 104 m at Dead End Track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring Mt Lofty, Warrandyte State Park

Mt Lofty is at the extreme eastern edge of the Warrandyte State Park, 35 km east of Melbourne town.

The views from the summit are superb!

I visited the area on Wednesday afternoon February 24, 2010, leaving my car at the gated access track near the Lower Homestead Rd canoe launching ramp.

From there I climbed this track to the summit, finding a survey trig marker in grassland at the highest point, then continued on for another 1 km. There are two images of the trig point marker - locate them by my sunglasses and orange!

isI returned to the steep track leading down to the water point on the Yarra, then followed the river through bushland to the canoe ramp. From there, I continued back to the car.

All this was about 5 km - there was an increase in altutude from 63 m to 116 m at the summit.

The Mt Lofty section of the Park was officially added in 1997, following purchase from the original owner. Until 1996, it was used for grazing. The various tracks were once used for farm management - a few relics (fences, barbed wire, posts) remain.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Rye Ocean Beach

The Rye Ocean Beach is about 80 km south of Melbourne, in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

I visited this magnficent beach on Sunday afternoon February 21, 2010.

From the main car park off Sandy Pt Rd, I followed the Peninsula Coastal Trail for about 3 km along the beach towards Gunnamatta Beach.

This Trail extends for 26 km from London Bridge in the west, to Cape Schank in the east.

The coastal views are spectacular!

A large Sea Serpent came out of the ocean, causing swimmers to flee to the beach!

I have walked the entire 26 km Trail - 52 km return. It may be accessed at numerous locations along its length.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Olinda Forest circuit hike

On Saturday afternoon February 20, 2010, I went over to the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of Melbourne town.

My objective was to explore the Lyrebird Creek Gully and locate the Lyrebird Track.

I parked at the junction of Silvan Rd and gated Prices' Track, then proceeded into the forest, reaching the junction with Bridge Track. This track is unsigned and I descended it to the wooden bridge over the Lyrebird Creek.

Some maps show a Lyrebird Track leading off Bridge Track adjacent to the creek, but this was not found, apparently lost in undergrowth and ferns.

Lyrebird Creek was flowing, despite the drought.

I returned to Prices Track, to the junction with unsigned Chamberlain Track. An Emergency Marker has been installed here, designated DRN511.

I large puma came out of the forest to examine the marker, with a big tongue in a big cheek!

I followed Chamberlain Track, reaching Silvan Rd. This was a steep climb, from 296 m to 350 m.

From there, I returned to the car along Silvan Rd.

All this was about 4 km, passing through regrowth forest and fern gullies.

The area was heavily logged from the 1880s up to the 1960s, and was mostly destroyed by many fires in the years up to the late 1970s. Stumps and logs from the timber cutting area are seen along the tracks. The tracks were formerly used for transporting logs out of the forest by bullock wagons, and are now used for fire management purposes and by hikers, horseriders, and cyclists.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Currawong Bush Park, Warrandyte

The Currawong Bush Park is a 60 hectare area of preserved bushland, 25 km east of Melbourne, in the outer east suburb of Warrandyte.

It is reaached from Reynold's Rd, near the end of Springvale Rd.

It is adjacent to the Mullum Mullum Creek, and a large section of the park was originally a cattle farm until the 1960s.

The land and outbuildings were acquired in 1969.

Prior to Western settlement in the 1830s, the area was inhabited by the Wurrundunji Aboriginal peoples.

It includes a Wildlife Sanctuary, Aboriginal artefacts, a nice Lagoon, the old Stockyard, interpretative signs, walking tracks, and a Conference Centre.

I visited the Park on Wednesday February 17, 2010, on a 3 km circuit around the Park, which included the scenic Killjoy Track.

Many colorful birds were seen. Unfortunately, the Sanctuary compound has now been closed down.

For detailed information about the histiory and ecology of the Park, go to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currawong_Bush_Park (edit text)

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Balnarring Beach hike

Friday February 19, 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 5 km in total.

There was action along the beach!

Saee all of the Photos , which tell the story!

Backstairs Track, Warburton

The Backstairs Track is a 3 km return trail following the Scotchman's Creek Valley, in the Yarra State Forest, 80 km east of Melbourne.

It passes through the delightful Dolly Grey Historical Park.

The main (northern) access is at the Melbourne end of Warburton township, at Scotchman's Creek Rd and it terminates high up at the Old Warburton Rd, flanking Mt. Little Joe.

The Track is steep, rocky and muddy in parts, and is maintained by the Warburton Advancement League Inc.

I hiked this interesting track on February 16, 2010, a hot day, and extremely humid in the forest.

There is an increase in altitude from 150 m to 330 m, and some sections of the Track have deteriorated since my previous visit some two years ago.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring Market Garden Track, Warrandyte State Park

Market Garden Track starts at the main entrance of the Clifford Park Activity Centre, in the Warrandyte State Park, 30 km east of Melbourne town.

It is a gated fire management track.

It continues for about 4 km to the north, reaching the Bend of Isles on the Yarra River, at the junction of Lucerne Paddock Track.

It runs along the main north ridgeline, adjacent to farming properties on the west, with an increase in altitude from 104 m to 130 m.

This area of the Park is known as the Yarra Brae Section, which was added in 1987, following acquisition of land, formerly a large farm. The memory of the farm lingers, in the Lucerne Paddock and Market Garden track names.

For part of the way, the track divides - the old track runs next to the fence line of a farm - the new track is parallel, lower down.

There are excellent views from the upper track across the Park and towards the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges.

I explored the southern section of this beautiful track on Monday afternoon February 16 2010. On a previous trip I had followed the track to its end on the banks of the river, but time was against me on this occasion, and my turnabout point was at the junction of Scouts Track.

I returned along the lower track, a total distance of about 3 km.

See all of the Pictures of my visit!

Olinda Falls - 2010 summer trip

The Olinda Falls are among the most popular attractions in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km from the Melbourne CBD.

There are actully three falls - the upper, middle and lower cascades, with viewing areas for each along the 1 km steep track which starts at the picnic ground on Falls Rd.

Visitors have enjoyed the Falls since the 1860s, well before motor cars made their appearance in Melbourne, when they travelled up Mt Dandenong by horse and buggy!

The Falls were originally known as the "Valinda Falls", the name of the district, which then became "Olinda".

Olinda settlement is perched on the rim of the ancient volcano crater, which last erupted 200 million years ago!

This album shows the walking track, signposts to nearby trails, the falls, the picnic ground, the car park, and the viewing platforms.

Nearby is the Kalorama Lookout, offering magnificent views across Kalorama Park, the Olinda Forest, the Silvan Dam, and the Yarra Ranges.

I visited the Olinda Falls on February 14, 2010.

See all of the Photos of my visit, which includes two archival images, showing the Falls Walking Track in 1910, and what the Falls looked like around 1930.

Exploring Tank Track, Warrandyte State Park

On Saturday February 13, 2010, I did a 4 km hike around the Pound Bend area, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of Melbourne town.

Tank Track is high on the ridge, above the former orchard. It is named for the large fire-management water tank on the summit, which is about 80 above sea level.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Honeysuckle Point, Shoreham Coast

Honeysuckle Point is on the Westernport Coast, between Shoreham and Point Leo Beaches, about 70 km south of Melbourner.

I visited this excellent place on Monday February 8, 2010, a very hot day.

My visit coincided with an extremely low tide, with amazing rock pools and reefs extending out to around 500 m.

From the main car park at Shoreham, I hiked to Honeysuckle Point, then on to the outer reefs and return - ahout 4 km total.

See the full set of Photos of my trip, which include two archival pictures tken in 1940 which show how Shoreham Beach looked at that time - the Jetty has long gone!

Olinda Forest circuit Hike

On Sunday February 7 2010 I visited the Olinda Forest, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of Melbourne.

It was a hot day, and I parked at the junction of Olinda Creek Rd and Gated George's Track.

I followed George's Track uphill, along the ridge, then down to the junction with Hermon's Track.

I proceeded along Hermon's Track, then turned off into the unsigned Possum Track, and down into the gully.

This track crosse a long-dry creek!

Then it was an ascent up the other side of the gully, through beautiful fern trees, reaching George's Track, then back to the car.

This circuit was about 5 km.

I passed several other hikers and two horseriders on George's Track!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Stane Brae Homestead, 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 gated fire access tracks.

There are mobs of eastern Grey Kangaroos resident at Stane Brae.

My visit was on on Saturday afternoon February 6, 2010.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Whipstick Gully - Warrandyte State Park

The first gold prospecting licence in Victoria was issued in 1851, at Warrandyte, on the banks of Anderson Creek.

The gold mining period in Warrandyte peaked in the 1890s, the Caledonia Mine at Black Flat worked fromn 1904 to 1914, and the Victory Mine at Whipstick Gully closed down in the 1930s. Sporadic private gold exploration was still being carried out as late as the 1950s, and today panning is permitted in the creeks of the area.

Historic Whipstick Gully Reserve is just behind the Warrandyte village, with interpretative displays, an excellent self-activated audio/sound post, an information shelter, maps, and the rebuilt poppethead.

This poppethead was originally at the nearby Victory Mine, and is typical of the many which were built in the area, with deep shafts, and buckets pulled up filled with ore. This would be taken to the stamping battery and crushed.

Whipstick Gully was the main alluvial mining area, on the steep slopes of Fourth Hill.

Old excavations, mounds of tailings, and rusting machinery can be seen.

The trees on Fourth Hill were stripped in the early days, to provide fuel for the steam-driven machinery, heating, and washing.

The 1939 fires destroyed all of the houses in Whipstick Gully.

I went over to Whipstick Gully on Wednesday afternoon February 3 2010, a very hot day of 35 degrees.

From the main carpark, I ascended gated Whipstick Gully Track, steep and rocky, on the side of Fourth Hill, to the summit, then along the ridge via Waterman Track. From there, it was a steep descent past the old excavations and shafts down to the Victory Mine, then back the car. All this was about 3 km.

There is a change in altitude from 60 m at the car park to 126 m at the summit of Fourth Hill.

Warrandyte Historical Society aims to preserve and display the history of Warrandyte.The Society runs the Warrandyte Historical Museum which is located in the restored Post Office (1875). The Museum is categorised into four sections – gold, art, aboriginal and domestic and houses a large collection of historic photos. The Museum is open Saturday and Sunday 2pm – 5pm (Summer) and 1pm-4pm (Winter) or by appointment. Admission is free.

This is the link to the Societie's Website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/!whsoc/about.html

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Olinda Forest Hike along Olinda Creek

In Australia Day, January 26, 2010, I went over to the Olinda Forest, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the junction of Stonyford Rd and gated Management Rsd 18, crossed the bridge over the Olinda Creek, then followed Rd 18 alongside the Creek.

Reaching Rd 13, I descended to the water point and old bridge, then followed this road to the junction of the Olinda Creek Walking Track.

This took me through bushland, and then entered the Olinda Creek Rd and back to the car. This was about 4 km total.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

These include some historical pictures, showing a Bullock Train hauling logs in 1873, and a colorized image of the bridge on Stonyford Rd as it looked in 1920!

This Forest can be very eerie, due to the presence of the spirits of the early timber cutters, which can be heard if one listens carefully.

Logging in this forest had ceased by the late 1960s.

The Silvan Reservoir is nearby, completed in 1933. Plans to build a second Reservoir in the 1930s were abanboned due to public protest - this would have straddled the Olinda Creek, in the area I visited.