Exploring Steering Wheel Spur, Bunyip Stste Park (Tonimbuk)

On Sunday August 29, 2010, I explored the Steering Wheel Spur, Bunyip State Park, in the Black Snake Range.

From the gate just off the Tonimbuk to Genmbrook Rd, my hike took me up the Steering Wheel Spur fireline track to the top of the Black Snake Ridge, to Burgess Track,and returned the same way, about 4 km total.

This track is the most westerly of several former logging routes starting at the Black Snake Range Ridge and ending at the Diamond Creek valley.

The first section of the Track is relatively flat, along the Diamond Creek Gully, but soon becomes a very steep slog in the mud, with an elevation change from 124 m to 301 m.

This track is listed by Parks Vic as "Category 5D MWB - dry weather, earthern track formed from natural materials"

Near the top, the track divides, with the main route ascending an almost vertical gradient (!) and an easier walking route which follows a series of S-bends.

The Track is also used by horseriders, and a loop known locally as the Bridle Track continues easterly along the ridge-line, eventually reaching the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd adjacent to private property.

This track is through former logging country, an area subject to many bushfires. There are limited views from the top.

There is a Melbourne Water Aqueduct running from the Bunyip River Weir through the Park, and public access is not permitted. This is part of the Drouin Water Catchment Area, and starts outside the northern boundary of the Park in the Yarra State Forest, near the Bunyip Ridge, an area which was devastated by the February 2009 bushfires.

The Bunyip SP Management Plan suggests that the Aqueduct Maintenance Road be opened up for use by walkers.

It ends at Jolley Rd.

Another Melbourne Aqueduct may be seen at the junction of the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd and Topp Rd, where it disappears into an undergound syphon for some 750 m, and emerges again at the foothills of nearby Mt Cannibal. This Aqueduct once carried water from the Tarago Catchment to the former Beaconsfield Reservoir.

See all of the Photos of this exploration!

Sherbrooke Falls in late winter

On Thursday August 26, 2010, I visited the Sherbrooke Falls, in the Sherbrooke Forest, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

It was a bitterly cold, bleak, and rainy day!

These photos show the Forest, the Falls, the Sherbrooke Creek, the abandoned weir, and late-winter fungi.

My route was from the Sherbrooke Rd carpark/picnic ground, then along Sherbrooke Track, Link Track, O'Donohoue Track, to the Falls viewing bridge.

My return was on Ridge Track, then back along Sherbrooke Track, about 3 km total.

The Tracks were very muddy!

See the Album!

Mulberry Spur Fireline Track, Bunyip State Park

The Mulberry Spur Fireline Track is one of several gated tracks on the south side of the Black Snake Range, Bunyip State Park, 65 km east of Melhourne.

It links the Tonimbuk-Gembrook Rd with Burgess Track, passing through the former logging area.

I explored this interesting track on Tuesday afternoon August 24, 2010, a 3 km return journey, with an elevation change from 137 m to 293 m.

Some late winter wildflowers were in bloom, including banksias.

The track was steep and muddy, with views across the Diamond Creek Valley to the Weatherhead Range.

My approach was from the Monash Freeway, then Tonimbuk Rd, and return to the Freeway via the Tynong North Rd.

Other tracks nearby, ascending to the Ridge, include Steering Wheel Tk, Dog Spike Tk, Log Tk, Jarvis Tk, Horseshoe Tk, Ridge Tk, and Two Scouts Tk. Some of these are being closed off, even though they still appear on maps.

See all of the Photos of my journey!

Rocky Ridge Fireline Track, Bunyip State Park

Rocky Ridge Fireline Track is in the Black Snake Range, Bunyip State Park, about 65 km east of Melbourne.

It links the Black Snake Creek Rd with Williams Ridge Track, and starts at a gate about 2 km from White's Corner, at the junction of the Pack Track and Beenak East Rd.

The 3 km (return) track is very steep, and muddy after heavy rain, with an elevation increase from 249m to 354m, one of the highest points in the Park.

There are limited views to the Blue Range from a drainage cut-back at about 300m altitude.

The Black Snake Range is the centre range in the Park - to the south is the Weatherhead Range, to the north is the Blue Range.

Of Regional significance, it is an east-west divide consisting of Tynong Granite. The range rises to 400 m where there are numerous exposed granite slopes and large boulders. A granite downwash covers the lower slopes, and granite sand wash has partially filled minor valleys, creating swamps and heathland.

I explored this Track on Monday afternoon August 23, 2010.

See all of the Photos of this hike!

Balnarring to Merricks Coastal Hike

On Sunday afternoon August 22, 2010, I went down to Westernport Bay.

From Balnarring Beach, 60 km south of Melbourne, I did a 4 km (return) coastalwalk to the Merricks Beach, then returned along the clifftop through the Merricks Foreshore Reserve.

It was low tide, and many interesting rock formations were exposed.

The views from the clifftop across the Bay were excellent.

Merricks Beach is a small seaside village, and is one of the few coastal places within a 100 km radius of Melbourne that has been basically untouched by development.

An interesting fact about Merricks Beach is that all of the streets in the area are still unsealed and it has experienced little change since the 1960s. Because of this the area is very rustic and many Manna Gum and Pine trees line the side of these streets.

The area also has a significant Koala population. This particular population has been able to survive in this area because of the lack of development which has occurred here.

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Birdsland Reserve, Belgrave South

Belgrave Heights has a 75-hectare (190-acre) bushland park called Birdsland.

Originally owned by a farming family, the Birds, it was known locally as "Bird's Paddock".

It was sold to the then Shire of Sherbrooke in 1984 and opened to the public for bushwalking, picnicking and sightseeing.

It is a very important habitat link for locally rare Platypus and the Yellow-belied Glider.

The reserve waterways are managed by Melbourne Water and other areas managed by Shire of Yarra Ranges.

There are two main water storages - the Lagoon at the eastern end and the large Lake at the west.

Monbulk Creek flows through the Reserve.

Birdsland Advisory Committee help make decisions for a broad overview to management of the reserve. The committee has developed a sustainable design education centre, including solar panels, composting toilet and water tanks.

Next door is the Southern Dandenongs Indigenous Plant Nursery which is a not-for profit group which provides a range of plants that are native to the Dandenong Ranges.

In February 2009 a big bushfire swept through the Birdsland area and grew to around 300 hectares coming just two weeks after the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

The fire caused extensive damage to facilities, tracks, and fences - some walking tracks have been closed to allow revegetation and for safety reasons.

New fences and gates have been constructed at the car-park, and rehabilitation is continuing.

Lysterfield Park adjoins the southwestern section of the Reserve.

I visited the Reserve on Thursday August 19, 2010, a bleak, cold day. I followed the main Trail around the Lake, and then a hike up Sunset Track into Lysterfield Park past the granite boulders, with good views across the Monbulk Creek Valley towards the Dandenong Ranges, about 4 km total.

See all of the Photos of my viusit!

Bunyip State Park - Dawson Fireline Hike

Dawson's Fireline Track is in the southwest section of the Bunyip State Park, anout 65 km east of Melbourne.

It is a former logging track, now used for fire management, accessible to walkers, horses, and bicycles.

It is gated, and links the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd with Cannibal Creek Track, with an elevation change from 159m to 208m.

It follows the Dawson's Ridge and is about 4 km return.

I explored this interesting track on Tuesday afternoon August 17, 2010, starting at the northern gate, climbing steadily to the junction with Cannibal Creek Track at the ridge summit.

The area has been subject to severe bushfire impact on several occasions, and the forest is now largely regrowth.

Late-winter wildflowers were blooming, including Acacia and Banksias.

Parts of the track were very muddy, after the recent heavy rain.

There were some interesting views from Cannibal Creek Track across the Park to the Black Snake Range.

See all of my Photos of this trip!

Winter ascent to Mt Lofty, Warrandyte State Park

I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of Melbourne, on Monday afternoon August 16, 2010.

From the Reserve Road canoe launching ramp, I followed the River Track, then climbed steep Wayne Track to the summit.

From there, I descended the fireline track to the Yarra, reaching the River Track, then back to the car.

Total distance was about 3 km.

The views from the Summit were spectacular, to the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges, across the nearby Heritage and Country Club Resort and golf range.

See all of the Photos!

Pyramid Rock, Bunyip State Park

On Saturday afternoon August 14, 2010, I went out to the Bunyip State Park, 65 km east of Melbourne.

I visited the remarkable Pyramid Rock, high up in the southwest section of the Park.

It is reached from the Tynong North to Gembrook Rd, then up Pooley Rd (a steep rutted dry-weather 4WD road) to the southern end of gated Sandpit Ridge Track.

Then, a 4 km return hike up Sandpit Ridge Track, reaching the unsigned Pyramid Rock foot-track. This led up to the summit of the Ridge, where Pyramid Rock stood like a sentinel!

This granite rock is about 3 m high, and is surrounded by many other smaller rocks.

There are excellent views from the base of the Rock, north across the Park and the Cannibal Creek Gully to the Black Snake Range.

After exploring the Rock and, I continued along Sandpit Ridge Track to my turnabout point at the junction of Cannibal Creek Track.

The area off Pooley Rd was originally used for sand extraction. It is now fenced off for environmental protection. The remains of old sand pits may be found across the Park, now undergoing revegetation by Parks Victoria.

Millions of years ago, much of the Park was under the sea - the sandy ridges are remnants of those times.

This hike was excellent, with glorious views from various vantage points along the ridge line.

There was an increase in elevation from 219m to 276m.

This forest was logged in the early days and has been ravaged by bushfires on several occasions.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Porepunkah - Riverside Circuit Walk

On Monday August 9, 2010, with mate Mick, I visited the small town of Porepunkah, 340 km NE of Melbourne.

The town, located on the Ovens River, is in the foothills of Mt Buffalo, and was first settled in 1854, when gold was found in the area.

We followed the pleasant Riverside Circuit Walk, starting at the site of the former Russel's Temperance Hotel next to the Old Bridge.

The track took us through bushland alongside the river, past the site of the early Chinese gold-diggings, then across the Suspension Bridge at the former Davis' Gardens Crossing.

We reached Solly Lane, then Service St, following the Rail-Trail, which links Beechworth with Bright, and along this back to the start.

The Track was built in 1996 as a project of the Landcare Environment program.

Some of the foundations of the Hotel remain, with some stone paths - a picnic table is adjacent.

An Information Board at the Bridge describes the history and development of the area.

The Bridge was built in 1914, replacing an earlier rickety wooden structure, until its closure to vehicular traffic when the modern bridge was built downstream, past Riverside Park, as part of the Great Alpine Rd.

Interestingly, those old images were taken from approximately the same position spanning some 50 years.

Directly opposite the Bridge is the site of the former Olneys Bakery, which was hard up against the hill - a sign indicates its location.

General information about Porepunkah may be found at this website

http://www.alpinelink.com.au/towns/porepunkah.php

The images of Mt Feathertop were taken on August 7 and 8, from the Great Alpine Rd, east of Bright, near the settlements of Smoko and Freeburgh.

See all of the Photos of our trip, which include some historical photos dating back to the 1880s, which show the original and newer bridges.

Mt Buffalo, Gorge Heritage Walk in winter

On Sunday August 8, 2010, with mate Mick, I visited the Mt Buffalo National Park, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

Starting near the Chalet car-park, we explored the 4 km Gorge Heritage Circuit Walk.

Over a hundred years ago the daughter of local pioneer James Manfield gained a reputation as 'Guide Alice'. She delighted the first tourists to the remote and rugged plateau with her love and knowledge of the spectacular landscapes around the Gorge, as well as her preference for more practical home-made trouser suits.

The Walk revisits the scenic highlights of those early tours, with interpretive signs along the trail describing the area’s history, features, and natural beauty through the eyes of Guide Alice.

Winding through woodlands of tall Alpine Ash and twisted snow gums, the trail passes rushing waterfalls and distinctive granite tors on its way to the highest vertical cliffs in Australia. Lookouts along the way offer breathtaking views of the sheer rock walls, with the Crystal Brook Falls plunging nearly 300 metres from the rim of the gorge, and the fertile Buckland Valley far below.

Snow covered most of the Track.

This is one Walk which is certainly recommended!

See all of the Photos of our visit!

Mt Buffalo National Park, Cresta Valley in winter

Hump and Cathedral from Horn Rd

Cresta Valley ski field

Hump and Cathedral from Horn Rd

Le Seouf Peak from Horn Rd

On Sunday August 8, 2010, with mate Mick, we visited the Mt Buffalo National Park, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

Our destination was the Cresta Valley, high up on the Plateau.

The pictures show the scenery and marvellous rock formations along the Valley and nearby locations, including the Dingo Dell and Cresta ski fields.

Temperature at the time was zero degrees!

The Horn Rd is closed during winter at the end of Cresta Valley and becomes a XC ski trail.

The first ski-tow in Australia was built at Cresta in 1936.

Sadly, in December 2006, a bushfire destroyed the Cresta Lodge (previously known as the Tatra Inn), the Motel, and the Restaurant. The five ski lifts were saved.

Mackey's Lookout is on the Mt Buffalo Rd, on the way up the mountain.

See all of the Photos of our visit, including some historical photos dating back to the year 1900.

Ascent of Reform Hill, Myrtleford

This article is an account of our visit to the Reform Hill, Myrtleford, 300 km NE of Melbourne, on Saturday August 7, 2010.

Reform Hill takes its name from a rich Gold Bearing Quartz Reef discovered in 1854. Trial crushings yielded a high proportion of gold, ten ounces to the ton. The gold bearing quartz was in places 7 metres wide and ran through the core of the hill.

This reef brought about the development of Myrtleford due to the long term nature of quartz reef gold mining and the area's location on a fertile valley. John Riley was allotted 100 yards of reef which became known as the Reform and from there the mine grew rapidly.

To crush the quartz stone, the Reform Battery was erected on the Banks of the Happy Valley Creek opposite the mine tunnel entrance, very near where the Old Butter Factory is today. The battery was powered by a water wheel about 5 metres in diameter and treated the stone of the district at a cost of 33 shillings per ton. It could crush about 19 tons of quartz per day, 24 hours per day, 6 days a week.

For over 30 years the Reform Mine was a principal employer within Myrtleford, with the miners paid around 2 pounds and 10 shillings a week, (about $5) in the mid 1880's. The mine closed in 1888 due mainly to a large amount of water entering the shafts. It is estimated that the mine produced around 21,500 ounces of gold, which at todays prices, would be worth around 20 mllion Dollars.

Starting at Jone's Reserve, on the Great Alpine Rd, Mick and I climbed the Hill to the Lookout, starting at Jone's Reserve on the Great Alpine Rd, crossing the Rail Trail, then via the Gully Track, and returned via the Spur Track, about 3 km in all.

Features of this walk were the monument to Hume and Hovell, built in 1924 to celebrate their exploration in 1824, the the old reservoir, nice stands of Grass Trees, and the old (covered) ventilation shaft of the Reform Mine.

The Lookout is a cleared area with a Trig Point Marker and it can also be reached by car up a steep management road. There are spectacular views towards the Mt Buffalo Massif, the Victorian Alps, over the Myrtleford town, and west along the Ovens Valley.

We saw some eastern Grey Kangaroos and Rock Wallabies!

The bushland is known as the Reform Hill State Forest and is now mainly regrowth, as the original forest was cleared during the gold days for fuel and building materials.

The Battery was resited to its present location some years ago - the historical display includes an information board with photos.

See all of the Photos of our visit!

Alfred Nicholas Gardens in winter, 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 Wednesday afternoon Auguat 4, 2010, on a bleak, misty and overcast day.

Ther total walking distance was about 3 km.

Admission is free.

The Photos show some of the features and attractions in the Gardens - the Sassafras Walking Trail is located at the lower perimeter.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

For further Information and a map, see

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=40