Lyrebird Creek Gully hike, Olinda Forest

These photos were taken on Sunday November 28, 2010, deep in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 45 km east of central Melbourne, not far from the Silvan Reservoir.

My excursion was a 3 km circuit hike, starting at the Eagle Nest picnic ground, reached from unsealed Silvan Rd and Eagle Nest Rd.

I followed Eagle Nest Track, reaching George's Track, then along Hermon's Track and back to base.

The hike followed the Lyrebird Creek Gully, crossed twice, passing througn beautiful ferns and tall timber.

Four other hikers were doing the same route as myself!

See all of the Photos of this adventure!

Warrandyte State Park - Pound Bend hike

These photos were taken on Thursday November 25, 2010, on a 3 km hike in the Pound Bend area of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of central Melbourne.

See all of the Photos, which show the Yarra (flood level), the Pound Bend Walking Track, some spring wildflowers, and a resident of the Kangaroo Paddock!

Wildflowers in Fiddler Gully, Warrandyte SP

These pictures were taken on Monday November 22, 2010 in the old goldmining region of Fiddler Gully, Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of central Melbourne.

My 2 km hike followed the Fiddler Gully Track, starting at the gate on unsealed Webb St.

It passed excavations and mullock heaps of the gold mining activities of the 1850s.

Late spring wildflowers were blooming, on a hot day of around 34 degrees.

See all of the Photos

The K.C. Track hike - Olinda Forest

These pix were taken on Tuesday November 23, 2010, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 45 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery in the Olinda Forest, on a 3 km circuit hike which took me from the Valley Picnic Ground, along the mysteriously named "KC Track", then into Rifle Range Gully Track, and back into the Picnic Ground.

The "Rifle Range Gully Track" follows the Rifle Range Creek, and I believe that the Picnic Ground was once a practice site for military training exercises during WW2.

Prior to that it was a potato farm.

It was a very hot day at 35 degrees, with leeches, flies, prickly bushes, fallen logs, spiders, and Joe Blakes!

See all of the Photos

Balnarring to Merricks - coastal hike at low tide

These pictures were taken on Sunday November 21, 2010.

They show the scenery on a 3 km (return) beach hike between Balnarring and Merricks. on Westernport Bay, ahout 70 km south of Melbourne.

My expedition started at the end of Seawind Rd, then along the beach to Merricks Foreshore Reserve.

It was a warm day, low tide, and vast rockpools were exposed, which were explored!

See all of the Photos of my trip!

Olinda - Hamer Forest Arboretum Hike

These pix were taken on a 3 km hike in the Hamer Forest Arboretum, Olinda, 40 km east of central Melhourne, on November 20, 2010.

My journey started at the gate on the Silvan Rd, at the junction of Mathias Track, following the Manna Gum Track, then along Popular Track, and back along Mathias Track.

Red Dog Hut was passed on Mathias Track.

Most of the plantings in the Arboretum date back to the 1976 period, with many coming into colorful bloom at this time of year.

See all of the Olinda Forest Arboretum Hike Photos

Jumping Creek Hike - Warrandyte SP

These pictures were taken on Tuesday November 16, 2010, in the Jumping Creek area of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of central Melhourne.

My hike was a 3 km circuit, starting at the Jumping Creek Reserve, then along the Blue Tongue Bend Track, on to the Nature Trail, and back to base along Freeland Track.

Nice views of the Yarra from the cliff tops.

See all of the Photos at Jumping Creek

Spectacular viuews from Mt Lofty, Warrandyte SP

These pictures were taken on Wednesday afternoon November 17, 2010, in the Mt Lofty Section of the Warrandyte State Park, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

From my base at the Witton's Reserve canoe launching ramp at the end of Reserve Rd, I climbed Wayne Track, then on to Steven's Track, then a descent down the Fire Management track to the Yarra, and back to base.

My 3 km circuit was rewarded with superb views to the Yarra Ranges, Dandenong Ranges, and the Victorian Alps, with the huge Heritage Country Club and Golf Courses spread out at the base of Mt Lofty.

Nice views looking down to the Yarra.

See all of the Photos of the Mt Lofty Hike

Pound Bend Reserve hike, Warrandyte StatePark

       
These pictures were taken on a 2 km hike in the Pound Bend Reserve, Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of central Melbourne, on November 11, 2010.

The hike followed the Yarra River to the Pound Bend Tunnel and returned via the Picnic Ground.

Some candid camera photos are included of other hikers and a sleeping cyclist!

It was a hot day, temperature around 35 degrees.

See all of the Photos of the Pound Bend Hike, which include some candid camera photos of other hikers and a sleeping cyclist!

Poit Leo to Shoreham Foreshore Reserve coastal hike

These photos were taken on a 4 km (return) coastal hike from Pt Leo to Shoreham Foreshore Reserve on November 9, 2010.

Pt Leo is about 70 km SE of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

It has been a popular destination for about 100 years, offering an excellent surf beach, a protected swimming beach, and rock pools at low tide.

See all of the Photos of Pt Leo coastal; hike

Warburton - Yarra River Walk

On Sunday November 7, 2010, I ventured out to Warburton, some 65 km east of Melbourne.

It was a warm and sunny afternoon.

My 4 km return hike started at the main bridge over the Yarra at the eastern end of the town, and I followed the Warburton River Walk to the west.

This took me along the south bank, then across the Redwood Bridge, along the north bank, past the Swing Bridge, and the Brisbane Bridge.

The Yarra was a raging torrent, due to sustained heavy rain in the catchment region, and was very close to bursting its banks.

See all of the Photos of Warbuton River Hike, which include an archival image showing log-hauling along a timber railway in Warburton in 1906.

Rye Ocean Beach - coastal hike

Rye is a coastal district on the Mormington Peninsula, about 70 km SE of Melbourne.

It is suburban-like, marked by high-density residential and commercial development.

Rye Ocean Beach faces Bass Strait, within the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

I visited this marvellous beach on Saturday November 6, 2010, for a 4 km (return) coastal hike towards Sorrento Ocean Beach.

The photos show the scenery, glorious coastal views, and surfing action!

See all of the Photos, which include some archival images of the early 1940s.

Lillydale Lake Heritage Trail

Lillydale Lake is an artificial lake and wetlands area created in Lilydale, 35 km east of central Melbourne. The park in which it is situated covers over 100 hectares and includes extensive recreational facilities and wetlands.

The lake covers 28 hectares with a 440 metre long dam wall. There are over 10 kilometres of shared trails, a community room and meeting facilities, a monster playground, toilets, barbecues and a picnic area. A boat launching ramp provides for non-powered boating. There are also two areas where dogs can exercise off leash.

Areas of Lilydale township are low lying and susceptible to flooding from the Olinda Creek.

In 1853 surveyor James Blackburn saw the site as a location for a water catchment though the Yan Yean Reservoir was eventually built instead.

The local council proposed a 65 hectare park in 1969 with several more proposals made but due to lack of funds none eventuated. Following floods in September 1984, construction of the lake was proposed to prevent future flooding and provide recreational facilities. Construction began in 1988 and was completed in June 1990. It was officially opened to the public on 7 July 1990.

I visited the Lake on November 5, 2010, following the 3 km Heritage Trail. This passed the site of the mill and cottage owned by the Cashin family, who operated it between the early 1850s until its closure in 1876. Only two walls of the original stone mill remain standing.

See all of the the Photos

Warrandyte - River Trail - Yarra in Flood

These photos of October 31, 2010, show the Yarra River at Warrandyte, 25 km east of central Melbourne, in flood mode.

Melbourne had been drenched by over about 60 mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, and the Yarra was bursting at the seams.

I followed the Yarra along the River Walk, about 3 km return, starting at the Taroona Reserve, and turn-around at the bridge.

See all of the Photos

Olinda Forest Hike - Olinda Creek

These photos were taken on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday November 2, 2010, in the Olinda Forest, 45 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the forest and beautiful ferns beside the Olinda Creek, along Management Rd 18, on a 3 km hike, starting at Olinda Creek Rd.

Some photos are fuzzy, due to rain and darkness!

See all of the Photos

Mt Lofty Yarra Trail - Warrandyte SP

These photos were taken on Wednesday November 3, 2010, on the Mt Lofty Yarra River Trail, Warrandyte State Park, 40 km east of central Melbourne.

This 2 km return Trail follows the Yarra River, and starts at the canoe launching ramp at the end of Lower Homestead Rd.

The river was in flood, due to extremely heavy recent rains upstream.

See all of the Photos