Balnarring Coastal hike - extreme low tide!

These pictures were taken on Monday March 28, 2011, on a 4 km (return) coastal hike between Balnarring and Merricks Beaches, Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melbourne.

The tide was way out, exposing glorious rock pools!

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Tom's Track - Kurth Kiln Regional Park

These pictures were taken on Tuesday March 29 2011 in the Kurth Kiln Regional Park, 80 km east of Melbourne.

They show the scenery and bushland along Tom's Track, which was a 4 km (return) hike in former loggging forest.

This track links the Gembrook-Launching Place Rd with Soldier's Rd, and descends steeply to a crossing over Tom's Creek, passing Firewood Track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Graceburn Weir and Aqueduct Track - Healesville

The Graceburn Weir and Aqueduct were built in 1892, and are part of Melbourn's water catchment and supply network. They are located east of Healesville, 80 km east of Melbourne.

Walkers are permitted to use the management track, 3 km return, which starts at the main gate at the Maroondah Highway and continues to the Weir.

The Weir and Aqueduct collect water originating from the valley between Mts Riddell and Juliet, which is then fed underground via a large iron pipe into the Maroondah Reservoir.

The Creswell pumping station is adjacent to the Aqueduct.

The Government proposes to close public access to the Weir, to minimise contamination by visitors, and to set up a new walking track in the area.

I visited the Weir on March 26, 2011.

The Aqueduct Track is designated as "Road 14". It joins gated "Road 6", at the Weir viewing point.

Road 6 is one of many "no public access" management roads in the catchment area, which leads around the base of rugged Mt Riddell.

See all of the Photos, which included some archival images taken in 1906, for comparison purposes. In those years, a picnic area and facilities were located near the Weir - sections of this remained until 2007, but have now (2011) been removed. The early photos show visitors standing on the Weir infrastructure, but such access is no longer permitted.

Autumn Fungi in Olinda Forest

These pix were taken in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, on March 25 2011.

They show the scenery on a 3 km circuit hike starting at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground, then along Hermon Track, George's Track, and Eagle Nest Track.

The first of the winter Fungi have appeared!

See all of the Photos of my visit

Yarra Wetlands Hike - Christmas Hillls

The Heritage Golf and Country Club is located approximately 45 km NE of Melbourne's CBD, in the Yarra Flood Plains, straddling the outer suburb of Chirnside Park and the Christmas Hills district.

Occupying an area of some 350 hectares (1.5 x 3 km - 800 acres) it opened in 1999 with the release of Stage One residential development, with the Jack Nicklaus-designed St John Golf Course opening in 2000.

The construction of the Stage Two, the Henley Golf Course, has recently been completed, and opened in 2006. The planning of Stage Three: Botanica, a residential development of apartments and villas, is under way.

The complex is huge. The St John Course and Country Club is located in Chirnside Park - the Henley Course is situated in the Christmas Hills district. A road bridge over the Yarra connects the two Courses.

Management of the area is carried out jointly by Melbourne Water, the Shires of Yarra Ranges and Nillumbuk, and the Country Club.

There has been bitter, continuing and strong resentment by environmental groups to this massive commercial development in a rural area which is regarded as one of the few original surviving flood-plain locations near to Melbourne.

There are Wetlands incorporated in both Courses, which I visited on Wednesday March 23, 2011, as a 6 km hike.

Walking access to the main formed trail is from the stile and gate at the canoe launching ramp at the end of Lower Homestead Rd, Chirnside Park. This trail follows the Yarra and main wetlands/lagoon next to a high metal fence on the boundary of the St John Course.

This trail continues past a viewing platform, overlooking the Henley Wetands, then across the bridge over the Yarra, to the entrance of the Henley Course.

Beyond the bridge, another walking trail then follows the Yarra past a series of billabongs, on the edge of the Course, eventually reaching private property in open farmland. Just beyond are the foothills of the Sugarloaf Reservoir catchment area.

Large mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos graze in the large cleared area at the eastern end of the Henley Course.

Information about the complex is at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heritage_Golf_and_Country_Club

See all of the Photos of my visit.

Gold Memorial - Warrandyte State Park

These pictures were taken on March 22, 2011 in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the Gold Memorial, and scenery at Anderson's Creek, on a 3 km (return) hike along Gold Memorial Road, at the base of Fourth Hill.

Anderson's Creek was the site where gold was first officially discovered in Victoria in 1851.

Sadly, I didn't find any nuggets!

Gold Memorial Rd links Harris Gully Rd and the Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd. It is sealed for most of its length.

See all of my photos of this trip in my the Slideshow!

Gunnamatta Coastal Hike

These pictures were taken on March 20, 2011, on a 4 km return hike along the Gunnamatta Coast, 90 km south of Melhourne.

Located within the Mornington Peninsula National Park, the patrolled Gunnamatta Beach is a popular spot for day visitors, and on this occasion the surf was running high!

Entry fees to the Beach were abolished in July 2010.

The views towards Cape Schank were superb.


See the Video and Photos

Warrandyte Festival 2011 - 'Carnivale'

The Warrandyte Festival is a celebration of living in Warrandyte, 20 km east of central Melhourne, in Victoria, Australia.

Each year, the Festival welcomes thousands of locals, families and participants to experience the unique surroundings and village atmosphere.

On the banks of the Yarra, festival-goers enjoyed the duck race, billy cart derby, great live music and fabulous festival fare. The kids were entertained all weekend while adults enjoyed the swinging sounds of vibrant bands and catching up with friends.

Thes Festival was held from 18 to 20 March 2011 in Stiggants Reserve, Yarra Street, Warrandyte - this year’s theme was ‘Carnivale’.

The Festival kicked off on Friday night with a Battle of the Bands.

During the weekend, children explored Stiggants Reserve, where they discovered a giant waterslide, petting zoo, face painting, toy library, kids' activity areas, a kid's market and young people performing on stage. They also participated in the Duck Race (decorating their own plastic duck) and Billy Cart Derby.

Everyone was entertained by a variety of performers, most of whom have a local connection. The Reserve was filled with market stalls and static displays hosted by local schools, hobby, sporting and action groups. This was a great opportunity to find out more about the resources available to the Warrandyte community.

A range of food stalls provided yummy hot food, home made ice cream, fresh fruit sorbets, juices and drinks.

Community groups including the CFA, Lions Club and local schools also sold burgers, egg and bacon rolls for breakfast, plus hot and cold beverages. Many regular food stall holders and community groups participate every year, some having been with the festival for over 20 years!

Saturday and Sunday nights featured concerts that got everyone's toes tappin' and hips swivellin'.

The photos were taken on Saturday March 20, 2011 - they show a variety of events, displays, entertainment, and activities.

Radio Eastern FM 98.1 was broadcasting live from the Festival - it's main studios are in Croydon.

The planning and organization of the Festival was done by the Festival Committee - major sponsors were the Manningham City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.

The first Festival was held in April 1977.

Everyone had a good time!

See the Video, and all of the Photos of the Festival!

The Kangaroos at Pound Bend - Warrandyte State Park

These photos was taken on March 17, 2011, in the Pound Bend Section of the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the Yarra, the scenery, and kangaroos having a good time in their Kangaroo Paddock!

This was a a 3 km return hike along the Pound Bend Trail, starting at the picnic ground.

View the Video, and see all of the Photos

Fiddler Gully Hike - Warrandyte State Park

These photos were taken on March 16 2011 at the historical goldmining precinct of Fiddler Gully, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

The hike was about a 2 km circuit.

See the Slideshow!

Scenic Prices's Track - Olinda Forest

These pictures were taken on March 15, 2011, in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of central Melhourne.

They show the scenery and beautiful ferns along Price's Track, adjacent to the Lyrebird Creek Gully.

This 4 km (return) gated management road is open to walkers, cyclists, and horses, and links Silvan Rd with Boundary Rd.

Watch the Video, and see all of the Photos in slideshow format!

Thornton Walking Track in autumn - Kurth Kiln Park

The Kurth Kiln Park is a large area of preserved forest, 70 km east of Melbourne, adjacent to the Bunyip State Park, north of the town of Gembrook.

It includes the historical Kiln, used in the 1940s for the manufacture of charcoal.

The Tomahawk Creek runs through the park - the main walking trail is the 3 km (return) Thornton Track.

I visited the Park on March 14, 2011, exploring the Thornton Track, starting at the main picnic ground, then leading into Scout Camp Track and Soldier's Rd.

Many of the tracks are also popular with horseriders.


The photos include some shots of the Kiln and outbuildings.

See the Video and Slideshow

Rye Pier during the Big Storm

These pictures were taken on Sunday March 13 2011 at the Rye Pier, on Port Phillip Bay, Mornington Peninsula.

Rye is about 70 km south of Melbourne, and the 350 metre long Pier is opposite Napier St in the shopping precinct on Point Nepean Rd.

Rye has an excellent camping facility on the Foreshore which is very popular with holiday makers. Many families have been coming to Rye for a number of years and keep coming back because they love it so much.

Disapppintingly, my visit coincided with a huge sustained rainstorm, causing havoc along the camping area, and making small-boating dangerous.

Scuba divers enjoy exploration of the area adjacent to the Pier, where an old wreck is submerged.

See the Slideshow of my visit!

Shoreham Coastal Hike - early autumn 2011

These pictures were taken on Saturday March 12, 2011, on the Shoreham Coast, Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melhourne.

My 4 im (return) beach hike started at the Shoreham Beach car-park, then westerly to a turnaround point at the headland about half-way to the town of Flinders.

The tide was out, exposing a glorious array of rock-pools!

The day was hot, 30 degrees, with many visitors have a good time in the water and along the beach.

See the Video and Slideshow