Mullum Mullum Creek Bushland Reserve

These pix were taken on September 19, 2011, on a 4 km circuit hike in the Mullum Mullum Creek Bushland Reserve, in the districts of Donvale and Doncaster East, 15 km east of Melbourne.

It extends from the Heidelberg-Warrandyte Rd in the north, to Tindals Rd in the south, about 2 km.

Shared walking tracks in the Reserve follow the Creek on either side, passing through remnant bushland, old orchards, and over bridges and boardwalks.

Ducks reside in the Creek, which was at a moderate level.

My tour started at the Reynolds Rd junction, following the shared gravel trail on the south side of the Creek, then back on the north side, along the unformed track.

The day was hot, at 29 degrees, the warmest September day in Melbourne for 22 years!

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Spring WIldflowers on the Olinda Creek Track

These pix were taken on September 18, 2011, in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 45 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, fauna, and environment along the 4 km Olinda Creek Walking Track.

My hike started at gated Management Rd 13, on the Olinda Creek Rd, then along the Olinda Creek Track to the creek water-flow measurement station.

Spring wildflowers were very colorful!

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Black Flat Hike - Warrandyte State Park

These pix were taken on September 17, 2011, in the Black Flat Section of the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

Black Flat was once an alluvial goldmining area in the 1880s; little of this remains, except mullock heaps, tailings, and a few fenced-in shafts.

My 4 km circuit hike started at the small carpark off Tills Rd, reaching Davis Rd at the eastern boundary of Black Flat.

Fuel reduction burning has been made recently in this area of the land.

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Spring Wildflowers in Pigtail Gully, Warrandyte State Park

These pix were taken on September 14 2011, in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, fauna, and forest in the Pigtail Gully, a former mining area of the late 1800s.

My 3 km hike started at the junction of Webb St and gated Boundary Track, then a steep descent to the junction of Merlin's Track, and up the hill to Webb St.

Large heaps of old tailings and old shafts were seen in the forest off Merlin's Track.

Sadly, there were no nuggets, but plenty of quartz crushings!

There were nice views across the Park to the north from Boundary Track.

Spring wildflowers were very colorful.

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Lilydale Lake Wetland

These pix were taken on Thursday afternoon September 15 2011.

They show the scenery, fauna, flora and environment at the Lilydale Lake Wetland, 40 km east of central Melbourne.

Additions have been made to the Wetland viewing area, which is adjacent to the Lake, with new boardwalks, observation decks, walking tracks, and information booths having been built.

Lilydale Lake, a man-made lake and wetland area, opened to the public in July 1990. Since then, it's become a favourite place for locals to meet for a walk, a chat or a picnic.

Sprawling over 80 hectares, the park, which includes the lake, playground and recreational space, is huge. Visit on any weekday and you'll find mothers strolling around the lake's perimeter with their little ones, joggers and runners keeping fit, and fisher-men and women kicking back by the water's edge.

There are 10 km of walking trails to enjoy!

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O-Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Yuonga Rd section

These pix were taken on September 7, 2011.

They show the scenery, flora and environment along a 2 km (return) section of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, starting at the Yuonga Rd access point.

The views towards Big Pat's Creek, Starling Gap, and Mt Littlejoe are quite spectacular!

Now part of the Yarra Ranges National Park, the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail is a long, step-on, step-off 27 km walking/cycling/horse route starting at Parrot Rd, Launching Place, and ending at the O'Shannassy Reservoir, about 80 km east of Melbourne, past the town of Warburton.

The Aqueduct was constructed between 1911 and 1915, and decommissioned in 1997. The maintenance track, known as Road 18, has been opened up progressively for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists, following transfer of land ownership from Melbourne Water to Parks Victoria.

The Trail passes through magnificent Mountain Ash forest, past fern gullies, with excellent views across the Yarra Valley towards Mt Little Joe and the mountains near Big Pats Creek. It winds its way around the base of Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria and Ben Cairn, passing many aqueduct engineering works, bridges, syphons, huts, distance marker posts and old maintenance sheds.

New access gates for management vehicles and walkers have been built at various locations along the route.

The access point at Yuonga Rd is the latest to be have been completed, with a small car park, picnic tables, and an Information Booth.

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Pioneer Park - Harrietvillle

These pix were taken on September 11, 2011, at the small town of Harrietville, 400 kmn NE of Melbourne.

They show the features and historical displays at the Pioneer Park, on the banks of the Ovens River.

Gold was first discovered in the area in 1852, and the displays and artefacts reflect the evolution of the town, early gold-mining, and logging activity.

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Superb Alps Panoramas from Bright

These pix were taken on September 10, 2011.

They show the superb panoramic views to the Victorian Alps and over the nearby valleys from the Lookouts at Clearspot and Mystic Mountain, which overlook the town of Bright, 375 km NE of Melbourne.

The signed unsealed roads to the Lookouts are logging tracks which pass through extensive pine plantations.

Clearspot is at 1004 m asl - there are two main access roads - one from Coronation Drive and up Huggins Rd to a turnoff near Huggins Lookout. The other is ftroma turnoff up Bakers Gully Rd.

Mystic Mountain is 708 m asl, and we reached this peak from Wandiligong Rd, then up Mystic Lane.

At the summit there is the Hang Gliding launch ramp.

Sections of these access roads are stony and steep, and fare is needed. AWD/4WD is strongly recommended!

Enterprising and energetic souls hike, mountain-bike, or trail-bike from Bright to these peaks, an increase of altitude of some 800 m. We drove!

The Waterwheel pictures were taken in Wandiligong, in a property on White Star Rd. The age of the wheel is unknown.

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