Alpine peaks from Clear Spot Lookout, Bright

These pix were taken on September 15 2012 near Bright,  370 km NE of Melbourne.

They show the magnificent panoramas from the Clear Spot Lookout, altitude 647 m, 9 km along logging tracks from Bright, looking across to the snow-covered Victorian Alps.

A direction cairn and picnic table are located at the Lookout, adjacent to a communications tower.

See the complete set of Photos of our visit!

O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Don Rd Sector

I explored the newly constructed Sector of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail on May 12 2012, 60 km east of Melbourne, near Launching Place, either side of the Don Rd crossing.

This sector has been improved with a gravel surface, but it is a very steep climb!

My exploration was about 3 km in total.

The Aqueduct was decommissioned in 1997. 

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Silvan Forest

These pix were taken on December 27, 2011, in the Silvan Forest, 40 km east of central Melbourne, on a 3 km circuit hike.

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Black Flat Trail - Warrandyte State Park

Black Flat Trail links the Jumping Creek Picnic Ground with the historical gold mining area of Black Flat.

It is in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The Trail, 4 km return, follows the Yarra River Gorge for much of the way, passing through bushland and crossing Jumping Creek.

Some parts are steep and stony, and there are excellent views of the Yarra from the clifftop section.

This was my autumn visit, on Friday April 17, 2009.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Mt Lofty in Early Autumn

Mt Lofty is the highest point in the eastern section of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

On April 9, 2009, I visited the area, doing a 4 km return walk to the Mt Lofty Summit, starting at the gate to Stephen Track off Reserve Rd, reached from Jumping Creek Rd.

This walk took me up Stephen Track steeply to the summit, then along the ridge, to a turnaround point near the fire track.

The views from the summit are outstanding, easterly across the Upper Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges, and south to the Dandenong Ranges.

There is a picnic table and seat at the Summit, and an information board is nearby at the junction with Wayne Track.

See a map of the Warrandyte Region at
http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=sm&v=6GHCJP69CIT4

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Bunurong Marine National Park

The Bunurong Marine National Park extends along approximately 5 km of coastline from 2.5 km east of Cape Paterson in Southern Gippsland (120 km SE of Melbourne) to the eastern end of Eagles Nest Beach (about 6 kilometres south-west of Inverloch), and offshore for approximately three nautical miles to the limit of Victorian waters, encompassing a total of approximately 2,100 hectares.

The Bunurong coast is special - a coast full of striking rock formations, attractive sandy coves, rugged sandstone cliffs and prominent headlands. The coastal waters also contain a remarkable range of habitats that support abundant marine life, nurtured by an unusual set of environmental conditions.

The name "Bunurong" refers to the local Aboriginal group that have lived in this area for thousands of years and have used the coast extensively for food gathering.

These coastal waters share the cool waters of Victoria's central and western coasts, but unlike those shores, are relatively protected from the southwesterly swell by the position of far away King Island. The gently sloping rocky seafloor is also uncommon in Victoria.

The park contains extensive intertidal platforms and subtidal rocky reefs that are uncommon along the Victorian coast. These sandstone areas provide numerous microhabitats and contribute to the area having a very high diversity of intertidal and shallow subtidal invertebrates. There is a mixed assemblage of brown algae and seagrass, supporting a high proportion of Victoria's marine invertebrates, including brittle stars, sea cucumbers, barnacles, sea anemones and chitons.

(The above information is acknowledged to Parks Victoria)
See http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=254

I visited this spectacular region on April 8 2009, which included Cape Paterson. My trip included a 3 km (return) walk along the cliff tops from Cape Paterson to The Channel Beach and westerly along the surf beach. I also visited Undertow Bay, Twin Reefs Bay, and The Oaks Bay, which are east of Cape Paterson.

These Bays may be viewed from observation points from signed car parks off the Inverloch Rd, and are accessed by staircases.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Sherbroooke Falls in early Autumn

On April 4, 2009, I did a 3 km circuit walk to the Sherbrooke Falls, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My journey started at the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground car park, then along Sherbrooke Track, to the Falls viewing bridge, along Ridge Track and O'Donohue's Track, then along Link Track, and back to the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.

Most of the walk was in the rain, through the mist - other walkers passed me, well rugged up and we exchanged pleasantries!

This section of the Forest is very pretty, at any time of the year, passing through tall timber and fern gullies.

New emergency signage has been placed at some of the track junctions, advising people in difficulties to ring OOO and quote the designated emergency number.

These signs are very prominent, white on blue background.

See the full set of Photos of this visit!

Badger Weir Park - reopened after the bushfires

The Badger Weir Park is 65 km east of Melbourne, near the town of Healesville, in the Melbourne Water catchment area.

Three walking tracks lead from the picnic ground to the Weir, passing through superb sub-tropical rain forest and tree ferns.

The Lyrebird Track has been reconstructed and passes next to the creek.

The area is a habitat for lyrebirds.

The picnic ground is excellent, with innumerable rosellas and cockatoos!

I visited the Park on April 2, 2008, on a 3 km early autumn hike which took me on a circuit along the Lyrebird, Coranderrk and Slip Creek Tracks.

The Park had been closed for several weeks after the disastrous bushfires of early February 2009, which threatened Healesville, and was reopened on March 31.

Thankfully, the Park was spared from the fires.

See the full set of Photos of my visit.

Shiprock Falls - Kurth Kiln Park

The Shiprock Falls Reserve is in the northern section of the Kurth Kiln Regional Park, 65 km east of Melbourne, and 7 km from the town of Gembrook, just off the Gembrook-Woori Yallock Rd.

The McCrae Creek flows through the Reserve, and the falls cascade down from rock cliffs and past huge granite boulders.

I visited the Reserve on September 3, 2007, exploring 1 km of walking tracks, with good views of the falls.

See the full set of Photos

Spring Creek Cove - Flinders Coast

Spring Creek Cove is a little known 2 km (return) walking destination west of Flinders Ocean Beach, west of Flinders township, 90 km SE of Melbourne.

It is reached from a car park at the end of King St, near the Golf Course.

The track descends through tall pines to a cleared area, then to the Cove, via wooden steps.
Spring Creek enters the ocean here, at the bottom of the cliffs.

The Cove consists of a secluded beach and grey stones.

There are good views from the cliff top towards the West Head, Phillip Island, and the nearby Ocean Beach.

My visit was on Monday March 30, 2009, which included a visit to the Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary and Ocean Beach, and the Flinders Jetty.

See the full set of Photos of this trip.

Pound Bend Walk - Warrandyte State Park

On Sunday March 29 I visited the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km from the Melbourne CBD.

Leaving my car at the Pound Bend picnic ground, I walked through the forest along the main Pound Bend Track, reaching the large open field managed by Parks Victoria.

Then, back to the car.

Several other people were on the Track, enjoying the beautiful views of the Yarra, and looking out for koalas!

This was a 4 km return walk - sadly, no koalas were seen.

See the full set of Photos of this excursion!

Exploring Burkes's Lookout, Mt Dandenong

On Friday March 27 2009 I went up to the Mt Dandenong summit region.

Leaving the car at the small car park off Ridge Rd, near the Kyeema aircrash memorial, I walked along Kyeema Track to the superb open rocky viewpoint known as Burke's Lookout. This is adjacent to the ABV2, HSV7, and Channel Ten TV towers.

From there, I continued to the Mt Corhanwarrabul Picnic area, then along Eyre Rd and into the scenic Singleton Bushland Reserve. A walking track in the Reserve offers good views to the east through a cleared area of forest.

Then, back to the car, after a journey of about 3 km.

The panoramas from Burke's Lookout across Melbourne are excellent - the city skyline, Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs further to the west were visible. To the north, the Macedon and Kinglake Ranges are prominent, but there was some haze.

A new memorial cairn and information board have recently been constructed near the site of the Kyeema aircrash disaster of October 1938.

See the full set of Photos of this trip.

George Bass Coastal Walk - Kilcunda Section

The George Bass Coastal Walk offers enthusiasts the chance to follow the route of George Bass’ journey of some 200 years ago along the coastline between San Remo and Kilcunda in the Bass Coast region.

Nearly 30 years after George Bass discovered this area by boat, another explorer, William Hovell, set to explore it by foot, of which he depicted in his diary, “…the land here is high, soil light but not good, very thick of low stunted trees with low bush…the land ends abruptly towards the bay and the opposite side of the entrance, facing Cape Woolamai and in many parts ends in perpendicular bluffs.”

This was a good portrayal of the landscape that still remains today. Although a lot of the vegetation has been destroyed by grazing, many native plants including White Correa, Sea Box and Tea Tree still cling to the windswept cliff tops.

This two hour coastal walk, mainly along the cliff tops, of 7 km, is situated on the original land of the Bunurong indigenous people. The walk stretches from the outskirts of San Remo at Punchbowl Road (turn off from the Phillip Island Tourist Road), to the Bass Highway (just opposite the hall at Peppermint Road) in Kilcunda. It is about 120 km south of Melbourne.

Along the track there are also excellent opportunities for bird watching and throughout winter Southern Right Wales on their migration trail can be spotted from the cliff tops.

The walk offers spectacular views of the coastline. An average level of fitness is required for the walk, as it includes using stiles over farm fences - there are some steep and rock sections - seats are placed along the walk.

I did about 6km (return) of the eastern section of this magnificent walk on March 24, 2009, starting at the Shelly Beach end at Kilcunda, and reaching a point overlooking the marvellous secluded Half Moon Bay beach.

I had completed the western section a few weeks ago, from Punchbowl.

The Pictures show the scenery, the cliffs, the track, Half Moon Bay Beach, The Arch rock formation, Shelly Beach, an old Steam Engine Coalmining Winch, other walkers, and the Trestle Bridge at Kilcunda East.

The Walk now links to the Bass Coast Rail Trail at Kilcunda, which follows the alignment of the disused railway line for 16 km between Anderson and Wonthaggi. It is possible to walk from the Punch Bowl in San Remo all the way to the centre of Wonthaggi.

The historical trestle bridge is part of the Rail Trail, at the Bourne Creek estuary, Kilcunda East.

See the Photos of my trip, which include an image taken in 1929 of the Victorian National Resources Development Train - Gippsland - passing Kilcunda East Surf Beach.

Gunnamatta Coastal Walk

The Gunnamatta Surf Beach is about 90 km south of Melbourne, in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

I visited the Beach on March 21, 2009, on a 5 km (return) beachwalk to the southeast, reaching the rocks at the base of the rugged cliffs near Fingal.

The surf was up, with big waves, and the Surf Patrol was vigilant!

The main walking track from Gunamatta to Cape Schank follows the beach along the sand dunes, for about 1 km, where it then veers inland and continues along the cliff top, passing the turn-off to Fingal Beach.

The coastal views towards the Cape Schank Lighthouse were spectacular!

Note that there is an admission fee of $4.40 per car.

My Photos show the scenery, surf, dunes, fishing, swimmers, waves, beach and cliffs with some "candid camera" shots!

Lang Lang Coastal Walk - Westernport Marine National Park

Lang Lang is a small country town with a population of over 1,000, located 90 km South East of Melbourne, along the South Gippsland Highway.

The district was first settled in 1839.

Nearby is the Lang Lang Foreshore, a 4 km strip of coastline on Westernport Bay, reached from the Highway along Jetty Lane.

At low tide, an immense mudflats area is exposed, the habitat of many waterbirds and sea creatures.

These mudflats are an important feature of the amazing ecology of the Bay, part of the Westernport Marine National Park.

The Foreshore area is a camping area. Nearby are rows of quaint little boatsheds and small permanent caravans and cabins next to the beach. Part of this area is classified as a Heritage Overlay, specified as "typical of a 1950s style coastal resort". The land is owned by the Crown, and private individuals take out licences for the sheds.

No alterations of any kind may be made to the sheds or other structures without Council approval.

Erosion is a continuing problem, and various trials have been made in attempts to limit the effects. This included the placement of a tall wooden poles on the beach near the boatsheds, and old tyres on posts (at the extreme north of the beach).

There is a stone seawall, information boards, and a boat ramp.

The mangrove population has disappeared, and new plantings have not been successful.

The old jetty was demolished in 2007.

The Foreshore Committee of Management carries out maintenance and upkeep, supported by Government grants, revenue from camping fees, with the assistance of DSE, the local Council, and Parks Victoria.

My visit to this interesting beach was on March 20, 2009, where I did a 6 km coastal walk (return). This took me north to near the mouth of the Lang Lang River, and south to Red Bluff.

The tide was out - there were good views across the Bay towards the French Island National Park and north towards Tooradin.

For further information, see
http://www.langlangboatsheds.org.au

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

East Warburton River Trail

The Yarra River is adjacent to the small settlement of East Warburton, about 70 km east of Melbourne.

There is a pleasant walking track of about 1 km from a car park on the Wood's Point Rd, at the Riverside Drive junction.

The large cleared space opposite the car park, now used for grazing cattle, was once part of the Warburton Steam Railway, which hauled logs from Big Pat's Creek in the early 1900s to the Warburton rail head.

My visit was on March 16, 2009.

See the Photos of my visit

Tomahawak Creek Track - Kurth Kiln Park

Tomahawk Creek Walking Track, 4 km, is in the Kurth Kiln State Park, 65 km east of Melbourne.

Starting at the Kurth Kiln Picnic Ground, it passes through lush green fern gullies, tall forest, and along the banks of the Creek.

There are many unusual large rock formations and an interesting Gorge and waterfalls.

The historical Kiln, outbuildings and large dam are nearby.

My visit was on March 14, 2009.

See the complete set of Photos of my trip!

Hardy Gully Nature Trail - Kallista

On March 14 2009 I visited Grant's Picnic Ground, Kallista, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 35 km from the Melbourne CBD.

From there I walked some 3 km along the Lyrebird, Hardy's Gully, and Neumann Tracks, reaching my turnaround point at Wallaby Paddock.

This paddock was once a potato farm in the 1940s - no traces of any buildings remain, but parallel lines of furrows are still visible.

This was a cool and rainy day, bit this not deter the many parrots, galahs and white cockatoos who know where to go to get their seeds!

See the complete set of Photos of my trip!

The Blowhole - Flinders Coastline

The Blow Hole is a spectacular natural rock formation, on the Flinders Coastline, 90 km south of Melbourne.

The access road is about 1 km west of Flinders township.

I visited the Blow Hole on March 13, 2009, descending the long wooden staircase to the rocks, along the beach to the east head, and along the top of the rugged west cliff.

These images were taken on a hot, humid and partly overcast day!

Yes, the summer beach kit needed!

See the complete set of Photos of my trip!

Apex Lookout - Bright

Apex Lookout overlooks the township of Bright, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

It is reached by ascending the Mt Porepunkah Rd, for about 2 km, starting at Bright township, where there is a small car park at the junction of Quins Gap Rd.

The signed 3 km (return) Lookout Walking Track starts further up, and winds its way through forest, with beautiful views to the Mt Buffalo Massif.

At the top, there are two view points - the actual Lookout, and the Bright Lookout nearby along a short track.

The views are magnificent, across Bright township, and to the mountains of the High Country, with Mts Feathertop and Hotham prominent.

There is a seat at the Lookout!

At the Lookout, there are communications towers, carrying TV, VHF radio, amateur radio repeater transmitters, and other services.

It is possible to drive from the Quins Gap Rd carpark to the Lookout up the maintenance track, but this is extremely steep and not suitable for conventional cars.

If time and energy permit, the trip can be undertaken entirely on foot, starting at Bright township and following the same route as for the drive, with a diversion around the pine plantations, which emerges at the Quin's Gap carpark.

Our summit hike was on March 9, 2009.

See the complete set of Photos of our trip!