Keppell Falls - Yarra Ranges National Park

Pix taken on May 7, 2012 in the Yarra Ranges National Park, 80 km east of Melbourne.

They show the Keppell Falls,and the Keppell Track, reached from the Falls carpark on Lady Talbot Drive, some eight km from Marysville township.

The spectacular falls, plunging over rocks, are viewed from an observation deck which is built over the Taggerty River.

The Keppel Falls are between 32m and 51m high. This estimate is based on analysis of the topographic profile around the waterfall and may not be an accurate figure for the total fall of water seen if viewing the falls.

This Track and observation deck has been reconstructed following the disastrous bushfires of early 2009.

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Stevenson Falls - Marysville

These pix were taken on March 20, 2012.

They show the scenery and environment in the Stevenson Falls Reserve, 3 km past the township of Marysville, 90 km east of Melbourne.

Stevenson Falls is currently open seven days a week. Many State forest recreation sites and tracks around Marysville were destroyed in the February 2009 bushfires.

Fire is a natural part of the Australian landscape and most of the plant species around Marysville are adapted to fire and are regenerating well. While the impacts of the fire will continue to be visible for years to come, the forest is an interesting place to visit as it moves through stages of recovery after an extreme event.

Over the next few years additional tracks will be re-opened to allow visitors to enjoy all that Marysville State forest has to offer. Works on the remaining track network are progressing well. The replacement of major assets like bridges and viewing platforms will occur over the next few years.

Extensive work has been done in rebuilding the Stevenson Falls and adjacent tracks. The Falls Track starts at the car park and observation deck, and is a gentle gradient formed pathway for walkers and cyclists,leading to viewing platforms at the base of the Falls.

Stevenson Falls are one of the tallest in Victoria, with five cascades, a total descent of 122 metres, the last having a clear drop of more than 21 metres.

The Stevenson Falls are definitely Marysville's main claim to tourism fame and have been since European arrival in Marysville.

Residents cut a track to the falls in 1866. Since then the natural environs of the Falls and their approach have not altered dramatically.

The falls and the river were named after John Stevenson who first visited the site of what is now Marysville in 1862. He was carrying out a survey of the area to try to find a new alignment for the road to the gold fields at Woods Point.

The 190 ha. Stevenson Falls Scenic Reserve was proclaimed in 1959 to protect the falls and their surroundings.

Stevenson Falls is 350 meters from the car park and is flood lit from dusk until 11.00 pm.

Walks commencing at the falls reserve are - Keppel Walking track - De la Rue lookout, a 1 km walk - Oxlee lookout a 1.5 km walk and Keppel lookout a 4.00 km walk. Another walk goes to the top of the falls, very steep, and takes 40 minutes.

A new 4 km walk has been opened, known as the Tree Fern Trail, linking the carpark with Gallipoli Park, Marysville.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit, and check out my YouTube Video!

Marysville - a phoenix from the ashes

The town of Marysville, gateway to the Alpine attractions and the Lake Mountain snow region, is 95 km NE of Melbourne.

Marysville’s popular Gallipoli Park precinct has been officially re-opened to the public for the first time since the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

On April 9, 2011, Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan joined the newly-appointed Governor of Victoria, the Hon Alex Chernov AO QC, to officially open the $1.8 million park redevelopment which includes a state-of-the-art children’s playground and reflective garden.

Mr Ryan said it was fantastic to see the community come together to celebrate such an important milestone in the rebuilding of Marysville.

“Gallipoli Park suffered significant damage in the 2009 bushfires, including the loss of the town’s kindergarten,” Mr Ryan said.

“The restoration of the park has been a community effort, led by the local council with input and provision of resources from businesses, groups and individuals.

“The outcome is truly inspirational, striking a thoughtful balance between a place of quiet reflection and a place representing new life in the town,” Mr Ryan said.

The park restoration comprises three main components – the Kin Playspace, Reflective Garden and the New Life Sculpture.

“The playspace is state-of-the-art and has a range of equipment including an elevated sandpit, slides, roundabout, rope climbing net, flying foxes and swings," Mr Ryan said.

“The Reflective Garden provides a main entry into Gallipoli Park and features a gazebo and ‘garden rooms’, and the New Life Sculpture, designed and produced by local artist Bruno Torfs, is a permanent symbol of new life in community.”

Stage one of the Gallipoli Park restoration was funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and a range of private donors. Further restorative works will continue as part of stage two including new paths, landscaping, additional signage and new park furniture.

For more information about works in the Marysville and Triangle region visit the Marysville Rebuilding Advisory Centre and Community Facility or go to www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au

I visited Marysville on Sunday June 26, 2011 - these pictures portray my impressions of the town's reconstruction.

Sadly, most of the town's historical buildings were destroyed in the fires and the new town embodies some surviving features.

The town centre is situated along the shady avenue of Murchison Street which has been landscaped to reflect the town's natural environment. Street gutters along one side of the road have been replaced by a meandering rocky stream lined with native grasses featuring bridges leading to shop doorways.

See all of the Photos of my visit!