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

Exploring the Hamer Forest Arboretum, Olinda

Yarra Ranges from Dam Rd

Zoom to Yarra Ranges from Dam Rd

Across the Arboretum to Yarra Ranges

One of my favourite places is the R.J. Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the 1975.

Many walking tracks pass through the Arboretum, some of them named after the plantation species.

I visited the Arboretum on Saturday afernoon May 15, 2010. My 3 km circuit hike started at the Chalet Lookout, then descended Dam Rd, passing the Dam and disused pumping station, reaching Sequoia Track, then to the junction of Rock Track.

This Dam is the origin of the scenic Lyrebird Creek, which winds its way down the Lyrebird Creek Valley to its confluence with the Olinda Creek near the Silvan Reservoir.

Then back to the car.

The autumn colors were beautiful!

There were superb views to the Yarra Ranges from Dam Rd and the Lookout.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Olinda Forest Arboretum in early autumn

One of my favourite places is the R.J. Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the 1975.

Many walking tracks pass through the Arboretum, some of them named after the plantation species.

I visited the Arboretum on Tuesday afernoon April 20, 2010. My 3 km circuit hike started at the small car park at the junction of Silvan Rd and gated Mathias Track. My route followed the Poplar Track, on to Mathias Track, then on a 4WD track through Birch plantations, back to Mathias Track and then to the car.

The autumn colors were beautiful!

There were good views north to the Yarra Ranges and Mt St Leonard, from Mathias Track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Olinda Forest in early spring

I visited the Olinda Forest and Woolrich Lookout on September 12, 2009, 35 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

Starting at and returning to the locked gate on Silvan Rd, I went along Price's Track and then into Bridge Track, descending to the bridge across the Lyrebird Creek.

The Lyrebird Track, leading off Bridge Track, is now impassable, due to to overgrown vegetation, fallen trees, and branches, and is no longer maintained.

Bridge Track is no longer signposted and care is needed, due to large fallen trees.

After the hike of about 3 km, I drove up to the Woolrich Lookout, at the top of Silvan Rd, adjacent to the Olinda Arboretum. There were some excellent views across the Upper Yarra Valley towards the Yarra Ranges.

My "candid camera" took some shots of other visitors having a good time near the Lookout!

The day was hot and humid, with a top of 30 degrees, the highest early-September temperature ever recorded for Melbourne!

See the full set of Photos of my visit, which include some historical images of the Victorian Railways Steambus of year 1905, which was a popular mode of transport to the hills in that era!

Exploring Dam Track - Olinda

The Olinda Arboretum in early spring is a wonderful kaleidoscope of rich and vibrant colors.

It adjoins the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the mid-1970s.

I visited the Arboretum, about 35 km from the Melbourne CBD, on Thursday September 3, 2009.

From the car park at the Woolrich Lookout on Chapel Rd, I followed Dam Track through the magificent stands of tall mature Sequioia trees, and down Link Track. Unfortunately, Link Track was blocked by a huge fallen tree and I was forced to backtrack to Dam Track.

The views from the Lookout and Dam Track across the Arboretum to the distant Ranges were marvellous.

The hike was about 3 km in total.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Winter hike in the Olinda Arboretum

One of my favourite places is the R.J.Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the 1975.

Many walking tracks pass through the Arboretum, some of them named after the plantation species.

I visited the Arboretum on Wednesday afernoon Jul 22, 2009. My 3 km circuit hike started at the small car park at the junction of Silvan Rd and gated Mathias Track. My route followed the Poplar Track, then on to Mathias Track, continuing along Fitzimmon's Track, then back to Mathias Track and the car.

Most of the trees were sleeping for the winter!

There were good views north to the Yarra Ranges and Mt St Leonard, from Fitzimmons Track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

The beautiful Cornus Track, Olinda Arboretum

On Thursday afternoon June 4 2009 I visited the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of the Melhourne CBD.

My excursion was a 4 km return hike along Mathias Rd, Golf Course Track, and Cornus Track, adjacent to the National Rhododendrum Gardens and Arboretum.

There were magnificent displays of brilliant red Cornus trees (Red Dogwood) along Cornus Track.

From Golf Course Track, there were nice views to the east, towards the Yarra Ranges, Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria, and Mt St Leonard.

My hike started at the junction of Falls Rd and gated Mathias Rd, and passed through tall forest, fern gullies, and next to a creek.

A family with young children on Mathias Rd were quite excited, as they had just seen a lyrebird!

See all of the Photos of my visit!