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!

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!

Bradley's Lane Walking Track - Warrandyte State Park

The Bradley's Lane Walking Track is in the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km from the Melbourne CBD.

It starts at the Norman Reserve carpark/picnic area, at the end of Bradley's Lane, reached from the Warrandyte to Research Rd.

The track follows the northern bank of the Yarra, passing through bushland, and eventually reaching a large exposed rock formation and rapids.

On the other bank, immediately opposite, are the old orchards, now part of Parks Victoria, an area of the Park in which walkers are not permitted.

I explored this interesting track on February 2, 2009, a journey of about 3 km return.

Sede the full set of Photos of my trip!

Black Flat Hike - Warrandyte State Park

The Black Flat Walking Track is in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and links the Jumping Creek and Black Flat Reserves.

It is about 4 km (return) and winds it way alongside the Yarra River gorge.

There are some steep and rocky sections on the cliff top, with great views of the Yarra.

New footbridges have been constructed over Jumping Creek, and side tracks lead down to the river bank.

I walked this track on December 31, 2008, starting at the Jumping Creek Reserve.

See the full set of Photos

The Pound Bend Peninsula, Warrandyte State Park

Some of the best views of the Yarra are to be found along the walking track which starts at the Pound Bend picnic ground/car park, Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The 4 km (return) track passes through bushland, over a series of footbridges, finally reaching a large grassed paddock, managed by Parks Victoria.

This is the eastern end of the Pound Bend Peninsula.

Another track continues across the paddock, crossing the Pound Bend Road, and returning to the picnic ground via Tank Track.

There are many vantage points along the river bank, with rapids and views to the cliffs on the northern side.

Families of ducks live on and near the river! Koalas may occasionally be seen - snakes are prevslent in the hotter months.

I did this interesting hike on December 8, 2008.

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Mt Lofty Circuit Walk - Warrandyte State Park

On December 5, 2008, I completed a pleasant 3 km circuit walk in the Mt Lofty section of the Warrandyte State Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My route started at the Park gate on Lower Homestead Rd, in the municipality of Wonga Park, just before the canoe launching ramp on the Yarra River.

This took me up Stephen Track, passing the information board near the Mt Lofty Summit, then a descent to the Yarra, at Water Point No. 1.

There are picnic tables at the Summit and the Water Point.

From there, I followed the somewhat overgrown foot-track next to the Yarra to the canoe ramp, passing the lookout, along a boardwalk, and then back to Stephen Track.

This walk is one of the best in the Park, with superb views in all directions from the Summit, looking across the Yarra gorges to the Yarra Ranges, the Dandenong Ranges, and the Kinglake Ranges.

New signposts have recently been built near the Summit.

Mt Lofty overlooks the adjacent large Heritage Golf and Country Club and the Wetlands.

See the full set of Photos of my trip!

Yarra River and Lookout Walks at Warburton

The River Walk at Warburton follows the Yarra River, about 7 km return, and may be undertaken as a loop, along both sides of the river.

Warburton is about 80 km east of Melbourne.

The Walk extends from the bridge at the eastern end of the town, to the junction of Scotchman's Creek Rd and the Warburton Highway, at the western end.

There are several access points from the Warburton Highway.

The Nature Walk to the scenic Yarra Lookout is about 1 km (return) which is reached from the River Walk, not far from the eastern end.

I did the eastern section of the River Walk and the Nature Walk on December 1, 2008, about 5 km overall.

The resident ducks will entertain you!

See the full set of Photos

Exploring Longridge Farm, Warrandyte

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Longridge Farm is a very large bushland area 25 km NE of Melbourne, on the Yarra River, in Warrandyte. It includes the Longridge Camp.

The site was taken over by the former Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works in 1977 from the Cameron family. It was utilised for grazing beef cattle. The Cameron family may have named the property after the long ridge running down to the picturesque campsite beside the Yarra River.

Until 1993, the property continued to be used for cattle grazing, rotating stock from the Werribee Treatment Complex. However, since conservation works (including treeplanting) around Longridge Farm have increased, the cattle have been removed.

The site is now owned and managed by Parks Victoria.

In 1994, the site was divided, and the eastern section, known as Longridge Camp, opened to the public as an overnight camping site and is not accessible to casual visitors - permits are required for entry.

The Camp area is on the east of Alexander Rd, reached from the Heideleberg-Warrandyte Rd. The large wooded/open area on the west is the remainder of the Farm, with remains of an old homestead and orchard. Mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos were nearby!

The gated part of Alexander Rd ends at a large cleared area at the Yarra Viewpoint, and walkers are permitted.

Directly opposite the Viewpoint on the northern side of the river is Eltham, with a few houses tucked away in the bushland.

The southern boundary is private farmland.

I explored the Farm surroundings on November 22, 2008, a very cold, rainy and windy day, but the gated Camp area was locked. This was a 2.5 km circuit walk, following the management track, downhill to the river, along an old foot-track (used also be kangaroos!), then reaching the river viewpoint.

The area is rarely visited by walkers.

See the full set of Photos

Mt Lofty Summit and the Rapids, Warrandyte SP

On November 9, 2008, I went out to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the canoe launching ramp, at the end of Reserve Rd, Wonga Park.

From there, I walked a 5 km circuit, north along the river track, then up the firebreak, along Stephens Rd, to the summit of Mt Lofty (123 m asl), then descended to the river track, with a side trip to the rapids, and back to base camp.

The views from the summit are superb!

A new track has been constructed in the bushland along the river leading to Bob's Rock (!) and the Canoe Station Rapids, opposite the Bend of Islands.

This is reached from the small beach where there are two picnic tables, and passes over craggy rock formations.

Several other walkers were on this circuit, which was unusual, including mothers wheeling infants in prams, and four young men hitting golf balls from the summit down into the Yarra.

See the full set of Photos, with views from the Summit, and the Rapids.

Blue Tongue Bend in Spring, Warrandyte State Park

Blue Tongue Bend is a scenic location on the Yarra River, in the Warrandyte State park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is reached by a walking track, 4 km return, from the Jumping Creek Reserve car park.

The track winds its way next along the river gorge, with some steep pinches on the cliff top section.

The views of the river and rapids are excellent.

There are several places where the track is very close to the river, and at the Bend itself the river is quite wide and deep, with fish, mainly carp, coming to the surface and plopping down again!

This track is one of the best in the Park and takes about one hour to complete - longer if there are distractions caused by photo shoots, paddling, swimming, or fish spotting!

I visited the Bend on October 9, 2008.

See the full set of Photos

Mt Lofty Circuit Walk, Warrandyte State Park

I went out to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD, on October 6, 2008.

I did an interesting 3 km circuit walk to Mt Lofty, starting at the Canoe Launching Ramp at the car park at the end of Reserve Rd.

The route followed the Yarra River for a short distance, then went steeply uphill on Wayne Rd.

This followed the ridgeline, on the western end of Mt Lofty, with grand views of the Park, and across to the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges. Along the ridgeline there is a water-point marker sign next to a rough jeep track. This is followed steeply down hill to a nice picnic area adjacent to the Yarra.

The Yarra at this point flows over rocks and rapids, and there is a small beach which gives excellent views.

The main low level Mt Lofty Track is then followed back to the car park.

This route provides an appreciation of the Mt Lofty Section of the Park, and even though it is steep in places, the views from the top are worth the effort!

The various "roads" in this section of the Park are not named on maps - they are shown on Google Earth, and date back to the period when the region was farmland. Their names derive from the landowners of the era. A few relics survive, mainly the remains of fences and gate-posts.

The Mt Lofty Section was completely stripped of timber during the goldrush era of the late 1800s, then became open farmland prior to its incorporation into the Park in 1997.

See all of the Photos of this walk

River Trail at Warrandyte State Park

On September 26, 2008, I visited the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I explored an interesting and seldom used wallking track, which runs alongside the north side of the Yarra River, starting at Norman's Picnic Reserve, at the end of Bradley's Lane, off the Warrandyte-Research Rd.

This 4 km return track is opposite Warrandyte village, and passes through bushland, with nice views of the river.

About half way along the track is a lookout, with a wooden seat.

See the full sety of Photos

Black Flat River Trail, Warrandyte SP

The Black Flat River Trail is in the Warrandyte State Park, 20km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It follows the course of the Yarra River, linking the picnic reserves at Jumping Creek and Black Flat, and is 4 km return.

There are marvellous views of the river from high up on the cliffs overlooking the Gorge.

The Trail is stony and steep in parts, and footbridges have been built in several places over creeks and gullies.

I hiked this interesting Trail on September 14, 2008, starting and finishing at the Jumping Creek picnic ground, which is reached from the Jumping Creek Rd.

See the full set of Photos

Warrandyte - Blue Tongue Bend

The Blue Tongue Bend walking track is 4 km return, starting at the Jumping Creek Reserve, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The Track follows the Yarra River to the tip of the Blue Tongue Peninsula.

There are good views of the river gorge and rapids.

I walked this track on August 18, 2008.

See the full set of Photos

Pound Bend winter hike,Warrandyte State Park

I explored a relatively unknown walking track in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD, on July 24, 2008.

My route started at the Norman Picnic Reserve at the end of Bradley's Lane, which is reached from the Warrandyte-Research Rd.

The track follows the Yarra River easterly, to the rapids, and return, in the area known as Pound Bend.

In 1870, the river was partially dammed at Pound Bend near Norman Reserve at its eastern entrance and near Bob's wetlands at its western exit. Miners then blasted a 300 m long tunnel through solid rock. The river was then fully dammed at the entrance and exit to the tunnel and water was diverted through 300 m and out the other side leaving an astonishing 3.85 km of riverbed around Pound Bend exposed to the sun and the miners picks.

The silt in the river bed proved to be deeper than expected and the machinery used could not be operated economically.The outlet is now used as a recreation area providing a safe paddling pool for children.

When the river is low, the effects of the excavations are exposed.

See the full set of Photos

Winter ascent of Mt Lofty,Warrandyte SP

On July 21 2008 I braved cold and wet mid-winter conditions and ventured out to the Warrandyte State Park, 30 km from the Melbourne CBD.

I climbed Mt Lofty, the highest peak in the eastern section of the Park, starting at the gated Stephen's Rd at the junction of Lower Homestead Rd, in Wonga Park.

There is a rise in altitude from 60 m to 117 m, not much as compared with the Himalayas, but it will test your abilities!

This is the eastern access point to the Park, opposite the extensive Heritage Golf and Country Club.

The 3 km route took me to the summit, then a steep descent down to the Yarra River, opposite the Bend of Islands, then along a foot-track next to the river to the carpark and picnic area at the canoe launching ramp.

There are wonderful 360 degree views from the summit, looking over the Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges and the Dandenong Ranges, and across the Park itself.

At the summit, there is a solitary picnic table, and an information board and map of the Mt Lofty section of the Park. There is a seat at an overlook on the descent, and another picnic table is on the river bank.

The river was very wide, due to heavy recent rains upstream.

The ascent to the summit was under black clouds, with some light rain, but the sun shone brightly on the return along the river track, with early golden wattle already starting to bloom.

See the full set of Photos