Several interesting walking trails may be enjoyed in the Silvan Forest, part of the Melbourne Water Reserve, adjacent to the Silvan Reservoir Park, 45 km east of the Melbourne CBD.They start opposite the main entrance to the Park, in Stonyford Rd, and include the Olinda Creek, Messmate, Greygum, and Circuit Tracks.
The reservoir was opened in 1932, supplying water to Melbourne. A 7 km aerial cableway transported materials to the construction site from a siding at Mt Evelyn railway station.
Rusting remains of this cableway and other pieces of old machinery and outbuildings may be seen on the site of the former "Barrow Pit", next to the cleared space adjacent to the large water tanks, opposite the main gates.
My visit was on Wednesday afternoon May 27, 2009, cold and raining, passing through forest and fern gullies, on a circuit hike of about 4 km. Many colorful winter fungi had appeared!
Comprehensive information about the construction and development of the Reservoir may be found at
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=102609
See the full set of Photos of my visit.
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