Friday, February 26, 2010

Exploring the Valley, Olinda Forest




The Valley Picnic Ground is deep in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of Melbourne town.

It is a large cleared grassed area, formerly a rifle practice range in the 1930s, situated in the crater of the long-extinct Olinda Volcano, which last erupted 250 million years ago.

It is reached from unsealed Silvan Rd, then along Boundary Road.

Walking tracks radiate from the picnic area.

I visited the Valley on Thursday afternoon February 25, 2010.

From the picnic area, I followed the old jeep track down the open paddock, reaching Rifle Range Gully Track. I then proceeded along this track, adjacent to the Rifle Range Creek, to the quaintly named "K.C. Track".

I went up this track, which took me back to the picnic ground, a total distance of about 3 km.

Rifle Range Gully Track passes through a protected lyrebird habitat - occasionally these shy creatures may be seen.

See all of the
Photos of my visit!

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