WInter hike in the Silvan Forest

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 "Borrow Pit", next to the cleared space adjacent to the large water tanks, opposite the main gates.

My visit was on Thursday afternoon July 15, 2010, cold and bleak. My route passed through forest and fern gullies, on a circuit hike of about 4 km. Many colorful winter fungi had appeared! Recent fuel reduction activity has left the forest somewhat bare, but there has been strong regrowth of ferns emerging from the black ashes.

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 all of the Photos of my visit!