Hamer Forest Aboretum in early summer, Olinda

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 Friday December 16, 2011.

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 Manna Gum Track, then along Poplar Track, on to Mathias Track, to Red Dog Hut, then back on a 4WD track through Birch plantations, back to Mathias Track and then to the car.

There were displays of early summer wildflowers!

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

Se all of the Photos of my visit!