Sherbroooke Falls in early Autumn

On April 4, 2009, I did a 3 km circuit walk to the Sherbrooke Falls, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My journey started at the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground car park, then along Sherbrooke Track, to the Falls viewing bridge, along Ridge Track and O'Donohue's Track, then along Link Track, and back to the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.

Most of the walk was in the rain, through the mist - other walkers passed me, well rugged up and we exchanged pleasantries!

This section of the Forest is very pretty, at any time of the year, passing through tall timber and fern gullies.

New emergency signage has been placed at some of the track junctions, advising people in difficulties to ring OOO and quote the designated emergency number.

These signs are very prominent, white on blue background.

See the full set of Photos of this visit!

Hidden Lagoon - Warrandyte State Park

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At the northern end of the Warrandyte State Park is a seldom visited, remote area, on the Yarra River, opposite the Bend of Islands Environmental Living Zone.

There is an interesting water body nearby, which I have named "The Hidden Lagoon", not easily seen from the rough access track!

The track is adjacent to a fence line, marking a section of the Park which has been set aside for revegetation by Parks Victoria and local community Landcare groups.

Access to the River and Lagoon is via a 5 km (return) route, starting at the Clifford Scout Activity Centre at Clifford Drive in Wonga Park, from the closed gate next to the Warrandyte State Park sign.

There is a change of altitude from 135m to 59m.

This is the former Market Garden Track, dating back to the time when this section of the Park was still privately owned farmland, part of the Yarra Brae property. The Track follows the ridge line, passing a high point, with good views across the surrounding farms and across to the Ranges.

The track continues steeply downhill, reaching the Hidden Lagoon side track. This is followed past a fenced "no access" revegetation area, with the Lagoon off to the left. This rough track continues downhill to the Yarra, and ends in bushland. Directly opposite the river is the Bend of Islands Living Zone, with a few houses visible.

The revegetation area is adjacent to the river, but appears to have been neglected, most of it overgrown with weeds, scrubby trees, prickly bushes and long grass. Eastern Grey Kangaroos are nearby.

It is not known why this area was selected for revegetation, as it is in one of the remotest sections of the Park. At this point, the Yarra runs in a narrow gorge, almost in a straight line, in a north-south direction.

My visit was on November 25, 2008, on a hot day. This section of the Park is always much hotter and drier than the surrounding areas, and the going is tough in hot weather.

Market Garden Track continues downhill to the Bend of Isles Peninsula, where there is a large flat cleared open area, which was originally the market garden and orchard, part of the Yarra Brae farm. It continues westerly as a circuit known as the Lucerne Paddock Track, with good views of the river.

Market Garden and Lucern Paddock Tracks are signed as the "Bridle Track", and are popular with horseriders.

See the full set of Photos of my expedition!

Wurundjeri Walk and Wetlands, Blackburn, Victoria

Wurundjeri Walk is a linear park of 20 hectares extending between Middleborough and Blackburn Roads in Blackburn South, 20 km east of the Melhbourne CBD.

The park is made up of the following parks and reserves:
Orchard Grove Reserve, Wilkes Place, Link Hurter / Finch Street Links, The Wetlands

Wurundjeri Walk is named after the Wurundjeri Clan, the Koori people who lived in this area prior to white settlement. The park is owned and managed by the City of Whitehorse and is a major district park with a balance of recreation facilities in a natural setting.

The Wurundjeri Wetlands, completed in 2001, enhance the recreational values of the park with the creation of an attractive habitat for water birds. Further development and planting will occur in the wetlands.

There are walking paths, seats and viewing points from which the visitor can overlook the wetlands, observe the birds and admire the indigenous trees e.g. Red Stringybark, Yellow Box, Long-leaf Box, Swamp Gum, Sweet Bursaria and Swamp Paperbark plus many other grasses, tufties and shrubs indigenous to Whitehorse.

Bird species sighted in the wetlands include the White-faced Heron, Pied Cormorant, Straw-necked Ibis, Black Duck, Black-fronted Dotterell and Australian Wood Duck.

The Wurundjeri Walk Advisory Committee, established in 1988, consists of local residents appointed by Whitehorse Council for a term of three years. Committee members offer their time on a voluntary basis to advance the park by assisting the Council in the management and development of this valuable community asset, and in providing a link to the local community. The Committee meets on a monthly basis, organizes planting activities and working bees, as well as social events throughout the year.

There is an active "Friends of Wurundjeri Walk" group and planting activities are held regularly in the park.

Visit

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~wuruwalk/

to view/download a brochure and map of this Walk.

I explored the Walk and Wetlands on October 3, 2007, and my pictures are at Wurunderi Walk Photos