Nature Trail, Dandenong Ranges National Park

The Ferntree Gully Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of the Melbourne CBD, was originally settled in the 1850s.

The present day picnic area is on the site of a long-gone camp, known at the time as Dobson's Gully.

Originally used by the Bunurong and Woewurrong Aboriginal tribes, the Ranges became an important source of timber for early Melbourne and much of the forest was cleared.

Farming became established late last century as roads and railways were built. The 'Puffing Billy' narrow-gauge line from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook was opened in 1900.

The area became popular with tourists from the 1870s onwards; Fern Tree Gully was first reserved as a park in 1882 and other areas followed.

The present national park was established in 1987.

Some of the heritage of the Dandenongs is depicted in paintings by famous artists such as Sir Arthur Streeton. Reproductions of their works can be found on signs in the park and around the Ranges.

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves.

Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.

Several interesting walking tracks start at the picnic ground.

I hiked the 4 km Nature Trail Circuit on May 20, 2008.

See the full set of Photos

Mt St Leonard in Summer, Yarra Ranges National Park

Mt St Leonard is a high peak, 1010m, 65 km NE of Melbourne, in the Yarra Ranges National Park.

The panoramas from the observation platform are magnificient, looking across the Yarra Valley, as far away as Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs, and the Macedon Ranges.

The fire/communications tower is located at the summit, and is easily visible from most of greater Melbourne.

Public vehicular access to the summit is prohibited, and visitors walk the gated 2 km (return) track which starts at a car park at Monda Rd, reached by a winding and steep drive up from the Myers Creek Rd from Healesville.

An alternative route is a very gruelling and steep 16 km (return) hike starting at Donnelly's Weir, near Healesville. That route is not recommended unless you are training for Olympic Marathons or Himalayan Trekking! It forms part of the Bicentennial National Trail, which ends at Cooktown, North Queensland.

I visited the Summit on February 2, 2008, via the shorter walking route!

See the Photos of the expedition.