Himalaya Track - Dandenong Ranges NP

A 2 km hike on Janjuary 31, 2017. The Himalaya Track loop is on the western flank of Mt Dandenong, and is one of many fire-management tracks in this section of the Dandeong Ranges National Park. Access is from a gate at the end of Hatherley Rd, Ferntree Gully. It links with other tracks originating on neartby One Tree Hill. It can also be reached from Forest Rd. It is challenging, with a rise in altitude of some 100 metres.

Good views to Melbourne CBD and across the eastern suburbs.

Olinda Forest in mid-winter

These pix were taken in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, on June 18 2012, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, environment and flora on a 3 km circuit hike starting at the Olinda Creek Rd, along Barges Track, Bartlett Track and return on the Olinda Creek Rd.

Many colorful winter Fungi were on display, on a very cold and overcast day!

See my animated Slideshow of the visit!

Predator Track Hike - Dandenong Ranges National Park

Predator Track

Pix taken on June 8 2012 in the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

Very old tree on Bartlett Track

My hike was a circuit, starting at gated Bartlett Track, at the junction with Falls Rd, then along Predator Track to Mathias Track.

Predator Track

Then back along Falls Rd to home base, about 3 km.

Bartlett Track

It was misty rain for most of the journey, and very dark in the forest!

See a Slideshow of my visit!

Olinda Forest in autumn

These pix were taken on April 19 2012 in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery and environment on a 3 km circuit hike, starting at the junction of gated Barge's Rd and Olinda Creek Rd, then along Barge's Rd, then Bartlett Rd, and downhill back to home base.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Olinda Creek Diversion

These pix were taken on March 5, 2012, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

They show the scenery and environment in an obscure area of bushland surrounding the Olinda Creek, adjacent to the Olinda Forest, 35 km east of central Melbourne.

My 3 km hike followed Management Road 19, from the gate on the Olinda Creek Rd. This road crosses the Olinda Creek, then leads to an old orchard and derelict house, taken over by Parks Victoria many years ago.

A rudimentary foot-track leads off Management Road 19, following the creek, then over a small wooden bridge into a large paddock.

A tributory to the creek is adjacent to the paddock, which flows frm a spring high up on the Olinda Escarpment.

Next to the Creek are the ruins of an old farmouse and outbuildings - at the end of the paddock is an old house, unoccupied - by coincidence I met the owners, who were inspecting the unfenced paddock.

A rough track crosses the tributory, leading into the forest.

Decades ago, the Olinda Creek was diverted near the old farmhouse, leading to Stewart's Weir and Emergency Pumping Station on Olinda Creek Rd. The diversion runs through a brick-walled channel - the old creekline can be seen nearby.

See all of the Photos of my visit, and check out my YouTube video!

Autumn Fungi in Olinda Forest

These pix were taken in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, on March 25 2011.

They show the scenery on a 3 km circuit hike starting at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground, then along Hermon Track, George's Track, and Eagle Nest Track.

The first of the winter Fungi have appeared!

See all of the Photos of my visit

Dandenong Ranges NP - Bobcat Link Track - Olinda Forest

These photos were taken on Tuesday March 8, 2011 in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of Melhourne.

They show the scenery and flora on a 4 km hike through the Olinda Forest, along gated George's Rd and Bobcat Link Track.

The hike started at the Olinda Creek Rd, opposite Management Rd 13.

Bobcat Link Track passes the site of a former timber mill of the 1940s.

Check out the embedded Video and the Slide Show.

Olinda Forest Hike - first day of Autumn- March 1 2011

Photos taken on March 1, 2011, the first day of Autumn, in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of central Melhourne.

The scenery is on a 3 km return hike,  starting at the junction of unsealed Stonyford Rd and gated Management Rd 18, following the course of the fast-flowing Olinda Creek.

This took me into Management Rd 13, then to the old bridge over the Creek.

This is one of the best shorter hikes in this section of the Park!

See the Photos and the Video!

Olinda Creek Circuit Hike - Olinda Forest

These pictures were taken on February 19, 2011 in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery and environment on a 3 km circuit hike in the Olinda Creek Gully, starting at the junction of Olinda Creek Rd and gated Management Road 13, then on to the Olinda Creek Track.

See the Video and Slideshow Photos!

Possum Track - Olinda Forest

These photos were taken on February 12, 2011, in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National park, 40 km east of central Melbourne.

My 4 km return hike followed George's Track, from the gate on Olinda Creek Rd, then ascended to unsigned Possum Track.

Possum Track descends into the Rifle Range Gully Creek, crossing the creek, then ends at Eagle Nest Track.

The scenery was excellent, with the track passing through tall timber and fern gullies.

George's Track is shared by hikers, cyclists, and horses.

See all of the Photos! 

The Video is below!