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!

Shiprock Falls - Kurth Kiln Park

The Shiprock Falls Reserve is in the northern section of the Kurth Kiln Regional Park, 65 km east of Melbourne, and 7 km from the town of Gembrook, just off the Gembrook-Woori Yallock Rd.

The McCrae Creek flows through the Reserve, and the falls cascade down from rock cliffs and past huge granite boulders.

I visited the Reserve on September 3, 2007, exploring 1 km of walking tracks, with good views of the falls.

See the full set of Photos

Fainter Falls Walking Track - Bogong

The Fainter Falls Walking Track was opened to the public in January 2009.

It's located just off the Bogong High Plains touring road between Mt Beauty and Falls Creek.

The start is well signposted, opposite a large car-park 2km south of Bogong Village (near the "orange bridge").

It's a 700 metre (one way) walk on a Class 2 track (easy) and suitable for most abilities. It contours above the course of the Pretty Valley branch of the East Kiewa River with two lookouts along the route. The lookouts have great views of the river and Fainter Falls.

For the more adventurous, a further 200 m stepped track goes to the base of the falls.

Our visit was on March 7, 2009.

A walk not to be missed!

See the full set of Photos of our visit!

A Hike in the Sherbooke Forest to the Falls

This album shows the scenery, wildlife and features in the Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I visited this timeless beautiful forest on February 18, 2009, starting at the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground, on a 3 km circuit hike along the Sherbrooke and O'Donohue's Tracks, passing the Falls.

Sadly, the Falls were only a trickle, due to the extended drought.

The rosellas will always entertain you!

See my Photo Abum, of the trip, which includes an image of the Falls, as they looked around the year 1940.

Wilhemina Falls - Toolangi State Forest

The Murrindindi Scenic Reserve is a large region of preserved forest, some 80 km north east of Melbourne, about 20 km south of the town of Yea, in the Toolangi State Forest.

The Reserve borders the Toolangi State Forest to the south, and the Murrindindi River is central.

There are several excellent walking trails in the Reserve, formed from old logging tracks.

My route from Melbourne was the Melba Highway, through Glenburn, then right to the Murrindindi Rd.

The Murrindindi Rd, primarily used by logging trucks, runs adjacent to the River for several km, along the Murrindindi River Valley, in a north south direction. The road passes through forest, joining the Sylvia Creek Rd near the Mt Tanglefoot car park, then on to Toolangi, about 25 km in all.

I visited the Reserve on September 3, 2008, undertaking the 4 km return hike to the Wilhemina Falls, starting and finishing at the Wilhemina picnic ground, just past the Suspension Bridge camping reserve.

On previous trips, I had explored most of the Murrrindindi River Walk, which runs parallel to the Murrindindi Rd, starting at the Suspension Bridge picnic ground, and ending at the Cascades. This passes the sites of several old mills, partly following the alignments of old timber tramways. There is a series of good camping grounds along Murrindindi Rd, and permits may be purchased from the Ranger Station at the Suspension Bridge picnic area.

The forest scenery is superb. The views of the nearby Ranges and the beautiful Falls are the rewards for a strenuous walk up the mountain over a steep and rocky track!

The Shire has recently installed steel hand chains on several difficult sections of the track.

Most of this area and infrastructure was destroyed by the fires of 1939. New tracks and bridges were then constructed to support the salvaging and renoval of burnt trees.

There are excellent views from Murrrindindi Rd after leaving the Melba Highway, across to Mt Despair and other ranges.

Full set of Photos

La La Falls - Warburton

The La La Falls are in the former timber cuttting region, near the town of Warburton, 65 km east of Melbourne, in the Yarra State Forest.

A 3.5 km return walking track leads up to the Falls, through the dense jungle of the Four Mile Creek Gully.

The photos show the Falls and the scenery along the Track, on my visit on August 31, 2008, the last day of winter!

The Track is very slippery after heavy rain, and care is needed. Parts of it are rocky and steep, over steps and boardwalks, and it terminates at a viewing platform at the base of the Falls.

In the Photo Album, I have included an archival photo of the Falls as they looked in 1920!

Sherbrooke Falls Circuit Walk

On August 22, 2008, 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 to the O'Donohue's Picnic Ground, then 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 needing assistance to ring OOO and quote the designated emergency number.

These signs are very prominent, white on blue background.

The full set of Photos

Sherbrooke Forest winter nature walk

I visited the Sherbrooke Forest, 40 km east of the Melbourme CBD, in the Dandenong Ranges National park, on July 17, 2008.

My 3 km walking circuit started at the gate to Wattle Track, at Monbulk Rd, then on to Sherbrooke Track, past the Falls, over the Falls Bridge, along Ridge Tk and back to Monbulk Rd.

There were many interesting fungi growing on the old logs, in assorted designs, colours and varieties.

It was a cold winter's day, and the lyrebirds were not to be seen!

I passed seven other walkers - everyone was well rugged up - the Forest is very popular right throughout the year.

Beware - strange beasts live in the jungle, and giant bunyips may come out of their burrows and bite you!

See the full set of Photos

Winter Walk to the Olinda Falls

I visited the Olinda Falls on July 12 2008, an extremely cold winter's day.

The Olinda Falls are among the most popular attractions in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km from the Melbourne CBD.

There are actully three falls - the upper, middle and lower cascades, with viewing areas for each along the 1 km steep track which starts at the picnic ground on Falls Rd.

Visitors have enjoyed the Falls since the 1860s, well before motor cars made their appearance in Melbourne, when they travelled up Mt Dandenong by horse and buggy!

The Falls were originally known as the "Valinda Falls", the name of the district, which then became "Olinda".

Olinda settlement is perched on the rim of the ancient volcano crater, which last erupted 200 million years ago!

The full set of Photos

Beechworth Historic Park - Woolshed Track

The Beechworth Historic Park is located 270 km NE of Melbourne in the foothills of the Alps, and is about 1020 hectares.

It incorporates a number of significant goldmining sites.

The Woolshed Falls are just to the north of the Park, within the adjacent Chiltern-Mt. Pilot National Park.

The town of Beechworth is considered to be the best preserved gold town in Victoria with more than 30 of its buildings classified by the National Trust. It's a popular tourist destination due to the natural beauty of the surrounding forests and ranges and the historical architecture of the town.

On June 9, 2008, we hiked the 10 km (return) Woolshed Track to the Woolshed Falls, starting at the Powder Magazine, at the western end of Beechworth town.

This followed the Spring Creek gully, past the cascades, over the historic (1926) Spring Creek Bridge and passing farmlands and former goldmines. A part of the track was on the scenic Gorge Rd.

The highest point on the track was 529m - the lowest was 300m.

See the full set of Photos