Alpine peaks from Clear Spot Lookout, Bright

These pix were taken on September 15 2012 near Bright,  370 km NE of Melbourne.

They show the magnificent panoramas from the Clear Spot Lookout, altitude 647 m, 9 km along logging tracks from Bright, looking across to the snow-covered Victorian Alps.

A direction cairn and picnic table are located at the Lookout, adjacent to a communications tower.

See the complete set of Photos of our visit!

East Warburton River Trail

The Yarra River is adjacent to the small settlement of East Warburton, about 70 km east of Melbourne.

There is a pleasant walking track of about 1 km from a car park on the Wood's Point Rd, at the Riverside Drive junction.

The large cleared space opposite the car park, now used for grazing cattle, was once part of the Warburton Steam Railway, which hauled logs from Big Pat's Creek in the early 1900s to the Warburton rail head.

My visit was on March 16, 2009.

See the Photos of my visit

Apex Lookout - Bright

Apex Lookout overlooks the township of Bright, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

It is reached by ascending the Mt Porepunkah Rd, for about 2 km, starting at Bright township, where there is a small car park at the junction of Quins Gap Rd.

The signed 3 km (return) Lookout Walking Track starts further up, and winds its way through forest, with beautiful views to the Mt Buffalo Massif.

At the top, there are two view points - the actual Lookout, and the Bright Lookout nearby along a short track.

The views are magnificent, across Bright township, and to the mountains of the High Country, with Mts Feathertop and Hotham prominent.

There is a seat at the Lookout!

At the Lookout, there are communications towers, carrying TV, VHF radio, amateur radio repeater transmitters, and other services.

It is possible to drive from the Quins Gap Rd carpark to the Lookout up the maintenance track, but this is extremely steep and not suitable for conventional cars.

If time and energy permit, the trip can be undertaken entirely on foot, starting at Bright township and following the same route as for the drive, with a diversion around the pine plantations, which emerges at the Quin's Gap carpark.

Our summit hike was on March 9, 2009.

See the complete set of Photos of our trip!

Summit hike to Mt McKay - Bogong High Plains

Mt McKay is in the Bogong High Plains Region, NE Victoria, and at 1849 m is the highest mountain in Australia which can be reached by road.

It is snow-covered in winter, and is about 6 km from the Falls Creek Village via a turn-off from the High Plains Rd along the Pretty Valley Rd.

The actual summit is about 1 km up the maintenance road from a junction, where there is a small car park. This road is extremely steep and stony, and suitable mainly for 4WD vehicles in locked low range drive.

Foot access is up this road, taking about 15 minutes each way in good weather.

At the summit there are communications antennas, a fire spotting tower, amateur radio repeater transmitters, and a roofed observation lookout.

The views are spectacular, 360 degrees, across to the Alps, the Kiewa Valley, the Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley Dams, and to the Mt Buffalo Massif.

On the north flank of the mountain is the Mt McKay Power Station, most of which is underground.

This mountain is adjacent to the Falls Creek ski runs, and was integrated into the Alpine National Park in 2001, following a rejected commercial proposal to develop it for skiing.

We visited the summit on March 8, 2009, walking up the access road.

See the complete set of Photos of this trip!

Mt Cannibal Nature Reserve - Garfield North

Mt. Cannibal Nature Reserve is 90 km east of Melbourne, in the district of Garfield North, north of the Princes Highway, and not far from the commercially-run Gumbiyah Park.

The summit is at 241 m. A 3 km circuit track (steep and rocky in parts) from the picnic ground goes through forest and links two lookouts - Northern Lookout, and Southern Lookout.

Southern Lookout offers superb views to Wsternport Bay, French Island, Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula and the Westernport Biosphere Reserve.

The Northern Looking commands spectacular views to the Black Snake Range and the Bunyip State Park.

The Reserve is managed by the Cardinia Shire, with support from the Friends of Mt. Cannibal organization.

The Summit is popular with Meteor Observation Groups, and Amateur Radio activities, being relatively free from electrical and visual pollution.

I did the circuit walk on January 11, 2009, and was impressed at the work which has been done in creating the new Southern Lookout and directional marker (sponsored by Rotary).

There has been a major reconstruction and realignment of sections of the Track, with wooden steps installed and gravel surfacing.

Brightly colored markers along the Track refer to points of interest - a well produced set of Trail Notes is available from a metal box at the start of the Track.

A comprehensive Information Board in the picnic area provides details about the Reserve, its fauna, flora, and geography.

The Forest is home to the second higest population of forest owls in Victoria.

The large granite rocky outcrops in the Reserve are over 350 million years old, and represent one of the largest displays in southern Victoria.

See the full set of Photos of my trip!

Razorback Track - Alpine National Park

Unquestionably, the Razorback Track in the Alpine National Park is one of the very best high-level summer trails!

It links the Great Alpine Rd with Mt Feathertop, starting at the Diamantina Hut, and is a 10.5 km one-way route.

The Mt Hotham village is close by.

In December 15, 2008, we did part of this spectacular track, from the Diamantina Hut, and then taking the Bon Accord Track down to the site of the former Johnson's Hut, burnt down in the 2003 fires.

This was 6 km total.

The highest point reached was 1744 m, at the junction of the Bon Accord Track. We descended on this track to the Johnson's Hut site, at altitude 1601 m. In the distance, Mt Feathertop, at 1840 m altitude, beckoned, but 21 km for us was out of reach for a day walk.

Our turnaround point on the Bon Accord Track was the hut site, then a steep climb back to the Razorback Track link track, a change in altitude of 145 m.

We then continued north along the Link Track, then downwards over the "Big Dipper", a very steep and rocky descent from 1744 m to 1660 m, meeting up with the Razorback Track itself.

From there, it was back to the car, following Razorback Track high up on the side of the valley with the River on our left. Sections of this part of the Track are steep and narrow, suitable mainly for Alpine goats, and care is needed!

The views from this route are truly and really amazing, with Mt Buffalo on the distant western horizon, Mt Feathertop to the north, and the Mt Bogong massif to the north-west. To the south is the Mt St Bernard/Twins region, and the Dargo High Plains. The town of Harrietville is visible in the valley. The various spurs surrounding Harrietville are easily identified, such as Bon Accord Spur, Bungalow Spur and the North West Spur.

These Spurs provide various routes to Mt Feathertop - tracks following these spurs were cut in the mid 1800s and early 1900s to support gold exploration and commerce. When the gold ran out, extensive logging was undertaken.
The Bon Accord walking track begins on the eastern edge of the Harrietville township. The track follows the east branch of the Ovens River, along the Bon Accord spur, and ends where it intersects the Razorback, north of Mount Hotham.

The Bon Accord track was built in 1896, using government finances. It led from Harrietville to the site of the Bon Accord mine in the Mt Wills goldfield, following the Bon Accord spur and the Razorback. The track was also used as a cattle track to the Hotham-Loch snow plains instead of the blocked Dungeys Track.

The track was rediscovered and cleared by Warrand Begg of the University Ski Club, and was upgraded in about 1939 when the Bon Accord Hut was erected. The track became a favoured access route for skiers from the 1930s. The track was the main route from Harrietville to Hotham Heights during winter months when the road was impassable. Using packhorses and escorted by a Snow-Line representative, the trip averaged eight hours (with wide variation due to weather conditions).

Mt Feathertop itself is a target for experienced walkers, with overnight stops made at the Federation Hut.

Most of the forest and huts in this region were completely destroyed in the disastrous bushfires of 1939 and 2003.

See the full set of Photos of our trip

Murmungee Lookout - Stanley State Forest

The Murmungee Lookout is in the Stanley State Forest, south of the small settlement of Stanley, in NE Victoria, about 250 km from Melbourne.

It is reached from the Buckland Gap Rd, which links Beechworth with the Great Alpine Rd.

It is a 3 km drive up a narrow steep dirt road to the Lookout, which is at altitude 757 m.

An information board shows a panorama of the magificent valley, with the names and directions of geographical features which can be seen towards the south and west.

The images were taken on December 14, 2008, just prior to a rain storm.

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The Ascent of Mt Dunn, Mt Buffalo National Park

The summit of Mt Dunn is at 1485 m, in the Mt Buffalo National Park, 320 km NE of Melbourne.

Access to the Summit is from a side-track off Long Plain Track, about 20 mins along the signposted summit track, and is a steep zig-zag climb with an altitude change of about 150 m, past large boulders, with a series of steel ladders at the end. The ladder section is best suited to intrepid adventurers with no fear of exposed heights!

Superb views of 360 degrees are revealed at the top of the ladders, but there are very good views at the top of the actual track, at the base of the ladder section.

Our 8 km return walk started at the eastern end of Long Plain Track, opposite the Lake Catani day visitor centre, following the Eurobin Creek through a picturesque Alpine meadow.

An information board at the start of Long Plain Track describes the region, the environment and the flora and fauna.

Mt Dunn can also be reached from the west, a shorter route, from a track starting near the Reservoir.

We climbed Mt Dunn on October 19, 2008.

See the full set of Photos of our trip

Exploring the Currawong Bush Park, Warrandyte

The Currawong Bush Park is a 60 hectare area of preserved bushland, 25 km east of Melbourne, in the outer east suburb of Warrandyte.

It is reaached from Reynold's Rd, near the end of Springvale Rd.

It is adjacent to the Mullum Mullum Creek, and a large section of the park was originally a cattle farm until the 1960s.
Prior to Western settlement in the 1830s, the area was inhabited by the Wurrundunji Aboriginal peoples.

It includes a Wildlife Sanctuary, Aboriginal artefacts, a nice Lagoon, a Stockyard, and walking tracks.

I visited the Park on September 19 2008, on a 3 km circuit, which included the scenic Killjoy Track.

Many colorful birds were seen. Unfortunately, the Sanctuary compound had been closed down.

See the full set of Photos

Falls Creek Snow Trip, Alpine National Park

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On July 28, 2008, we went up to the Falls Creek Ski Resort, in the Alpine National Park.

We started at Bright, 335 km NE of Melbourne, and travelled through Tawonga Gap and Mt Beauty, then up the High Plains Tourist Rd, arriving at Falls at about 10.30 am.

The law required us to carry wheel chains, which were to be fitted to 2WDs at Howman's Gap. We were OK, as my Forester Subaru is an AWD, exempt from chains, unless directed otherwise. The general exemption applies to engaged 4WDs.

The snow ploughs do a good job of keeping this road open - paid for from the $30 per car daily entry fee!

Snow had fallen as low as 800 m.

It was our intention to do some cross country skiing along the groomed trails, picking up from our 2007 trip. This turned out to be virtually impossible - the ground temperature was minus 5 at noon, and wind gusts were reaching 60 km/hr. Natural snow depth was about 105 cm!

Blizzard-like snowstorms and high horizontal winds along the High Plains Rd created an almost "no-go" situation.

My friend Mick actually got as far as the start of the Rocky Valley Dam Wall, but was forced to retreat, along with some other skiiers, due to heavy continuous snow and huge winds.

I didn't bother with the skiis, and trudged up towards the Nordic Bowl, then turned back! I did this four times, about 2 km in total, but the wind drove me back!

School groups who had come up for the day were very disappointed at the horrific conditions.

We had our lunch in the Shelter, then drove back down the mountain, stopping at Mt Beauty township, then a big loop through Happy Valley and Myrtleford, back to Mick's new country house at Bright.

There were stupendous views of the snow-covered Alps from vantage points near the Mt Beauty village, and from the Bogong View Lookout on the Kiewa Valley Highway, near Tawonga. There were excellent views also across to Mt Buffalo from Happy Valley Rd.

Enjoy our full set of Photos

Snow Trip to the Cresta Valley, Mt Buffalo National Park

On July 27, 2008, we travelled up to the Cresta Valley snow resort in the Mt Buffalo National Park, about 320 km NE of Melbourne.

We started at the town of Bright, from Mick's new country house, after having driven from Melbourne in the morning.
We arrived at the Cresta Valley car park at about 2.15 pm, after paying our $10 car entry fee.

The road is kept clear by snow ploughs.

We were amazed at the massive snow cover in the Valley - the cross country ski trails were under about 50 cm of beautiful soft powdery snow, blue sky with some clouds, temperature on the ground about minus 2. No wind!

This is the starting point for the South Buffalo Walk which we had completed earlier this year in the autumn, no snow then of course!

There are several XC ski loop trails in the Valley - 500 m, 1 km, 4 km, and 6 km. These are marked with colored poles - the tracks are groomed daily, but fresh snow soon fills them in!

Nearby is the toboggan run and heated shelter sheds.

Mick disappeared over the hills on the 4 km trail - I was content to do the 500 m circuit!

After all this, it was about 4 pm, getting colder, and it had started to snow. The blue skies had vanished!

Mick reappeared out of the gloom, like a Yeti, so we headed back to Bright, past the Dingo Dell car park and Crystal Brook Plains. By this time, it was snowing steadily and quite dark - a large wombat was crossing the road in front of us and settled down in the snow field nearby!

These Plains were like the South Pole, covered in deep snow, with only the tops of the bushes visible!

The views from Cresta Valley were spectacular, with The Horn peak a few km away, resembling a miniature Matterhorn!

Snow, snow, everywhere!

There were superb views across the Ovens and Buffalo River Valleys from Mackey's Lookout further down the mountain.

See the full set of Photos

Mt Disappointment, Hume Range

Mt Disappointment, at 794m, is the highest point in the Hume Range, part of the Mt Disappointment State Forest, about 60 km north of Melbourne.

In 1824, the explorers Hume and Hovell named the peak because the dense tree growth prevented them from seeing Port Phillip Bay from the summit.

European impact on the forest began in the 1860s with goldmining, and several townships were established. The forest was cut for poles, posts, pit props and firewood.

By 1880, when the gold had run out, sawmilling began and continued until 1939 when the forest had been cleared of most usable timber. At its peak, the Mt Disappointment timber industry employed 420 men.

Controlled logging continues until the present, with a balance struck between conservation, recreation and catchment protection.

I visited the Forest on July 5, 2008. Like Hume and Hobell, I was disappointed at the view from the summit, which was obscured by tall timber, mainly regrowth. A narrow viewing corridor down a firebreak allows limited views towards Melbourne, across the town of Whittlesea and the Yan Yean Reservoir.

The area to the south of the viewpoint is part of Melbourne Water's catchment area, lying within the Kinglake National Park, and public access is prohibited.

The viewpoint is reached by foot along a 1 km (return) rutted muddy jeep track from the end of the Mt Disappointment Rd, at the junction of Board Rd. This track starts about 1 km from Blair's Hut Picnic Ground, which has interesting information displays about Hume and Hovell's expedition, and the history of the forest.

I entered the Forest via the settlement of Wandong, just past the town of Wallan East, along South Mountain Rd, then along Mt Disappointment Rd.

The return journey back to Melbourne was along the Main Mountain Rd, which led into Spur Rd, eventually coming out on the Hume Freeway 16 km north of Wallan.

Unsealed Main Mountain Rd passes through tall forest and lush ferns. Care is needed, as the road is narrow, winding and steep in parts, and is very slippery after or during wet weather. Best with 4WD.

The Forest is popular with trail bike riders, walkers, horse-riderss, and 4WD enthusiasts.

Special care is needed to avoid children driving four-wheeled miniature powered scooters.

Spur Rd provides superb views to all directions, with the volcanic conical peak of Mt Piper prominent to the north.

Other attractions in the Forest include the Strath Creek Falls, and the Sunday Creek Reservoir, reached by short walks, which I will visit at some future time!

A detailed map of the Forest, and general notes, may be downloaded from http://www.dse.vic.gov.au (search for "Mt Disappointment")

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Monda Dugout Track,east of Mt St Leonard

The Monda Dugout Track forms part of the Australian National Trail, and is a 2 km route high up on the Monda Track, reaching 1005m, about 60 km north of Melbourne.

The highest peaks are nearby Mt St Leonard (1010m), Mt Tanglefoot (1005m), Mt Monda (905m), and Mt Archer (925m).

The route starts east of the gated Mt St Leonard Lookout track on Monda Rd, climbs steeply to the view point at 1005m, then descends steeply, ending at the Monda Dugout, at the junction of Hardy Creek Rd and Monda Rd.

The track is part of the 20 km firebreak, which links Myers's Creek Rd with the Dom Dom Saddle.
The track passes through a region which was subject to extensive uncontrolled logging in the early 1900s - big stumps remain next to the track, with saw cuts visible.

The track is part of the boundary between the Yarra Ranges National Park (Melbourne Water's Maroondah Catchment Region) and the Toolangi State Forest.

There are some nice views from the high point towards Mt Tanglefoot and the extrensive pine plantations to the east in the Narbethong region.

I hiked this interesting track on June 1, 2008.

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Paul's Range State Forest, 50 km NE of Melbourne

On May 27 2008 I visited the Paul's Range State Forest, an interesting section of the Paul's Range about 50 km NE of Melbourne.

It extends for some 10 km in a north-south direction, and merges with the southern section of the Toolangi State Forest.

Access is via the Melba Highway, through Yarra Glen, then along the Old Toolangi Rd, into Beach's Lane, to the main signed entrance and small carpark at the corner of Paul's Lane.

There are several walking tracks in the Forest, some exhibiting serious erosion caused by trailbike activity.

I walked up the signposted Paul's Range Track, then along Loop Track, reaching Ridge Track. This is a steep climb of about 2 km, with a rise in altitude fromn 166m to 372m!

Then, a short exploration of Ridge Track, and back to base camp!

Ridge Track continues for several km to the north, following the ridgeline.

There are some nice views from Ridge Track across the surrounding farms and valleys, to the Great Dividing Range.

See the set of Photos

Tanglefoot Road - Southern Sector, Toolangi State Forest

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The Tanglefoot Rd is a gated forestry track, of about 8 km, in the Toolangi State Forest, 60 km NE of Melbourne.

It links Monda Rd with Sylvia Creek Rd, passing the summit of Mt Tanglefoot, 1005m.

Logging has now ceased along this road, but is carried out elsewhere in this Forest. There has been extensive regrowth since the 1939 fires - remains of recent logging activity are observed.

The road follows the ridge, between Myrtle Creek Gully on the west, and the Murrindindi River on the east.

It was once popular with walkers, but but is seldom visited now, as the new scenic Tanglefoot Walking Track has been constructed in the valleys.

There are limited views to the east towards the Alps along part of the road.

I hiked the southern sector of this road, about 4 km return, on May 23, 2008. The elevation is around 945m.

See the set of Photos

Yea River Walk, Toolangi

The Yea River Walk is a 3 km trail in preserved regrowth forest near the settlement of Toolangi, 50 km NE of Melbourne.

The Yea River runs through the forest of Messmate, Narrow Leaf Peppermint, Mountain Grey Gum, and Mountain Ash.

There are many tree-fern species.

Early settlers lived and worked in this forest, cutting and milling the giant Mountain Ash trees. Sadly, the 1939 fires destroyed many lives and sawmills in the region.

The trail contains information boards, beautifully hand-painted by local Toolangi artist David O'Grady. They describe the story of the forest as a journey through time.

An array of wildlife lives near the trail, i njclousding King Parrots, Kookaburras, Crimson Rosellas, Lybebirds. Ringtail Posssums, Sugar Gliders, Wallabies and Wombats.

The Yea River is the habitat of Platypuses and various fish species. The river water flows from the slopes of nearby Mt St Leonard, and joins the Goulburn-Broken Catchment and eventually the Murray-Darling Basin.

I hiked this interesting trail on May 13, 2008, a somewhat overcast day.

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Buffalo Gorge, Mt Buffalo National Park

The Buffalo Gorge is a stupendous chasm in the Mt Buffalo National Park, 320 km NE of Melbourne.

The Gorge's North Wall is the highest cliff in Australia.

There are superb views from the various lookouts, which are adjacent to the Gorge carpark and Chalet.

There are several short well-graded formed walking tracks and steps leading to the various viewpoints. We visited the Gorge on April 25, 2008.

Full set of Photos

South Buffalo Viewpoint Track, Mt Buffalo National Park

Amongst the best walks in the Mt Buffalo National Park, 320 km NE of Melbourne is the South Buffalo Viewpoint Track.

This is an 8 km (return) trail, starting at the Mt Buffalo Lodge Carpark, in the Cresta Valley.

We completed this superb walk on April 25, 2008, passing through Snow Gum woodlands and grassy plains.

Many Beds of Sphagnum Moss were evident.

The views across the Plateau were superb, including the Hump, the Cathedral, innumerable balanced tors and boulders.

The track terminates at the View Point, with magnificent vistas across the Park, dominated by the Horn.

See the full set of Photos

South Buffalo Viewpoint Track, Mt Buffalo National Park

Amongst the best walks in the Mt Buffalo National Park, 320 km NE of Melbourne is the South Buffalo Viewpoint Track.

This is an 8 km (return) trail, starting at the Mt Buffalo Lodge Carpark, in the Cresta Valley.

We completed this superb walk on April 25, 2008, passing through Snow Gum woodlands and grassy plains.

Many Beds of Sphagnum Moss were evident.

The views across the Plateau were superb, including the Hump, the Cathedral, innumerable balanced tors and boulders.

The track terminates at the View Point, with magnificent vistas across the Park, dominated by the Horn.

See the full set of Photos

Coles Creek Track, Toolangi State Forest

Coles Creek Track is a former logging road, in the Toolangi State Forest, 60 km NE of Melbourne.

It follows the Yea River Valley, reached from the Sylvia Creek Rd, off the Myer's Creek Rd, near the settlement of Toolangi.

I hiked the northern section of this interesting track on April 17, 2008, about 4 km return, from a starting point at the Wirrawilla Rainforest Reserve, on the Sylvia Creek Rd.

There was a change in altitude from 663m to 546m, as the track winds its way through tall forest and fern gullies.

This is an ungated fire management track, but there are fallen branches which would make 2WD awkward!

Controlled logging is being undertaken at the junction of Sylvia Creek Rd and Coles Creek Tk.

The Photos