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!

Lookout Rocks, Olinda

On Wednesday afternoon January 27 2010 I went over to the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

I parked at the entrance to gated Mathias Rd, off Falls Rd.

Reaching Golf Course Track, I followed this management track to the Lookout Rocks.

I returned via Golf Course Track and Cornus Track, then back on to Mathias Rd, a total distance of about 4 km.

The route followed the perimeter of the Rhododendrum Gardens, then past the Olinda Golf Course, with superb views easterly to the Yarra Ranges.

There is a change in altitude from 472 m to 513 m.

This is a lyrebird habitat, and I was fortunate in seeing one these very shy creatures crossing Mathias Rd, near the creek, then disappearing into the bush.

Lookout Rocks is a well-known destination, with visitors enjoying it since the early 1900s. In those years, there were nice views across the Yarra Valley, now obscured by tall timber.

I have included two historical images of people at the Rocks, taken in the year 1910.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Rock Track Circuit Hike, Olinda

On Friday afternoon June 19 2009 I went up to the Woolrich Lookout, Chalet Rd, Olinda.

This offers magnificent panoramas over the R. J. Arboretum across the Yarra Valley, extending from Mt Slide in the west, to Mt Littlejoe, in the east.

The various other peaks included Mt Tanglefoot, Mt St Leonard, Mt Monda, Mt Riddell, Mt Toolebewong, Ben Cairn, Mt Donna Buang, and Mt Littlejoe.

From there, I did a 3 km circuit hike, which took me along Dam Rd, past the dam, along Rock Track to Lookout Rocks, then on Golf Course Track (adjacent to the Golf Course), up the hill to Chalet Rd, and back to the car park.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

A hike around the Olinda Volcano Crater

On Thursday afternoon June 11 2009 I went up to the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km ast of the Melbourne CBD.

My visit was a 3 km hike along part of the eastern rim of the former volcano, starting at the access gate at the junction of Falls Rd and Bartlett Track, at an altitude of about 459 m.

Bartlett Tk was followed to the junction of VW Track, which is officially closed, but is still available for walkers.

This track was followed in a northerly direction, and then a steep rocky descent reaching the junction of Olinda Creek Rd, at an elevation of 266 m, a descent of some 200 m!

That was the turnaround point.

The track follows the Olinda Creek Valley, which is immediately to the west, in rugged and inhospitable forest, logged out in the 1940s, and then ravaged by bushfires.

The origin of the name "VW Track" is unknown, and the southern sction was originally an access road for loggers. The steep rocky northern section was added as an extension for walkers.

Here is some background information from Parks Victoria:

The Dandenong Ranges represent the remains of an ancient volcano that existed more than 300 million years ago. Weathering and streams have eroded the old volcano to such an extent that it is largely unrecognisable today.

The whole block is separate from other mountain ranges and it is of an earlier volcanic derivation than the vast majority of other volcanic areas in Victoria.

The Dandenong Ranges is a result of volcanic events that produced a complex igneous rock system of Upper Devonian age. This occurred in two stages. The first stage involved numerous volcanic lava flows while the second was a series of cauldron collapses resulting in distinct intrusions.

About 350 million years ago the formation of the Dandenong Ranges began with a general weakening of the earth's crust.

Some 300 million years ago near the township of Olinda a large volcano welled up through the earth's crust, creating four distinct lava flows over a period of time.

The full article may be viewed at
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/resource_kit/resources/pverksection4a0911.pdf

See the full set of Photos of my visit, including a Google Earth image which shows the Dandenong Ranges viewed from the east - the volcanic formations are of interest!

Eagle Nest Track, Olinda Forest

One of my favourite hikes in the Olinda Forest, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD, is along the Eagle Nest Track.

The hike starts at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground, at the end of Eagle Nest Rd, turn off from Silvan Rd.

The route follows the Lyrebird Creek gully, reaching Hermon's Track, then circling back to the Picnic Ground, crossing the historical bridge oiver the Lyrebird Creek.

This hike is about 3 km in total, and passes through tall timber forest, fern gullies and tall tree ferns.

My visit was on Monday afternoon May 18, 2009.

See all of the Photos of myt visit!

The beautiful Cornus Track, Olinda Arboretum

On Thursday afternoon June 4 2009 I visited the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of the Melhourne CBD.

My excursion was a 4 km return hike along Mathias Rd, Golf Course Track, and Cornus Track, adjacent to the National Rhododendrum Gardens and Arboretum.

There were magnificent displays of brilliant red Cornus trees (Red Dogwood) along Cornus Track.

From Golf Course Track, there were nice views to the east, towards the Yarra Ranges, Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria, and Mt St Leonard.

My hike started at the junction of Falls Rd and gated Mathias Rd, and passed through tall forest, fern gullies, and next to a creek.

A family with young children on Mathias Rd were quite excited, as they had just seen a lyrebird!

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Exploring the Olinda Falls in mid-summer

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!

Please see my Photo Album of the trip, which shows the walking track, signposts to nearby trails, the falls, the picnic ground, the car park, and the viewing platforms. It includes two archival photographs, showing the Falls Walking Track, and what the Falls looked like around the year 1910.

I visited the Olinda Falls on February 20, 2009.

The Track to Lookout Rock, Olinda

One of the best walks in the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park is to the Lookout Rock.

I visited this interesting geographical feature on February 21, 2009. My 4.5 km return route was along gated Mathias Rd, starting at the junction with Falls Rd, then into Golf Course Track and to the Rock.

There are glorious views from Golf Course Track and Mathias Rd across the Upper Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges.

The Rock, adjacent to the Olinda Golf Course, has been a favourite destination for walkers since the early 1900s. In those years, there were good panoramas from the Rock, but these are now obscured by tall timber regrowth.

The Hamer Arboretum borders Mathias Rd.

See the Photos of my trip, which include two historical images of the Rock as it was in the year 1910!

Hermon's Track - Olinda Forest

Hermon's Track is a popular 3 km walking/cycling/equestrian trail in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is reached from the Eagle Nest picnic ground, off Silvan Rd, and follows the Lyrebird Creek valley.

It passes through regrowth forest, fern gullies, and across the creek, with cockatoos screeching overhead!

My visit was on February 15, 2009.

See the full set of Photos, which include some images taken at the nearby Woolrich Lookout, looking east towards the ranges around Gembrook, where bushfires were still burning in the Bunyip State Park.

A Hike in the Olinda Forest

On Tuesday February 3, 2009, I explored a seldom visited un-named track in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park.

This 2 km track starts at gated Road 13, just off the Olinda Creek rd, and winds its way through interesting forest, along the Olinda Creek valley, ending at Road 13 near the bridge.

This track is not shown on any maps, and is not signposted!

See the full set of Photos, which include some historical images of the forest taken in 1869 and 1910!

Manna Gum Track - Olinda

The Hamer Forest Arboretum is adjacent to the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The Manna Gum Track passes through the Arboretum.

On January 27 2009 I undertook a 2 km circuit walk, starting at the junction of the gated Mathias Rd and Silvan Rd, near the Woolrich Lookout, Olinda.

This took me along the Manna Gum Track, downhill into the Olinda Valley, through the Arboretum, then back on to Mathias Rd, passing the quaintly named Red Dog Hut!

See the full set of Photos of this trip.

George's Rd Hike - Olinda Forest

George's Rd is a popular walking/cyvling/horseriding gated track in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is 4 km (return) and links the small car park at Olinda Creek Rd with Hermon's Track, passing through regrowth forest, tall timber, and ferns.

I hiked this track on December 28, 2008.

See the full set of Photos, which include some images taken from the nearby Nib Nab Nob Lookout, which overlooks the Forest.

A Hike akong the scenic Dam Rd, Olinda

Dam Rd is a gated management track in Olinda, Dandenong Ranges National Park, adjacent to the Hamer Arboretum, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It starts at the Woolrich Lookout on Chalet Rd, and winds its way around the perimeter of the Arboretum, passing a large fire management dam.

The views are excellent towards the Yarra Ranges.

Near the dam is a short track leading to a disused pumping station.

The dam is fed from run-off from the forest above.I explored this interesting area on December 11, 2008 - Dam Rd is about 2.5 km reurn from the Woolrich Lookout car-park.

See the Photos of this trip

Eagle Nest Walk, Olinda Forest

One of the most scenic walks in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges Natiolnal Park, is a 3 km circuit, starting at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground.

This is reached from the Silvan Rd.

The route follows gated Eagles Nest Rd, then Georges Rd, Boundary Rd, reaching the Valley Picnic Ground.

From there, the route is along the eastern boundary of the picnic ground, along a jeep track, reaching Rifle Range Gully Rd. This is followed to a junction with Hermon's Track, then continues to the Eagle Nest picnic ground.

The walk passes through tall forest, fern gullies, over footbridges, and around the Lyrebird Creek gully.

Both picnic grounds were once farms in the 1940s, prior to being absorbed into the National Park.

My walk was on December 4, 2008.

See the full set of Photos

The Scenic Gingpo Track, Olinda Forest

The Gingpo Track is in the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of Melbourne.

It is so named due to an extensive plantation of Gingpo trees in the extensive Hamer Arboretum, which adjoins the Park.

Many of the walking and management tracks in the Arboretum are named after the various tree plantations through which they pass.

I explored this scenic track on November 27, 2008, on a 4 km circuit hike from the Valley Picnic Ground, which took me along gated Yallambie Way, Simmons Avenue, and Boundary Rd. Parts of this circuit are steep, and sections of Simmons Ave are overgrown.

The RJ Hamer Arboretum land is a small part of the original Dandenong and Woori Yallock State forest, proclaimed over 110 years ago. A succession of fires destroyed the original eucalypt forest and during 1948 -1955 softwood trees were planted on site as part of plans to improve Victoria's timber supplies.

The fires of 1962 destroyed the majority of these post war plantings and the government then investigated the future use of the area. Plans were developed for the establishment of an exotic forest Arboretum to be used as part of a firebreak for the Olinda township.

The RJ Hamer Arboretum is the first known occasion in which a forest style Arboretum was completely established by planting. A basic planting design was completed in 1970 and planting was carried out for the next 15 years.

Sadly, (2008) large tracts of the Arboretum are becoming choked with weeds and other unwanted plants, and it appears that maintenance is minimal.

The Valley Picnic Ground was once a farm prior to about 1958, and is reached from Silvan Rd, then along Boundary Rd.

See the full set of Photos of my trip

Exploring the KC Track, Olinda Forest

The strangely named "KC Track" is deep in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It links Rifle Range Gully Track and Allambie Way.

I explored this interesting track on November 24, 2008, on a 3 km clockwise circuit starting at the large Valley Picnic Ground, on to Allambie Way, then KC Track, and along Rifle Range Gully Track, then reaching the start.

The final section of the walk was along kangaroo tracks across open bushland adjacent to the picnic Ground, which was once a farm up to the 1970s.

The Picnic Ground is reached from Silvan Rd, then along gated Boundary Rd. The gates are locked at 6pm daily during summer!

The scenic Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, in spring

On November 5, 2008, I went out to the Hamer Arboretum, in Olinda, adjacent to the Dandenong Ranges National park, 45 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

My 4 km exploration started at the junction of gated Mathias Rd and Silvan Rd, taking me along Mathias Rd, Simmons Avenue, Boundary Rd, and Manna Gum Track.

The famous Arboretum is always very pretty in spring, with plantings dating back to the early 1970s, from all parts of the world.

Manna Gum track is very steep, with a change of altitude from 325m to 485m!

See the full set of Photos of my trip

A Hike on Hermon's Track, Olinda Forest

An appealing shorter walk of about 2.5 km includes Hermon's Track, in the Olinda Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

Hermon's Track starts at the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground, off the Silvan Rd, and joins George's Rd, which merges with Eagle Nest Rd. The walk then continues in a loop on the opposite side of the Lyrebird Creek, back to the Picnic Ground.

My trip was on October 12,2008, through excellent tall forest, past fern gullies and tree ferns, to the accompaniment of screeching white and black cockatoos!

See the Photos

Rock Track, Olinda, Dandenong Ranges NP

Rock Track is in the Olinda Section of the Dandenong Ranges NP, 35 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It links Mathias Rd with Golf Course Track, and offers wonderful views to the distant Yarra Ranges and the Silvan Reservoir.

On October 10, 2008, I did a 4 km return walk, starting at the small car park at the junction of Falls Rd and gated Mathias Rd, then along Mathias Rd, and on to Rock Track.

My route passed through tall forest, next to the Olinda Golf Course, and along the perimeter of the beauthful National Rhododendrum Gardens.

This part of the forest is a habitat for lyrebirds, but none were seen on this trip!

See the full set of Photos

Olinda Forest Explorer

On October 8 2008 I visited the Olinda Forest, part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

Starting at the junction of Silvan Creek Rd and Road 13, I followed gated Georges Rd, then into Barges Rd, then along Bartlett Rd, and returning on to the Silvan Creek Rd. I then went along an interesting unsigned partly overgrown track leading off Silvan Creek Rd, which joined Georges Rd, and back to my starting point.

This was a 3 km hike through bushland, with early spring wildflowers in bloom.

See the full set of Photos