Keppel Lookout - Marysville State Forest

A drive to the Keppell Lookout, Marysville State Forest, May 10 2012, 90 km from Melbourne.

The panoramas were superb!

The Lookout is 5.5 km south of Marysville, and is reached from Paradise Plains Rd. It's well signposted. Several hiking trails are passed, and the trails to the Steavenson Falls and Tree Fern Gully cross at the carpark.

Well worth a visit!

The road is unsealed, and in good condition. I also explored a section of the Keppel Lookout track.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Bourke's Lookout in early autumn

These pix were taken on Friday March 2, 2012.

Bourke's Lookout is on the top of Mt Corhanwarrabul, which at 628m is the second highest peak in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

The first European to climb it was Daniel Bunce, a botanist, in 1839, with a party of Aborigines.

It is on the western flank, giving superb views across Melbourne and as far out as the Macedon Ranges.

Three of Melbourne's TV transmitters are located on the peak - Channels 2, 7 and 9.

Access to the lookout is from the east, via the 2 km circuit foot-track, (Kyeema Track), which continues westerly down the mountain to the Doongala Section of the Park.

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

Mount Worth State Park

Mount Worth State Park, about 125 km SE of Melbourne, takes in 1040 hectares of natural forest, regenerating native bush and cleared pastures in the western Strzelecki Ranges, south-east of Warragul.

A network of walking tracks radiate from the Moonlight Creek Picnic area. These include the Giant's Circuit 1.8 km, Moonlight Curcuit 8.5 km, Gardiner's Mill Track 1.5 km one way, Maslin's Mill 800 m one way.

In the 1920s, 12 timber mills were operating in the region - all that remains are sawdust heaps and rusting machinery.

I visited the Park on Easter Monday April 13 2009, reaching it via Darnum and the Allambee Estate Rd.

There were spectacular views to the north across pine plantations over the Latrobe Valley to the Baw Baw Ranges.

I explored about 4 km of walking tracks.

Visitor Guides are available at the Information Kiosk at the picnic ground.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

For further information, see Parks Victoria at

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=159

Mt Lofty in Early Autumn

Mt Lofty is the highest point in the eastern section of the Warrandyte State Park, 25 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

On April 9, 2009, I visited the area, doing a 4 km return walk to the Mt Lofty Summit, starting at the gate to Stephen Track off Reserve Rd, reached from Jumping Creek Rd.

This walk took me up Stephen Track steeply to the summit, then along the ridge, to a turnaround point near the fire track.

The views from the summit are outstanding, easterly across the Upper Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges, and south to the Dandenong Ranges.

There is a picnic table and seat at the Summit, and an information board is nearby at the junction with Wayne Track.

See a map of the Warrandyte Region at
http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=sm&v=6GHCJP69CIT4

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

St Andrew's Coastal Beach - Mornington Peninsula National Park

On Saturday March 28 2009 I went down to the Mornington Peninsula National Park, about 90 km SE of Melbourne, and did a 4 km (return) coastal walk between St Andrew's and Rye Ocean Beaches.

St Andrew's Ocean Beach is reached from Trueman's Rd, turning off at Sandy Rd - there is a car park and information board at the start of the foot-track.

The views are superb, extending SE to the Cape Schank Lighthouse, and NW towards Portsea.

The rock formations along this stretch of beach are somewhat unique, and surfing is popular.

Shipping was observed a few kms out in the main channel, heading towards Port Phillip Heads after passing Cape Schanck.

See the full set of Photos of this trip!

Exploring Burkes's Lookout, Mt Dandenong

On Friday March 27 2009 I went up to the Mt Dandenong summit region.

Leaving the car at the small car park off Ridge Rd, near the Kyeema aircrash memorial, I walked along Kyeema Track to the superb open rocky viewpoint known as Burke's Lookout. This is adjacent to the ABV2, HSV7, and Channel Ten TV towers.

From there, I continued to the Mt Corhanwarrabul Picnic area, then along Eyre Rd and into the scenic Singleton Bushland Reserve. A walking track in the Reserve offers good views to the east through a cleared area of forest.

Then, back to the car, after a journey of about 3 km.

The panoramas from Burke's Lookout across Melbourne are excellent - the city skyline, Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs further to the west were visible. To the north, the Macedon and Kinglake Ranges are prominent, but there was some haze.

A new memorial cairn and information board have recently been constructed near the site of the Kyeema aircrash disaster of October 1938.

See the full set of Photos of this trip.

George Bass Coastal Walk - Kilcunda Section

The George Bass Coastal Walk offers enthusiasts the chance to follow the route of George Bass’ journey of some 200 years ago along the coastline between San Remo and Kilcunda in the Bass Coast region.

Nearly 30 years after George Bass discovered this area by boat, another explorer, William Hovell, set to explore it by foot, of which he depicted in his diary, “…the land here is high, soil light but not good, very thick of low stunted trees with low bush…the land ends abruptly towards the bay and the opposite side of the entrance, facing Cape Woolamai and in many parts ends in perpendicular bluffs.”

This was a good portrayal of the landscape that still remains today. Although a lot of the vegetation has been destroyed by grazing, many native plants including White Correa, Sea Box and Tea Tree still cling to the windswept cliff tops.

This two hour coastal walk, mainly along the cliff tops, of 7 km, is situated on the original land of the Bunurong indigenous people. The walk stretches from the outskirts of San Remo at Punchbowl Road (turn off from the Phillip Island Tourist Road), to the Bass Highway (just opposite the hall at Peppermint Road) in Kilcunda. It is about 120 km south of Melbourne.

Along the track there are also excellent opportunities for bird watching and throughout winter Southern Right Wales on their migration trail can be spotted from the cliff tops.

The walk offers spectacular views of the coastline. An average level of fitness is required for the walk, as it includes using stiles over farm fences - there are some steep and rock sections - seats are placed along the walk.

I did about 6km (return) of the eastern section of this magnificent walk on March 24, 2009, starting at the Shelly Beach end at Kilcunda, and reaching a point overlooking the marvellous secluded Half Moon Bay beach.

I had completed the western section a few weeks ago, from Punchbowl.

The Pictures show the scenery, the cliffs, the track, Half Moon Bay Beach, The Arch rock formation, Shelly Beach, an old Steam Engine Coalmining Winch, other walkers, and the Trestle Bridge at Kilcunda East.

The Walk now links to the Bass Coast Rail Trail at Kilcunda, which follows the alignment of the disused railway line for 16 km between Anderson and Wonthaggi. It is possible to walk from the Punch Bowl in San Remo all the way to the centre of Wonthaggi.

The historical trestle bridge is part of the Rail Trail, at the Bourne Creek estuary, Kilcunda East.

See the Photos of my trip, which include an image taken in 1929 of the Victorian National Resources Development Train - Gippsland - passing Kilcunda East Surf Beach.

Coastal Walk at Point Leo, Westernport Bay

I visited the Point Leo Coastal Reserve on Westernport Bay on March 18, 2009.

Pt Leo is about 70 km SE of Melbourne, and offers surfing, safe swimming, boating, fishing, water birds, glorious coastal views, a camping ground, general store, walking tracks, and rock-pool exploring.

At low tide, vast reefs are exposed, where many exciting and interesting sea creatures may be observed.

There are excellent views of the coastline from the lookout at Crunchie's Point, just above the Boat Club. On this occasion, Phillip Island and the Nobbies/Seal Rocks were clearly visible across Westernport Bay 11 km to the east. The West Head at Flinders, was also prominent to the south-west.

My visit included a 4 km return beachwalk north-east towards Merricks Beach.

See the full set of Photos of my 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

The Blowhole - Flinders Coastline

The Blow Hole is a spectacular natural rock formation, on the Flinders Coastline, 90 km south of Melbourne.

The access road is about 1 km west of Flinders township.

I visited the Blow Hole on March 13, 2009, descending the long wooden staircase to the rocks, along the beach to the east head, and along the top of the rugged west cliff.

These images were taken on a hot, humid and partly overcast day!

Yes, the summer beach kit needed!

See the complete set of Photos of my trip!

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!

Rocky Valley Dam - Bogong High Plains

The Rocky Valley Dam is located on the Bogong High Plains, near Falls Creek, Victoria, a winter ski resort. The dam is man-made and has a capacity of 28,000 megalitres and is situated at 1600 metres above sea level.

The dam was created for the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme, owned and operated by AGL Energy.

The dam is also utilised in snow making in winter for the Falls Creek ski resort.

Our visit to the Dam was on March 7, 2009, which included a drive along a newly sealed section of the High Plains Rd, next to the Dam.

This is programmed for completion by May 2009, linking Falls Creek with the Omeo Highway 35 km distant.

This sealed touring loop for three of the four seasons is expected to increase visitation to the Alpine National Park and incorporates improvements for park users such as improved visitor areas and signage.

See the full set of Photos of our trip!

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!

Exploring Yarra Brae - Warrandyte State Park

On Wednesday March 4, 2009, I visited the remote Yarra Brae Section of the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD. I completed a 7 km return hike along the gated Market Garden and Lucerne Paddock Tracks, both being fire management tracks, starting and finishing at the Clifford Activity Centre, reached from Clifford Drive, off Jumping Creek Rd.

The State government purchased the Stane Brae and Yarra Brae river frontages in 1982 and both parcels of land were incorporated into the park in 1987.

This is one of the best long walks in the Park, with excellent views easterly over the Yarra Gorge towards the Yarra Ranges and the Mt Lofty section of the Park.

Market Garden Track starts at the Clifford Activity Centre. Just north of signed Scout Track is a short side-track leading up to a large cleared space on a hilltop - there are good views from here to the Kinglake Ranges and hills around Kangaroo Ground, and across neighbouring farms, grazing properties, and equestrian centres.

Market Garden Track then descends to a large clearing next to the Yarra River, believed to be the site of an early farm. This is a Water Point for fire management puerposes. Immediately opposite this point is the small municipality "Bend of Islands", an Environmental Living Zone.
From this spot, a gate marks the start of unsigned Lucerne Paddock Track, which follows the river, until another large cleared area is reached. This is another Water Point for fire protection purposes.

From here, it is a 3 km trudge back to the start, mindful that there is an increase in altitude fromn 50 m to 130 m!

Market Garden and Lucerne Paddock Tks form the "Bridle Trail", popular with horseriders.

Yarra Brae was one of the original grazing properties, acquired by the Hon. L. Clifford in 1940. After being a war-time army training area, Clifford made it available for Australia's first Pan Pacific Scout Jamboree in 1948.

Clifford Park, now owned and managed by Scouting Victoria, also hosted jamborees during the 1950s and is available for conferences, meetings, conventions, school groups, education and activity-based camps.

In 1972 Yarra Brae was the site of a proposed lower Yarra River reservoir, but residents of Bend of Isles persuaded the Victorian Government to abandon the proposal. The allied Sugarloaf Reservoir at Christmas Hills went ahead.

The Tracks are shared with walkers and horseriders, and are steep and rocky in parts. During summer, it can be fiercely hot and dry, and caution is advised.

I have also included a photo taken in 1942 which showed "Yarra Brae Homestead" and outbuildings as they existed at the time. The Homestead is still there, located on the top of the hill, originally reached from a sealed access road, now closed off, which can be seen leading off from Market Garden Track.

See the full set of Photos of this trip!

Somers Coastline and Beachwalk

Somers is a small coastal settlement 75 km SE of Melbourne, on the west side of Westernport Bay.

It is reached from the Frankston-Flinders Rd, to Balnarring, then along Sandy Point Rd, leading to the General Store at Somers Beach.

Two interesting short walking tracks start at the upper level car park - these are Koala Walk and Sheoak Walk, which are described on a large map board.

Sheoak Walk passes through bushland and its eastern end is on the beach. It is possible to walk all the way easterly from this point along the beach to Sandy Point, a return trip of about 12 km, ending at the high security fence surrounding HMAS Cerberus, the RAN naval facility.

I visited Somers Beach on March 1, 2009, completing the Koala and Sheoak Walks, as well as the beach walk extension towards Sandy Point, about 5 km in total.

From the viewpoint on Sheoak Walk, there are good views across the Bay to Phillip Island, about 12 km direct, with The Nobbies and Seal Rocks clearly visible.

On this day, groups of dolphins had come to about 20 m from the beach in search of fish!

See the full set of Photos of my trip, and the dolphins!

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!

Gurdies Bushland Reserve and Lookout

The Gurdies, represents some of the largest remaining areas of native vegetation on the eastern shore of Western Port and covers an area of about 260 hectares.

In 1798, Western Port and Bass Strait were discovered by George Bass and a volunteer crew, who sailed and rowed from Port Jackson in an open whaleboat. Many features of the local area have been named after George Bass, such as the Bass Highway, the township of Bass, the Bass Ranges and the Bass River. During the 1800s Western Port was a very busy harbour and areas such as Corinella and Grantville were settled. Also during the 1800s, many of the grand eucalypts of the ranges such as Messmate and Bluegum (some 70 metres in height), were felled and used in the construction of wharves, railway bridges and railway lines.

In 1977, the Gurdies bushland area was recognised as significant in terms of its flora and fauna values and in 1992 the area was was proclaimed a Flora and Fauna Reserve.

The main entrance to the Reserve is at the car park, picnic area, and information kiosk, located on the Bass Highway, about 80 km SE of Melbourne, 12 km south-east of its intersection with the South Gippsland Highway.

The signposted walk starts here, initially passing through bushland, then joining a wide management track. This track is followed up a gentle gradient, through regrowth forest, eventually reaching the Lookout picnic area, adjacent to cleared private property at the end of Dunbabbar Rd.

There is a spectacular view across Westernport, and an information board describes the history of Westernport.

There is a rise in altitude from 41 m to 123 m.

The return descent to the car park is along the same route - a side trip can be made to the nearby quarry if desired.

There are several other tracks in the Reserve, offering alternative routes to and from the Bass Highway - these are well signposted with distances shown.

Nearby is the settlement of Grantville, and a visit to the jetty is worthwhile, just off the Bass Highway, with good views across Westernport to French Island and the mountains to the north.

My visit was on February 14, 2009 - walking distance was about 5 km total.

For further information, see the Track Notes/Map from Parks Victoria, at
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_2304.pdf

See the full set of Photos of my trip

Gold Heritage Trail - Warrandyte State Park

The 2 km Gold Heritage Trail is in the Warrandyte State park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It passes several historical features, with interpretative signs describing the gold rush mining activities of the 1850s.

It is a loop circuit, reached from the Gold Memorial Rd carpark/picnic area, crossing Anderson's Creek, then along gated Wildcat Gully Track, ascending the summit of Fourth Hill. It then continues along Johnson's Track, and descends back to the car park.

From the ridgeline, there are limited views through forest towards the Dandenong Ranges.

I explored this interesting Trail on February 6, 2009.

See the full set of Photos

Point Leo Coastal Walk

Point Leo is a small settlement on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne. It has an excellent surf beach, and extensive reefs are exposed at low tide.

I visited Pt Leo on Monday February 9, 2009, doing a 5 km (return) beachwalk from the car-park.

As it was a weekday, and temperature was down to about 19 degrees, there wasn't much activity there, apart from a school group trying out their cricketing skills on the beach!

I passed an echidna, a resident of the nearby bushland, on the access track to the beach on the sand dunes!

See the full set of Photos!