Werribee Gorge - Part 1- Sunday 30th October

Thank-you to every-one on this trip for a remarkable tour
through Werribee Gorge.

Just thought that sharing a few photos might be nice.

There were so many points of interest including coastal views,

beaches,

Hooded Plovers

remarkable geology,

outdoor caves,

Admirals Arch

 lighthouses,

Cape De Couedic Lighthouse

That cannon kept the Russians at bay

Cape Borda Lighthouse

cliff tops views,

rocky coves,

 

flora,

Common bearded orchid

Spider orchid

Native Garden

Pink fairies

fauna,

Skippy Roos

Sea-lion

Echidna

Koala

Goanna

 indoor caves (Kelly Hill Caves),

lagoons with reflections,

lagoons without reflections,

 and of course great walking opportunities!

Snake Lagoon Hike

Freak waves from South America!

Freak waves from Australia!

Woodlands along Hanson Bay walking trail

Views from sand dunes

River views

Southern Ocean views at the end of the track

Harvey's Return

A walk through regenerated farmland

Billy Goat Track

and of course,

great company!

Well done to those who have noticed that these photos are not of Werribee Gorge. 

They are in fact of Kangaroo Island. 

Here is some brief information about KI. 

Kangaroo Island is situated of the south coast of South Australia. It is 155 kms long and 55 kms wide and is Australia's third largest island. Matthew Flinders first sighted Kangaroo Island in March 1802 on his tour of exploration and proclaimed the island for Britain. Only days later, the French explorer, Nicholas Boudin showed up. Missing the opportunity to claim the land for France, he spent a summer mapping and naming the coastline of Kangaroo Island and South Australia. Many of the names Nicholas gave significant land marks still remain. 

Kangaroo Island became separated from Australia after the last ice age as the waters in the oceans rose. This allowed numerous bird and animal species evolve in isolation to those on the mainland. The Island is home to unique species of kangaroo and wallaby, echidna and emu. Sadly, the shortened version of emu died out after sealers started using the island to hunt seals and other animals.

The Island has over 20 conservation parks, wilderness protection areas and national parks which offer a diverse range natural bushland, wetlands and untouched wilderness to visit. There are over 25 designated walks and hikes ranging from short ambles to strenuous over night hikes.

KI is a great place to visit.

 Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Werribee Gorge walk!

A walk through a Victorian geological wonder!

If you can't wait for Part 2, skip on over to Hiking Fiasco 

and enjoy Greg's tour of Werribee Gorge.

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

Walk Notice - Werribee Gorge - Sunday 30th October

Grade:

Medium walking with a few uphills and downhills, about 14 km.


The Walk:

We will explore the Werribee Gorge State Park and see some of the Walkabouters old walking areas, as we remember Jack Myers. We may even hear a rabbit joke or two as we learn of the geology and history of the area. Our route will depend on the river height.

There are no Sea Lions in Werribee Gorge...

but there is a Lion Rock. 

Come join us on this walk to see this geological phenomenon and other natural delights in the Werribee Gorge.

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

Main Yarra Trail - Saturday, 8th October

Today we met at Finns Reserve in Lower Templestowe for the start of our day's walk.

Our plan was to walk along the Main Yarra Trail that follows the Yarra River on its meandering journey through the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

 

The Yarra River flows from its sources in the Yarra Ranges, 242 kms east of Melbourne. It flows through the Yarra Valley before winding its way through expansive plains which is now home to the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne before emptying into Hobsons Bay at the northern end of Port Phillip Bay.

Did you know that the local Indigenous people, the Wurundjeri called the Yarra Birrarung. The name Yarra, was taken from a mistranslation of another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language, Yarro-yarro. which means 'everflowing'.

 Following the Main Yarra Trail, we walked through Westerfold Park,

A Rapid view!

 over several bridges,

 past many stands of gum trees,

 all the while taking in views of the ever flowing Yarra River.

 We walked past Petty's Orchard.

Old apples trees nearly stretch their branches laden with blossom
 over the banks of the Yarra.

 Thomas Petty arrived in in Australia from England in 1853 and gained a selection of land in the Templestowe and Doncaster surrounds. It was his grandson Thomas Henry who developed the Homestead Property into a thriving orchard that remained in the family until 1981. At this time the Parks Victoria purchased the Homestead and the Heritage Fruit Society manages and maintains the remnant heritage fruit collection of Petty's Orchid.

We enjoyed our lunch at the confluence of the Yarra
and Mullum Mullum Creek, in Tikalara Park.

On our return walk, we were treated with a splendid surprise! 

Whilst peaking over a bridge we spotted something swimming in the river!

It's not a log! It's a Platypus!

 Is it a log? No. Is it a fish? No. Is it a duck? No. It's a Platypus!! 

There was not one but two of them, frolicking and foraging in the current of the Yarra River!

It's just child's play!

And then we were back!

Thank-you to our leader for another great walk!

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A