Torquay to Bells Beach

Seven Walkabouters ignored the weather forecast of gale force winds and thunder storms and went for a walk along the cliff tops from Torquay to Bells Beach.

A few more photos and a few words to follow so stay tuned!

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

Birdsland Reserve to Lysterfield Lake and return

Today 12 Walkabouters wandered along the tracks from Birdsland Reserve to Lysterfield Lake and got very sore feet and tired legs. (Mmmm, I wonder if under-estimating the length of the walk may be considered false advertising?)

Birdsland Reserve Picnic Area

Birdsland Reserve is nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges near the quiet town of Belgrave South.

This 75ha bushland Reserve was previously productive farming land owned 

by Farmer Bird. 

Upon retirement this generous farmer donated his land to local government and is now a haven for local wildlife. The Monbulk Creek flows through the reserve and a 28ha retarding basin attracts a wide range of birds. Platypus have even been seen swimming in the creek.

There are quite a few tracks that meander around the Reserve. We followed the main walking track around the lake and onto Dargon Track. This track name is much more exciting if you read it as Dragon Track.

Dragon Track leads out of the valley around the side of green rolling hills that are dotted with granite boulders, pine trees and the remains of once productive orchards.

After a gradual uphill climb it was all downhill through stands of eucalypt trees with kangaroos resting and grazing on the green grass.

A granite boulder

Very carefully we crossed busy Wellington Road. Care must be taken when crossing a cars hurtle along in both directions traveling at least 80 kms per hour. There is a dip in the road at the designated crossing and cars from the east seem to appear out of nowhere!

After safely navigating the crossing, we were in Lysterfield Lake Park. We enjoyed a leisurely morning tea on some fallen logs by the side of Logan Park Track.

Morning Tea

We followed Logan Park Track and then right onto Lamberts Track and then left onto

Thompson Track that weaves it's way through the trees and down towards Lysterfield Lake.

A cold blustery wind greeted us on the shores of the beach and we sheltered on higher ground on picnic tables under the sturdy boughs of a eucalypt. 

Lunch was very brief and we rugged up before crossing the damn wall.

Lysterfield Lake is a popular destination for sailing, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and walking around the 20 kms of trails.

There are even jetties to park boats and bird hides for peeking on the many varieties of

birds that live and visit the parklands.

Following the Acacia nature walk, we circumnavigated the lake,

then rejoined Logan Park Track and headed back toward Birdsland Reserve.

Kangaroos!

We saw some more kanagroos along the way!

Back over the rolling green hills,

past the lake and waterbirds foraging for food on it's edges,

and we were soon back at our cars at Birdsland Picnic ground.

The total distance walked is yet to come in but by the soreness of our feet and legs suggested the walk was about 18 kms. And everyone made it! 

It must have been the reward of scones with jam and cream that kept us all going!

Hoping to see you all at our next walk!

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

Murrindindi River Walk

Well we found Murrindindi although some of us got a bit lost. We also found a waterfall.

Some more views and words to follow...stay tuned!!

WALK NOTICE: Murrindindi River Walk, Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, Sunday 16th of June.

The Walk:

We will commence our walk following the stepped track at the Cascades where the river drops steeply over granite boulders. This walk follows the Murrindindi River downstream. The walk crosses over five footbridges and offers river views through a variety of forest types from tall open forest to damp ferny gullies.

A car shuffle will return us to the Cascade Picnic Area.

Grade:

Moderate walking 10 kms on formed tracks with some short steep bits and some steps.

Plus an Optional side trip to Wilhemina Falls, 4kms return on a formed steep track with many steps.

Where is Murrindindi? I hear you cry!! 

Well if you would like to join us for a leisurely walk you will find out!

For more details contact:

walkabouters@hotmail.com

The skies are looking very grey this winter so make sure you pack a rain coat!!

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

The Domino Trail - Trentham

The Domino Trail is not a trail of dominoes left behind by playful children. Rather it is a trail that follows a disused railway that meanders through the forest
surrounding the historic town of Trentham.

Trentham was abuzz with activity when we arrived at the Historic Railway on the outskirts of town. The monthly market was in full swing in the grounds of the railway car park, offering cakes and coffee for breakfast for those who rolled out of bed and missed their breaky to make in time for the start of the walk. 

After grabbing a coffee from the market and ignoring the stalls on the platform, we stepped off the platform down into local history. The old railway once formed an important link between Daylesford and Carlshrue and was opened in 1880. 

Original rails and sleepers form the walking trail for the first 500 meters, so you need to make sure where you put your feet. After crossing Falls road the trail enters bushland made up of Eucalypt species including manna gum, peppermint and mountain gums.

The trail uses the Powerful Owl as it's symbol on all the track markers. The Powerful Owl lives in tree hollows and is listed as an endangered species. The bushland which the trail leads, has been protected to preserve the habitat of this largest of Australian owl species.

The bushland is also home to swamp wallabies, grey kangaroos and short-beak echidnas. We didn't see any today, it was probably too cold for them to be out and about.

We sat on top of the raised tunnel and looked over Domino Creek as it cut it's way 

through the bush.

The very straight line of the Domino Creek

A thermos of hot water was very welcome on this cold Autumn day.

The walking track took a left turn about 2 kms from Lyonville looping down to 

Domino Creek and the tunnel.

Following an old logging track that wound it's way through the forest,

and explored the brick lined tunnel, built to allow the Domino Creek 

to flow under the railway.

The creek wasn't flowing through the tunnel. Not sure where the water went?!

The view from the other side

The tunnel seemed to be darker on the return journey.

All the bricks must have been used up when they came to build this bridge.

The sun finally decided to poke out from behind the grey clouds and light the bushland up around us. Sunlight makes all the difference in the bush.

It certainly helps photographs look a bit brighter too!

In every pine forest there is bound to be found and toad stool or two! 

Here are some fun guys posing in the grass!

Toad Stool

Another toad stool

Mushroom and leaf litter

And then we where back at the Historic Trentham Railway Station.

As the market had packed up for the day, we headed off to
the Spud Festival on the shores of the nearby lake.

An Autumnal Festival of colour!

Who would have thought that a Spud Festival could be so entertaining! 

A great way to finish a Walkabouter's walk!

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

WALK NOTICE: TRENTHAM DOMINO TRAIL - Saturday 18th May

Background

Trentham station is a closed railway station in the town of Trentham, on the former Carlsruhe-to-Daylesford line. It opened on Monday, 16 February 1880, and was closed July 1978. The station building, platform and goods shed, and a short section of track, have all been retained, although no train services currently operate from the station. Tenants live at the station and look after it as a museum. most of the line's track has been removed, the land is still zoned for railway use, and track still exists for 1 km on either side of the station. Some rolling stock is still kept in the former yard. 

The Walk

This is a delightful meander seeing some of the history and flora of the area.For the first 500m, the rails are still in place and the grass- covered trail runs between them. On the left can be seen the old Sunnyside foundry. 

• After Falls Rd, the trail enters bushland. Species of eucalypt include manna gum, peppermint and mountain gum. A kilometre on, it leaves the rail formation to skirt private property.
  
• After passing through lower lying areas dominated by swamp gum, the trail returns to the formation at Doctors Creek.
  
• Along this section, watch for swamp wallabies, grey kangaroos and short-beaked echidnas.
  
• The principal marked trail ends on a high railway embankment. A short loop trail has been constructed here which takes you down to the Domino Creek to see the brick-lined tunnel that carries the creek under the line. The loop continues along an old logging trail before returning to the railway. 
  
  This trail uses the Powerful Owl as its trail symbol. This is an species occasionally seen in this area. Sign boards along the trail explain the history of the area.

The Grade 

Easy walk, 10 km mostly flat with a couple of gentle undulations. 

Here is a photo that was not taken in Trentham.

Faerie's aprons with West Pelion

 

 The Overland Track in Tasmania is a must for any bushwalker!

Walking the Domino Trail in Trentham is a must for all Walkabouter's this Saturday!

See you there or be square!!

For more information contact:

walkabouters@hotmail.com

Walkabouters Club of Victoria Inc.

A0019863A

George Bass Coastal Trail

As the grey clouds rolled, 10 Walkabouters set out to walk along
the Bass Coastal Trail.

The George Bass Coastal Trail is situated 120 kms south east of Melbourne and stretches from the outskirts of San Remo to the township of Kilcunda.

The trail starts at Punchbowl Reserve, so named for the crater like rock formation at the base of the cliffs. Looking down we saw two fisherman standing on the rocks. As we watched a large wave crashed over the rocks, knocking the men off their feet. They were soon back on their feet fishing again!! People have drowned after being swept off these rocks. The fisherman were testing their luck!

The trail follows reserves of land sandwiched between the cliffs and farmland. Remnant native vegetation can still be found clinging to the cliff tops including Coastal Banksia, Coastal Beard Heath, white correa and coastal tea-tree.

So who was George Bass?

Half Moon Bay

Here are a few words about George to go with the dramatic coastal views.

George Bass was a surgeon in the British Royal Navy and arrived in the young colony of Sydney Cove in Port Jackson, New South Wales, in 1795 on board HMS Reliance. 

He brought with him a small wooden row boat nicknamed "Tom Thumb". George and his fellow ship mates Matthew Flinders and William Martin went exploring along the coast of New South Wales towards Botany Bay in search of good grazing land, fresh water sources and safe harbours, as well as creating navigational maps of the coastline.

In 1797, George and six crew members rowed a whale boat south along the coast towards Van Diemens Land. At the time it was thought that Van Diemens Land was attached to the rest of Australia. George and his crew rowed to the furthest south eastern point of Australia Cape Howe and then west along the of Gippsland and into Western Port Bay. 

Through his observations and knowledge of tides and swells, George concluded
that a strait existed between Australia and Van Dieman's Land.

He later confirmed this on a voyage of exploration with Matthew Flinders in the
sloop Norfolk by circumnavigating Van Diemans Land.  

Whilst he was rowing along the Gippsland coast, George landed not far from the
coastal trail to replenish his water supply.

The small town of Bass was named in commemoration of his landing.

So, the next time you travel to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) by boat, 

you will know who the Strait is named after.

And you will want to hope for a smooth crossing of Bass Strait.

We ate lunch sitting on the beach and watched the waves crash 

as they rolled in from Bass Strait.

Lunch time

 

And then the sun set.