Sunday 28th August, The Tunnel, Blackwood.

Blackwood is proving a favourite destination for the Walkabouters. Today we walked along Byers Back Track towards O'Briens Crossing following the old water race. Lunch was had at the Tunnel and after exploring where the water flowed, we retraced our steps back to our waiting cars. We enjoyed a short visit the Garden of St Erth and an early dinner at the Greendale Pub.

Bay Trail, Part 5 - Rye to Collins Settlement and return.

Winter in Melbourne can be very cold and wet. Fortunately the sun was shining brightly and the sky was blue but the wind was bitterly cold! We met at Rye and then drove a short distance and parked at nearby the Limeburner.

Limeburner

After visiting the LImeburner, we walked along the trail next to the sea wall the protects the cliffs from being eroded by the sea. 

Resting in the sunlight

Morning tea was enjoyed in the bright sunlight as we looked out over the sparkling waters of 

Port Philip Bay.

An archway of trees!

The trail was a bit difficult to follow in places as sign posts and marker were missing in places. Other wise the walk was enjoyable with a variety of vegetation, beach walking and places of historical interest.

On the Bay!

Another great walk!

Six months of walking....January!

Time flies when you are having fun!

The year started with our traditional visit to the Victorian Alps during Summer. Staying for a week at Dinner Plain, we spent our days exploring the surrounding trails and nearby hills. 

We got a bit a wet walking along the Brabralung Trail from Mount Hotham to Dinner Plain.

Living on the edge: Precipice Plain

The Montane Trail around Dinner Plain took us to the edge of Precipice Plain.

In the cloud on Mount Hotham

Three of us trekked up Mount Hotham to find the clouds!

Gold diggings in Omeo

It rained so much one day, we drove down the hill to Omeo!

But we still managed to get wet! 

And then we found the pub!

The Golden Age of Omeo

Back up the hill, we wandered around the Big Spur!

Which way?

Its amazing what you can find in the bush!

Anybody home?

A visit to Mount Hotham is not complete without a wander along the Razorback and a stroll to the top of Mount Feathertop!

Just resting!

The weather cleared just for us! 

Just posing!

We enjoyed spectacular views!

Mount Feathertop

And an awesome sunset!

Relaxing with a view

Such a rewarding walk.

Sunset over Feathertop

The morning was so very peaceful.

Morning view of Mount Feathertop

Insects were busy with their morning forage on the abundant wildflowers.

Sunrise on daisies

 This year's Annual High Country Art Exhibition was full of fun and frivolity thanks to our special guest master of ceremonies who came all the way from Holland!

The John Wakefield

All too soon our High Country summer sojourn drew to a close. We were treated to the most spectacular closing ceremony on our last night.

Sunset over Dinner Plain

   


Already looking forward to our next High Country adventure!

Mt St Leonard to Donnellys Weir, Healesville

Today we walked from Mt St Leonard down to Donnellys Weir. The only way to go!

Five intrepid mountaineers gathered in the post dawn light contemplating the challenge ahead – the summit of Mt St Leonard. The Beechworth bakery base camp was the venue for assembling gear and a last minute check of supplies for the task ahead. Silent prayers were offered to Saint Leonard, the patron saint of imprisoned people and women in labour. Our prayers were answered when after a mad dash in the Subaru Forester, a twenty minute huff and puff, we were delivered of an impressive view!

Not a photo of Mt St Leonard.

We enjoyed the unique perspective of the landscape from the lookout tower, the folds and rises of the Yarra valley, the expanse of the mirror like Port Phillip bay stretching to the horizon, the skyscrapers of Melbourne looking like a tiny toy town. We took some time to record the moment and practise self-timer photos before starting down. 

But this is!

We walked down through the bracken, tree ferns and the mighty Mountain Ash to join the open sections of the Bicentennial National Trail.  Great views down into the valleys and out to the surrounding areas. Lunch time gave us opportunity to look back to where we had descended from – very impressive.   More downhill after lunch until we arrived at Donnelley’s Weir. Celebrations all round as we had achieved our lofty goal – the summit of Mt St Leonard and a safe return.

Little River and Messmate Tracks in the Cathedral Ranges, Marysville Long Weekend.

Today we walked in the Cathedral Ranges.

We met at Ned’s Gully car park. Some of us decided on a short amble along the Little River trail whilst the remaining more adventurous walkers, went on a longer march to Sugar Loaf Saddle at the Southern End of the ranges. We all set off along the Little River track and enjoyed the shade of the tress and sound of the creek rushing along over rocks and stones. The adventure walkers arrived at Cooks Mills picnic area for morning tea before joining Tweed Spur Drive and then onto Messmate Track.

Here the, the intrepid leader assured the other walkers, it was only a short uphill until the track levelled out to an easy walk to the next picnic shelter. Well, that’s how I remembered it! After a long uphill trudge that never seemed to end, we finally arrived at the Sugar Loaf Saddle for lunch. Sitting eating lunch, we enjoyed the view of Sugar Loaf Peak, happy in the knowledge we didn’t have to walk up there and that is was downhill on the way back! We arrived back to the cars, foot sore and certainly ready for another splendid evening meal! 





meal!

Keppel Hut, Lake Mountain - Marysville Long Weekend

Sunday was exploring day! We met in the carpark at the Marysville Information Centre and drove in convoy to Lake Mountain. 

It was misty as we arrived at Gerritys carpark at Lake Mountain and undeterred we set off for a 14 kilometre return trip to Keppel Hut. Low cloud that hung mysteriously amongst the snow gums obscuring the view into the valleys. From the carpark at the Lake Mountain resort, we wandered along the well maintained cross country ski trails, enjoying the cool weather and each other’s company. 

The ski trail snow poles accurately measured our journey and we soon we came up end of the well maintained trails. From here, we joined a less well maintained trail and set off on an exploration into the unknown. Well, not quite unknown, as the trail took us to a well maintained cattleman’s hut, Keppell Hut and a very well maintained 4-wheel drive road! 

We enjoyed lunch at the picnic tables next to the hut. The trail to the hut included a very long downhill and a very long uphill which didn’t seem quite so bad on the way out. On our journey back, we were treated by a brief thunderstorm that added to the atmosphere of the day. I must admit, I was very pleased to see the cars as we arrived back to the car park. A great day’s adventure.

Not a photo of Keppel Hut!

Steavensons Falls, Marysville - Long Weekend

Well it's Melbourne Cup weekend, so the Walkabouters have escaped to Marysville for a relaxing time walking, eating and enjoying the sights around town.

Our first walk was on Saturday morning which was a very wet affair! 

Four of us met in the carpark at the Marysville Information Centre and we headed along the Steavensons Fall track in the rain. Even though we were covered with raincoats and umbrellas, we were soaked through by lunch time. After being amazed by the amount of water coming over the falls, we ate lunch in the nearby shelter. We decided to cut our walk short and headed back to town to seek out dry clothes and warm accommodation. A good introductory walk for the weekend.