BOB'S AUSTRALIAN BUSHWALKING JOURNAL

Shiprock Falls in summer, Kurth Kiln Regional Park

2012-01-30T16:50:00.000+11:00

The Shiprock Falls Reserve is in the northern section of the Kurth Kiln Regional Park, 65 km east of Melbourne, and 7 km from the town of Gembrook.

The McCrae Creek flows through the Reserve, and the falls cascade down from rock cliffs and past huge granite boulders.

I visited the Reserve on January 28, 2012, exploring 1 km of walking tracks, with good views of the falls.

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

London Bridge coast - Portsea

2012-01-30T09:30:00.002+11:00

These pictures were taken on Sunday afternoon, January 29 2012.

London Bridge is a well-known rock formation at the extreme easterly tip of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, about 2 km from the town of Portsea, 90 km south of Melbourne.

The Bridge is reached by following the Portsea Ocean Beach Rd, then continuing to the Bridge car park.

A pathway follows the cliff-top, yielding excellent views of the Bridge formation.

Another track descends to the Beach, and from there it is a 350 m hike along the sand to the Bridge itself.

A pleasant 2 km walking path, known as the Farnsworth Track, passing along the tops of the sand dunes, links the London Bridge carpark and the Portsea Ocean Beach.

There is an excellent Lookout on this Track, not to be missed!

After exploring the Bridge, I hiked along the beach to the Portsea carpark,a total distance of about 3 km.

The fuzziness in some photos along the beach was due to a heavy heat haze which had come in from the ocean!

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

Thornton Track in summer, Kurth Kiln Park

2012-01-29T08:18:00.001+11:00

The Kurth Kiln Park is a large area of preserved forest, 70 km east of Melbourne, adjacent to the Bunyip State Park, north of the town of Gembrook.

It includes the historical Kiln, used in the 1940s for the manufacture of charcoal.

The Tomahawk Creek runs through the park - the main walking trail is the 3 km (return) Thornton Track.

I visited the Park on January 28, 2012, exploring the Thornton Track, starting at the main picnic ground, then leading into Scout Camp Track and Soldier's Rd.

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

The Spectacular Blowhole, Flinders Coast

2012-01-28T09:35:00.000+11:00

I visited the spectacular Blowhole on the Flinders Coast on January 27, 2012.

It's 90 km by road south of Melbourne, and is reached from the turnoff on the Flinders to Rosebud Rd, about 1 km west of Flinders township.

Access to the beach is via a 500 m stairway.

The views are truly spectacular!

The Fish-and-Chips at the Flinders Cafe is always good value!

See all of the Photos in Slideshow format and check out my YouTube video!

Yarra River Reserve, Warrandyte - action on Australia Day 2012!

2012-01-27T17:00:00.003+11:00

These pix were taken on January 26, 2012, Australia Day, in the Yarra River Reserve, Warrandyte, 15 km east of central Melbourne.

Plenty of action on a hot day!

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

Exploring the Werribee South Beach

2012-01-27T07:28:00.004+11:00

These pix were taken on January 25, at the Werribee South Beach, 35 km by road south west from central Melbourne.

They shows the scenery, boat launching ramps, the small beach, the mouth of the Werribee River, and the resident pelicans!

A walking trail extends easterly from the beach towards the site of a vast new high-density housing development.

It is proposed to build a new bridge over the river, to take bike and foot traffic to the western bank, which is at the southern extremity of the recently opened Werribee River Regional Park.

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

Exploring the newly opened Werribee River Regional Park

2012-01-27T07:28:00.001+11:00

These pix show the scenery, environment, and flora in the recently opened Werribee River Park, 35 km southwest of central Melbourne.

It is one of three new urban parks opened under the management of Parks Victoria, on land previously managed by Melbourne Water.

This 260 hectare park is located on the west bank of the Werribee River and runs south of the Princes Freeway (Maltby Bypass) through to the mouth of the river at Port Phillip Bay. Stage 1 of the park is now open, as a 3 km sealed bike/walking track from the Maltby Bypass south to the river cliffs.

Beyond the cliffs, the trail is unsealed, and continues to the mouth of the river, a further 3km to the south.

The Park is adjacent to the historic Werribee Park, the Werribee Open Range Zoo and the Werribee Golf Club.

The park area was once part of the grazing enterprise of the Chirnside Family who owned Werribee Mansion. It was later transformed into part of the Western Treatment Plant.

Flora and fauna

The river and wetlands provide habitat for a diversity of waterbirds. The park is part of a Ramsar site that aims to protect and enhance habitat for migratory birds. Swamp Harrier, Whistling Kite, Musk Duck and Latham’s Snipe birds may be seen, along with more common species such as parrots and lorikeets. The threatened Growling Grass Frog has been recorded within the park.

Majestic River Red Gum trees provide shelter and line the upstream section of the river. Large areas of Common Reed occur adjacent to the river, while patches of colourful saltmarsh are present in low lying areas.

The area above the escarpment has formerly been used as grazing land and will be revegetated over time.

I visited the Park on January 25, 2012, on a 4 km circuit hike starting at the small car park off Farm Rd.

This took me along the trail, down the long steel/timber access ramp above the reeds, and across the new metal bridge along the Golf Course.

From the bridge, I then continued along the lower level trail, adjacent to the river, reaching the cliffs. I then returned to the carpark along the upper level Escarpment Track, which is next to former farmland.

The new park offers opportunities to enjoy the river environment and scenery, previously prohibited access members of the public.

The River Park can also be reached from the Werribee Mansion Historical Precinct.

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

For further details, see Parks Victoria:

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/werribee-regional-park

2012-01-24T10:09:00.000+11:00

The Badger Weir Picnic Reserve is in the Yarra Ranges National Park, 7 km east of the town of Healesville, about 60 km from Melbourne.

Named Coranderrk after the local Aboriginal reserve, the Weir and pipeline system were officially opened in January 1909, and supplies water via the Corandeerk Aqueduct to the Silvan Reservoir.

Walking tracks pass through the forest, on both sides of the Badger Creek, reaching the Weir.

The original Weir was replaced by the current facility in 1929, upstream. Its remains may be inspected, just off the Lyrebird Track, partly covered by vegetation and detritus.

I visited the Reserve on Monday afternoon January 23, 2012, on a 3 km circuit hike which took me along the Lyrebird Track and Coranderrk Aqueduct Track.

Access to the Weir has recently been reopened to walkers, following a period of several months when it was closed to allow pipeline works to be completed.

In the picnic area, hordes of brightly colored parrots and cockatoos congregate, waiting for seeds!

The name "Badger" was introduced by the early settlers. One version is that they thought that the wombats were like English badgers. Another version suggests that the name was that of a horse, which had become bogged!

The Weir and its surrounds are listed in the Australian Heritage Database - comprehensive information about its history, construction and evolution is at

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=102623

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

Very low tide at Balnarring Beach, Westernport Bay

2012-01-23T12:02:00.001+11:00

These pix were taken at Balnarring Beach, on Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melbourne, on January 22, 2012.

There was an extraordinarily low tide, exposing magnificent reefs and rockpools.

My visit was a 4 km return baach-hike, to the adjacent beach of Merricks.

There was plenty of action, with many visitors exploring the rockpools!

A strange Sea Beast emerged from the ocean, wearing a large hat!

See all of the Photos of my visit in slideshow format, and check out my YouTube Video!

Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula National Park

2012-01-22T12:09:00.002+11:00

These pix were taken on January 21, 2012 at Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula National Park, 80 km south of Melbourne.

They show the magnificent coastal scenery on the 2 km circuit track, starting at the small car park at the end of St. John's Wood Rd (Blairgowrie).

The signed track is mostly on sand, and a staircase of about 100 steps leads down to the Beach. There are some hilly sections, and seats at various vantage points.

Beware of the huge March flies which like to eat humans!

Part of the track follows the Lifesaver Track, which forms part of the long Peninsula Coastal Walk.

See the Slide Show of my visit, and check out my YouTube video!

Barge's Track circuit hike - Olinda Forest

2012-01-21T09:45:00.002+11:00

These pix were taken on January 20, 2012, in the Olinda Forest, 40 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery and environment on a 3 km circuit hike along George's Track, Barge's Track, Bartlett Track, and the Olinda Creek Rd, starting at the junction of gated George's Track.

Some colorful summer wildflowers were in bloom.

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

Exploring the Maroondah Reservoir Park in summer

2012-01-20T07:56:00.001+11:00

These pix were taken on January 18, 2012, in the Maroondah Reservoir Park, 60 km east of Melbourne.

They show the flora, scenery, and environment on a 4 km hike in the Maroondah Forest, along the Dam Wall, down the Rose Stairway, around the Lily Pond, the Flower Clock, and the Spillway.

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

You might like to check out my Maroondah Reservoir Pictorial Heritage Project.

Honeysuckle Point - Shoreham Coast

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000+11:00

These pix were taken on January 16, 2012, on a 4 km return beachwalk along the Shoreham Coast, 8 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

The tide was out a long way, exposing beautiful rock pools and serene lagoons.

My hike started at the main car park, then along the beach to Honeysuckle Point and the magnificent reef.

I first visited Shoreham Beach on January 16 1952, exactly 60 years ago, when I attended a ten-day camp organized by the YMCA at Camp Buxton.

I have included a photo taken on that day, showing members of my family and my tent mates - I am at the left in a blue and yellow striped T-shirt and runners! This is a tinted photo which I created from the original scanned 620 size black and white print.

For a full account of my 1952 visit to YMCA Camp Buxton, with some additional photos, please see my Shoreham Pictorial Heritage Website,

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


*Colorized photo of January 16, 1952! I am at left!*

Portsea Ocean Beach

2012-01-18T08:16:00.001+11:00

These pix were taken on January 15 2012, at the Portsea Ocean Beach, 90 km (by road) south of Melbourne.

From the lower level car park, I did a 2 km exploration, visiting the Main Lookout, then down to the beach, past the Lifesaving Club, and back uphill to the car park.

Lots of action, big waves. and glorious coastal views!

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

Exploring South Hill, Warrandyte State Park

2012-01-14T11:19:00.001+11:00

These pix were taken on January 12, 2012, in South Hill, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

My 2 km circuit hike started at the junction of Webb Street, then down along Pigtail Track, then on to the Pigtail Gully, and on to South Hill Track, then back to Webb St.

This section of the Park is part of the historical Pigtail Mine, of the late 1890s, and many mullock heaps, channels and tailings remain.

Some colorful summer wildflowers were in bloom.

See the Slideshow with all of the Photos of my visit, and the YouTube Video (above)!

Exploring the Healesville Sanctuary

2012-01-11T06:52:00.000+11:00

Pix taken on January 9 2012 at the Healesville Sanctuary, 70 km east of Melbourne.

Healesville Sanctuary, or the Sir Colin MacKenzie Fauna Park, is a zoo specializing in native Australian animals, and has a history of breeding native animals.

It is one of only two places to have successfully bred a platypus, the other being Sydney's Taronga Zoo. It also assists with a breeding population of the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater.

The zoo is set in a natural bushland environment where paths wind through different habitat areas showcasing wallabies, wombats, dingoes, kangaroos, and over 200 native bird varieties.

Conducted tours, bird shows and information areas are available to visitors.

Dr Colin MacKenzie (knighted in 1929) set up the Institute of Anatomical Research in 1920 on 78 acres (32 ha) of land which had formerly been part of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve. The Reserve passed to the Healesville Council in 1927 and became the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary in 1934.

The first platypus bred in captivity was born at the Sanctuary in 1943 when it was managed by David Fleay.

The Sanctuary has two well-signposted walking trails, about 4 km total length, passing around the animal enclosures, along gravel pathways, and on bridges over the creek.

Many interpretative signs describe the history of the Reserve, and the animals, snakes, birds and reptiles to which it is home.

The Koalas may be viewed from a raised walkway.

Native birds and ducks compete for space on the pathways, and there is a beautiful lake with resident pelicans!

An admission fee is charged, and there are restaurants and a tourism shop.

Please see the Slide Show of my visit, and my YouTube video (above)

Pound Bend Track, Warrandyte State Park

2012-01-10T06:32:00.002+11:00

Pix taken on January 9, 2012, in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the environment, scenery, and flora along the Pound Bend Track next to the Yarra River, a 4 km return hike starting at the Pound Bend Picnic Ground.

About 100 years ago, it had been proposed that this land would become a Koala Sanctuary, hut the plan was abandoned.

See all of the Photos of my visit, and check out the YouTube movie to hear the bird calls!

Exploring Fidler Guily, Warrandyte State Park

2012-01-09T09:38:00.003+11:00

Pix of January 6, 2012, in goldmining historical precinct of Fidler Gully, Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

My circuit hike of 2 km started at the junction of Webb St and the Fidler Gully Track, then down into the Gully, and returning along unsealed Webb St.

Parks Victoria Ranger was on the track, clearing vegetation.

Didn't find any nuggets, but plenty of quartz rocks!

Some colorful summer wildflowers were in bloom.

See the Slideshow of my visit!

Watch the YouTube Video (above!)

Exploring Merricks Beach

2012-01-09T09:16:00.000+11:00

Pix of January 7 2012 at Merricks Beach, Westernport Bay, 90 km south of Melbourne.

It was overcast, the tide was far out, and the Bay was as flat as the Sargasso Sea!

A nice quiet beach, popular for swimming, walking, rockpooling, boating, yachting, canoeing, kayaking, kites, or picnics.

This beach is between Balnarring and Shoreham.

See a Slideshow of all of the Photos of my visit!

Check out my YouTube movie (above!)

Blue Wildflowers in the Olinda Creek Gully

2012-01-05T07:51:00.001+11:00

These pix were taken on January 4, 2012, in the Olnda Forest, 50 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, flora, and environment on a 3 km circuit hike in the Olinda Creek Gully, starting at the junction of Management Rd 13 and the Olinda Creek Rd.

Some interesting blue wildberries were discovered in this former logging area.

The Creek was flowing strongly.

A Trip to Flinders, New Year's Eve

2012-01-02T07:42:00.000+11:00

These pix were taken at Flinders, 100 km south of Melbourne, on New Year's Eve, 2011.

My 3 km coastal exploration took me to the Ocean Beach, and the Jetty.

The Ocean Beach is a white sandy beach contrasted by the nearby basalt cliffs and rugged coast beyond.

A favourite family pastime is exploring the amazing rock pools of Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, at the Ocean Beach. The tide was out a long way, exposing a huge mushroom-shaped rock platform extending from the beach. The reef is formed from ancient basalt and is famous for the diversity of marine life which make it their home.

Diving and snorkeling are popular activities on the subtidal reefs and a hang gliding ramp is available on the cliff top above Mushroom Reef.

This popular beach is easily accessible from a car park off Golf Links Road.

The Jetty is close to the town, and has been recently refurbished, and is now a "dual jetty" with the addition of a parallel concrete pier next to the ancient wooden structure. The new pier has a diving platform.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Big Surf at Gunnamatta, New Year's Day 2012

2012-01-02T06:44:00.002+11:00

These pix were taken at the Gunnamatta Surf Beach, 100 km south of Melbourne, on New Year's Day, 2012.

Plenty of action, with the temperature hovering around 40 degrees!

Check out the YouTube video (above) and see all of the Photos!

Exploring the Silvan Forest

2011-12-29T13:05:00.000+11:00

These pix were taken on December 27, 2011, in the Silvan Forest, 40 km east of central Melbourne, on a 3 km circuit hike.

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Boating at Tulum Beach (Balnarring)

2011-12-29T12:40:00.000+11:00

YouTube Video above!

These pix were taken on December 28, 2011, at the Tulum Beach, Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melbourne, on a 4 km (return) coastal hike starting at Balnarring Beach.

Watch the YouTube video (above) and see all of the Photos of my visit!

Lake Tyers Beach on Christmas Day

2011-12-27T09:08:00.000+11:00

These pix were taken on Christmas Day, 2011, at Lake Tyers Beach, 270 km east of Melbourne.

The Beach is located on the Stony Creek, and and has a population of around 520, one of the smaller towns in Australia. It is one of the easternmost villages in Victoria.

Lake Tyers was named after C.J Tyers who was a Lands Comissioner in Gippsland in the 1840s and later became the Surveyor-General.

Nearby is Fisherman's Landing, where the all electric EMS Rubeena provides comfortable and serene tours on the lakes' water ways, venturing across the main part of the lower lake and into the Nowa Nowa Arm.

Access to the main beach, part of the 90 Mile Beach, is via a walking track from the main car park, abut 1 km return, across the sand bar.

See all of the Photos of our visit, and the YouTube video (above)!