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The Great South West Walk

Over Easter I was at last able to do a walk that I have wanted to do for a long time. The Great South West Walk, hereafter referred to as GSWW, can be done as a circuit of 250kms over 12 days or longer, or as many smaller walks -it's all in the planning! Our walk was to take us from Tarragul Camp to Portland with a car shuffle at some stage so that the vehicles would be at the end of the walk.

We all arrived at the Tarragul Camp at various stages of Thursday 24th March. Overnight hikers were Lindsay, Bobbie Kohan, Uwe and his son Justin and myself. We also had some day hikers, namely Mary (she of small stature and a wonderful laugh), Ros, Sheila, Marg and Judy, who were doing a car camp. This was achieved by Mary driving up and down the roads delivering and collecting the day walkers. They met us at a couple of the camps that a car could be driven to easily.

Thursday night saw a bit of light rain but Friday we were up and ready for a day of hiking- the sun was shining, the breeze was light, what more could you want? Today we were heading for Springs Camp which was about 12kms away. On leaving Tarragul camp we traversed light forest, coming to a few stiles to climb and then on to the rolling hills above Bridgewater Lakes. We passed the Tarragul Caves before walking down to the Bridgewater Lakes and after skirting them we were on the clifftops overlooking Discovery Bay.

We walked along the clifftops to Spring Camp passing many petrified trees along the way. The name for this camp comes from the natural springs that flow from the cliffs. In the early days of settlement the farmers made a rock ramp down the cliffs so that they could take their cows to the spring water. No sign of that ramp now so Bobbie, Lindsay and myself scrambled down the rocks to have a look and a taste of the water. It has a slight mineral taste but lovely and cool and clean.

The next day (Saturday) saw us following the clifftop trail that passes the blowholes which weren't blowing because it was such a calm day and where we also met a couple of the day walkers. Then on past the petrified forest and on to Cape Duquesne, Cape Bridgewater and the seal colony which you can smell before you see it! There have been lots of viewing platforms constructed to give a good view of the seals and the coastline.
Following our descent into Bridgewater we had lunch at the kiosk and stocked up on all things chocolate! Well I did anyway!!

After lunch some walked along the road and others along the beach to the spot where we headed inland a bit through low coastal vegetation to the nights camping spot called Trewalla camp. There is access to the beach from this camp so it was relaxing to have a swim and a walk along the beach without a pack on your back.

After another night of million star dining and after meeting up with our day walkers we were off along the beach towards Cape Nelson. The sand was firm so it was easy walking until we had to climb up a high sand dune to get to the top of the sandstone ledge. I had been a bit worried about the height of the sand dune, thinking that I might just roll all the way back down again! We all made it and were glad to take a breather and look back at where we had come from.

After this the walk took us towards the Cape Nelson lighthouse walking along the clifftops and through scrub areas in which the rare Soap Mallee is growing. This eucalypt doesn't have a single trunk and seems to grow almost horizontally. After a short walk around the lighthouse grounds, the day walkers were collected by Mary, their chauffeur, and we headed off towards our next camp which was Mallee Camp and where the day walkers had their camp.

On Sunday night some time was spent doing a car shuffle so that we would have our cars at the pre-determined spot in Portland. There was some light rain so we all had tea rather early and then it stopped long enough for everyone to enjoy some reminiscing about walks gone by. Very interesting!!!

Monday the rain was gone so off we went. This part of the walk was quite easy with the track diverting through an old landslip below the level of the clifftop called the Enchanted Forest. It is covered with dense, almost tropical vegetation. Along this part of the walk there are, again, numerous viewing platforms that have been built with an extensive one at Yellow rock which gives the walker magnificent views of the coast. After this it was a short walk through the bush to the cars. Along the way we saw and heard many bird species, wallabies and lizards with the time to enjoy the natural wonders of the coast.

In summary the GSWW is just what it is called - it's a walk in the south west of the state and it's great!!

Marysville

Thirteen was the lucky number of walkers who set out from the Marysville Football Oval on what promised to be a very wet day. True to prediction, the rain started at the beginning of the walk, it was, however, short lived and the rest of the day was dry.

After a short, steep climb out of Marysville we passed through a recent bushfire area. Regeneration had already begun and the effect of the burnt trees, green regrowth and mist was quite stunning.

Lunch was enjoyed on the banks of the Taggerty River the water was running too quickly for one group who were trying to spot a platypus. We paused to marvel at some old growth forest with some magnificent trees shortly after setting off from our lunch spot. Margaret then directed us to the Fairies' Well, a place of magic and wonder for her when she was a child.
The end of the walk saw a split in the group. Four enthusiasts decided to head up to Stevenson's Falls while the rest of us aimed for the Marysville Bakery.

Powelltown

After quite a cold week the weekend promised to have fine weather for bushwalking. About 29 people gathered at Bennett's Lodge, Powelltown for the anniversary of the Peninsula Bushwalking club. Some arrived in the daylight hours Friday (clever people), some of us arrived in the dark Friday night, and after driving up and down the main road several times eventually found the balloons hung out to guide us. I have to say in our defense that the map has the High Lead car park on the other side of the road (not anyone in the club's fault) which can confuse a person considerably after they have done several U-turns in the dark!!

A few more arrived Saturday morning and then a decision had to be made which walk to go on. Lindsay and Uwe were leading the two walks and after some discussion on the difference between the two walks we set off in cars to the starting point.

Both walks started off at the same place and we all walked together until morning tea time. After that we split off into two groups, with one group walking along the ridge and the group that I was in taking the steep track down to High Lead car park. It was certainly very steep going down, I wouldn't fancy climbing up. It would have been a hard way to get to work every day! As we went down the hill I couldn't help but think on the hardships that the timber workers went through just to get a day's pay. There was a big boiler lying amongst the bushes which would have had to be brought in somehow. The ingenuity of the men and women to get the job done never ceases to amaze me.

We went along tracks that were quite overgrown with ferns, which was wonderful leach territory and I can say that I gave quite a few leaches a new lease on life with my blood donations given freely, often but not willingly!!

Once down off the steep decline we walked past an area where there must have been housing as there were some hydrangea bushes growing amongst the ferns. I picked some flowers to put on the table at teatime and others took some cuttings for their gardens. Then it was back to the main road and up the track to Bennett's lodge. As it turned out we got back to the house a lot sooner than the other group so we were forced to have a champagne or three!! It was very relaxing sitting in the sun, relaxing and having a talk. Soon after we arrived back there were two more arrivals so they and a couple of energetic ones went for a short walk.

Once everyone had arrived back we got on to the serious business of eating! Unfortunately Yvonne, who had put a lot of work into organizing food, had a migraine and was unable to enjoy the lovely meal we all had. Lindsay asked June Tickell to speak about the club before she blew out the candles on another one of Ros' lovely fruit cakes.

After a night of laughter, talk and reminiscing we all slept the sleep of the just and were up bright and early for the next days walk.

After breakfast, pack up and cleanup we all set off to walk part of the old rail track into Powelltown. Unfortunately Yvonne was still unwell so we left her to the peace of the hut so she could keep sleeping. After a car shuffle we started on our walk. It's an enjoyable walk along the rail track and once we got near to Powelltown some opted for coffee and the rest took what I thought was a short extension of 2kms to have a look at the Reids mill site. It turned out to be slightly longer than that with a nice little hill thrown in! However it was still lovely to see more of the country around Powelltown and extended the walk into about 12kms which was just right to do before heading off home.

Correndirk Weir

A collection of 16 assorted walkers met in the big car park at Badgers Weir near Healesville on a chilly, still Sunday morning. After a visit to the toilets and introductions all round we headed off towards the National park and what promised to be a very pretty walk.

We were brought to a halt early on as our way was barred by red and white ribbons accompanied by a notice informing us that the track was closed due to storm damage. Undeterred we made a few detours and magically, eventually, managed to follow a path which ran parallel to a stream; the track enclosed by tree ferns, the air so clear and cool and the sounds of running water and bird calls made the walk very special.

We found ourselves back in the car park earlier than anticipated but none the less ate our lunches with enthusiasm before driving on to the Maroondah Reservoir.
The walk was very enjoyable, although the uphill climb towards the end called for a few 'get your breath back' halts and various estimates of how far we had walked, ranging from guesses of between 10 and 16 kms!

The homeward stretch was halted by the sudden appearance of a formal wedding ceremony taking place in the middle of the walkway on top of the dam wall; so we watched and waited as a very young couple were married in what must have been the very spot the proposal was made. I mean, why else would anyone want to be married just in that place!
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Creswick

On a grey drizzle morning Ros, Sheila and myself joined the car shuffle party at St Georges Lake after spending the night at the caravan park. We left three cars at the Lake where the walk would finish and drove with Lindsay, Jim and Cheryl to the start. The other members were already about half an hour ahead with Janet leading.

Following Lindsay's lead we headed up the track which would eventually catch up with the other group.

Walking at a brisk pace we checked out the track, which was damp, for boot prints in the clay, only horseshoe tracks could be seen. Surely they couldn't have taken another track. Luck was with us, coming in the opposite direction we met two more bushwalkers, who could tell us with certainty, that there was no group ahead of us.

Mobile phone, no answer, message left "Where are you?" Walked on and tried again, success "What reservoir?" "Stay put coming to get you". So Lindsay gave us swift instructions to walk to an open area called Chapel Flat and have morning tea.

There we found shelter under a tent fly that someone had tied to a tree for protection from the rain. This provided a great photo opportunity with mush merriment at the inventive poses presented. (Hope the photos turn out).

After an extra long morning tea the group arrived and the geographical difficulties were sorted out, we continued walking. The track twisted and turned following old water races surrounded by mullock heaps. Life must have been tough in this land of dry scrub and hard ground.

The walk finished at the Lake and arrangements were made for a barbecue tea and camp on Lindsay and Janet's block 20 minutes drive at Clunes.
The others planned a comfortable night in the caravan park but would join us for the barbecue.

While Lindsay started the fires we took the time to pitch the tent before dark set in and also gave us time to enjoy a twilight tour with the others around the property. We had a terrific night enjoying the company and generosity of Lindsay and Janet and we all slept like logs.
Sunday the sun shone and what luxury for the ones that had decided to camp, bacon and eggs cooked by our host, sitting on the verandah, was the start of the day. We then joined the group in Creswick to continue the planned Sunday walk around the lake.

Thousand Steps Walk

One thousand steps...... I don't know if it was actually one thousand steps ? I didn't count ? but by climbing the steps you were given a small feeling of what it must have been like for the soldiers on the Kokoda trail in New Guinea during WWII.

The climb was steep but only about a quarter of the height of the Kokoda trail. It had been raining so the climb was a bit muddy but we had on our nice clean, dry clothing, we had our recently packed lunch and snacks to eat and clear, clean, water to drink.

We knew that we were going home to a shower or bath with a roof over our heads and that night we would be sleeping in our nice warm dry bed.

We didn't have anyone shooting at us or setting booby traps and we knew that at the end of the day we would be going home.

It doesn't really compare at all but it certainly made you think about what those soldiers went through to give us the life we have now.