Rubicon Valley

Getting there 

Rubicon is located about 150 km north east of Melbourne CBD, between Lake Eildon and Maroondah Hwy (B360), and can be accessed via Taggerty-Thornton Rd (C515). 

 Camping Areas 

Rubicon has two camping areas namely Kendalls and The Boys which are located on the Rubicon Road, about 2-3 kms north of Rubicon. Kendalls was closed in mid Oct and The Boys campground was rather busy on the fine weekend in Spring. There is no toilet at Tin Hut Camping Area which means that it is suitable only for campers who bring their own potty.

Rubicon SF map and The Boys Camping Area (no phone reception).

Short walk starts from the camping area

Rubicon River

Rubicon Heritage Loop and The Tramway Walk

Starts from the Rubicon Heritage Walk parking area on Royston Rd, about 6-7 kms south south east of Rubicon Power Station and about 2 kms past Le Bruns Rd.

I followed the signs and walked clockwise around the short loop. The trail was easy to follow and well maintained.

After about 800 m walk through the forest and about 700 m walk along one of Rubicon Aqueducts, I reached Rubicon Hydroelectric Scheme structure.

View of Royston Power Station 

The picturesque Royston Power Station

Royston Trestle Bridge

The first snake was spot here, between the tramline and Royston Trestle Bridge, one of the four trestle bridges in the Rubicon Historic Valley. 

One of the sawmills in the Rubicon forest.

Rubicon River Road Trestle Bridge

 

After crossing Rubicon River Road Trestle Bridge, you could follow the sign and cross the aqueduct to continue Rubicon Heritage Walk (short loop) which will take you back to Rubicon Heritage Walk carpark on Royston Road after a further one km east or so along the trail .

Instead of following the sign to return to the Rubicon Heritage Walk parking area, I took Rubicon Tramway//Aqueduct Walk. It is about 4 km of winding flat track through the forest and then it took me up to the Winch House at the top of the ridge where the aqueduct delivers water into the pipeline servicing the Rubicon Power Station in the valley below.

I also spent a bit of time to check out if there was a comfortable way to get down to Rubicon Falls Power Station but, because I was not equipped for bush bashing, I did not attempt it (GPX file ref).

On the return along the tramway and aqueduct, I also woke up another snake near the Rubicon Heritage Walk (short loop) turnoff where I followed the sign, crossed the aqueduct and walked out. Loved the one km scenic track to the carpark.

All in all, I enjoyed the walk even though I missed the side trip to Rubicon Dam to see two more  bridges: Beech Creek Trestle and Lubra Creek Trestle, about 1.5-2 kms south of Royston Trestle Bridge.

GPS file route (16.7 kms) of Rubicon Heritage Loop and Tramway Walk

Link to the information about the area

Snobs Creek Falls

Located on Snobs Creek Road, 6 kms off Goulburn Valley Hwy (B340) between Thornton and Eildon. A short walk from the car parking area to the viewing platforms offers spectacular views of one of the most spectacular falls in Victoria. The falls drop more than 100 metres over rocky outcrops.

Grampians Day Walks

Getting there

Grampians is located in western Victoria, 260 km west of Melbourne CBD. If you travel via Westgate Bridge, make sure you plan extra time for the drive because of traffic congestion. If possible, avoid travelling through the CBD during peak hours.

It took about three and a half hour drive to the Plantation Campground (no fee), 9 km north of Halls Gap and 6 km unsealed road off Halls Gap - Mt Zero Rd. No booking required - just turn up, park your car and pitch tent up. 

Check out this Grampians NP Visitor Guide for Campgrounds that requires fees and booking online prior to arrival.

For those who want a hot shower or two, there are few private caravan parks in Halls Gap.  Also, in Halls Gap you can refill fuel, purchase outdoor gear, top up supply, etc.

My hiking plan started from here 

I find this Grampians Day Walks Map Pack was very useful not only for walking but also for driving. After leaving the Plantation CG, I continued on Mt Zero Rd (dirt road), heading north for the Beehive Falls easy short walk.

Beehive Falls

An easy 2.8 km return walk with the start and end at Beehive Falls carpark, which is located on Roses Gap Rd, off Mt Zero Rd.

Beehive Falls Track

Gar / Mt Difficult Waterfalls

Easy - Medium 4.2 km return walk. 

Took about 2.5 hours including stops for photographs

Start from Troopers Creek Campground, about 3 km south down Roses Gap Road

There are a few signs along the well-maintained track.

A local resident (wallaby) was happy for a pose. I made a short video clip and will have it up on this blog when time permits.

At the third waterfall, there is a sign indicating a return via the same route. 

Walkers heading to Briggs Bluff and Mt Difficult can continue on the track. I have done this walk before with an overnight pack. These tracks are now upgraded as parts of the Grampians Peak Trail (GPT) that I have always wanted to try again.

Goltons Gorge

An easy-medium walk of 800 m leads to the high cliffs of Goltons Gorge.

The start is from Goltons Gorge Picnic Area, off Mt Zero Rd.

Return via the same route.

Views from carpark and the walking track.

Goltons Gorge cliffs

Hollow Mt

Only a short hike but steep areas with exposed cliffs.

Start from Hollow Mountain Carpark off Mt Zero Road. Return via the same route.

View from a sandy walking track.

Views from timber steps

This guy gave me a hand where there was a rope to assist with the climb. Those with short legs and with no rock climbing experience would have a bit of a problem with the climb without footholds and handholds.

The open rocky slabs

I was almost there, less than 100 m to the summit but threatening rain put me off. I went back with some regret.

Mt Zero

A medium difficulty 2.8 km return walk. 

The start is at Mt Zero Picnic Area, about 1.5 km southwest of Hollow Mt Carpark. Both the Hollow Mt and Mt Zero walks can be tackled in a day.

It was very busy at the Mt Zero Picnic Area on a fine day during school holiday. It is not only the start for Mt Zero and Mt Stapylton walks, but also the trailhead for the GPT. There was a tour bus in the car park and people were in the queue waiting for their toilet break. There was only one loo. 

Views from the summit indication cairn, elevation 390m

Mt Stapylton, 518m from Mt Zero 

Mt Stapylton

4.6 km return. Grade: Hard (technically challenged)

Start from Mt Zero Picnic Area

Mt Zero from Flat Rock

The cliff of Taipan Wall 

the Stapylton Amphitheatre

Bird Rock on the Mt Stapylton walking track

Mt Zero in the distance

Rock climbing Area

You looked great, mate and please take care.

Mt Zero from the Mt Stapylton return walking track.

After I left Mt Zero Rd in the northern Grampians, I took the Northern Grampians Rd.,  driving south past Wartook and the Zumsteins Picnic Area, which is the trailhead for Mackenzie River Walk (7 km return, 2- 3 hours, easy-medium grade) on Mt.Victoria Rd. I was rather late for this walk and so I drove on and did the walk starting from Mackenzie Falls Carpark the next day.

Mackenzie Falls

A steep walk from the car park with 260 steps. 

The impressive Fish Falls, 2.1 km walk from Mackenzie Falls Carpark, and also 2.1 km from the Zumstein Picnic Area.

Mackenzie River. I returned via the same route.

Cranages Lookout from the viewing platform

Broken Falls

Wattles

Spotted a local resident wallaby at Mackenzie Falls Parking Area.

Reed Lookout and The Balconie Lookout

Reed Lookout

The Balconies Lookout Walk is an easy 2 km return. Start at Reed Lookout Carpark.

Wattles

The Balconies Lookout

Boroka Lookout

Located on Mt Difficult Rd, NNW of Halls Gap.

The lookout is just a short walk from the carpark and it is 6 km hike from Halls Gap.

Boroka Lookout

Spectacular views of Victoria Valley, Lake Wartook and Mt Difficult Range

Wonderland Carpark to The Pinnacle

A 4.2 km return walk graded medium.

Rocky slabs

Lake Bellfield and Mt Willam from the Pinnacle Lookout 

Looking north from the Pinnacle Lookout - Views of Wonderland and Victoria Valley 

Serra Range from Grampians Rd 

Signal Peak

Mt Abrupt

A 6.5 km return walk graded Medium.

Start from Mt Abrupt Carpark, Grampians Road.

Bossiaea (L), Grevillea (R) 

Common Heath

Wattles (L) and Eucalyptus buds (R) on Mt Abrupt walking track

Mt Abrupt Summit, 827 m in elevation, the highest of the most southern peaks.

Showers were on and off and I had late lunch under those trees with my rain jacket on.

Serra Range from Mt Abrupt 

Return via the same route. Enjoyed it and recommend it. Mind your steps and take your time to take it all.

I was lucky that it rained rather heavily while I was on the road.