It was worth a
revisit to Hattah North Roadhouse after leaving Hattah-Kulkyne NP. For three
days without a shower, I enjoyed a hot shower there. A big thank you. I also
had food and a cuppa at the roadhouse before the drive to Wyperfeld NP via
Calder Hwy A79 back to Ouyen and Sunraysia Hwy B220 at Lascelles then Hopetoun
where there was a signpost to Wyperfeld NP.
Hopetoun is the
closest service town and it is the last opportunity to top up fuel and get
general supplies. The access road to Wonga Camping area in the south is sealed.
It was a pleasant drive and the park was full of wild life in the late
afternoon. I also noticed the signpost of my planned walks when getting close
to the camping area
There was a couple
who arrived here before me. While I was pitching tent up, the male partner came
over inviting me to join their camp fire. 'Plenty of firewood', he said.
However, because an unexpected shower occured that evening, I did not join them.
There was an
opportunity to walk with them in the morning, but I politely declined and thanked them both.
They headed for the lookout walk and I tried to get ready for mine with a plan to walk the loop Wonga Camp - Weedy Lake - Meridian Walking Track - Everard Track - Lake Brambruk shore south - Discovery Walking Track - Wonga Campground. Instead, I did just a loop of less than 10.0 km. The aim was to practice with the new GPS Watch that was given to me as a present.
Here is the loop
walk I did: Wonga Camping area - Weedy Lake (dry) junction of Black Flat Track and Cameron Track - crosscountry heading east then southeast and back to the camp ground.
I camped on the east side of the shelter in Wonga Camping area. The magpies took a bit of my time in the morning and in the late evening. There were stories about their aggressive behaviour but these were not. It was in late June - freezing in the early morning, sunny and cool during the day (good time for walking), and cold at night.
The signpost of Discovery Walk can be seen near Wonga Hut and the start of the walk is on the east side of the Wonga camping area. The track is well marked. My neighbours started the walk early. We met on the track and had a quick chat about birds and plants.
Wyperfeld Park (L), Discovery Walk GPS file including side trip to Lake Brambruk (dry)
Followed the markers going clockwise. If you want just a short loop walk, leave the track leading to Lake Brambruk and take the turn to Mt Mattingley lookout in the southwest and get back to the camp ground.
The above right photograph was taken near the junction of Lake Brambruk and Cameron Tracks. There was a seat among the trees on the left of the track if you want to take a break.
I continued along Lake Brambruk Track for about 500 m and I reached Cameron Track. There was a water tank here. And a further 400 m, I reached the south side of Lake Brambruk, which was bone dry. I could not tell it had been a lake. The right photo was taken on the return near Lake Brambruk.
There were signposts at the junction: retracing your steps or take the foot track (above left) to Mt Mattingley and then continue to the Wonga campground.
Tyakil Nature Loop Easy, 4.8 km, 1 hr 20 min, loop
The start of Tyakil walk is about 3.5 km west of Wonga Campground. There is a signpost on Park Road near the Park Office. It can be seen on the drive in and out Wyperfeld Park. The track is also well marked and signposted.
Tyakil Nature Walk car park. Here's also the start and end of a pack carrying North South Walk via Meridian Walking Track with an overnight camping at Remote Camp, a Walk-In Camp, which is located near Meridian Track and Nine Mile Square Track junction. I myself have done this overnight walk years ago. Will try to find photos when time permitting.
After walking north for about 400 m I reached Little Black Flat Track. A further 400 m I arrived at the Meridian WT turn off (Above Left). From here the track turned west for about 1.0 km, then south about 1.0 km crossing Outlet Creek and Little Black Flat Track, at which there were signposts of the track to Lookout Dune in the west, to Cameron Track in the east, and to the car park.
Lookout Dune and back Easy, 5.1 km, return walk
I did not have time for the Lookout Dune when I was on the Tyakil Nature Loop. Therefore, I drove back to the car park the next day. Walked back to the signposts on Little Black Flat Track and followed the Lookout Dune by taking the left turn heading west.
Desert Walk Easy-Medium, 6.9 km, 2 hrs, loop
The start of the Desert Walk is on Nine Mile Square Track and the signpost of Nine Mile Square Track can be seen on Park Road, which is about 4.5 km before Wonga Campground. The turn off from Park Road to the walk start is about 1 km, just after crossing Little Black Flat Track.
Take notice of the signpost (above right) that is easy to be missed. It is just about 200 m from the start. By following this sign, you head south on a foot path and walk in a clockwise loop. If you miss it by continuing on, you walk the track anticlockwise.
Rather nice spot for a break. So peaceful here and love it.
Kidney Track Easy-Medium, 8.2 km, loop
Located about several kms north of Lake Albacutya. Access via Hopetoun, last service town for fuel and general supplies. From Hopetoun, head west taking the Hopetoun - Yaapeet Road - Wyperfeld Park Road - Park Road (5 km) - turn west along Goslings Road. For safe driving, the last 1 km of Goslings Road is suitable only when weather is dry.
If you look for a basic car camping, Yaapeet Bushland Reserve is the place. There is no need to book a camp site, just turn up and arrange payment via an honesty box: $10 a night ($2.0 for a hot shower for non-camper). I had been here with my walking buddy some years ago. It looks like this campground is a popular place for grey nomads who plan to travel to SA, up North, and/or to WA to escape winter.
Ref: Walk 109 Albacutya. BYO water
Book 150 Walks in Victoria by Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close.
In fact, I did not walk the whole 109 walk. I did just a part of it. My aim was to have an enjoyable time, to see more when I was out there and so I left the 109 walk and took a shortcut track to the Kidneys Track. Then I went 200 m down the Kidneys Track and then crosscountry south to reach the Werrebean Track. From here I followed the Werrebean Track west for about 1.3 km to join back to the Outlet Creek Track. From there, I retraced my steps back to the starting point.
