Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One
 
Length: 22km
Duration: 6 -7 hours
Grade: Medium
Elevation: 433m
Style: Walking track with many river & creek crossings over stones
Start/Finish: Lorne
Melbourne: 140km
Best time: Late winter & early spring (when the waterfalls flow at their best)

Track & map info: Walks & Waterfalls, Surfcoast Shire.
Topographic map: optional.
Erskine River Track and Cora Lynn Creek Track are well marked.

The walk starts from Kia Ora Caravan Park, which is located opposite to the Lorne Visitor Centre.  The entrance is on Erskine Avenue and there is Parks Victoria signpost showing the 7km length of the Erskine River walking track.

There is no doubt that this track is popular because of the starting point in the Lorne township, the attractive waterfalls and the wild Erskine River and gorge.  The path winds through the Erskine Valley, which is filled with tall trees and ferns.  It follows the river upstream and there are some river crossings.  The track passes The Rapids, Splitter Falls, Straw Falls and finishes at the base of the Erskine Falls, 300m past Straw Falls.  Erskine Falls is one of the highest and most attractive waterfalls in the Otways, Victoria.

After having fun with the camera and a chat with tourists at the Erskine Falls, we had a steep climb up steps, which led to the car park, where there is a signpost to Blanket Leaf Picnic Area.  This is the start of the 3km track, which links the Erskine Valley to the Cora Lynn Valley and saves about 3kms of road walking.  A big thank you.

On reaching the Erskine Falls Rd, cross the road to get to the start of the Cora Lynn Creek Track.  Then, a short gentle descent goes past a hike-in campsite and leads to the Cora Lynn Cascades.  From here, the track goes through a beautiful narrow gorge and the creek that feeds the cascades, is crossed many times before reaching Cora Lynn car park.  After checking out the map from the “Walks & Waterfalls” brochure, we followed the road SSE out to Green Break Tk, turned right and walked down to Allenvale Rd, and then turned left onto Otway St to get back to the start in Lorne.

 Erskine Valley (L)         At the base of Erskine Falls (R)

Cora Lynn Cascades

Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit Walk
and
A video YouTube of the waterfalls in the valleys

It was rather a long day to do this two valleys circuit and I would suggest an early start to take it all in especially when days are short.  We ended up having a late dinner at “Chopsticks” restaurant in town.  Wear comfortable walking boots and avoid this walk after heavy rain, when the tracks and rocks become muddy and very slippery.  This walk can be done as an overnight hike using the walk-in campsite, which is located below the Blanket Leaf Picnic Area.  Moreover, with a few hike-in campsites and many other waterfalls walks nearby, it is also possible to have an extended hike of 3 to 4 days in the area.

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Two

Sheoak Creek and Lower Cumberland Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Three)

King Spur (Mt Koonika)

Area:  east of Mansfield, 68 km.  

Road unsealed after Mirimbah and winding after Telephone Box Junction.

Walk type:  Pack carry, Off track, Go and Return 

Grade:  Medium - Difficult

Guidebook:  Bushwalks in Victorian Alps, 1st Edition 2004

Maps:  Svmaps Buller-Howitt Alpine Area, Bushwalking, 1^stEd 2009, Scale 1:50,000
Compass and a GPS with Garmin Topo

No water along the way until Mt Speculation.  Fill up water bottle/s at a creek before the start.

Start: Speculation and King Basin Roads Junction 

Mobile reception:  The end of King Spur near Mt Koonika

We arrived at King Hut via Circuit Road, Howqua Gap and Speculation Road on the day before the walk.  The last 2 km of Speculation Rd was a bit rough in a 4WD.  The grassy and sheltered campsite located east of King Hut was occupied.  There were few other campers on the other side of the river, which was narrow and crossable on foot or in 4WD.  Our tent was pitched on a large grassy area, which was located between the hut and the toilet.  Our neighbours were quiet and friendly.  In the late evening, we were invited to join them sharing the warmth at the fire place in the hut, but we did not, because we planned an early night and an early rise.  Just before it got dark (about 8.20 pm), a few more 4WDs arrived.

King Hut

In the morning, we were awoken by a loud noise.  Someone was trying to chop firewood.  After having breakfast and the packing for a 3-day loop walk plan including King Spur (Mt.koonika), The Crosscut Saw (Mt Speculation) and Stanley's Name Spur (Mt Thorn), we drove to the start of our walk, which was located at the junction of Speculation and Basin Roads, about 800 m away.

There was no proper marker or sign at the start, which was immediately after crossing the creek or over the bridge.  I would suggest that you take your time here to find the proper pad into the forest, that would save your time and climbing due to the heavy scrub.  We picked up the pad on our way back.  Perhaps, we were not only those, who missed the actual start.

The start was rather steep and scrubby and we zig-zagged to the southwest about 500m up to the hill, rather than going due south as suggested by the guidebook.

Enjoying the first climb

 The need for a rest

For the next 2 km, we followed a faint pad climbing gently along the ridge heading east by southeast.  Then the pad became much steeper for the next 2.5 km and disappeared often, into thick, fire regrowth scrub.

At the 5km point, we turned south by southeast for about 0.5 km to reach the end of the King Spur and then continued east by northeast for 1.5 km along the spur through patches of regrowth to the end of the spur.  At that point, there was a good view of Mt Koonika across a deep valley.  The actual pad is due east across a saddle, which joins King Spur to Mt Koonika, which is a lot easier than it appears to be. 

 .. a drink

.. a meal

By the time we got to the cliffs of Mt Koonika, we were almost running out of time and water and were unable to find access to the top of Mt Koonika, and so we made camp at a flatish area, which was back down on the pad.

Sunset Koonika

 

Looking south by southeast from King Spur end

 

We were bluffed and so back here!  

It was a beautiful sunset that night and sunrise the next morning.  However, being low on water, we decided to return to the start of the walk, instead of risking a steep climb to find the top of Mt Koonika.

A warm forecast for the day

On the way down, we lost the King Spur ridge a few times due to the heavy scrub and that meant that we had to climb up several steep valley slopes to get back to the ridge.

However, we were able to take the correct pad (suggested by the guidebook) at the end of the walk, to the river, where we got a drink and a wash.

All in all, I enjoyed the King Spur ridge.  Allan did not.  It was too much for him and he does not want to do it again.  He is 60 year old and a bit over-weight.  On the contrary, I (50+) still want to tackle the circuit and very much look forward to it.

To be honest, we did not have time for the research of this walk.  Some useful tracknotes in relation to the final climb up to Mt Koonika summit were found later on.  

Maps edited before and after the walk include:

 GPS tracks on Google Earth

 Walk-in track, profile and waypoints for Day One on Garmin Topo

Vicmap and memory-map

"Go left around the rock band and then scramble up through the rock & grass"
The ks6 waypoint appeared to be missing on my GPS.

Day One plan 

A 3-day walk plan

On the drive back to Melbourne on the next day, we did some tourist stuff and visited Bindaree Waterfalls, Howqua Gap Huts, Telephone Box Junction Falls, the summit of Mt Buller and the two waterfalls on Mt Buller Road.  Click on the link to the post:  Sight-seeing after King Spur (Mt Koonika) Walk

Strathbogies Pack Carry

Walk type: Off track

Lenghth: 18.0km, Circuit

Duration: 2 days

Medium:  Steep terrain, dry rocky and scrubby forest

Start/Finish:  James Camping Ground (Creek water needs to be treated)

Closest town:  Lima East, Southwest of Swanpool

Distance from North of Melbourne: 130km

Maps: 

            Rooftop’s, Strathbogies Ranges Forest Activities Map, ed.April 2005  

VicMap: Tallangalook, 8024-S, Scale 50k Topo, 1^st ed 2007

Suggested:  Updated topo map, long trekking pants, gaiters, garden gloves, and a trekking pole.

GPS route with waypoints

I had been solo to Strathbogies twice.  Once had been up and along the spur of the eastern range.  The other had been a return to retrieve my fit-over glasses, which had been left behind at a lunch spot near Scott’s Peak on the range. 

It was a rather long drive from Melbourne’s southeast and it took about 3 hrs to get to James Camping Ground with facilities including: toilets, tables, fire rings and creek water, which needs to be treated before drinking. 

In the morning, I enjoyed the company of two blue-wrents while doing the packing.  There was no walking track signpost at the campground and there had been no information available on ParksVic website.  With an internet search, I found one or two written reports of an overnight walk in the area, but an appropriate route map is still not yet available.  Hence, this was mainly an exploratory trip with the plan of a clockwise direction to tackle the western range, to take in a north-eastern ridge, and then to pick up my own way back via around the base of the range or out to Lima East Road.  It was about midday when I got ready, so extra food and cooking water for the night and the next morning were also packed.  One usual final step before shouldering my pack was to take a GPS waypoint of the starting point, which would be useful for the return trip. 

The walk started with a crossing of Moonee Creek (Charlie Crk, Campground section), which was just ankle-deep.  The bank on the other side of the creek was rather scrubby with blackberries.  This reminded me of the garden gloves, which were left at home.  Long pants, gaiters were in great help. 

 Strathbogies Forest

I then made my own way up a ridge, heading west, then southwest until I reached a pole at 440m elevation.  A bit further was a cairn (464m), which was built on the open rocky slabs, which provided views of Scott’s Peak on the eastern range and the mountain range to the south.  This 190m zigzag climb reminded me of a tiger snake I had encountered on one of the two previous walks in the area.

 View of Scott's Peak on the eastern range

 Southern range

Following the open slabs for a short distance led me to a faint path.  Continuing on  the path, I arrived at a rocky outcrop (504m), where I had late lunch (about 3.00pmish) with the view down a slope full of fern trees.

After lunch, about 1km of walking up and along the path took me to the Bamford Track, which was an old vehicle track.  Crossing the track, I headed up a ridge towards White Rock.  The terrain up here was rough and scrubby and it was getting rather late.  Hence, on arriving at a saddle (about 600m), I started looking for a camping spot.  Unlike the noise of loud music at the campground the night before, it was so beautifully quiet up here.  The night was rather windy and I tossed and turned a bit 

 One of many giant boulders in Strathbogies

 Dry, scrubby and rocky forest

 Camping in the forest

In the morning, I abandoned a side trip to White Rock.  The initial plan heading northwest to reach Rocky Ned Falls was also changed due to the condition of the terrain, which was rough, scrubby and steep.  Instead, I headed west.  The closer I got to the bank of Parlour Creek, the thicker the scrub became.  Excellent creek water was so inviting and my wine flask was also refilled before the climb.

Parlour Creek 

The other side of the creek was also scrubby, but it was only a 21m climb up to reach Lima East Road.  I kept to the right and continued for about 32m along the road until I reached an unmarked junction, where there was a car and the track to the right was the one, which led to Rocky Ned Falls.  Please note: this track is shown on Rooftop's Map, but not on VicMap.

Track to "Rocky Ned Falls"

Following this wide track for about 350m, I met a young lady who was on the way back to her car.  Continuing another 100m, I noticed the spot where the lady camped last night.  It seemed that the original plan had been reasonable and I missed out the dropping down from the spur into Parlour Creek Valley.  Lunch stop was at Rocky Ned “Waterfall”, where I could hear bikies approaching, greeting me, then quickly disappearing. 

 "Rocky Ned Falls"

After lunch, I crossed Rocky Ned Creek, and headed up for about 21m to arrive at an unmarked junction.  Leaving the main track, I followed a foot (& bike) track heading north down to a saddle, which provided the less challenging access to Rocky Ned to the southwest and an opportunity to explore few giant boulders on a ridge line in the northeast, where I stopped for a drink and a check out of the location.  Due to steepness and scrubby condition of the terrain ahead, I changed the direction by leaving the ridge line and following a foot (& bike) trail, which led to the northwest, then down to a creek, where I decided to call it the day.  It had been a bit of a long day, coupled with the lack of sleep the night before, so after a quick dinner I hit the sack.  

 Forest camping

The next morning, I crossed the creek and followed the wide foot track about 3.5km northeast up until reaching Police Road.  After an immediate turn to the right, I followed Herbert Drive, went past a private property, and continued on until the end of the track, where I spotted a “black belly” snake with its head and two third of its body dug under the ground.  It had been hunting or heard me arriving?  Crossing an unknown creek, I arrived at an open rocky slab.

Back to the forest

and then head for the hills again

From here, the walk back to James Campground was mainly off track.  I headed up a ridge and up another ridge, then descended a 200m steep slope to reach the boundary.  Walking along the fence line for a short distance, I arrived at Sugarloaf Creek, and then a waterfall. 

Sugarloaf Creek

"Sugarloaf Waterfall"

Leaving the waterfall, I picked up my way, followed a path, then arrived at a private property, where I met a nice land owner, who was working on the paddock.  He wondered how I ended up there and congratulated me “glad that I made it”.  Hence, one more ridge and one more gully would take me back to the starting point. Following the paddock track for about 0,5km by the compass bearing, I reached the boundary/fence line with a pole, which was built into a big boulder.  A steep and scrubby bush-bash down saw me back to the creek I had crossed two days ago.

All in all, I was rather satisfied with the exploring.  Another return to this area with a bit of change in the route would be much more enjoyable.

Strathbogies Ranges Pack Carry elevation profile

Beeripmo Wallk

Walk type:  Pack carry and Circuit

Duration: 2 days;  Length: 17km.  Side trip to Mt Buangor not included.
Info from DSE: Beeripmo Camp to Mt Buangor Lookout: 5.4km, 3hrs
Closest town: Beaufort (19km)

Grade: Easy - Medium.  Total climbing: 700m

No permits required

Notes and Maps: DSE and Chapman's "Bushwalking in Australia", p. 226-233

GPS:  My hiking route overlaid on the "Topo Memory-Map"
 

 DSE's walk map 

The walk starts at Richards Camp, which is located in Mt Buangor State Park, and is 19 km from Beaufort, and is about 2 hrs drive from Melbourne.  The facilities at Richard Camp include: a day shelter, two water tanks, and two long-drop toilets.  There is a little foot bridge which links the car park to the campground

My car camping tent at Richards Camp

The main walking track signpost is located on the left of the steps up to the two toilets, and the Beeripmo Walk signpost shows 17km length and two days duration.  The walk can be done in either direction and I did the walk clockwise.

On day one, I followed the Beeripmo Walk signpost, starting up hill on a wide track (old vehicle track) about 25 m until an old carpark was reached.  The Grevillea Track on the right side of the carpark was the return track for the next day.  On the other side of the carpark was the start of the Beeripmo track.

 

The start of the Beeripmo Walk in a clockwise direction

The track climbed steadily southwest through an open forest with fern trees and many large granite boulders and it took me about 20 minutes to get to the Raglan Falls.  A short side trip was made to get to the base of these falls. 

A trickle of water at Raglan Falls

I continued climbing for five minutes to reach Rob Falls, a small cascade, where I stopped for photos and cake, with views down the gully.

Up and through the forest

Rob Falls

  

The track then turns south and climbs gently, crossing Camp Road after over 1km, then another 800 m southwest to the crossing at Mt Cole Road.  The forest starts to become more open and there are views of Mt Cole through the trees when the track swings around to the west.  On the climb up Cave Hill, I wandered off track a little bit to fully enjoy the views of Langi Ghiran and the Grampians.

 Mt Langi Ghiran from a distance

View from the main track 

Leaving Cave Hill, the track swings southwest, south, then southwest again, gently down about 200m, to reach an intersection which provides opportunities for a side trip to Ferntree Waterfalls.

One of the Beeripmo Walk signposts along the trail

Views to the west

 Mt Langi Ghiran, Western plains, and The Grampians

I continued north.  The track climbs steadily for about half of kilometre, to reach the base of Mt Sugarloaf, then zigzags up.  It was an amazing experience to look up to the cliffs and rock outcrops above me.  Here, I met another party of four and learnt about Mugwamp Camp, which was accessible to motor-bikes and cars, unlike Beeripmo Camp, which is a walk-in camp.

 Cliffs and rock outcrop view from the foot pad up Mt Sugarloaf

The highest point of Mt Sugarloaf (934m) was marked with a cairn, and the lookout is about 50m to the southwest.  

 

View from Sugarloaf Lookout

After enjoying the views and taking photos, I continued west about 40m to a track junction.  The track to the left provides opportunities for side trip to Ferntree Waterfalls, which is about 2km to the southwest.  Keep to the right track, heading north down the track about 150m to reach the Firebreak Track with a signpost, that shows 500m to Beeripmo Camp. 

This camp provides facilities including two long drop toilets, one water tank, and three main campsites with fire rings and seats.  When I arrived there, the two largest campsites were occupied.  Because it was raining lightly outside, I cooked and had dinner in the tent and was surprised to see those who had been ahead of me, arriving.  They told me that they had been lost.  They had taken the Sugarloaf Circuit Track.

 A misty and damp evening at Beeripmo Walk-in Camp 

I retired early and slept quite well that night because I had had very little sleep the night before.  It rained all night and all morning, so, I was not in a hurry to leave because today’s walk would take only about four hours to get back to Richards Camp.  Two groups had left and I was the third party to leave.  After having a look around at the other campsites and saying good bye to my neighbours, I set off.  

I continued along the wide Firebreak Track for about one km to reach Freemans Track, that provides access to the Ferntree Waterfalls.  I crossed the Freemans Track to continue on the main track, which became a foot pad, which was overgrown and covered with ferns.  The views in mist this morning was fantastic, so, I had a few photo stops

 Lovely view in the mist at noon

 An over-grown part of the Beeripmo Track

The track gently climbed north for 150m, and then turned sharply southwest for another 150m to a lookout.  Leaving the lookout, the track swung northeast around a knoll and then northwest about 100m to reach a track junction, which is the side trip to Mt Buangor (987m).  It was a misty early afternoon, so, I did not bother with the side trip.  I continued on the main track, heading northeast for about 100m to reach a track junction with a signpost which shows 200m to Mugwamp Camp.  I had been to this camp before, so, I kept moving onto Dawsons Rock, for lunch.  There was very limited view up there, apart from the Mugwamp Camp hut in the distance.   

After leaving the rock, the track descended steadily through forest, heading NNW down for about 650m to reach Mt Cole Road.  Then, the track turned east about 30m to meet an old vehicle track, where I took the right turn and followed the Long Gully northeast, gently down over 2km with good views of the ferns along the gully.

 Ferns in the Long Gully

The track then leaves the Long Gully and heads southeast across open steep slops.  It descends steadily through forest until it swings northeast to meet the Grevillea Track signpost, which shows 700m to Richards Camp.

Steep gullies with the tall eucalypts 

The track from the Grevillea Track to the Richards Camp is an easy walk through an open heathy forest.  

To sum up, it is a great overnight walk with a great walk-in campground.  The track is well-cut with foot tracks and markers.  In addition, it takes a short drive to get there.  Below is the GPS route, which is overlaid on the "Topo Memory-Map."