Day Hikes in The Otways 2024

Completed TW Spur Track (11.2 km, 3 hrs 30min)

but Failed Attempt to Brunswick Falls 

It was almost completed. I just reached the Cumberland River and decided to turn around due to being low on time. The unofficial track (neither in a Hiking book/s nor on Park site) was not well-maintained but it was marked with ribbons (possibly done by local hikers). It was scrubby, over-grown in parts and was difficult to follow because of tracks to other falls. That is where navigational skills such as route finding, GPS and compass came in handy.

Location: About 12 km to 15 km from the junction of Deans Marsh Road (C151) and Benwerrin Mt Sabine Road

Start/Finish: The gate on the TW Spur on Benweerrin - Mt Sabine Rd

Grade: Medium (reasonably experienced hikers)

Source: GPS file  TW Spur Track 9.3km, 3hrs10mins

Follow the overgrown TW Spur track for about 2.5km and then try to look for a pink ribbon on the path to the right indicating the track to the Brunswick Falls. This is when the GPS file is useful because it is easy to miss this turn off. Continue to a T junction, take the left track (with help from the GPS + compass) down about 1km to the Cumberland River 

where I turned back.

Route and Profile of the hike

A long the track down the Cumberland River.

Will be back for Brunswick Falls & Yannathan Falls in one day and will try to start early.

Curtis Track to Hidden Falls & Amphitheatre Falls

Location: Start from the locked gate, 

junction of Benwerrin-Sabine Road (rough & winding road) and Curtis Track (an old 4WD)

Resource:  GPS file 

Distance & Time: The walk was not recorded because I tried to save AA batteries even though there were a few spare ones in my first aid kit. The battery case has been misplaced.

GPS Track on VicMap (L), OSM Vic (R)

My hike was in the reverse direction. After following the Curtis Track for about 2 km, I left it at an intersection and followed a ribboned route down the Cumberland River. The section close to the river was very steep and I had to be careful. The walking pole was put in good use. Do not walk this route after rain.

The track down the river. On reaching the river I did a side trip to Hidden Falls.

 

Slow moving due to conditions of fallen trees, thick scrubs and slippery. Plus, I did not know what the rest of the walk would be like. There was no formal information about this walk. I was also low on time, hence, I made a decision to turn around and walked back to the junction.

A break for a check on leeches, a refresh and a bite.

The AllTrails GPS file was good for following the track. But, it was lack of data showing how to get to Amphitheatre Falls. I was rather confused at tracks to other falls. I missed it. 

A return trip to the Brunswick Falls (including a side trip to Yannathan Falls), Hidden Falls and Amphitheatre Falls will be worth it.

From here it was an easy and short walk out to Curtis Track. Then, about 3 km walk along the Curtis Track (an old 4WD) took me back to the start.

Gorgeous Falls from Mt Sabine Access Road

Source: GPS file from AllTrails site

Start: The start of the walk is at the junction of Mt Sabine Access Road and a turn off down an old forest track. There is a Telstra tower near the turn off.  Mt Sabine Access Road has no road signage on Sunnyside Road.

 

GPS route and profile 

Ribboned route:

The first ribbon was found after leaving the track, an old forest road. Then follow the ribboned route down the creek. The last bit down the creek was reasonably steep. Take care. It is not recommended to walk it after rain.  A short wading in the creek took me to the falls. It is unsure if there was a high route to it.

Leaving the falls, I waded back to the track. The walk back up seemed less risky comparing to the walk down the creek. Back track from here to the old forest road and then to car. 

 

Lake Elizabeth Loop

Next I drove to the general store at Forrest to get some AA batteries. No luck with the AA batteries. They were not available at the general store. Then I drove to the short loop walk around Lake Elizabeth.

 

It took about 15 minute drive from Forrest to the lake carpark via Kaanglang Road.

The walk: 4 km, 1hr 30min

Lake Elizabeth Carpark

Well-maintained track with signs pointing to the options of short walks

A billabong and a platypus beach

Wild Dogs Falls (6 km 3hrs)

Start: a locked gate on Turton's Track about 4.5 km west of Haines Junction.

Grade: moderate - difficult

Time: About 3hrs in and out (time not including the descend to the creek level)

Wild Dog Falls Track and Profile (the walk-in recorded only)

After a 5 minute walk along Wild Dog Track, I reached the turn off to the ribboned route. Mind your step here because it is easy to miss the turn. You have to leave the Wild Dog Track and take up a poorly maintained track to the left.

A boiler seen on the track about 350 m from the start of the ribbon route.

What are expected to see along the track?

Care should be taken when walking near the embarkement.

A guide rope was seen at the end of the track, where I had an afternoon tea.

The above rope is not the one I was after. I discovered another rope when I turned around to retrace my steps. It is just a few metres to the right. The descend is very steep and is assisted with steps. It looked rather scary from the top hence I gave up and left with some regret. Here it is. 

The photograph is from this site and a possibility is that it was taken on the way out. 

It doesn't look scary as I looked at it the other day. I could see only two or three steps.

Note: Check out the other guide rope and an off track down there. Follow the Wild Dog Creek up stream for about 3 km to Haines Junction.

A revisit to Beauchamp Falls

The Campground with long drop loos and a water tank.

Bins are not provided. Bring a plastic bag to take rubbish out with you.

The Redwoods, Beech Forest Victoria

I missed it on my last visit in the area. It seemed to be a very popular spot for photographers and picnic goers. I trolled along the Aire River until I reached a cliff and then returned via the road.

Nearby waterfalls: Congram Falls (close to Aire Valley Rd, few km north of Hoptoun Falls)

 

A revisit to Hopetoun Falls and Triplet Falls

 

Hopetoun Falls 

Triplet Falls from the viewing platform

Upper Chapple Fall

Location: About 1.5 km west of Lavers Hill

Distance: 1.5 km in and out an unmaintained trail

Conditions: Muddy and slippery

Resource: GPS file

It was not easy to spot the start of the walk to the fall from the road. But, the GPS file will do the job. Take your time to find a parking spot on the side of the road. The safe Uturn spot is just about 40 m further.

A little known waterfall but well worth a visit. The waterfall was at its best following recent rain. I dropped into The Perch at Lavers Hill for information about the local caravan park and I was happy to pay $9 for a glass of shandy after few days in wilderness.

Also named as South Chapple Falls (by a local hiker) 

Elliot River Walking Loop

Location: Shelly Beach 

Access: GOR Elliott Road 

Facility: carpark and a long drop loo

Distance: 4 km return, about 1h 30min incl photograph stop at River Mouth

Grade: Easy

Start from the carpark and follow the Elliott River Track down to the mouth of the Elliott River. 

Elliott River Mouth

I walked up the ridge along the track and spot a snake sunbathing in the midle of the forest road. It did not know of my appearance until I made some vibration on the ground by using the trekking pole. Also it seems that we did have some eye contact. Then it moved a bit to the side of the road, stopped and then disappeared. It was between Elliott Ridge GOW Campsite and the GOW turnoff. I continued along the track and returned to the carpark via the management vehicle track.

 

The start of Elliott Ridge Track (part of GOW)

Short Walks over NY 2023-24

Lysterfield Hills

Length: 15.3 km, loop

Moving Time: 4 hrs+ for two hikers over 60s

Grade: Medium

Closest Town: Dandenong 13km

Location: Lysterfield Lake Park. Entrance is on Horswood Road via Belgrave - Hallam Road (C404) and opens from Sunrise to Sunset.

Facilities: Car park, lawn area, BBQ, toilets.. Bins are not provided, so take your rubbish home with you.

From the main car park, follow the path south to the beach picnic area near the dam and cross the dam wall from which there are good views. 

 

GPS route of the walk  and The lake view taken from the dam wall

On the far side of the dam we made a mistake, left the main walking track and took the Snipe Track, a mountain bike track.  If we continued on further on the main track for 200m, we would have reached the well-signed start of the Granite Peak Trail (Tramline Track in Chapman's Day Walks -Victoria). We saw it on the return walk via the Acatia Nature Trail. It was not a technical mistake because the mountain bike track is not far and just paralell to the Granite Peak Trail. I made a compass check before we decided to follow it. There were some complaints from one or two riders those who liked speeding. It was forturnate that the park was reasonably open and so offered us the opportunity to bush bash to a junction where we had lunch and checked out our location, finding that we were close to Hallam North Road Carpark on Glen Track. 

 

From the carpark (with toilets) we followed Valley View Track past Grasy Spur Walk and continued  

northwest about 0.5km until we reached the junction of Lysterfield Hills Track (L) and Quarry Track (R). From here it was a gentle uphill walk for lesss than 1km to the Trig Point Lookout which was well worth the effort.

On the return we followed the Granite Peak Trail and turned left at Cloverdale Track, then walked about 100m and just after crossing the Casuarina Track, we turned right onto Acatia Nature Trail and walked south about 1.5km in order to meet Casuarina Track, where the start of the Granite Peak Trail track could be seen on the other side. Continued on south 200m, we passed Snipe Track, the start of bike trails. 

From here we retraced our steps walking east, crossing the dam wall, ignoring the Lake Track and taking a high route back to carpark

 

The view taken from the dam wall and The walk profile 

Sherbrooke Falls Loop Revisit

via Hackett Track and O'Donohue Track and Lloyds Track

Sherbrooke is a popular area for hikers, picnicers and strollers and then they go to Kallista village, Grants Pinic Ground or Prosperpina bakery for lunch.

 

 

Sassafras Creek, Part of Sassafras to Emerald 

Frank Irvine Reserve (with shelter, parking and toilets) - Kensleys Picnic Ground - Olympic Picnic Ground - Kays Picnic Ground - near the juntion with Upper Coonara Road - Heading back before we reached Beagleys Bridge to avoid a threatening rainstorm and arriving back at carpark just before 4.00pm.

   

 

It was a good walk. Sure that I have hiked it with friends a few times. The echidna that was seen just after a short walk from the start was a bonus. It was not shy for a pose but I was not quick with the setting. The noise from a few strollers nearby scared it.

Photo by Allan, my closest friend and the best for about 2 decades.

BBC 2024 NYE Fireworks in London

Lerderderg Heritage River Walk

Access from Melbourne: 

Drive from Melbourne toward Ballarat on the western freeway (M8), and take the Greendale and Blackwood exist (C318) just about 30km past Bacchus March. Turn right at Greendale roundabout and then left at Simond Reef Road, as you enter Blackwood. Go down Simmonds Reef Rd untill you reach Jack Cann Reserve parking area and then find the sign showing the start of the heritage river walk.

The walk:

GPS track and profile of the Lerderderg Heritage River Walk

This 10.3km circuit walk is located in Wombat State Forest and part of the Great Dividing Trail.  The track is easy/moderate and simple to follow, but you should take care to find the track continuation when crossing roads and cycle tracks.  Compass and/or GPS and a map could be put in good use.   

The track should take around 3 hours of walking at a gentle pace.  There is a 40m drop at the half way point where you can rest on a shaddy and comfortable log beside the river.  On the return journey, you follow the west side of the river and there is a 40m climb back to the car park.

River view point and lunch spot

This is the river view from the photo point on the track

Patches of Ferns on the track side along the river.