CAMP REPORT 

On Tuesday, March 25, 16 walkers gathered at Mt Elephant in Derrinallum on a perfect sunny day. We were a little worried to see fog had settled over the mountain as we approached but it cleared to give us perfect views as we climbed steadily towards, and from, the summit. We were given an introductory talk by Val, who kindly opened the gates and the visitors’ centre for us. Mt Elephant is a perfect scoria cone rising 240 metres above the surrounding volcanic plains with a crater 90 metres deep. The walk to the top was challenging but rewarding while the steep descent was quite slippery but manageable. 

After picking up coffee in Camperdown, our resident expert Graham who is a Friend of Mt Leura, gave us a very informative talk about the work being done to revegetate Mt Leura and Mt Sugarloaf. We had lunch in the shelter as he spoke to us and then we headed off on the Lower Shelter Trail to the Panoramic Circuit which offered views into the crater and across the maar. It is evident that a great deal of work is being done to protect and conserve the environment by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Next we headed to Noorat, the birthplace of Alan Marshall, where we had a steady walk up to the edge of the Mt Noorat crater. This was a very different experience as the crater was so well defined and deep. As the sun had become quite hot and we were all very tired by then, we headed off to Warrnambool for happy hour and a very pleasant shared BBQ in the camp kitchen at Surfside. 

Wednesday, March 26, was a cooler day and perfect for a morning walk on the promenade. We started at the Breakwater and walked to Point Ritchie where we had morning tea. Lovely views of the Hopkins River Mouth and the ocean were enjoyed by all. Our walk of 9.4 kms took us back to the Pavilion cafe where most of us had coffee and/or lunch. A free afternoon was followed by a very good dinner at the Cally Hotel.

Our last day, Thursday March 27, began at Tower Hill which is on the way out of Warrnambool heading towards Port Fairy. We gathered at the picnic area where we were able to see several koalas asleep in the trees while two emus wandered around. Tower Hill sits in a large volcanic crater and volcanic cone shaped hills rise from the lakes. We completed the Last Volcano Loop which gave us some good views towards the ocean and of the lakes and then the Lava tongue boardwalk which gave us a wetlands experience. We enjoyed morning tea at the reserve and dispersed for our drives home.

We were very lucky with perfect weather for the three days. Thanks to everyone for coming and making it such an enjoyable and convivial time. And thanks to Graham, who was so generous in giving us his time and sharing his knowledge.

Next Walk Bunninyong April 10

 

Walk Bunninyong Thursday April 10

Leaders Greg Anderson & Chris Charleson

Meet at 8:20 for an 8:30 departure at the car park, to the rear of Foodworks, Bunninyong.

Plenty of parking there, or nearby in Forest St.

 There are toilets nearby in DeSosa park.

The walk will follow Union Jack Creek, skirting Bunninyong Golf Course. We will use Macs Rd and Webb’s Hill Rd on our circuit of the southern section of the town.

Walking poles will be handy on a couple of short sections. Bring a morning tea snack and drink.  Grade B.

The walk of about 8k is expected to finish by 10:45.

We intend then going to the renamed Marshmallow Jam Cafe- (formerly Dynamite) for refreshments.

 REMINDER 

There will be no scheduled walk on Thursday, March 27 due to the Warrnambool camp.

The next walk will be Thursday, April 10.

13/3 Report

 MT EGERTON Bushwalk, 13 March 2025.

 

15 people met at the Mt Egerton Recreation Reserve to commence this 7.9km circuit walk. The sky was overcast and a light breeze was blowing, making this a very pleasant walking day. We walked along a rough bush track until we came to a corrugated iron shed which housed the Mt Egerton State Gold Battery. This battery was established in 1912 on the site of a former battery, and was supplied by the government to crush quartz for the smaller gold mining operations in the area. It was used until fairly recent times and can be visited once a month for those interested in seeing it in operation.

 

We continued on along the roads and back lanes of Mt Egerton, admiring the houses and occasionally coming across a beautiful distant rural outlook. A sign on the gate of one house perfectly described two of our bushwalkers – check the photos! Despite the recent dry weather, the countryside appeared much greener than Ballarat. We stopped at the Mt Egerton Cemetery (gazetted 1872) for a morning tea break, with a few people wandering around to read the gravestones.

 

After morning tea break, we set off along some bush tracks with a bit of up and downhill involved until we reached the summit of Mt Egerton. The view from the top was restricted by bush and there was a distressing amount of rusty old wire and corrugated iron lying around an old mine shaft on the summit. After the summit we wandered back down (and sometimes up again) until we arrived back at the cars, for lunch together at the Reserve. It was a very pleasant walk with its combination of bush and quiet rural roads. Thanks to Tim & Helen for leading the walk.

 

Anne

Photos of Mt Egerton

 

 March 13 - Mt Egerton Bushwalk

Because of the ongoing closure of the Sailor’s Creek walk, we will walk instead at MT EGERTON.

Meet at Llanberris at 8.20 for an 8.30am departure, or at the Mt Egerton Recreation Reserve at 9am. The Llanberris car park can be found on Eureka St opposite the LT Fraser Reserve. It is near the roundabout on Main Rd. The Recreation Reserve can be entered off Reserve Rd E from Main Rd, Mt Egerton.

Grade: B - mostly unmade road or marked bush tracks. A couple of interesting hills but generally an easy walk. Poles would be useful.

Distance: 8.5kms

Bring morning tea - optional lunch back at the Reserve.

We will walk from the reserve along a rough bush track, past the Mt Egerton State Gold Battery, before crossing Main Rd to some of the lesser known roads of Mt Egerton township. This part of the walk has some very nice views. Having crossed the Yendon Egerton road once more, we will stop for morning tea at the old cemetery, which was first gazetted in 1872. From there we head into the bush and up Mt Egerton before heading back to the reserve, which has toilets and an undercover picnic area for lunch. 

Led by Helen & Tim B.