Walk Report

 Walk Report July 25.

On a cold, damp morning, 24 walkers, including new member, Barbara Whitfield, enjoyed a warm train ride to our destination. At the station, there is an excellent, visual, presentation on the gold rush. The story is told from the indigenous perspective and highlights the effect on them, and the environment, as the country changed from sheep station to bustling mining town, then to an established, permanent settlement.

Leaving the station, we were able to fully appreciate the grandeur of the 1890, Queen Anne style building. Initially, it appeared to have been placed in the middle of nowhere and there were accusations from Maryborough in QLD that it was supposed to be theirs. However, this was a genuine case of forward planning to serve as a junction for all Western Victorian rail routes.

Lunch was taken in the amphitheatre near the station, in sight of the 1890 School of Mines building, now the home of the Central Highlands Shire Council. We then walked through the Phillips Botanical Gardens into the city, passing the Bull and Mouth Hotel, then into McLandress Square and its trio of significant buildings – the Town Hall, Post Office and Court House. 

We visited the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, occupying the 1861 Fire Station with its heritage listed belltower, where Coordinator, Helen Kaptein, gave a short talk. Over the road is an old brick building that was identified as the Court of Mines, the oldest public building in the city. Built of local, yellow, Porphyry Stone, it is now classified by the National Trust.

We continued to Princes Park and it’s very grand, Grandstand. The park hosts the annual Maryborough Highland Gathering in January each year. Now in its 161st year, it is Australia’s oldest, continuous running cultural event.  We then returned to the station for a welcome afternoon tea in the glorious 19th Century dining room.

Many thanks to Chris for his knowledgeable, informative guidance and Maria for her valuable assistance. 

Helen 

Tours of the station can be booked by contacting the infomation centre on 54604511. $5 

Maryborough Photos

 

You Yangs Aug 8

 

Bushwalkers U3A BallaratR 

Sunday 28 July 2024 

 

Next walk: 

You Yangs Walk 8 August 2024 

Leaders Maria Grigg and Marlene Bell 

Meet at the carpark behind the supermarket in Buninyong at 9:20 for a 9:30 start. If the carpark is busy you can park in Forest St. Directions to the You Yangs will be available on the day. We will be driving via Meredith, Anakie and Steiglitz to the Turntable carpark. Car pool: $10. 

This time we will follow the Branding Yard Trail circuit walk from the Turntable carpark. This is an easy 5 km track, with a very short rocky section at the start and then a medium gradient connecting to the trial, making it a Level B. On the way we will pass several large outcrops of granite rocks and then walk through quiet and varied shrub and dry woodlands. Surprisingly, in this dry landscape, we will come across a series of waterholes (still holding very little water today!). We will also pass the impressive Bunjil geoglyph rock sculpture, where we will stop for a banana break, and we will also see the effects of bushfire and invading plant species. Total walking time 1.5 to 2 hours.  

We will them have a picnic lunch in the Turntable carpark area, where toilets are also available. For a longer walk after lunch some of you might like to climb partway up to Flinders Peak to get a better view of Bunjil!  

Bring morning tea and lunch. 

 

U3A BALLARAT BUSHWALKING CAMP

OCTOBER 8, 9 &10 2024 – BENDIGO

 

STAY

Big 4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park

761 McIvor Highway

Junortoun 3551

Telephone: 5449 3335

parklaneholidayparks.com.au

There are plenty of options in this caravan park for sharing accommodation should you wish to do so. If you have a caravan, that is another option for you. It is strongly suggested that you book as soon as possible as the Big 4 parks tend to be popular.

This is, of course, a suggestion so feel free to make your own arrangements.

Please let Helen Bosher know before Friday, July 26, if you are coming and have made your accommodation arrangement OR if you are coming and would like to know who else would be willing to share. A list will then be put on the blog. This will also help with car sharing arrangements.

TUESDAY, OCT 8

Meet in Maldon at 9.45am for a 10am start.

We will do the Maldon and Mt Tarrengower circuit walk, which is about 8km and rated as easy/moderate.

The walk includes a visit to the North British Mine and then a steady climb on well worn 4 wheel drive tracks to the summit. There are some challenging uphill sections but the view is well worth it. If anyone is not feeling energetic, there is the option to drive to the summit and walk down. At the top are a fire lookout and spectacular views. Descent into Maldon is on well marked trails but they are narrower and poles would be handy.

Bring morning tea and lunch.

After the walk, we will continue into Bendigo and our accommodation. Happy hour at 5pm and a shared BBQ in the camp kitchen.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 9

We will walk the Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 Park. This is an approximately 7km circuit walk on a gentle, flat track.

This area is surrounded by the Greater Bendigo National Park, the larger Crusoe reservoir providing natural, cultural and recreational features, while the smaller Number 7 is an important part of Bendigo’s mining history. The reservoir and water purification system provided water to Bendigo’s miners of the 1860s.

Bring morning tea and lunch which we can have at the Number 7 park.

Dinner can be cooked in your cabin or come to the Old Boundary Hotel on 2 Milroy St, Bendigo for a very generous and delicious pub meal.

THURSDAY, OCT 10

Today we will join the Bendigo U3A bushwalking group for a 9km circuit walk in the Diamond Hill area. They have very kindly invited us to join their regular Thursday walk.

They usually meet at 8.15 for an 8.30am start and this walk will require a short drive to the start. They expect it to take around 2 hours. Bring morning tea.

OTHER OPTIONS

The Information Bureau has lots of pamphlets about interesting things to do in Bendigo, including:

Walk and cycle scenic trails of Bendigo

Discover heritage buildings of Bendigo

Bendigo Botanic Gardens

The Great Stupa

 

Please let Helen Bosher know if you will be attending our October camp on 0425 708 918 or helbosh@gmail.com

Keep in mind the need to organise accommodation as soon as possible.

Maryborough Walk July 25

 Town Walking Tour of Maryborough. Leaders Chris Charleson and Maria Grigg.

We will travel on the 10:47 Maryborough train from Ballarat. We’ll reserve seats for you.Note that this train goes on directly through Creswick, not Wendouree.

Allow time to get a paper return ticket as Maryborough is not served by Myki. 

If car parking at the station is scarce, try the area around the corner of Seymour and Neill St for all day parking.

On arrival at Maryborough just before midday, we will initially go to the station Visitor’s Centre for a brief audio-visual presentation on the history of Gold Exploration in the area.

We suggest that you bring a picnic lunch that we can have at the nearby covered amphitheatre.

Then we commence the town walk, taking in the Botanic Gardens, Goldrush Architecture, the small but stylish Art Gallery and a spooky grandstand.

We will return to the station in time for afternoon tea or maybe a better look around the building and info.centre. A flat walk of  3+k altogether.

The return train leaves b 3:00 for our return by 4.

Latest walk report.

Walk Report July 11.

A lucky 13 assembled by the rotunda at the start of the Dementia Trail, to explore the 10,000  Step Trail Walk. This circuit is still a work in progress and, when completed, will connect various features of the Woowookarung Regional Park. These will include the Dementia Trail, Lookout, Grass Tree Nature Trail and the Ampitheatre. 

Before setting off, Chris gave us a talk on these developments and the effect the invasive Cinnamon Fungus is having on the flora of the area, particularly the Grasstrees.  Despite the howling gale, we sallied forth into the bush and were welcomed by the sight of the native, common heath, white, pink and dark pink flowers, brightening up the forest. Signs of the gold rush were evident with shafts and debris beside the track.

We then entered the Grasstree Nature Trail where the effect of the Cinnamon Fungus was obvious. The introduced Phytophthora cinnamomi, is a soil-borne water mould that produces an infection which causes "dieback", or "root rot", and can spread rapidly, especially in damp conditions. The fungus was identified in Indonesia, on Cinnamon trees. Bushwalkers can spread it by allowing moist soil and plant material to stick to footwear, hence the boot baths we have encountered on various walks.

 

Despite the buffeting wind, we enjoyed the stunning views to the west, before traversing the area known as the Ampitheatre.  After a welcome banana break at the Rest Spot at the Recreation Rd. end of the Bunny Trail, we made our way back to the cars via Penny Leaf Trail.

 

Thank you Chris for a very informative, interesting and enjoyable walk and Tim for his excellent whipship.

 

Helen Mc. 

 

The following information, was provided by Chris and Jeff from Friends of Canadian Corridor.

 

In 2017 a 10000 step trail was proposed by the FoCC in a submission to the Woowookarung Regional Parks Master Plan consultation. The proposed 10000-step trail was to link the Lookout, Amphitheatre and a possible picnic ground.

The Woowookarung Regional Parks Strategic Directions Plan 2018 adopted the request and described the trail as: Central circuit (The 10,000 Steps). This circuit also forms the 10,000 Steps circuit, which is proposed to connect many of the exciting and unique features of the park.

 

Photos from Woorookarung