McMillan Walking Track condition

[andrewbish]

I am planning to walk the section of the McMillan track that runs between Mt Tamboritha and Breakfast Creek (near Wellington River campsite). I have heard that the track is in need of a little TLC at the moment. Can anyone share any recent insights of the track condition? Will I be entering a world of regrowth & fallen trees pain?

Andrew

[andrewbish]

A walking club used to maintain the track, but I don't believe this is happening that frequently in recent times.

[Snowzone]

If your going via Long Hill Plateau and Mt Ligar (the Crinoline), I did it in May this year. The track across the plateau is pretty much non existent but once your past Mt Ligar its good all the way down to the Wellington River.
The regrowth across Long Hill was not too bad, I came up from the Macalister River two years ago via Bruni Knob and Sugarloaf and that was a nightmare of regrowth.

[andrewbish]

Thanks, Snowzone. Still leaves me wondering about the McMillans Track section. I suspect I may have to pack a machete and a Mars bar.

[north-north-west]

Can you let me know when you've done it, andrew? I want to do that loop, too, and it'll be easier if 'someone' has cleared the track a bit.
I haven't been on that section for years - '07 or '08 it would have been - it was clear enough then but there would have been significant regrowth since.

[andrewbish]

Hi NNW Happy to oblige.

[wazzawalkin]

Hi Andrew,

You may get some information from here,
http://members.iinet.net.au/~mtmajor/Mc ... page1.html

Cheers,
Wazza

[andrewbish]

Hi Andrew,
You may get some information from here,
http://members.iinet.net.au/~mtmajor/Mc ... page1.html
Cheers,
Wazza

Good find! Thanks, Wazza.

[andrewbish]

UPDATE: I got to do the Crinoline, Mt Tamboritha, McMillans Trk circuit a few weeks back. The trail is generally very good, though there is some occasional thick growth along Long Hill. The McMillans Trk section is a doddle. The goat scramble onto the top of Mt Ligar was a bit nerve-wracking. Blog with pics to follow soon.

[BillV]

Cool I'm heading there again in a few weeks......Can't wait to see what you got!!........... A few months ago I did a day walk from redbox up the track on the eastern side became very tough going the higher I got and was just following the spine of the spur ..........The full Mc Millans is on my to do list.....

[north-north-west]

UPDATE: I got to do the Crinoline, Mt Tamboritha, McMillans Trk circuit a few weeks back. The trail is generally very good, though there is some occasional thick growth along Long Hill. The McMillans Trk section is a doddle. The goat scramble onto the top of Mt Ligar was a bit nerve-wracking. Blog with pics to follow soon.

Good. As soon as I get a weekend off, I'm up there. (Unless it's before the gates open, in which case I'll be doing the Koonika loop . . . )
Thanks.

[BillV]

Any water issues at the camp at long Hill.......I might head up there this sat for an overnighter.....

[andrewbish]

Any water issues at the camp at long Hill.......I might head up there this sat for an overnighter.....

Hey Bill,
Plenty of water in the creek. It's a short bush bash from the campsite.

[BillV]

That Mate ta

[andrewbish]

Finally found some time to finish my blog of my September circuit of Breakfast Creek - Mt Ligar - Mt Tamboritha - Breakfast Creek. There's heaps of photos.

Andrew

[neilmny]

Finally found some time to finish my blog of my September circuit of Breakfast Creek - Mt Ligar - Mt Tamboritha - Breakfast Creek. There's heaps of photos.

Andrew

Nice blog Andrew!

[Travis22]

Absolutely fantastic trip report and collection of photos Andrew.

Im 100% certain we saw your vehicle parked up while you were out walking.

Love your thermometer lol, -15! That would have been something. The odd found thing looks like its off a weather balloon.

[BillV]

Great write up Andrew............Very much enjoyed that..........

[moorey78]

Hi Just wondering if anyone has been up to Ling hill in last 2 months, mainly wondering if there would be water in the creek this time of year

[north-north-west]

Probably not. I was there in December and the thing was almost dry.
It also gave me gastro, or something similar. First time ever with wild water.

[moorey78]

thanks for the reply, that means i will have to cart a bit or extra water in what was track conditions like in december?

[north-north-west]

The track's fine, if a teensy bit overgrown in one or two spots. I had no issues following it until I did a sidetrip to the high point on Long Hill. What happened from there was entirely my own fault.

[Onestepmore]

Great blog and pics Andewbish

[gbedford]

I did the circuit last weekend.
Haven't been there for 14 years and I was impressed at the regrowth and the lack of visitors.
The track up to the Crinoline is in in good condition but obviously not used that much compared to days gone by. The track from then on is vague compared to the past until nearly at the rock shelter. I missed the old campsite, not that really matters as there are lovely spots on Long Hill.
The track down from Mt. Tamboritha is very scrubby and gets tedious in a prickly manner. Saw many deer.
Gordon

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I hiked the track from Tamboritha saddle to mt Ligar via Long hill plateau and then down to b/fast ck. in May 2012. The track on the plateau was very over grown and a real effing pain to negotiate. It was 1 km per hour style hiking.It was snowing and/or sleeting and raining 1/ 2 the time too !.It was fricking slippery up there too. If you slip and fracture a limb you are buggered !There was plenty of water in the creek at long hill and dry firewood and good campsite a plenty on the Plateau.

[moorey78]

Hi Gordon which area did you see the deer? Do you ever see many hunters up that way?

[gbedford]

I saw the deer in the semi open country walking down the ridge to Breakfast Creek (McMillan track) from Mt tamboritha. The walking is very easy through large tracts of alpine grassland surrounded by snow gums. There are a couple of dams come water holes. I reckon the deer would love it in summer etc. I met hunters this time walking towards Long Hill but not hear Mt Tamboritha. Heard two shot later. When I was there about 14 years ago met hunters out that way also.

[Travis22]

Breakfast creek etc is a popular deer stalking area as is pretty much the entire ANP. Nothing to worry about tho.

Travis.

[neilmny]

I'm beginning to think that deer are everywhere, we regularly see them or
sign (hoof prints and rubbing) of them in the Dandenongs. Probably not the location for
a bit of stalking though....unless with a camera of course.

[Travis22]

Your not wrong Neil. Sambar and Fellow can be found just about everywhere these days in Vic.

Since the 2006/7 fires the deer have bounced back like no other animal out there (that we've seen anyways). They are thriving with the unbelievable amount of re growth following the fires.

Travis.