Bushwalk Australia

Hi all,
This is my first post on this forum. Next weekend a couple of friends and I want to go for a 5 hour day walk and I am not quite sure where to go.
I was originally thinking of heading up to Mt Buffalo but the guy at a outdoors store in the city thought it was too far and suggested the Cathedral Ranges.
I have checked out my copy of "daywalks around Melbourne" and most of the walks in the Cathedral Ranges are described as being either mod/difficult or difficult. Are these
walks too difficult for people who are a tad inexperienced at hiking? We are reasonably new to hiking(my longest walk was the macedon ranges 5hr circut) but are reasonably fit what walks within 2.5hours drive of melbournes eastern suburbs would you guys recommend? My friends have walked the 1000 steps and are looking for something that involves ascents, so far I have considered the Cathedral Ranges, Mt Torbreck, The Yarra Ranges (Donna Buang and Lake Mountain) and Mt Baw Baw. What would you guys recommend? I hope to be able to leave melbourne at 830am, get to the walk at around 11 and finish the walk at about 5-6pm.

Hey the cathedral walks in John chapmans books are harder than they sound.

Their are some great walks around lysterfield and Churchill national parks, the dandenongs has many many walks you could make as long or short as you wanted. What about marysville area?

Just some ideas, cathedrals is in my opinion a hard day walk for someone with moderate experience or very hard for someone with little experience.

Yea I have read about the cathedral ranges walks in glen tempests book and they did look/sound like they are something that I would like to do sometime in the future once I am more experienced but probably too difficult for now. I have also walked in the churchill/lysterfield/sherbrooke forest before and found them good. However we would like to get away from melbourne for a day but not so far that we have not enough time to do a longer day walk, hence the 2 and a half hour driving time from the eastern suburbs. Are the walks in the marysville region still affected from the black saturday fires? I am interested in hiking in some of the higher peaks in the region such as lake mountain but I don't really know of any walks in the area at the moment. What do you think about Mt Trubreck? In the park notes the walk seems to be a little short and I wonder if there are any other tracks that I can use to extend the walk to a good 5 hour walking time.

The only way to extend Torbreck is to scrub-bash along the ridge and that's probably not a good idea if you're that inexperienced. Baw Baw is a better Idea. The hike up to Erica is good, or from Baw Baw village across to St Phillacks and then to St Gwinnear and back.

The Cathederals are good, but just allow yourself some time to get from A to B.

If you did want to tackle them, half traverses are a good day. Example, from Cooks Mill to Sugarloaf via the Messmate Track, then over the Razorback, dropping off the Farmyard, then the St Bernards track to Cooks Mill. Or, from Neds Gully to Cooks Mill via the Little River Track, then to the Farmyard, over the Jawbones to Cathederal, down to Neds Gully.

That said, if youre new to hiking, the Razorback would more than likely be off limits, as it is very challenging in spots, and quite airy. To get an idea of what I mean, just check out some of my pics here - http://gonebushmad.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/defeat-at-mt-sugarloaf-and-razorback.html

I've been to the Cathedrals a number of times, and whilst my last trip was challenging over the Razorback, the other half of the traverse over the Jawbones is not that hard, just tiring if anything, and rocky underfoot. The scrub is not that bad, just wear long pants. Navigation is also very easy.

north-north-west wrote:Baw Baw is a better Idea. The hike up to Erica is good, or from Baw Baw village across to St Phillacks and then to St Gwinnear and back.

I'd agree with this. Baw Baw is a great place as well, walked extensively over the plateau in the past. Its well graded, tracks are good and easy to follow, and there are plenty of day walks up there, and some easy overnighters if you're keen. Its one of the places where I first got started 30 or so years ago. Just be prepared, as it is above the snow line, and temps can get a tad extreme, even in summer.

Other day walks near Melbourne that I'd call worthy:

-Lerderderg Gorge Scenic Rim
-Werribbe Gorge Circuit
-The You Yangs

...and there are heaps more out there, but all depends on how far you want to travel. Lots of good day walks around Mt Buller, however that's a fair hike in the car, but some speccy walking. And again, depends on how comfortable you would be spending time above the tree line.

Enjoy!

What about Baw Baw from Mt Erica towards mushroom rocks......or is that too far?

A

+1 for Baw Baw, Werribee Gorge (although only 3 hours, you can make it 5 with adding the Centenary Track. But it's 3 hours at a good pace, no idea how fast you walk), there's also Cape Woolamai, some walks at Lake Eildon, etc... The Cathedral Ranges are not only physical, they are at times very scrubby, hence can be tricky to navigate in. The rewards aren't that great for that kind of effort compared to other walks. The Brisbane Ranges are also worth it, with the Ted Errey nature circuit, but again it's only 3 hours.

Having done a longish day walk in the area, I was planning an overnighter at Lake Eildon (Blowhard Spur to Mountaineer Inlet) this weekend but the ranger told me they are planning to burn that area, lighting up on Friday, so I guess it's off the agenda. I'm now looking at The Bluff or somewhere like that out of Sheepyard Flat/Mansfield - plenty of good longer day walks there. Mt Stirling is a good option as well for day walks - easy navigation and walking and good views.

Hi Skychild & welcome to the forum.

+1 for return walks to Mt Baw Baw, either from the Mt Erica or Mt St Gwinear car parks.

The Cathedrals has a variety of walks. Some are more challenging than others, but none are beyond a person with at least average fitness.
- The walk from Neds Gully to Little Cathedral and back can be done in 4-5 hours. The track is well marked. You have a stiff climb up to the ridgeline, but I wouldn't worry about it - I've seen young children going up it.
- The loop from Cooks Mill to Sugarloaf Saddle, the Farmyard, then back to Cooks Mill will take a full day (8-10 hours), with a mixture of trail, road walking, and some fun rock scrambling.

The Estate Spur walk at Lake Eildon is another nice way to spend 3-4 hours. Main challenge is the stiff climb onto the spur.

The Lerderderg Gorge has some interesting walks.

There are a ton of interesting looking walks in the 'Daywalks Around Melbourne' book. I have been planning to do more of them, but keep putting them off in favour of overnighters.

Andrew

Earwig wrote:...........I was planning an overnighter at Lake Eildon (Blowhard Spur to Mountaineer Inlet)..............

This is a spot I've had on my to do list since I started getting fitter (and unfatter). Just a nice distance and a hard enough start to really get the heart pumping.
Have done both the circuits starting up Merlot Spur then down Keg Spur or to Cook Point the other way. Great views well worth it.

andrewbish wrote:The Estate Spur walk at Lake Eildon is another nice way to spend 3-4 hours. Main challenge is the stiff climb onto the spur.

Well worth the wander, in fact you can add going around past Point Mead along the lake shore to Bolte Bay then up from Point Mibus.
This was the first pack walk I did about 18 months ago. Great views well worth it.

Thanks for all the help guys, I am thinking that I will likely go with a walk in the baw baw area. What are my options on mt bawbaw? I think Mt Erica looks good and I was wondering if there is a way I can do it as part of a circut or will I have to walk from the carpark as a return type walk. Another question I have regarding Mt Erica is, is it possible to walk from the Mt Erica carpark to Mt St Gwinear and back in a day walk? I guess these are all the questions of a newbie.

In the future I want to go to the cathedrals as well as the lederderg gorge/brisbane ranges. Another thing that my friend and I are interested in is getting fitter. What would you guys consider to be a good walk to test fitness (not for this weekend but as something I can do when I get more experience hiking)? I am interested in ultimately being able to do some long climbs in the high country such as Mt Feathertop from harrietville and Mt Donna Buang from Warburton.

SkyChild wrote:Thanks for all the help guys, I am thinking that I will likely go with a walk in the baw baw area. What are my options on mt bawbaw? I think Mt Erica looks good and I was wondering if there is a way I can do it as part of a circut or will I have to walk from the carpark as a return type walk. Another question I have regarding Mt Erica is, is it possible to walk from the Mt Erica carpark to Mt St Gwinear and back in a day walk? I guess these are all the questions of a newbie.

Walking from the Mt Erica carpart to St Gwinear and return, probably possible for those who can move fast, but it'd be a very fast trip, and you'd miss the best the place has to offer. Generally, I'd do the return over two days.

Could walk in as a return from BawBaw, that would probably be a better day walk.

SkyChild wrote:In the future I want to go to the cathedrals as well as the lederderg gorge/brisbane ranges. Another thing that my friend and I are interested in is getting fitter. What would you guys consider to be a good walk to test fitness (not for this weekend but as something I can do when I get more experience hiking)? I am interested in ultimately being able to do some long climbs in the high country such as Mt Feathertop from harrietville and Mt Donna Buang from Warburton.

To test your fitness, I honestly think there is nothing better than a return trip up Bogong via the Staircase Spur. It is a bit of a slog, but not that bad if you have a light day pack.

When I weighed 110kg's (years ago!!), I did up and down in time for lunch. Its one of the best walks in the state in my opinion.

I know many people do a return up and down Bungalow Spur to Mt Feathertop, but you're looking at over 20kms for a day, with half of that being a very long climb. A good test of fitness, but a very long one.

If the long climb scares you off a bit, the climb up Link Spur 1 at Lerderderg is a good test, its short and steep (around 2kms I think), exciting, but gives you a quick idea of how your body will handle a real climb.

A day walk from Neds Gully to the summit of Mt Cathederal is quite easy too, and avoids the worst the mountain has to offer (its really quite an easy walk doing it this way), and would give you a good idea of how fit you are.

Other climbs in and near Melbourne for fitness might be the climb up the front of Mt Dandenong from the end of Sheffield Road, and Mt Juliet past Healesville, if you're up for some serious punishment.

What is the walk in from Baw Baw like? I had a look on the vicmaps map of the area and it looks like there are ski runs everywhere. Does the walk travel through forest or alpine scrubland or is it all cleared for the ski season? Also what are the track conditions like up there on the baw baw plateau. I have been looking at various tracks up there on the VicMaps 1:30000 computer print out map of the region but I have no idea what their condition would be like.

I like the sound of climbing Mt Feathertop using the spurs on the Harrietville side of the mountain. I have had an interest in mountaineering and adventure from a young age (I have never been mountaineering mind you) and the idea of walking from as close to sea level as possible to the summit is an attraction to me. I think it will have to wait until I am more experienced and fit. After BawBaw I am thinking of doing the Mt Tanglefoot circut that apparantly has a good look out of the yarra valley. The only thing that puts me off at this stage about the forest walks is leeches, I once did an ecology unit at uni and had to do a species map in the forest near Powelltown and I was well and truly creeped out by all the leeches that would crawl towards us whenever we stopped walking to look at something. They were something I hadn't had much experience with before.
But all in all I am looking to do walks in all different environment all around victoria with a focus on walks in mountainous areas and walks in forested areas. So far the most enjoyable walk I have done is the Mt Macedon circut, where you park your car in the town of macedon and walk straight up the south face of mt macedon to the memorial cross before walking to the camel hump and sanatorium lake.

This might be helpful http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets ... winear.pdf

SkyChild wrote:What is the walk in from Baw Baw like? ...

Well, it's like this..



..and this..



..and this..



..and much more!

I recommend you go in via the Mt St Gwinear car park. Get there nice and early then walk to Mt Baw Baw and return. Pop over to Walhalla for an olde worlde experience afterwards.

George Bass Coast is quite nice; but car shuffle may be needed. There is also the option to take public transport back to the start.

Yeah George bass is a nice one too and there are a few little variations if you want to return to your starting point........A nice little walk is from Mortimier Picnic ground in Bunyip S/F to Four Brothers Rocks.....You can shuffle that as well or do a loop via Link track and Tree Fern to Nicholls hut trk and on the return follow Nicholls trk To Ferres trk back to Mortimier.......There are a quite a few attractive short walks, day walks and overnighters in Bunyip and most of it is in the moderate to easy range......Andrew.......Took the kids to Rock shelter via Gwinear as an overnighter and got back yesterday.......The Baw Baws are a beautiful place and now have my kids seal of approval....

SkyChild wrote:What is the walk in from Baw Baw like?

Some part of the AAWT on the Baw Baw is always overgrown, but it's still an easy track to follow. And the track from the ski village is even easier. Part forest, part heathland, you don't see much of the skiing infrastructure once you're away from the village itself.
Erica carpark to St Gwinnear is a good daywalk if you know the place. I've gone as far as Baw Baw from the carpark and back on a long summer's day with a very early start, but it's a two-dayer in the snow.

Feathertop from Harrietville's great but it's not really for the inexperienced, and even more so now after the fires. But if you're prepared to drive that far there are a number of good loops and out-and-backs that can be done in the Hotham area. Even more from Falls.

Wait until June and it can also look like this (those were the first snows, so no tire chains required to get up there and it was fine to walk in without any equipment) :

I ended up going on a daywalk in the Baw Baw NP, we walked from the Mt Erica carpark to the ruins of the hut just past Mt Erica. It was pretty nice and parts of the track before Mushroom Rocks felt to be a little overgrown. It was quite warm up there so I didn't end up needing all the clothing I had worn. Another point of interest was the two snake I had seen. One was a banded snake that was small and slithered from under a step and did a u-turn in the bracken at the side of the path and just watched us walk past. The other one was a very dark brown snake that was at mushroom rocks that my friend didn't notice and almost stepped on which reared up about 15cm flicking its tongue until my friend was 4 metres away and then put its head down and went away into the undergrowth. I think that the snake was an eastern brown because it looked exactly like the photo of a dark eastern brown on wikipedia and it was solid coloured. What snakes do you guys know to frequent the baw baw np. Another thing I noticed was a hell of a lot of logging going on as soon as you left the NP. It seems a shame because they are really spectacular forests up there.

The hut you mention is Talbot hut which I think burnt down in the 1939 fires....I've come across Redbellied Black, Tiger and Eastern brown Snakes in the General Baw Baw, upper Tanjil, Tyres and Thompson areas.......There is plenty of logging going on in the area so be watchful for trucks .......There's nothing worse than comming around a blind corner and looking straight at a bullbar comming from the other direction.....

SkyChild wrote:.. One was a banded snake ..........

This banded snake was most likely a Tiger Snake.........poisonous in fact both the snakes you met were poisonous.
Don't underestimate the toxicity of a small snake. They aren't as able to bite something as large as a human but the poison is just as deadly.
Tiger snakes are not always banded.

Yeah when I did the walk there were a couple of fallen trees, dunno if they're still here. A lot of mud too at the start of the Mt Erica track. It's a good thing the mushroom rocks are here, because there are simply no views at Mt Erica, many people stop at the rocks.

neilmny wrote:

SkyChild wrote:.. One was a banded snake ..........

This banded snake was most likely a Tiger Snake.........poisonous in fact both the snakes you met were poisonous.
Don't underestimate the toxicity of a small snake. They aren't as able to bite something as large as a human but the poison is just as deadly.
Tiger snakes are not always banded.

Venomous. Poison and venom are different things.
But yeah, most likely a Tiger. You get a lot of them in the alpine and sub-alpine areas, but they're hardly ever an issue, just give them a bit of room and they'll bugger off into the bush. Lot of Whitelip Whips too but, despite being technically venomous, they're no danger to humans.

I have ended up going walking at the Cathedral ranges. I came across a very spiny plant that covers the walking track in the sections near the cathedral. Does anyone here know what this plant is?

French Island N. P. is worth a visit for an easy day walk.

Back to Baw Baw for a second.
What would the better half day walk be out of these two? Considering I will have 2 under the age 6 with me.
Mt Erica Carpark to Mushroom Rocks and return, or,
Mt St Gwinear carpark to Mt St Gwinear and return.

Thanks in advance.

Dale.

trickos wrote:Back to Baw Baw for a second.
What would the better half day walk be out of these two? Considering I will have 2 under the age 6 with me.
Mt Erica Carpark to Mushroom Rocks and return, or,
Mt St Gwinear carpark to Mt St Gwinear and return.

Thanks in advance.

Dale.

Mushroom Rocks is the easiest of the two, being 3km return with an elevation gain of about 140m. Mt St G is 6km return with an elevation gain of about 210m. The latter has some views to the NE. About five minutes further past Mt St G there are also good views into Gwinear Flat to the NW. You can easily pick up a pad down to North Cascade Creek, a nice spot for lunch perhaps. There are no views on the AAWT to Mushroom Rocks but children might enjoy the boulders.

I walked the Mt Sugarloaf/mason's falls/running creek track back to Mt Sugarloaf circuit hike last week at the Kinglake N.P.
It is a great 4 hour hike that has some steep up and down hill sections.

paidal_chaine_vala: Has that Kinglake NP circuit officially reopened? If not, what's it like?