Starting from the carpark on Ballarto Road, Frankston, this walk loops within the The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve via the Milkwort, Panorama, Hakea Ridge and Sword Sedge tracks. If you like natural bush, then a walk through here is a must. The area is very large, and you could easily spend hours exploring the network of walking tracks. The reserve is ideal for activities such as nature studies, photography, dog walking and family picnics. It is a very important area for native fauna, particularly small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Echindas, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, foxes and rabbits can all be found in the reserve along with Eastern Brown, Tiger and Copperhead snakes. The tracks are made of gravel and sand, and there are signposts at the intersections. Dogs are allowed on-lead in the reserve. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Keep left onto Peninsula Link On Ramp and drive for another 1.9 km
Keep left onto Frankston - Dandenong Road Off Ramp and drive for another 350 m
Continue onto Frankston - Dandenong Road Off Ramp and drive for another 135 m
Turn right onto Frankston-Dandenong Road, 9 and drive for another 600 m
Turn sharp left onto Ballarto Road and drive for another 1.7 km
Turn right and drive for another 90 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 65 m pass the car park (8 m on your left).
After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
After another 25 m pass the shelter (6 m on your left).
Continue straight.
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 135 m veer left, to head along Peninsula Link Trail.
After another 185 m (at the intersection of Peninsula Link Trail & Lomandra Track) continue straight, to head along Peninsula Link Trail.
After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Peninsula Link Trail.
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Wetland Track & Peninsula Link Trail) continue straight, to head along Wetland Track (a vehicle track).
After another 150 m head through the tunnel (about 50 m long)
After another 345 m turn left.
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Link Track.
After another 450 m turn right.
After another 170 m (at the intersection of Milkwort Track & Trigger Plant Track) veer right, to head along Milkwort Track (a vehicle track).
After another 345 m (at the intersection of Boundary Track & Milkwort Track) continue straight, to head along Boundary Track (a highway|cycleway).
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Boundary Track & Panorama Track) continue straight, to head along Panorama Track (a vehicle track).
After another 65 m veer left, to head along Panorama Track.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Sheoak Track & Panorama Track) continue straight, to head along Panorama Track.
After another 235 m continue straight, to head along Panorama Track.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Panorama Track & Heathland Track) continue straight, to head along Panorama Track.
After another 275 m (at the intersection of Hakea Ridge Track & Panorama Track) veer left, to head along Hakea Ridge Track.
After another 100 m turn right.
After another 210 m continue straight.
After another 60 m veer left, to head along Boundary Track.
After another 285 m (at the intersection of Boundary Track & Hakea Ridge Track) continue straight, to head along Boundary Track.
After another 260 m (at the intersection of Boundary Track & Link Track) continue straight, to head along Link Track.
After another 205 m continue straight.
After another 140 m veer right, to head along Hakea Ridge Track.
After another 95 m (at the intersection of Mannagum Track & Hakea Ridge Track) turn sharp right, to head along Mannagum Track.
After another 165 m turn left.
After another 225 m (at the intersection of Sword Sedge Track & Heathland Track) turn right, to head along Sword Sedge Track.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Dune Track & Sword Sedge Track) continue straight, to head along Sword Sedge Track.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Sword Sedge Track & Trigger Plant Track) veer right, to head along Sword Sedge Track.
After another 230 m (at the intersection of Link Track & Sword Sedge Track) turn left, to head along Link Track (a highway|cycleway).
After another 185 m (at the intersection of Link Track & Swamprat Track) turn right, to head along Swamprat Track (a walking track).
After another 540 m turn left.
After another 205 m turn right.
After another 20 m turn right, to head along Wetland Track.
After another 550 m (at the intersection of Peninsula Link Trail & Wetland Track) continue straight, to head along Peninsula Link Trail (a highway|cycleway).
After another 235 m continue straight, to head along Peninsula Link Trail.
After another 115 m (at the intersection of Peninsula Link Trail & Lomandra Track) continue straight, to head along Peninsula Link Trail.
After another 185 m veer right.
After another 135 m continue straight.
After another 8 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 55 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve Loop
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
7.5 km
Time
2 h to 3 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)