On the weekend of Sept 12 – 14, thirty-one walkers descended upon the township of Yea and the Riverside Caravan Park, but that’s fine, they were warned and prepared for us. I have always thought that the lovely Yea township is warranted of an exclamation mark after its name. Yea! Whereas Yarck possibly warrants a question mark.
Two days of walks within the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, a park situated in the northern end of the Toolangi State Forest were on the agenda. Comprising 1,068 hectares in size, featuring a mixed species of Eucalypt Forest, tree ferns, cascading waterfalls and wildlife awaited our eager group.
For some the experience of a club weekend walk was novel. First timer Shannon who travelled with us was so excited that she forgot her suitcase when she arrived at our home and had to go back to hers and collect it. Then about 30 minutes into our journey she realised that her handbag with her money, and phone, was left behind in her car. Although penniless and technology poor, she was about to enjoy her time immensely.
We met Friday evening at 8pm in the caravan park’s meeting room for a briefing about Saturday’s walks. It was a wonderful little space for twenty people. Not so great for thirty enthusiastic walkers who at times have difficulty containing their excitement. I can only imagine the exhilaration of some members if given a Kinder Surprise treat!
Three walks were planned. One involved the complete Murrindindi River Walk of about 12km, a shortened version of the same walk at about 8km, and a mix of the river walk and the Boroondara Loop, which involved an ascent to the Wilhelmina Falls, to create an adventure of almost 17km.
Meeting at 8am the next day the group assembled for the drive to the scenic Reserve. The request of a later start was denied the night before, and as the morning progressed it was for good reasons. Saturday began with all walks starting at the Cascades Picnic Area located at the southern end of the Reserve.
To facilitate the three different walks from the same location, but with three different end points, required 10 cars, an essential car shuffle and pre-planning that was bewildering to many, including myself, and I was the one who supposedly knew what was happening. Fortunately, Jeanette fact checked everything the night before.
At the starting point I managed to assemble everyone into the largest circle that we have had for some time for introductions and final instructions. This was no easy feat without the assistance of trained sheep dogs. Heaven knows what casual member Kathryn thought of it all up to this point. Each group proceeded down steep steps to the cascades. This is a pleasant section of the Murrindindi River, flowing swiftly over rocks, and creating a wondrous sound amongst the dense vegetation.
From here the trail was a steady descent for about 2km. It wasn’t long before each of the three groups spread out, and members of those groups even more so. Morning tea was taken by some walkers around 10.30am.
The long walk group had split into smaller groups. Walking along the track Neil was happily photographing many fungi and encountered a wild orchid. It then dawned upon me that I wasn’t positive that there was a footbridge for the short walk group to cross the river to the car at their end point, Water Gauge Camp. Some panic set in, and then Jeanette and I did a double time march to get to the road to re-evaluate the situation. I passed some of our group having morning tea and explained my “Houston, we have a problem” moment.
Fortunately, we met some campers at Bull Creek Road and its Campsite, with one who has visited the area for twenty years assuring me there was a footbridge at the Water Gauge Camp where the short walk was due to finish. As it turned out I hadn’t needed to worry because they decided to end their walk early at this road, and instigated their own Plan B.
At the Bull Creek Road there is a bridge which you must cross to then continue along the river walk trail. Jeanette and I missed this during our reconnoitre in April and spent 15 minutes aimlessly wandering around Bull Creek Camp, located adjacent to the road, looking for an obvious trail and signage.
Our long walk group continued after a sizeable break. At some point on this trail Murray spotted a lyre bird. That’s his secret for wildlife encounters. Get out in front and walk quietly. It was to be the first of three he would observe. It must be his after shave that attracts them.
The river trail encompasses several foot bridges, some short steep hills, occasional steps through a variety of open forest to damp fern gullies. It genuinely is a picturesque walk. We approached the well signed Water Gauge Camp and noticed the footbridge amongst the bush. Along the way we spotted a large wallaby on the other side of the creek that was adopting the approach of, “if I don’t move a muscle, you can’t see me”. But we could.
Near the 10km mark we turned to begin the Wilhelmina Falls ascent. Lunch was taken at a picnic table, but the supposed view of the Falls on various maps was non-existent. But as it was pointed out to me later, no-one climbed on top of the table to see if the view was from that vantage point. After lunch we walked up for about one kilometre, and then some of us went in to view the Falls which is at about the midpoint of their drop. It’s a popular spot for all hikers. Except for those that miss this detour on the trail.
Continuing to the top of the Falls, we rested again before the final four km leg of the trail, which completes the Boroondara Loop. There was still some uphill to be walked, and then a long strenuous descent that my calf muscles would remind me of for days to come about this day’s activity. Our group finally reached the end, which required a short walk along Falls Creek Road to the car at the Ferns Camp. [Michael Braendler]
Elsewhere along the trail, Chris was taking his happy hikers the entire length of the river walk, and Rod walking with the shorter group. Here’s a brief description of their encounters.
After marvelling at the cascades, the ‘easy’ walkers set off. It was a cool morning here in the towering forest. Down, down we walked leaving the river. Eight of us delighted by the lichen gardens on fallen trees, at the curling of new ferns and the lovely track. An old timber track we all thought, and an old jinker, complete with log, confirmed our thoughts.
Lunch was beside the river, sitting at picnic tables that Helen said were ‘luxury’. The steady haul back up hill gave Adrian an opportunity to show his skill with poles. With head down, elbows like pistons, poles pumping he conquered it.
The ’easybeats’ completed a seven-kilometre walk of outstanding beauty. [Rod Davis]
Fourteen walkers chose the medium option for our first day of the Yea Weekend, 12 girls and two guys. Setting off for our 12km walk from the Murrindindi Cascades, we were instantly agog at the lush vegetation, and its variety – particularly the ferns. The route followed an undulating pathway, and there was as much interest in the landforms, as there was in the vegetation.
Some long climbs kept us quiet for a few minutes, but then the chatter resumed.
Birdlife kept us amused, with many lyrebirds scurrying around, and several amazing groups of black cockatoos flying past us. Morning tea was held after a few kilometres, and then lunch was at the Water Gauge Camp, followed by the last four kilometres of our journey to the suspension bridge. All we needed to do now was to complete the car shuttle and retrieve three cars from The Cascades.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk – a must to repeat next year. It was a tiring walk, but we all felt at peace with nature afterwards. All campgrounds that we passed were quite busy, and some of these campers were also bushwalkers, completing short there-and-back walks. [Chris McLaughlin]
Each walking group successfully completed their Saturday hikes, found a seat in a car and made their way back to the caravan park. Happy hour began around 5pm on the banks of the Yea River outside some of the cabins. Dinner was at the Country Club Hotel where most of the group walked to that evening.
Day two of walks began at the more civilised meeting time of 9am. Prior to this Jeanette spotted a platypus outside our cabin hastily swimming along with the current. Today some members would elect for touring of the area in place of another walk. This included the Yea Wetlands and Cheviot Tunnel.
Those still prepared for another day of walking had two options, the 10km Mill Loop Track, or to the Wilhelmina Falls viewpoint that does exist and return, making about an 8km hike. Each walk began at the northern end of the Reserve, beginning at the Suspension Bridge Day area, and would finish at the same spot without requiring any car shuffle. Hooray!
Here is Marita’s description about the medium walk to the Falls.
On the Sunday 10 of us completed the medium walk, of 8 km. The walk meandered along the Murrindindi River, then turned away from the river and headed up through the bush, climbing along a rocky path until we arrived at the Wilhelmina Falls. The Falls were flowing well as we’ve had rain. This was the half waypoint, and we enjoyed a break here. Some of us walked further up to get different views of the Falls, but I think everyone agreed that the best views were from the bottom, looking up at the Falls.
After the break we walked back the same way we came, through the beautiful bush with wattle still flowering, and tall timber. [Marita Samuelsson]
The Mill Track group set off on our journey. After a short time, I spotted a wombat in bush alongside of the track. We startled each other, and the wombat took a little tumble over some vegetation. The wombat afforded me a photograph, before moving leisurely on its way, and was gone by the time the rest of the group caught up. Murray too, was gone at this stage. Obviously keen to attract more lyrebirds out of their hiding places.
Along the river the Mill Track is lush and green. Higher up there is more dead wood, and leaves strewn about. Eventually it meets Jacksons Road after about two km. It was here that morning tea was taken. Brigitte was feeling satisfied. The hard uphill section was now complete. Unfortunately, she was reading her map incorrectly and we had the same distance of ascent ahead of us. Jacksons Road is more exposed to the elements than other trails, and it was a bit windy as we sauntered on.
During much of the walking over the weekend there were many fallen trees on the walking tracks. It was either a less than gracious climb over them, or for the more flexible among us, a limbo underneath. As we neared the end of our walk along Jacksons Road a huge fallen tree presented itself. No vehicle would be passing beyond this point. We proceeded over the tree, and onwards soon encountered our trail that would lead back through the bush to the top of the Wilhelmina Falls.
An abundance of healthy ferns grew along this part of the trail. It was at this moment a lyrebird darted metres in front of our group. Murray, Brigitte, Shannon and I all getting a glimpse of the bird scuttling away into the bush with it nowhere to be seen after that. At the top of Wilhelmina Falls some young walkers with their lovely young dog greeted us despite the Reserve being ‘a no dogs allowed’ park. This was the perfect lunch spot, as the sun did its best to break through clouds.
The next part of the trail was the descent down the Falls Track. Sturdy steel ladders, and the occasional posts and chains, not always so sturdy, helped navigate the more difficult sections. A large steel platform offers wonderful 180-degree views of the Reserve. We continued down with a random view of the Falls in some places. Once at the path leading to the Falls, we soon encountered others who were taking in the sights and relaxing. The Falls cascade 75m down a steep granite rock face.
Our last stage of the walk involved more descent, but the most challenging was completed. It was a pleasant afternoon, and numerous walkers were passed. The river walk trail greeted us at the bottom, and we simply walked back to the starting point. Another couple had two dogs with them (did I mention no dogs are allowed in the Reserve?) and were photographing a snake which had curled up alongside the trail. I completely missed this and was informed by Murray and others later.
Towards the end of the river walk is a walk-in camping area which unlike the rest of the park was deserted. Arriving at the Suspension Bridge we met the other walking group who were being entertained by Neil and his remarkable bush walking story of survival. A must to investigate and read if you have no knowledge of the extraordinary adventure. Spoiler alert, it all ends well.
As we drove back to Wangaratta, we visited the Cheviot Tunnel, and then took the scenic Highlands Road to view the Stone Circle. The viewing of this modest monument didn’t allow me the opportunity to say to Jeanette, “well you’ve seen one now, no need to visit Stonehenge”.
Thank you to everyone who came along to make the weekend enjoyable. It truly embraced the club’s motto of ‘fun, fitness and friendship’. As well as the unofficial one, ‘walk, talk and gawk’.
Michael Braendler