On Wednesday, June 11, a cool weather forecast didn’t deter an enthusiastic group of 16 walkers who presented for a midweek walk in the Warby Ovens National Park.
Beginning at the start of the Salisbury Falls Walk, we would walk to the top of the Falls, proceed onto Mount Warby and lunch at Wenham’s Camp, before returning via the Alpine Views Track and back to the start. I estimated this to take about five hours to complete 11km.
To begin the day there was the usual walk description, hand out of maps and introductions. Today we welcomed two new casual walkers with the club – Andrew & Diane. They are known to Judy in our group through their shared experiences at dance classes. I was eager to keep my eyes on them to see if at any point they might break into a foxtrot along the track, adopt a Quickstep if required or simply Waltz into Wenham’s Camp. Perhaps on the next club moonlight walk they could do a little dancing with the stars.
My last walk here with the club was in December 2022, and hundreds of Monarch butterflies darted about as they escorted us towards the Falls. There were no butterflies on this occasion as their wings may have iced over, but approximately eight kangaroos bounded away from the Falls as our group began to climb up the narrow trail towards the top of the waterfalls.
As I mentioned to the group, I have walked the Salisbury Falls Track numerous times but never seen it in all its glory. Adrian assured me that it does flow well, with the right conditions and at the right time of year. We made our way carefully along the narrow track looking over the creek below. This is the section of the trail that requires sure footing and an attentive mind. After crossing the bridge located at the top of the Falls we continued following the creek, consisting of water holes here and there, before crossing it again and heading towards the Boilerwood Track junction. Once at the junction an early, and leisurely, morning tea was taken.
After a satisfying break, it was just a short walk before we turned right onto a bush track which leads towards Mount Warby. We continued walking to a small open granite slab area which offered some obscured views between the trees, providing you could get on your tippy toes and had twenty-twenty vision. Mount Warby (490m) was not far away, and it was there we had another short break near the ever-growing cairn, and an opportunity for a group photo. There are no views here, which caused some of the group feel it should be renamed Mount Disappointment, but that distinguished landmark exists elsewhere in the state. From here it was a short walk, or waltz, into Wenham’s Camp.
At this stage my GPS had a distance of 5.69km being completed, and although the time was only 11.20am, it was decided that this is the best place for lunch with numerous facilities being available. Yes, this was the club’s earliest lunch ever, and only an hour after morning tea had concluded. One can only imagine what time dinner would be today for those who often eat early – conceivably 3.30pm! The tribe, however, were content.
Lunch always provides an opportunity for even more chit chat with people. Many have travel plans on the horizon, with Ingrid to Italy and elsewhere for three months, and Glenda heads to the UK and more. Meanwhile Sandy departs for Komodo Island in Indonesia where the Komodo Dragons reign supreme, and prey upon unsuspecting sarong and sandal sporting sightseers.
After lunch we returned to Mount Warby, and down towards the Alpine Views Track. The dry woodlands are a feature of the National Park, along with the unique Grass Tree. Birdlife was rather scarce today, with few being heard or spotted. From this track we experienced some better views beyond Wangaratta township, but the Alps were not visible with today’s weather.
As the Alpine Views Track descends towards the Boilerwood Track the vegetation changes. In winter much of it is dormant, and it is best enjoyed in springtime when there is an abundance of colourful wildflowers.
After reaching the Boilerwood Track we walked towards Salisbury Falls junction, and returned via the way we came. Along this section of trail I spotted a couple of Rosellas and smaller birds, which for much of the day had been absent from other areas of the Park.
While one part of the group stopped at the summit of the Falls one last time, Shirley recounted her solitary Mount Samaria escapade from a year earlier. Long story short; it involved the summit, getting lost and tired, daylight hours fading, phoning a friend, calling 000, some hours past midnight, a helicopter and SES ground crew. Really, the lengths some individuals go to for a little extra attention. Fortunately she lived to tell the tale to a select group of friends where it will remain forever. No one else needs to know.
The actual figures for the walk were that it was completed in 5.25 hours, and was 12.5km in length. Thanks to all who participated, and the Warby Ranges will be walked in September, as part of Andy’s three-day experience, for those who are interested.
Michael Braendler