Woodlands Historic Park is located in Greenvale, not far from Melbourne Airport.
We took our dog for a walk there on Sunday.
We started from Woodlands Homestead.
They serve Devonshire tea here.
Interesting design of benches around trees.
Just in front of the Homestead are real Living Legends! Established to bring retired champion horses back to the public, the front paddocks are home to some of Australia’s finest ex-racehorses.
The airport is nearby. You can also see a solar farm.
A multitude of tracks throughout the park cater for all trail enthusiasts including walkers, cyclists and in some areas, horse riders. You are likely to view kangaroos as you explore, sometimes in quite large mobs.
The sign reads:
MURRUP GURRONG YAN (Spiritual Creek Walk)
This 2.5km self-guided walk will take you along the Moonee Ponds Creek, through a landscape rich in Indigenous culture.
The walk memorialises Wayne Drew, a dedicated Park Ranger who often led groups through this area to provide an understanding of how Wurundjeri, Kurung-Willam Balluk people lived before their dramatic displacement from the land following European settlement.
Sadly, Wayne has passed away. His wish would be that others continue to enjoy this walk and explore the living history of the Wurundjeri, Kurung-Willam Balluk people.
Restoration of the 1840’s Landscape
The sign reads:
The main aim of park management here at Woodlands Historic Park is to restore the landscape, flora and fauna of the 1840s, when European settlement began.
The photo shows Woodlands Homestead with the hill behind it (where you are. now standing) covered with trees, mostly sheoaks. This was the original vegetation that the Greene family saw when they arrived in 1843 and built the Homestead. Over the years much of this vegetation was cleared or used for building, fences or fuel. It often failed to regenerate because of grazing by rabbits and stock.
With the help of old maps, letters, paintings and photos, and surviving remnant vegetation, a Restoration Plan for Woodlands Historic Park has been prepared. This identifies the park’s original plant communities. Here on the hill, Friends and other volunteers have planted indigenous eucalypts, banksias, wattles, tree violets, bursarias and clematis, as well as sheoaks.
We walked 5.5 km total. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete the walk.
One weekend in South Gippsland, I was eager to find somewhere new and dog-friendly to take a stroll. We’ve taken our golden retriever to the George Bass Coastal Walk in Kilcunda, and dog-friendly beaches like Inverloch and Sandy Point.
I came across the Loader Walk in my research, but there wasn’t a great deal of information online – this just meant we just had to try it out for our selves.
If you are travelling from Melbourne towards Wilsons Promontory, the walk is located just after the town of Fish Creek and before Foster.
Once you leave the freeway after Fish Creek, the road becomes steep, narrow and unpaved. We made it up in a hatchback, but the route is not recommended for caravans or motorhomes.
Upon arrival, there is a clear map and signage before you begin the walk. From the map, I learnt that the Loader Walk is part of a larger trail called the Hoddle Mountain Trail, which takes 5-6 hours if you complete the entire circuit. I’ve come into the habit of always taking a photo of the map before we start, just in case I need it later down the track.
For those who don’t have time for a walk, there is a great lookout just 200 metres into the walk called Mount Nicoll Lookout. It gives you sweeping views across the green fields, all the way to the coast and Wilsons Prom.
After the lookout, the track traverses the iconic rolling green hills of South Gippsland. I’ve always admired the landscapes on the winding drives throughout the region, so it was incredible to be able to walk amongst it and stop and admire the view.
After this picturesque section, there is a steep downhill which leads into constant, short inclines and declines amidst shadier bush sections.
It added some diversity to the walk, but our dog has weak hips and knees, so I don’t think he enjoyed this section due to it being a little slippery on gravel, downhill parts.
The walk comes back out to more farmland and coastal views. These sections have no shade, so make sure to be sunsmart and bring plenty of water.
The next landmark was the Telecommunications Tower, which is further south. We could see it in the distance but our dog was getting quite tired from the inclines and the harsh sun.
We decided to give him a rest and to turn back, as we thought the view from the tower might be similar to what we could already see.
The initial map notes that a walk from the carpark to the Telecommunications Tower should take 1-2 hours return.
The walk is a great option for those with and without dogs. The inland and coastal scenery is breathtaking, there are enough inclines to make it interesting and you can turn around at any point to customise the walk to your level of difficulty. Even if you make it a short walk, you’ll see quintessential Gippsland views.
We did the walk in spring, after a wet winter, so the farmland was especially lush. I recommend doing it in spring, as there is more likely to be mild weather. But remember that the sun can get quite strong in South Gippsland, so wear a hat and sunscreen too.
Just an hour and a half out of Melbourne, you’ll find the leafy little town of Rokeby in West Gippsland.
The Rokeby to Crossover Rail Trail is about 4km one way, and is the perfect walk for those who don’t like inclines.
As we had an elderly person and 10 year old dog with us, it was a suitable trail for everyone. We spotted quite a few people with dogs on lead and some joggers too.
The path is wide, straightforward and mostly flat. The whole trail is flanked by the tall trees of Crossover Regional Park, making it feel cool and shady.
The walk is similar the whole way except that every now and again, you’ll glimpse someone’s farmland or private property and rolling green hills.
There are also small paths that diverge off the main one. There was little signage but I assumed they might be mountain biking paths.
There were three or so benches along the track, which helped the eldery person in our group take a reasonable number of breaks.
At the end of the track, you reach an old trestle bridge in Crossover, which looks quite old, but has a mysterious, abandoned look as it is framed by towering, leafy trees.
At this point of the track, there was also signage pointing to another carpark, indicating you could also start the walk from Crossover. You can also continue onto Neerim South (3km from Crossover) and then Neerim (5.6km from Neerim South), which makes up the Rokeby to Neerim trail.
As it was nearing sunset, we took a few photos of the bridge and made our way back the way we came.
For those who want to add some entertainment to the walk, you can download the Geocaching app and embark on something akin to a treasure hunt. The app noted there was a cache near an intersection with a seat we were resting at, but we were unsuccessful in finding it.
As the sunlight was disappearing, the last rays peeked between the trees on our return walk. It added a sense of tranquility to the journey. We also spotted a few wallabies, who jumped off into the forest as we got closer.
The map at the start of the walk also noted you can also veer off to explore a short Rokeby Flora and Fauna Trail, which has some interpretive signage.
If you are ever in West Gippsland, the walk is a relaxing activity to add to your itinerary, especially if you have a family and dog. I think it would also be very great for families with bikes.
Make sure to time a visit with the Rokeby Market, which runs on the second Saturday of each month from September – May. It’s quite large compared to some smaller country markets. It has capacity for 100 stalls, which are inspired by the motto, “Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Breed it”. Rokeby Reserve, where the market is held, is also the beginning of the Rokeby to Crossover walk.
The walk is also about fifteen minutes from Warragul, where you can refuel at plenty of cafes and eateries.
We stayed at Lorne over long weekend with our friends over long weekend (Monday was the Labour Day). We did Lower Kalimna Falls loop on the last day.
The walk starts from Sheoak Picnic area, just 10-minute drive from Lorne. The last couple of kilometres on gravel road were very dusty with a lot of holes.
The walk itself was very quite and peaceful.
We heard the Sheoak Creek bubbling peacefully next to the trail.
We reached the Lower Kalimna Falls after about 50 minutes of walking. The place was magical.
We walked behind the waterfall and enjoyed shade and coolness.
Track to Upper Kalimna Falls was closed, unfortunately.
The sign reads:
A Foot Bridge has sustained extensive damage on the Kalimna Tramline Link Walking Track. For public safety this track will remain closed until repair works have been completed.
We returned back to start on the Garvey Track – it is in fact a 4WD road but we didn’t meet any cars or other people.
Overall, it’s a great circuit with a nice waterfall. It took us about 2 hours to complete the loop.
With the recent abundance of warm days, I had quite the hankering for a nice cool forested walk. Seeing as though I was heading out to the Geelong region a couple of weeks ago, I thought it’d be the perfect time to finally visit the serene Lake Elizabeth located within the Great Otway Ranges.
With an abundance of tree cover, rainfall and distinct tree trunks embedded within the lake itself, this was the perfect trek for those who wish to retreat into a verdant refuge during some of those hotter days!
Why Lake Elizabeth?
One of the major factors that drew me to lake Elizabeth was the fact that it was almost entirely formed due to landslides within and around the area. This certainly made for a unique landscape – with the lake seemingly melding with the surrounding trails, contrasted with the western portion that saw little to no mudslides.
The lake’s circuit trail is approximately 4.7 km in length, however, the opening track to the lake is just over a kilometre, so trekkers have some flexibility if they are pushed for time (or can’t be bothered walking all the way around!).
As you’ll soon see though, walking the whole 4.7km at some point is certainly a must as there’s a lot to enjoy from all sides of the lake.
Setting out:
I started my trek from the very convenient Lake Elizabeth campground’s parking and rest area, soon heading due east to begin along the titular walking track.
Although the weather of the day wasn’t too oppressive, I still recall vividly how tranquil and fresh the trail was even at 25 degrees or so. It’s certainly remarkable how much moisture the Otway’s retain during summer – much like portions of Gippsland!
It’d been a while since I’d enjoyed the refreshing serenity of Victoria’s rainforests, so I was glad to remerge myself in the Otways after so long. Although a fan of both the rugged Aussie bush and glistening coast, I’d be lying if I said rainforests weren’t my favourite.
The cool atmospheric moisture, coupled with the abundance of overhead tree cover, makes such environments perfect for those who aren’t too keen on the harsh Australian sun (sounds like me!).
Another great feature of Lake Elizabeth in particular is that the lake itself is supplied by the Barwon river, which actually runs along the approaching track. This certainly makes the walk down particularly special.
The opening portion of the river was quite wide and relatively brisk, providing a beautiful backdrop to your trek down towards the main attraction.
This particular image is also perfectly demonstrative of the surprising moisture content within the Otway Ranges, even right out of summer during the early autumn!
As you continue along, the river constricts and expands again and again. I was a particular fan of some of the tighter stretches, as these were often littered with more beautiful flora and greater stoned detail within the riverbed.
There were so many spots that I stopped to have a meditational rest at, I’d highly recommend stopping by for a snack or a spot of bird watching!
The litany of beautiful ferns:
Another splendid constant along this particular track is the absolute abundance of ferns, you’d be forgiven for mistaking that you were up in Queensland’s Daintree, or even New Zealand!
You could certainly spend half your trek just gazing at the intricate beauty of these bad boys, but I promise you, it gets even more enchanting the further you go.
I reckon it took me about 25 minutes or so until I reached the lake itself, and it was certainly a sight to see.
Although not overwhelmingly grand or expansive, the beauty I found within Lake Elizabeth was more from the angle of its reclusive collectedness. When I emerged out from the approaching track, I wasn’t met with the cacophony of rushing water, or the voices of other trekkers. Instead, there was simply the tranquil sounds of the passing wind, the elegant waltzing of the grass, and the soft whispering of nearby birds.
Sometimes life can just get too loud. But here, for as long as you wished, everything was calm and at peace with itself. I enjoyed that greatly.
As you can see above, I also noticed there was a ramp for those who wish to kayak/canoe on the lake. I will certainly be returning with my kayak when I can – if relaxing on the banks was as satisfying as it was, I’d wager doing so within the lake itself would be nothing less than bliss.
Also make sure to spy those tree trunks protruding from the lake, they certainly create a mood of stillness, as well as giving away the lake’s origins!
From there on out, you can either turn back, or continue around the lake. I did the latter and was very pleased to wander for about another 40 minutes or so amongst the ferns and the hidden birds.
Final Thoughts:
After that, I went home, refreshed, relaxed and ready to return to my louder life!
All in all, Lake Elizabeth is a hidden gem of the Otways that I couldn’t recommend more.
It’s serenity, coolness and unique qualities make it a must see for casual walkers and more experienced trekkers alike.
For further information on the walk and the surrounding region, Park’s Victoria’s page on it is a great start:
If adventuring out into our beautiful countryside is something that appeals to you, by all means feel free to check out https://trailnavigator.com.au/blog/ for more insightful recollections of trips along Victoria’s abundance of trails and hikes!
After spending a few days exploring the majestic coastline that gives the Great Ocean Road its name, we were ready for a slight change of scenery.
We left Apollo Bay and slowly made our way along winding back roads, cutting past the usual “must-stop” locations. There, nestled amongst the lush greenery of the Otways, we stumbled across the beautiful Hopetoun Falls.
How to Get to Hopetoun Falls
Hopetoun Falls is only a 45-minute drive from Apollo Bay, which made it a perfect stop-off during our exploration of the Great Ocean Road. If you’re coming from Melbourne, expect the drive to take you about 2.5 hours outside of peak times.
We took the most direct route, which took us through the stunning Aire Valley and the Olangaloh Plantation – home to some other amazing gems that we’ll get to soon enough!
Parking at the Falls
Since we visited on a weekday, we were easily able to secure a park close to the trailhead. There is room for about five vehicles in the immediate parking area, with more spaces a slight walk back down the entry road.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, you may have a little more difficulty, but it still shouldn’t be too painful. It was a pretty quiet spot!
The car park is unsealed without allocated spacing. Both it and the entry road were completely 2WD accessible in dry weather, but are known to become more unstable in the rain. Take care of vehicles coming the other way as the road is narrow.
Hopetoun Falls Walking Trail
You’ll find the start of the trail off to the left of the car park. From here, you can decide whether you want to stop at the first viewing platform or continue on down to the base of the falls.
The first viewing platform is more accessible than the full trail, being only 20 meters from the car park and down a relatively gentle slope.
Unfortunately, the view from here was quite concealed during our visit. You won’t get the same awe-inspiring experience as looking up at the falls, since you’re approaching it from the side, but this is still a nice stop if you’re short on time.
Since we had a little more time up our sleeves, we chose to continue on with the full hike.
The descent to the base of the falls is steep but simple. Only a one-kilometre round trip, the track is predominantly made up of stairs. Over 200, in fact!
A passing rain shower had left parts of the trail muddy and a little bit slippery. We managed it without too much fuss, but proceed with caution if you’re not a confident hiker or have mobility issues. There’s plenty of room on the stairs for other hikers to pass you if needed, so don’t rush yourself.
During our descent, we were amazed by the silence and flourishing flora and fauna. We spotted plenty of mature ferns, ancient trees, and even an echidna just off of the path.
It was the sudden sound of cascading water that let us know we were approaching the end of the trail. We turned the corner and found ourselves just meters from the base of Hopetoun Falls. The cool mist from the falls was very welcome after our mid-November trek.
The viewing platform here juts out over the Aire River, and we spent some time peering into the creek looking for wildlife. The creek is a popular spot for platypus spotting, but we weren’t fortunate enough to see any this time around.
There is also a bench here to rest your legs: something I’d strongly recommend before making your way back up the stairs! We had a small picnic and were lucky enough to have the entire platform to ourselves.
Extending Your Walk: The Otway Redwoods
Remember that other ‘amazing gem’ mentioned earlier? On our way out, we found a second hidden oasis that made the drive out even more worthwhile.
Just three minutes from the Hopetoun Falls, marked by nothing but a small car park and a wooden bridge crossing, is the towering Otway Redwood plantation.
We slowly ventured along the 500m return trail, looking up at the out-of-reach treetops in absolute awe. Nearby signage let us know that one day, these might be the tallest Redwood trees in the world! Conditions in the Otways are very favourable for the tree.
Take some time here to explore the creek bed, too. Flowing down from Hopetoun Falls, the water is crisp and clear. We enjoyed clambering across the fallen redwoods that had become makeshift bridges over the top of the water.
The bathrooms here are the closest available to Hopetoun Falls. This is just another reason that these two gems are a must to see together!
Final Thoughts: Is this Victoria’s Most Beautiful Waterfall?
In our opinion, yes!
Hopetoun Falls is easily one of Victoria’s most beautiful waterfalls. The tucked-away location makes for a beautifully secluded, unspoiled walk through nature. Plus, the connection to the Aire River also makes it a spectacular sight no matter the season.
When paired with the nearby Redwood Plantation, these falls are unbeatable. The Hopetoun Falls circuit is a well-paced trail that is an absolute must for any Melbourne local or outdoor lover exploring the Great Ocean Road.
This year, I finally completed the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation Walk (the 2 day, 1 night version). The only other overnight walk I’ve done is the Three Capes Track in Tasmania, so this ended up being another great introductory hike.
Wilsons Prom is known to have unpredictable weather, being on the southern-most tip of mainland Australia. Booking for February meant the weather could go either way – but you have to book a few months in advance, so I took whatever was available.
We were granted with a cool 19 degrees, despite it being summer. We checked in at the Tidal River Visitor Centre, parked at the Overnight hiker’s carpark, and caught the free shuttle bus up to the Telegraph Saddle carpark to begin the walk.
As it was overcast for day one, we stuck with the recommendations to conquer the walk in an anti-clockwise direction by taking the vehicle maintenance track. The signage indicated it would be 19.2 kilometres, six hours to the Lightstation.
The track was undulating to keep things semi-exciting, but there wasn’t a lot to see, except for a trickle of water falling over some rocks and some creeks.
Six kilometres in, you reach a few benches at Telegraph Junction. From here, you can head to the coastal walk, but we were saving that for Sunday. Whilst we were here, we spotted a wallaby, who was not phased by us at all.
Telegraph Junction
Another 30 minutes and you reach Halfway Hut, which was recommended for our lunch stop as it had a toilet. We escaped the rain and cosied up into the shelter of the stone hut, which was a welcome rest.
After another 90 minutes, we came at another crossroads. We could continue along the maintenance track for 7.2 km or take the 6.1km walking track. We were suspicious as to why both options would take 2 hours, but we were keen for some adventure.
The walking track was surrounded by lush vegetation, whilst the track was a little damp and muddy. Some parts of the track were so narrow that you had to manouvre through branches. It was definitely harder, with steep, uneven steps at parts – but it was also a nice change to the monotonous track.
You eventually end up back at the vehicle track, as you embark on your last part of the journey. We were a little behind schedule as our energy was dwindling but luckily daylight savings meant we were not racing against time before the sunset.
The track starts opening up to views of the ocean, but when I spotted the Lightstation in the distance, I realised there was still some way to go.
As you get closer to the Lightstation, you pass a formation dubbed Skull Rocks, not to be confused Skull Rock, which Pennicott Wilderness Journeys takes people on tours to from Tidal River. Just when you think you’re nearly there, there is one last steep ascent to the Lightstation.
Once we made it to the top, exhausted, a ranger spotted us and checked us in. I was surprised to find it so spacious, since there was more than one cottage. We were only sharing our cottage with three people and most of the time it felt like we were the only ones there. There were two showers and two toilets, with plenty of toilet paper and hot water.
The small things made the accommodation feel luxurious for a remote location. A living room was radiating with heat from a gas fireplace, whilst the shelves were lined with an interesting mix of reading material and board games. The kitchen had a fridge, stove, oven, kettle, toaster, microwave and plenty of cutlery, crockery and glasses. The only thing I couldn’t find was a chopping board.
Each bedroom has two bunks. They provide pillows, whilst we brought our own sleeping bags. Even the bedrooms felt spacious – plenty of room to unpack and air out clothes and bags.
The next morning, we joined a lighthouse tour. It’s amazing to see how the parts for a lighthouse have developed over the years – the bulb is tiny! In the cooler months, you can also spot whales migrating around the Lightstation.
By the time we departed the Lightstation after the tour, we were a little behind schedule. We knew the trek back via Waterloo Bay was known to be a lot harder, and longer at 21 kilometres and 7 hours. We also needed to catch the last shuttle bus at 5.45pm, otherwise we’d have to hike even more back to the car.
The “coastal route” still winds through lots of rainforest, but at least it felt more like a hike. The track constantly goes up and down hill, which was painful either way, as we were sore from Day 1. I tried to speed up on the downhill sections to keep the momentum going. Every now and again, we got a glimpse of the pretty coastline, but it was often obscured by trees. We suffered three hours or more of this…
But when we started approaching Little Waterloo Bay, I was stunned. I’d never seen a Victorian beach with aqua water and white sand. I suddenly understood why so many people loved to do overnight hikes here.
We sat and enjoyed some sandwiches, as we admired the view. The only downside was the march flies.
When we resumed, we realised we had to walk across the sand on the beach for a little. Not fun with our large hiking packs.
You then reach another sign that points you back onto the walking path. A lot of this section consists of short boardwalks over swampy areas. The boardwalks were a nice change, but eventually you’re back at a windy, gravel uphill, which was tough with the strong sun rays.
At this point I had gone ahead of my group, to make sure at least one of us gets the last shuttle bus and our car. I struggled in this section without anyone to encourage me…but then I was surprised to suddenly find myself at Telegraph Junction, after less than 2 hours, as the signage had estimated.
From here, I had enough reception on Google maps to estimate our walk back to the carpark and figured we had enough time for a break. So I waited for everyone to catch up for a rest and some snacks at the benches.
With the sun out, the march flies were also out – so we couldn’t sit still for long. It was time for our last two hours back to the carpark (a bit less according to Google).
My feet and legs were very sore by this stage. I must have had blisters as every step was painful, and the maintenance track slowly wound up and down.
Many hikers overtook us and although I know it’s not a race, I was aware that I was slowing us down.
But after a lot of small breaks, we found ourselves back at Telegraph Saddle with a big sigh of relief. I’m proud we accomplished it – but note to self to do more practice hikes in the lead-up next time. We got to the carpark with fifteen minutes to spare – so we sat back at a bench, took in some views in at the lookout and waddled onto the bus.
I’d highly recommend the walk due to the great accommodation you get at the end, and the walk itself is a good challenge. I’ll definitely return one day to see whales and enjoy a bit more time at Waterloo Bay.
At 32-acres, Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury is one of the biggest dog parks in Outer Melbourne.
There are plenty of amazing walks on Trail Navigator but what if you just want to take yourself, the family or even the dog for a quick stroll? If you live in Melbourne’s north-west I highly recommend visiting Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury, conveniently located near Victoria’s oldest Homestead, Emu Bottom Homestead.
The Emu Bottom Wetlands track caters to a lot of people. On my visit there a last week, I saw some large families having picnics. Lot’s of dogs making the most of their unleashed freedom and being almost Valentine’s Day, there a few hand-holding couples going for a romantic stroll. One brave soul was even flying a drone. As a local, I’ve heard from some of the neighbours that I also heard from one of the neighbours that people have ridden their horses through the reserve (BYO horse of course!).
Welcome to Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
About:
The Emu bottom wetlands are a large 32-arces allowing plenty of space of adventure, it is the largest dog-friendly park in Sunbury.
History:
Once a sheep farming area during from the 18-1900’s, the Friends of Emu Bottom have been working with the local council since 1994 to get the area back to its former glory.
In almost 30 years, the land has come quite a long way, platypus and a plethora of wetland birds now call this place home. All the recent rain has also injected further life back into the wetlands and it was very pleasant being able to hear the chirping birds and natural crackling of the creek from the path.
The wetlands:
The Emu Bottom wetlands are true to its native land, I have visited some more manicured trails along my Victorian adventures but the dusty grass and rich smell of the Eucalyptus trees that trace the trail sing this is native Australian land.
True to its name, there are a few points to access the creek and sections of the path that have rough terrain. There are some easily-accessed sections of Jacksons creek in the wetland that are perfect for yourself or the dogs to wade in on a warm day.
Jacksons Creek, Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
I’m glad to have come here after a heavy rainfall this year. Jacksons creek which runs through the wetlands is looking healthy and surrounded by greenery which is a start contract to drier parts of the park.
Accessibility:
There is a designated carpark that runs off Racecourse road offering, parking and access to the park are free. The track starts off as gravel but it does thin out to create a natural pathway.
Front of Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
I highly recommend wearing closed toe shoes on this track as there is a lot of gumnuts, sticks and other tree droppings naturally dropping on the main path. Running shoes also provide a bit of extra grip in area where the gravel track is very fine.
There is only one main path with a very short tracks to access the creek. By all means go as far as you feel comfortable and return back the way you came. There’s no need to worry about getting lost in this park.
This trail is highly effected by the weather, I would travel here on excessively hot days – or if you go early morning or in the evening. The sun is strong here, so best lather up the sunscreen. As I said earlier, closed toe shoes! No one likes getting a stick stuck in their foot.
Path for Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
The park does start off very wide but as you meet up with the creek and follow the bend, the track does get more narrow. I decided to jog my way through the path and clocked up about 2.5km from the car park to the entry point for the emu bottom homestead.
The best bit:
As the track started to narrow and I wondered if I was still in the reserve. I came across this mesmerising entrance, the large eucalyptus trees were much needed respite from the sun my jog and urged me to keep exploring. The backs of peoples properties on one side and the trickling creek along the other, I knew I was tantalisingly close to something exciting and was rewarded with the historical Emu Bottom homestead.
The back end of the trail, Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
There was potential to keep running but by doing that the Emu Bottoms Wetlands had officially ended and a new unnamed trail began. I had worked up a bit of sweat and decided to head back.
In the end:
This track is great for a Hume local who wants to go for a quick walk. Set up a picnic at the Wetlands or treat yourself at one of the many local Sunbury cafes that are only 5 minutes down the road.
I’ll definitely be coming back here to show the place off to a relative and recommending the place to local dog owners.
This place is a sure-fire hit with the pooches.
Jacksons Creek, Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sunbury
If adventuring out into our beautiful countryside is something that appeals to you, check out more of our blog for more insightful recollections of trips along Victoria’s abundance of trails and hikes!
Like the trail? For more trail trips by this author, click here.
An Introduction to the Myriad of Walking Trails Along the Surf Coast:
A spectacular view of Victoria’s Surf Coast.
I knew Victoria’s Surf Coast was renowned around the world for it’s immense natural beauty, however I never truly realised how amazing the walking and cycling trails along the sea were!
Having recently moved more inland, I’ve had quite the hankering for a walk out along the coast. I was talking to my dad about this, only for him to recommend a set of trails along the Great Ocean Road he completed some time ago.
Intrigued, I drove down to Torquay’s Fisherman’s Beach to check out my options.
Upon arriving (as well as after consulting the extremely helpful Surf Coast Walk website*), I found out that there’s an entire litany of picturesque, pristine trails and paths running all the way from Point Impossible right through to Fairhaven!
*which can be found at the bottom of this post
The Flexibility of the Walking Paths Available:
A great feature of the Surf Coast walking trails is that you can easily trek according to your whims of the day. I personally walked as long as time (and my sun protection!) permitted, ending up about 9km one way. Experienced trekkers could easily increase this to a maximum of a whopping 44km if they walk/cycle all the way from Point Impossible to Fairhaven.
Similarly, beginners (or those simply wanting a lighter fare) could even just select any limited number of the 12 trails, which range from 1km to about 8km in maximal lengths!
My First Leg of the Surf Coast – Fisherman’s Beach to Point Danger, via Yellow Bluff:
An example of the rustic sandstone cliffs reminiscent of Yellow Bluff.
With a large carpark, and close access to Torquay’s vibrant esplanade district, my Fisherman’s Beach starting point turned out to be perfect.
Blessed with lovely weather, I set out west along the immaculately maintained walking path. This stretch was a very pleasant walk, completely flat, and close to public toilets and the local angler’s club.
I continued along, making sure to savour the fresh sea breeze on such a nice day.
It felt like no time at all (approximately 1km) until I reached my first checkpoint of the day – the beautiful, jagged protrusions of the Yellow Bluff.
The majestic scale of the Yellow Bluff beach head.
This was certainly a happening spot, with another expansive carpark, children’s playground, as well as a myriad of trendy cafes and restaurants in close proximity. There was even a dog café, the perfect pit stop for those with a canine trekker friend!
After stopping for a light snack, I continued along to Point Danger. The area up and around here provides a great opportunity for appreciating the poignant beauty of the nearby war memorial, as well as for strolling leisurely along the rustic beach.
A beautiful retrospective view of the Torquay Esplanade.
I opted for a bit of both, and soon found myself on the way to the next check point.
Point Danger to Bird Rock:
This trail was slightly longer, racking in at approximately 3km, and is full of fun for everyone. There’s ample opportunity to walk along the beach, inspect rock pools, enjoy the surf, or even simply observe the unique native flora littered around the place.
As someone who loves a good bit of gardening and plant spotting, I enjoyed browsing the eclectic range of succulents scattered along the beach head.
I recalled being offered a taste of this particular plant (see below) by a local Indigenous elder on a school excursion many moons ago. He said it’d be the perfect salty addition to a summer salad. However, I certainly cannot vouch for its taste, nor nutrition, supposing I’m even thinking of the right plant!
The salty succulent I may or may not have consumed years prior. I can’t recommend consuming it without proper knowledge of the species!
All I can remember is my then 14-year-old self-wincing at the saltiness, but perhaps it’s simply an acquired taste!
It wasn’t until I reached an inviting set of stairs down to the beach itself that I snapped out of my nostalgic daze.
A flight of stairs, enticing my descent onto the sand.
Although I have a tendency to become irritated with sand, the hint of rock pools were too great a temptation for me to not proceed down!
Afterall, what’s more fun than spying out some sea life in these little pools, pockets seemingly from some far-out oceanic civilisation…
I rushed down with the same curiosity that often captured me at 14.
And….after walking up and down several fields of rock pools, I hit the jack pot.
A master of disguise at work.
Unfortunately I’m not much of a fish expert, so have no clue what sort of fish this one is, however, I was nonetheless entranced by its clever colouring! In fact, it took me several inspections to actually see the little guy, its spotted back providing the perfect camouflage against the sand and brown-beige aquatic plants.
I then proceeded to stroll along the absolutely immaculate beach.
The pristine reflective sands of one of several of the Great Ocean Road’s surf beaches.
Yep, this was the type of beach people all around the world wish was in their back yards, how lucky we are to have such a treasure.
I’d imagine this would also be a great surf beach for those who have a little more dexterity and balance than me!
You can easily continue walking along this beach until you reach the Bird Rock lookout. I did just that.
A lovely cape vista from Bird Rock lookout.
I should probably say lookout(s), as I discovered there’s a nice stretch of observation decking running along the beach front for a good 300 metres or so.
I would recommend climbing up the ‘Little Bird Rock Lookout’ first, then proceeding to the main lookout by continuing along west.
You could spend quite some time exploring and enjoying these vantage spots themselves. There’s even some beautifully placed seating here and there, providing the perfect spot for a picturesque picnic on the go!
What is heavenly bliss if not enjoying your favourite food with a close companion, whilst drowning your eyes in the azure expanse in front of you…
A front seat view of the Surf Coast’s sparkling sea.
Bird Rock Lookout to Bell’s Beach:
The remainder of my trek was about 3km, and was once again filled with an abundance of interesting plant life and stunning vistas.
A collection of lovely purple flowered natives.
I particularly liked this hidden gem about a kilometer and half along. The rhythmic lapping of the water became louder as you walked along the boarded path, which was very tranquil and relaxing indeed.
A picturesque boarded path out onto Bell’s Beach.
I’d also urge the reader to keep an eye out for any sea life in the shallows here. I did see a crab, but the little bugger was far too quick before my clumsy attempt to take a photo could be made!
You can then take this board walk up again to a more trail like area, extremely pristine nonetheless.
A return to the sandy trail.
It was from here that I reached the terminus of my journey, another lovely spot for rock pool perusal, hidden amongst the sandy cliffs that make the Great Ocean Road so special.
A window onto Bell’s Beach.Another chance for rock pool browsing!
Final Thoughts
My custom selection of trails ended up amounting to around 9km, and took me about a 2 hours, with time spent basking in the extensive vistas, as well as inspecting those rock pools!
An important aspect to remember when planning for Surf Coast trails is the fact that the trails are of course linear, so make sure to factor in return distances and time.
My entire trip was 4 and bit hours, but as I said in the introduction, the beauty of the Surf Coast walks is that you have a lot of liberty in picking and choosing which trails to trek along.
Overall, I would highly recommend giving this particular stretch of coast a go! There’s certainly a lot of accessibility, with frequent toilet pit stops, car parks, and even cafes at certain points.
The abundance of rock pools and interesting beach plants also provide the perfect activity for those with kids (or even just child-like curiosity!) to enjoy.
Considering all of the above, the entire length of the coast from Point Impossible through to Fairhaven offers something for everyone, whether you’re an experienced trekker, a cyclist, or simply someone looking for a forgiving walk, you’ll be set!
For Further Information:
If you wish to learn more about the litany of walking paths and trails along the Surf Coast, Parks Victoria, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, along with the Surf Coast Shire council have put together a brilliant website detailing each of the trails: https://www.surfcoastwalk.com.au/
The website also has a great map feature, so you can plan for the particular walk(s) you wish to adventure out onto!
If adventuring out into our beautiful coast and countryside is something that appeals to you, by all means feel free to check out https://trailnavigator.com.au/blog/ for more insightful recollections of trips along Victoria’s abundance of trails and hikes!
I had a fantastic time rediscovering the best that our immaculate coast line has to offer, and will certainly return in the future!
Plenty Gorge Park is located north-east from Melbourne. We decided to try the Plenty Gorge North walk. It starts from the car park at Hawkstowe Recreation Reserve in South Morang.
These three walks start from the Hawkstowe Picnic area but we had a longer route ahead of us.
The trail started wide and convenient.
The track became narrow when we reached the gorge. It was obvious that it was used by mountain bicycles. We met couple of the cyclists during the whole walk.
The trail follows Plenty River.
Great view on the gorge.
We passed an orchard. Farm Vigano restaurant was nearby. We decided to come back to it later.
The house in the process of rebuilding mesmerized our party.
Grey kangaroos
Unexpected cactus next to the trail.
On the way back we stopped to treat ourselves to some wild blackberries. There were a lot of them.
Nice pond with ducks.
Garden by the Le Page Homestead
We walked 14 km total. It took us 4.5 hours but that’s including stop for a lunch. Everyone were pretty tired by the end but still happy. It’s a great walk where you feel like you’re away from civilization even though you are still within Greater Melbourne.