We took a puppy for fostering care recently so now I’m always on lookout for dog-friendly walks. Dogs are allowed at the Lilydale Lake and we never been there before so we drove there to meet our friends on Sunday morning.
It is definitely a popular spot – our friends had a hard time finding a parking spot.
We walked clock-wise and took detour to the boardwalk which lead to a bird hide.
The trail was wide and flat, very easy to walk on.
With lamp posts on the way it definitely felt like a walk in a park, not a hike in nature.
The walk around the lake is about 2 km long. We decided to extend it to 4 km by walking along Olinda Creek.
Swimming in the lake was ‘not recommended’ but we saw a lot of kayaks.
All picnic tables under cover were taken but we still had a nice picnic on the grass in shadow under a tree.
If you’re looking for a breath-taking hike that will take you through some of the most beautiful natural scenery around, then Mason Falls & the Sugarloaf Circuit is the perfect destination for you. Masons Falls Circuit is a 16km, grade 3 hike located in the Kinglake National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 4.5 hours to complete. It offers a unique combination of stunning waterfalls, towering peaks, and lush greenery that is sure to take your breath away.
My experience hiking through Mason Falls & the Sugarloaf Circuit was nothing short of incredible. The hike itself is relatively moderate in terms of difficulty, but it’s well worth the effort. The trail winds through a dense forest, with towering trees providing a canopy overhead. The sound of the birds singing and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze made for a truly serene experience.
One of the highlights of the hike was coming across Mason Falls. The waterfall is truly a sight to behold, with the water cascading down a rocky cliff into a amazing, clear pool below. The mist from the falls provided a refreshing coolness on a hot Autumn Day. It was a great spot to take a break, have a snack and take in the natural beauty.
As the trail continued, the forest began to give way to rocky outcroppings and towering peaks. The Sugarloaf Circuit provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and it was hard not to stop and stare in awe at the natural beauty all around. The trail was well-maintained and easy to follow, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels.
The trail also offered several other lookout points and picnic areas, which provided great vantage points to take in the views. Each lookout point offered a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape, and it was an amazing experience to take in the natural beauty from so many different angles.
Another aspect of the hike that stood out to me was the diverse range of flora and fauna that I encountered. The trail winds through a dense forest, and as I walked, I was able to spot a variety of different trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. I also came across a variety of different birds, including brightly coloured warblers and the melodic songs of the wood thrush. It was a real treat to be able to experience such a wide range of plant and animal life in one hike.
As I hiked, I also came across several other hikers, and it was interesting to hear about their experiences and learn more about the trail. Some of them have been hiking the trail for years and had some great tips to share.
One of the most memorable views for me was from the Sugarloaf Circuit lookout. The panoramic view from the top was absolutely breath-taking, I could see for miles & it provided a 360-degree view of the entire area. The rolling hills and valleys stretched out before me, dotted with vibrant green forests and sparkling water. The view was so vast and beautiful that it was hard to take it all in.
The climb to the summit of Sugarloaf peak was steep, but the view from the top made it all worth it. The view from the summit was truly magnificent, offering a bird’s-eye perspective of the entire area. Standing at the top, taking in the vastness of the landscape was an incredible feeling.
The Mason Falls are located about halfway through the hike, and it’s the perfect place to rest and recharge before continuing on the trail. The area around the falls is also a great spot for picnicking and swimming, as the water in the pool is clear and cool. It’s a popular spot among hikers, but even on a busy day, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to take in the beauty of the falls.
The falls themselves are quite impressive, with the water cascading down from a height of about 90m. The water is crystal clear and the pool at the bottom is deep enough for swimming.
In conclusion, my experience hiking through Mason Falls & the Sugarloaf Circuit was truly unforgettable. The natural beauty of the area, from the serene forest to the stunning waterfalls and panoramic views, made for an incredible outdoor adventure. The trail itself was well-maintained and offered a diverse range of hiking experiences, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels.
The Mason Falls was definitely a highlight of the hike, it’s a must-see attraction and a great spot to take a break and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The summit of Sugarloaf peak also offered a truly majestic view and the climb to the summit was definitely worth the effort.
I would highly recommend this hike to anyone looking for a challenging but rewarding outdoor adventure. With its diverse range of landscapes, stunning waterfalls, and panoramic views, it’s a hike that offers something for everyone. Just make sure to plan your hike during the week or early in the morning to avoid the crowds, bring enough water and snacks, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
I can’t wait to go back and explore more of this amazing area, and I’m sure that Mason Falls & the Sugarloaf Circuit will be a destination that I will return to again and again.
We met with our friends on Saturday to go for a walk in Dandenong Ranges. We decided to do the Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk.
We started from the Grants picnic ground. Straight away we saw big trees.
The trail was wide and flat.
Nice clearing along the wayFern and more big trees
There was a section of the trail that was quite steep. We walked uphill for about 15 minutes.
The day was sunny and hot – I expected more shade from the ferns.
It took as about 1 and half hour to complete the loop – we did it clockwise. We didn’t see a lyrebird this time. We saw some people feeding cockatoos near parking even though it is no longer permitted.
We had a picnic at one of the tables. There were a lot of mosquitos under the table – I realised that too late.
We visited Altona for a walk on Saturday December 3rd.
Altona Beach was nice but some sections had a lot of dead seaweed that was… smelly.
Crab sculpture at Altona Beach
We followed the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail toward Laverton Creek.
The trail was much less crowded here.
Laverton Creek Footbridge
We reached Truganina Park and walked up to the hill to enjoy bay and city views.
There was an interesting sculpture here.
We walked down the 100 Steps of Federation (we didn’t count) and returned back to the car.
Usually we go to St Kilda when we want to walk by the sea but we can reach Altona beach a bit quicker thanks to Metropolian Ring Road so we’re going to come back here more.
We went to Warrandyte State Park on Saturday. We’ve been there before but we never combined several walks in a loop.
The walk starts from the car park next to the Yarra River.
We saw some ducks.
Ducks
The river was still pretty full after the recent flood in October 2022.
We walked on the quiet Till Drive to reach the Black Flat.
The Black Flat is a nice forest with access to the Yarra River.
Black Flat
The circuit around Black Flat took us about 20 minutes. After that we returned back to the Yarra Street. We had to walk along this busy road. Thankfully it was just a short section and there was a separate trail.
After stressful road crossing (there were no traffic lights nearby) we entered Warrandyte State Park.
Dogs are not allowed in Warrandyte State Park
We had to cross a small creek on the stones in order to reach the Gold Memorial.
The Gold Memorial is just a cairn.
Gold MemorialBoardwalk in the forest
Old gold mines. We saw them before so we didn’t spend time examining them this time.
There were quite steep sections towards the end of the walk. Also both I and my daughter got hay fever attack.
This rock is popular for rock-climbing
It took us 2 and half hours to complete this walk. We finished it with a well-deserved meal at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte.
Overall, it’s a great varied walk with river views, gum tree forest and mining history.
An exciting yet tranquil day trip spent exploring around The Forest Glades garden, Mount Macedon.
Are you ready to read about another elusive trail where the pictures do it no justice? We’re about to shed some light on the hidden gem of Mount Macedon, the Forest Glade Gardens.
The breath taking garden views transport you to another world, far away from the bustle of the city. Yet this country treechange is only an hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD, making it the perfect idea for a cheap and adventurous day trip.
Here comes the sun on another lovely day at the forest glades garden
It’s not a hike, it’s a garden
Ok, I’ll be honest, the forest glades is not a hiking trail but just like any large park, it’s a place where you can create your own adventure and caters to all. The forest glades gardens are a historic private garden and span almost 6 hectares. It’s also a place you can easily rack up 10,000 steps for the day – or not.
The windy yet accessible paths of Forest Glades gardens have been mindfully designed to cater for everyone and enjoy the gardens regardless of their abilities.
Take the kids, take the grandparents, take your athletic friends – maybe don’t take them all once. There are endless combinations of walking tracks and trails to explore and vary in distance and terrain, making every visit a unique experience. The admission fee covers you for the whole day, so it’s ideal to take your time to truly enjoy the sights of the glades gardens.
With all the colourful flora and diverse landscaping, there is truly something for everyone at the forest glades. Along with all the trails, there are also plenty of spaces you can stop and take a breather if the hills get too much. Enjoy a picnic on one of the manicured lawns or relax in the gazebos.
Entering Imperial Gardens at Forest Glades Garden
Getting there
The glades are an hour away from the Melbourne CBD, there is no public transport in Mt Macedon, so you will need to drive or take a bus with one of the tour groups that visit the gardens. The good news is once you drive there, street parking is free. Just remember, you are in Mount Macedon on a 10% incline, don’t forget your handbrake.
The glades are a budget-friendly destination at only $10 entry a person – children are free – and you will feel good this money goes back into maintaining the gardens.
When you pay the admission fee, you will be welcomed to the garden with a free map. Two types of people visit the forest glades. The ones that use the map to track every step and the ones who shove it in their pack, go where the trail takes them and intentionally get lost. It’s worth noting, if you do get lost, not to be alarmed. All the paths are well marked and the directions sign makes sure you don’t stray too far of course.
What to bring
Be prepared for a day in the great outdoors and dress as per the weather. Mount Macedon is a few degrees cooler than the rest of Melbourne, keep an umbrella on hand for a rainy day and a tube of sunscreen in case it gets sunny out.
The glades are a hotspot for weddings and photoshoots. Photographers will revel in photographing all the delights nature has to offer. You may find yourself torn between being in the moment and dying to take photos of your amazing day in the gardens.
Timing is everything
Mount Macedon is bustling with early birds. Opening at 10am, families and tourists are usually here in the morning but if you want to enjoy the gardens in solace, the best advice is to go in the afternoon. The forest glade garden trails are open 7 days a week and the gardens are naturally a lot busier on the weekends and weather warms up.
The history
Unlike other gardens in Victoria, the glades started out – and remain to be a private garden.
In 1971, a fine chap Cyril Stokes and his life partner acquired the land and developed it into the dream you see today, although that was not without its setbacks. In 1983, Ash Wednesday bushfires torched the land and devastated Cyril with the burning of his life work. Nevertheless, both Cyril and nature’s resilience saw the rebirth of the glades gardens we see today.
In 2011, after Cyril passed away, the property was gifted to the Stokes Collection charity, with the intention of the gardens being maintained and enjoyed by the public for years to come.
Tranquillity at the English Fountain in the gardens.
Time for an adventure hike
I visited the forest glades last week in this weird November that still feels like August weather. Even though I have been to the glades, numerous times, the initial entrance never ceases to amaze me. That feeling like you’ve wondered into the garden of Eden with that mixed smell of blossoming flowers and birds fluttering in the background never gets old.
It had rained pretty heavy the night before my friends and I arrived for the trail walk and that probably should have deterred us but overcast days and the rain can amplify your experiences in this garden. These gardens really do come to life in the rain, everything looks 10x better with a thin sheen of mist on it. It almost makes up for the wet bench I naively sat on and spent the remainder of the day walking around with a wet bum.
Making the most of the day in a statuesque way
It’s hard to identify which part of the gardens are the best, there’s truly something for everyone. I for one, love posing with the English statues.
Or maybe it’s the vibrant reds and blossoms of the imperial Japanese garden that makes me want to visit Japan. Just a heads up, one part of the path of the Japanese gardens is a bunch of steps surrounded with water, watch where you step or you may be sleeping with the koi fish!
Watch your step in the Japanese garden.
My photography-obsessed friend also made sure we stopped at every. Single. Flower. In the gardens and did well capturing their beauty. Next time, I’ll get her to record some video so you can hear the happy bees buzzing in the background. The bees that pollinate these gardens, must make the best honey.
One of the thousands of flowers at the Glades gardens.
Align with the seasons
The glades are not a one-and-done affair. These gardens are so packed with plants, they offer much to see each season. Whether that be the beautiful blossoms in spring, the rich red and orange autumn leaves. The gardens are anything but deary in winter with plenty of evergreen plants on display. I’ll never forget coming here in August and seeing a meadow of bright yellow daffodils illuminating the silent winter gardens.
As my friends and I sat on the lawn to for a quick breather after clocking up 4,000 steps, we were mesmerised by the lush greenness of the forest glade gardens contrasting against the eucalyptus green bush backdrop of Mount Macedon. It’s then I know, there’s no place I would rather be.
It was a nice Sunday afternoon and we wanted to go for a walk. Gresswell Forest in Bundoora was within walking distance and we decided to go there.
It took us about 20 minutes to reach one of the side entrances.
We saw 2 shelters made of branches. Not sure who made them and why. Perhaps for a scout activity?
Shelter
The trails are wide and well formed, mostly flat.
You can see houses when you are close to the edge of the reserve but in the middle you feel like you are in a real forest.
We didn’t see any kangaroos this time.
Bench
This tree has fallen but branches keep growing up as small trees:
We made a loop in the reserve (about 40 minutes) but didn’t go to the Habitat Link.
We are so lucky to be able to go for a walk in nature without driving or taking public transport. Greswell Forest is a nice place to visit if you live nearby.
We’ve been on Main Yarra Trail many times before but we decided to take a walk from Heidelberg to Templestowe again. It was a nice Sunday afternoon and the starting point in Warringal Parklands was just a 10 minute drive from us.
Main Yarra Trail
We saw trace of the recent flood – mud on the trail and dirty grass. Fortunately all bridges have not been damaged.
Dry gum treeRuffey Trail Suspension bridge over Yarra River
We reached Westerfolds Park after about one hour of walking.
Westerfolds Park
Manor House was just 10 minutes away but we’ve seen it before and decided to turn back.
It’s a great urban walk with picturesque landscape and nice views over Yarra River. It took us 2 hours of brisk walking.
We stopped at Bairnsdale for a lunch on our way from Melbourne to Merimbula. We decided to stretch our legs and go for a short walk. Mitchell River Walk starts right from the town – perfect!
Trail and bench
It’s a circuit, we got to walk on both sides of the river.
The trail is suitable for prams. It is dog-friendly.
TrailView from the bridgeRiver and treesBridge over Mitchell River BackwaterMitchell River and Mitchell River Backwater
It was a nice and very easy walk. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete it. We walked 6.7 km.
