Wild Dog Track  ~Turtons Track to Crows~ Sunday 7^th June, 2015

The relieved party having reached the top of the big hill, with the rugged Wild Dog Ridge

in the centre in the background.

Walkers: Les Roe (leader), Alan Dow, Andrew Noseda, Debra White, Conrad White, Kim Attard, Sarah Coll, David Vaughan, members of GBC, ORWTA and visitors.

We gathered at Haines Junction in the early morning mist, while the carefully organised car shuffle was put in place. Then a short ride down Turton's Track, and eight very keen walkers were ready for the off. As we made our way up the short hill at the beginning, the sun broke through, and we were treated to a beautiful blue sky sunny day. The good weather spurred us on and we reached the morning "tea break" stop at Log Landing in just an hour. Then despite some ribbon maintenance, and having to clear a large branch blocking the path, we reached the lunch spot in the farm paddock by 12:30, and enjoyed a leisurely break, while taking in the beautiful view.

Thanks to a new gate at the bottom of the paddock, we were soon able to find the start of the big hill climb up to the ridge. As we were ahead of schedule, we had a well-earned rest at the top of the climb and enjoyed the magnificent views across the Wild Dog Valley to the hills beyond. Then an enjoyable walk along the ridge, with more magnificent views before approaching Crow's Nest Lookout.

We reached the finish at 2:30, and having had such an enjoyable walk, Andrew offered us all refreshments at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse. This offer was gratefully received, and was a perfect end to a very enjoyable and energetic walk. Thanks for the good company!   Les Roe.

 

                                      

Peeling bark

           An Old Timer rotting on the forest floor.

Walk Report

Highview - Apollo Bay31^st August  2014

Walkers; Alan Dow (leader), Linda Carter, Andrew Hackett, Bernard Jordan, Wally Krafft, Annie Moston, Les Roe, Odette Sheills, Sue Steward, Sue Twigg, Deborah White. Members of ORWTA & GBC, plus visitor Sue Steward.

Whilst we were assembling at the Apollo Bay Information Centre, Sue Steward was preparing herself for a solo walk, when she guessed we were bushwalkers, and so she joined us! So with guest walker in tow, we set off to Tuxion Road, then up Old Tuxion Road as a steep short cut, before rejoining Tuxion Road and heading to the Crows Nest Lookout, where we enjoyed good views over the ocean and north to the main Otways ridge. 

We then walked westwards, briefly, then roughly south to the Highview Walk, which undulates along a ridge through farmland. We enjoyed views north along Wild Dog ridge, then views over the valley leading to Marriners Falls, before the delight of spectacular views over Marengo and Apollo Bay. We passed curious cattle and some nervous sheep with their lambs on our descent to join the road back to Apollo Bay. Four and a half hours of enjoyable walking in good weather, in great company.

Walk report provided by Bernard Jordan.

 Next walk

The next walk is to Allambee Beek on Sunday 5th October 2014.

Leader; Kim Attard. Please phone Kim on 03 5263 2242 if you intend to participate.

A meeting will be held after the walk at Martians in Deans Marsh at 5:30pm.

Walk Report
Highview Scenic Walk                                                                                                    
10^th November 2013

Walkers: Sue McKenzie (leader), Nola Hardess, Sue Twigg, Andrew Hackett, Les Roe.

The weather was fine with a cool eastly wind as we left the Apollo Bay Visitor Centre at 1:30pm. We headed up Tuxion and Old Tuxion Rd, where we stopped a few times to admire the view, and catch our breath! (There are a few steep sections!)

After Crowes Nest, the track down the hill was a bit slippery. The GPS guided us through the farmland with precision. A banana break was taken just off the ridge above the Walters’ place overlooking the Barham valley where we consulted maps to check how close the Wild Dog and Barham Rivers are to each other.

The sun came out to show off the spectacular vistas from Cape Patton to past Marengo. Thanks go to the farmers who allowed us through their properties. We walked down past McKenzie’s where we met up with a follow member, Val Flitton, who was also admiring the view. The Apollo Bay Hotel was finally reached at 5pm, just in time for our meeting. It was one of our easier, panoramic walks.

ORWTA Lorne Walk

Sunday 7^th of July 2013

Attendees:         Daphne Sands (leader),  Alicia Cognian, Alan Dow, Sue McKenzie, Jack Antonas, Peter Morgan, Geoff James, Lesley James, Maggie Bolton, Andrew Hackett, Michael Stitt, Patricia Dressel.

After a few days of wet and windy weather, a glorious sunny day greeted us in Lorne. Twelve walkers began at Teddy’s Lookout at about 9:45am, with spectacular vistas of the Great Ocean Road and Bass Strait. We proceeded down the hill to the picturesque St George’s River, where we observed many birds, including a great cormorant drying its wings.  After turning right up Cherry Tree Creek, we walked till we met the Allenvale Road and then headed up Green Break Track, where we had a banana break.

Next we turned left along Henderson Track, over the Cora Lynn Creek to the Allen Dam and on to Phantom Falls. The falls were working well due to the recent rain, so many photos were taken. We then walked alongside St George’s River again, passed through the orchard, and back across the Allenvale Road.

The lunch stop was at Allen Mill Camp Ground, where we found a sunny clearing with logs to sit on. After lunch we headed back down along the St George’s River to the Great Ocean Road observing more waterbirds.

Then we proceeded left along the route of the old tramway track above the Great Ocean Road with more spectacular views of the huge swell rolling in. When we reached Hind St, we turned left up the tarmac road, left into Queens Park Caravan Park, then right up the steps to Charles Street. We headed through the trees of Queens Park uphill arriving back to Teddy’s Lookout at 2:45pm, after a wonderful diverse walk which included views of the ocean, rivers, waterfalls, bush and a reservoir.

Thanks Daphne.

Report by Sue McKenzie.

Moonlight Heads Walk, Sunday 9th June, 2013.

Walkers:  Alan Dow (Trip Leader), Bernard Jordan, Nola Hardess, Sue McKenzie, Kim Attard, Leane Matheson, Linda Boyd, Gary Higgins, Joan McMahon, Jenny Grice, Jenny ?. (GBC, ORWTA & Camperdown Clubs were represented.)

To mix it up occasionally, ORWTA do a walk, different to the forays into the rainforest along the Trans Otway Walk.  The mild winter conditions continued as it was a great day for walking.  After a short car shuffle, the group of 11 set off south along Parker Access to the first of several amazing vistas.  From the Moonlight Heads escarpment, you can see below to the rocky beach & ‘Submarine Rock’ and also as far away as Cape Otway.  We then followed the Great Ocean Walk through the coastal forest until we came upon the next equally great lookout, that of the Gables, a deserved spot for our ‘banana break’.  Still heading west, and at one place siding where the old Moonlight Heads racecourse was, we came upon the new section of the GOW that reaches the Devil’s Kitchen walk-in campsite.  While some of our group had to experience the ‘loo with the view’, the rest continued on to descend towards the beach. Some had lunch on the seats made from rocks, with a great elevated view of the beach, while others chose to have it at the beach.

It was after our break when things got exciting, although not high tide we had a big sea running.  Heading east now, we had to negotiate the entirety of Wreck Beach, which just meant moving quickly in between the high points.  At some point, most got wet up to their knees. A certain confident trip leader hadn’t even got his boots wet, until at the very last spot he also suffered the same fate as the others; much to their amusement.  The conditions were not that you could have strolled along Wreck Beach and enjoyed seeing the anchors from two shipwrecks, the vast array of different rocks & pebbles and the beautiful rock pools.  However, we were able to experience one of ‘mother natures’ moods.

Then up the wooden staircase, with most that counted being only 2 or 3 steps away from my benchmark of 374, except for Bernard who seemed to have found a lot more.  The next already-walked section was the ‘crossover’ of our intended figure-8 walk. Here we met a group that had seen two snakes today; even the snakes don’t think it’s a normal winter.  From the Gables carpark, we walked north along the Moonlight Heads road to the Old Coach Road, where one of the cars was left.  It was here that the Geelong folk left us.  The rest of us continued along this rural lane, completing the figure-8 arriving at the car at 5 pm. 

At Lavers Hill, the GBC folk got take-away coffees from the PO / Café while the others sat in for our coffees at the Roadhouse / Tavern.                     

Thankyou to all who participated in this 7 hr wildly wonderful winter walk !!

Sabine Grand Circuit Walk Report March 2013

Sabine Grand Circuit

3-3-13

Walk report;

Attendees:   Bernard Jordan, Leanne Matheson, Daniel Thurairatnam, Jodie Jaeschke, Laura Lorrico, Roger Blake, Liz Bashford, Andrew Hackett, Les Roe, Sue Twigg and Jennifer Morrow.

Eleven walkers from Geelong, Deans Marsh, Apollo Bay Forrest and Bambra set off in perfect conditions; warm, still and dry.

The circuit was well marked there was evidence of clearing work having been done down the slope to the small Falls at the top of the Mt Sabine Falls and was much improved from when last walked.

Lunch was enjoyed after an easy stroll along the creek bed at the base of the Gorge Falls. It was just so lovely to see water....a very sparse commodity, at this time. For some [well for one], the icy cool water in a large water hole was too much too ignore, and a refreshing dip was much enjoyed.

A wonderful walk gorgeous day and good company....what more could you want?

Jennifer Morrow

Wild Dog Track  ~  Sunday 2nd September, 2012.

Walkers: Alan Dow (leader), Sue McKenzie, Patricia Dressell, Les Rowe, Sue Twigg, Sharon & Peter Bray & Elizabeth Anderson

The small group of 8 completed the walk, comprising members from Geelong Bushwalking Club, Otway Ranges Walking Track Association and visitors.  As Spring had arrived on time this year, we were looking forward to a nice day in the bush.  After a short car shuffle, we left Turtons Track heading south along the Wild Dog Track; one of two trails that were hope to have opened for walking in the no-so-distant future.  As some of us were here the week before to remove some of the branches off the track, we made good progress to the old log landing (1 ½ hrs), where we had our first break.  After this, we made steady – albeit slow at times – progress as it has been a long time since we had walked this track.  At times there were steep valleys falling on both sides of the track and you knew you were on a major ridge line.  Finally we came out of the forest, arriving at a farm with the sound of many baa’s to greet us.   After our third break, we started up the ‘4-o’clock hill’; although we were warned, we did not really want to tackle this in our weary state.  Our fourth break was promptly taken once the summit was reached where we enjoyed the great vistas that lay before us.  Then it was off on the last leg that had us walking through a narrow track in dense scrub, through open farmland that we could see the sea and finally on a road up to where our cars were waiting at Crows Nest.  A walk that would have taken just over 5 hours in the past, has taken us 7.5 hours.  No time for a ‘coffee’ as we were running late for the AGM; but the first beer went down well.  Thanks to all who came and toughed it out.

Les Noseda Memorial Walk - Colac Herald

Trek will honour walk campaigner

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By Jennifer Chiu, August 16th 2012  Colac Herald            Category: News

Friends and family will take part in a trek to honour Otways walking track campaigner Les Noseda, who died last September.

APOLLO BAY Bay residents will mark the anniversary of walking track campaigner Les Noseda’s death by trekking one of his favourite routes.

Mr Noseda’s sister Glenda Whelan and son Andrew Noseda wanted to have a memorial walk along Apollo Bay’s Highview Walk and they joined with the Otway Ranges Walking Track Association to organise the event.

Mr Noseda, a founding member and former chairman of ORWTA, died on September 15 last year.

Mrs Whelan said the memorial walk on September 9 would be a fitting tribute to Mr Noseda.

“The Highview Walk goes up Old Tuxion Road, it gets up to Crows Nest at the top of Tuxion, overlooking Apollo Bay,” she said.

“This was one of his favourite walks, he used to work up the top of Tuxion at some stage and he used to run past there instead of getting in the car to go home after work.

“I haven’t done the walk, but Les was always nagging me.”

Mrs Whelan said ORWTA members would lead the walkers along the route from Apollo Bay’s visitor information centre from 9am and Crows Nest from 10am.

“We’re estimating we could do it very easily, the whole walk, in four hours,” she said.

“Then we’re heading down to the hotel and having lunch.”

Donations from the walk will go to ORWTA.

The association hopes to name the trail after Mr Noseda if it can attract enough funding to improve the track and open it to the public.

ORWTA has been campaigning for walking trails at Apollo Bay for nearly 20 years.

Association treasurer Sue McKenzie said landholders along the 11-kilometre track had given the green light for the memorial walk.

“Les helped set up the information centre years ago and he used to take any tourists who wanted to go for a walk,” Mrs McKenzie said.

“It was his wish that the track would go ahead, it was probably one of the few things he didn’t get to see in his lifetime but there’s a passionate group of people who are trying to make sure that it does happen,” she said.

Les Noseda Memorial Walk

   

Otway Ranges Walking Track Ass.

                               No. A 0034409H

LES NOSEDA MEMORIAL WALK

Sunday the 9^th of September 2012
Highview Scenic Walk

Invitation to all

Les Noseda had a passion for walking in the Otways. The Highview Scenic Walk was one of his favourites.

Meet at the sculptures near the Info Centre for 9am start (4 hours) or at Crow’s Nest at 10am start (3 hours)

Leader: Alan Dow

If attending please contact Glenda Whelan (info@pointofview.com.au or 0419891685)

Gather at the Krambruk Room, Apollo Bay Hotel after the walk

Please Note:    All participants must sign in before starting at either point. BYO water, snack, camera. Gold coin donation

For more information about ORWTA go to www.otwaywalks.com and check out our updated Blog http://otwaywalks.blogspot.com