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 Ridge Track - February 2013

Walk Report, Wild Dog Track, Sunday 3/2/2013

16 walkers met at Haines Junction and travelled 5 km by car along along Turton's Track to the starting point for the walk, from where they departed at 10:30.

The day was cool with low cloud in the valleys and some light showers.

The route was mostly well ribboned and followed a narrow ridge between the Wild Dog Creek and East Barham River. The walk proceeded at a brisk pace, with little fallen timber or undergrowth to slow progress. There was, however, a brief delay caused by a large and well-nourished tiger snake.

Many birds were heard, if not seen, and many ripe berries were found and eaten.

At 3:00 the walkers emerged from the forest into cleared land and ate a late lunch. They then continued to Crow's Nest Lookout where the walk terminated.

Thanks are due to leader Alan Dow and the drivers who contributed to the car shuffle.

Four Falls - January 2013

The 'Four Falls' Walk Report - Sunday 6/01/2013

Our rendezvous point was the usual corner of Mt. Sabine Road and TW Spur Track.

An interesting group of 15 walkers met at the appointed time.
They came from Apollo Bay, Bambra, Deans Marsh, Anglesea, Colac, Forrest, and two "woofers' from Italy - courtesy of Richard G. Manuello and Sebastian, the Italians, had not seen country like this before and their cameras worked overtime.
Maureen from Forrest turned out to be a french speaking Canadian, living in Oz for 30 years. She certainly chose a difficult walk for her first time with us and hopefully she hasn't  been turned off walking with us again.

It was a good day for walking, fine but not too hot.
We were ably led by Jennifer Morrow. We walked clockwise around the circuit to Brunswick Falls, Galliebarinda Falls, Upper Cumberland Falls and Yannathan Falls.

As usual, there were some trees down across the track, some ribbons covered with moss, and sometimes the track was overgrown, but after sending out scouts, we always found the track without too much difficulty, and delays were minimal.

Not as much water going over the falls this time which made the crossings a little easier, but regardless, the falls are always attractive.

It had been a long day and when we arrived at the turn off to Yannathan Falls, it was decided to leave them till next time.

Afterwards, some of the walkers gathered at Martians in Deans Marsh and enjoyed a well earned coffee before heading home.

Although this walk is long and demanding, it is nevertheless a very rewarding walk.

Wild Dog Falls - Dec 2012

Wild Dog Falls Walk Report

2-12-12

Attendees: Sue McKenzie (leader), Graeme Ward, Neel Ganesan, Doris Denney, Floss Ross, Mick Roberts, Bernard Jordan, Tim Cobb, Gabriel Fuller, Sue Twigg, Nola Hardess, Andrew Hackett, Leanne Matheson, Patricia Dressel and Les Roe.

Fifteen walkers enjoyed a refreshing walk through the rainforest to Wild Dog Falls and back. Five walkers came from Geelong, five from Camperdown and five locals met at Haynes Junction in the light rain. We car pooled to the parking area 5kms down Turton’s Track, where we left about 10am. 

The track was in fairly good condition with some fallen trees encountered. Many old pink ribbons were replaced. The intermittent light rain kept our raincoats on and off most of the day. 

Due to the recent rain, the Wild Dog Falls were working well. After lunch at the falls, we headed back with a detour to the Jack Phillips Cascades. Although all ropes were in fair condition, they will be replaced soon. We were all back at the cars at 3:30, suitably tired and impressed. ORWTA’s new GPS was taken along for the walk, so the track is now logged. 

Wild Dog Track Pics- September 2012

View from Turtons Track - Thanks Patricia for the pics!

Thanks Alan for leading the walk........There was a big hill but we didn't think that it was that tiring!!

Sue and Les ribboning

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.