LES NOSEDA MEMORIAL WALK TO WILD DOG FALLS

 8^th September 2013

A lovely day brought nine people together to walk to the Wild Dog Falls in memory of our past president, Les Noseda.

Joining us were Andrew Noseda (Les’s son), and the co-authors of “250 Waterfalls of Victoria”, Ray Barber and Ian Wacey.  Their book contains a photo and description of Wild Dog Falls taken when Les guided Ray and Ian to the falls a few years ago. 

The track was generally in good condition, sections had been cleared and re-taped, we encountered some recently fallen trees and branches but everyone enjoyed the variety and beauty of this walk. 

We visited Sharpes No. 3 mill site on our way, had lunch on the rocks below the falls, climbed back up the steps and made a short detour to the ‘Jack Phillips Cascades’ above the falls.

 Wild Dog Creek was flowing strongly after the heavy rains over August which made the falls quite spectacular.

It was a pleasure to share memories and anecdotes of walking with Les – a man always striding ahead in gumboots; a true visionary and inspiration in developing and promoting the Trans Otway Waterfall Walk over many years. 

Walk started:  9.50am - Finished:  2.45pm

Nola Hardess

Wild Dog Falls Walk - April 7th 2013

Wild Dog Falls Walk  ~  Sunday April 7^th, 2013.

Walkers:- Alan Dow (leader), Sue McKenzie, Andrew Hackett, Gabriel Fuller, Bernard Jordan, Les Rowe, Jack Antonas, Judy Newman, Murray Kelson, Jenny Grice, Elizabeth Anderson, Carole Gowty, Garry Higgins, Sue Twigg, Pauline Johnson, Joan McMahon, Julia McKeag and Christine Barr.

Walkers from Otway Ranges, Geelong, Camperdown and Bayside Clubs assembled at Haines Junction ready to embark on a challenging day in the Otway bush.  The group of 18 consisted of those with many years experience through to those new to walking in the cool temperate rainforest. The day was rather pleasant for walking; and although warm, leeches were still present and the odd Otway Black Snail.  It wasn’t long before we were on the old logging track with its wide bends as it zig zagged it’s our way down to Tea House Creek Junction, where this small creek meets the Wild Dog Creek. The track was quite negotiable, taking about two hours to arrive at our long awaited morning tea stop amongst the tall ferns.

The next leg slowed us down somewhat as we made our way along the beautiful ferny glades of the Wild Dog Creek. We noticed that the August flood had cleared away most of the stinging nettles and wire grass from the water course itself.  Soon after reaching Jack Phillip’s Cascade, we negotiated our way up from the creek before descending to the base of Wild Dog Falls for a very much deserved lunch. With the long dry period the Otways have experienced this year, the falls were certainly not at their best, but still beautiful and well worth the effort in reaching them. As the day was getting on, we started the long uphill path along the ridge line to where the start of the old logging tramway. Here one could imagine the huge logs being hauled out of the valley long ago. Half way along this, we took a breather and drinks stop before finally reaching Sharps No. 3 Mill site where the old boiler had been left rusting away.

Soon we reached Wild Dog Track where we turned downhill for the final stroll to reach the carpark on Turtons Track. All emerged from the bush tired and dirty but challenged and thoroughly satisfied by our experience in a remote area of the Otways. Due to daylight savings having ended today, there was not much daylight left. A vehicle was waiting for the ferrying of walkers back to Haines Junction.

 Alan Dow.

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.