OTWAY RANGES WALKING TRACK ASSOCIATION INC.

                                    Otway Ranges Walking Track Ass. No. A 0034409H

                                 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2015      

     Report from the President’s Perspective:-

Another year has well and truly started and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a ‘Happy Australia Day’!! I think these days, time flies whether you’re having fun or not.  However, we prefer to have fun!  And for most of us, bushwalking is one way of having FUN!!  It just takes an effort to arrange this great pastime around our busy lives.

As I see it, there are two major reasons for ORWTA’s existence. The first is to continue to lobby the Government and persevere with various avenues that will result in the Trans Otway Waterfalls Walk coming to fruition.  However, for many reasons, there has been no progress on this of late.

The second reason is to foster the fun, social and healthy aspects of bushwalking in the Otways. The Otways is an amazingly diverse place with the cool temperate rainforest, tall eucalypt forests, the multitude of waterfalls, the coastal heathlands and the rugged but pristine coastline.  Whether you are new to walking in this region, a regular visitor or, like myself, who has lived here all of one’s life, it is a very rewarding area to explore. The social walks conducted monthly are still proving popular and necessary to continue to be able to keep our proposed route clear.

Over many years, ORWTA members have enjoyed so many walks both along the proposed Trans Otway Waterfall Walk and other locations in the Otways. Very few of our walks in that time have needed to be cancelled or rescheduled.  However, we have had trouble of late. Bushwalkers, whether regular walkers or not, are certainly keen to get out in the bush. I fully appreciate that, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve had a walk, or a favourite walk is on or you just want a break from your normal routine. However, sometimes things happen beyond our control with weather, trip leader unavailability and communication. As a club, we must be proactive and show that we are a responsible organisation and make tough decisions when needed.  Presently, some of our routes do need a tidy-up with clearing away fallen limbs. Some of us are able get into the bush regularly to help with carrying out this task. In saying that, we are a volunteer organisation and most of us still work so we can only do as much as we can do with the volunteers we have available as this needs to fit around with the rest of our lives.

Wild Dog Track is one track that we normally like to do every year. We were not able to do it when scheduled last February due to a Total Fire Ban Day.  In December, again this walk was rescheduled to be done, but a predicted widespread rain event led to an executive decision to call the walk off. So it will be a case of ‘take 3’ as it is down for May’s walk.

ORWTA are very thankful for all our trip leaders; most are our members and some are members of other clubs that assist from time to time. Through their knowledge (maybe of a particular area), passion and expertize, we are able to offer many diverse walks.

Having lost several key committee members over the last year which have been due to illness, work commitments, retirement and having left the area, our club is certainly going through a rebuilding stage. ORWTA membership continues to be steady which is extremely encouraging. Although, we do have a good member base, one of our problems is that our members come from a very wide area.  So ORWTA would appreciate any help that can be given; maybe on the day of the walk, leading a walk, help with a recce or clearing tracks, or your expertise may be communicating / liaising with various Government agencies.                Any help will be gratefully appreciated.

Let’s hope our Club has a successful 2015.        

        ~     Alan Dow  (President)    ~

Liaison between ORWTA and Geelong Bushwalking Club:-

So now is a good time to mention the efforts of Bernard Jordon who has been involved in ORWTA for a very long time. Like a few in our club, Bernard is a member of both ORWTA and the Geelong Bushwalking Clubs. He had a very important role of being the liaison between the two Clubs, making sure the correct walk info & trip report was submitted to GBC’s monthly magazine, being the Geelong contact to organise car-pooling, assisted in the reconnaissance of tracks and has lead so many of our walks. He is stepping down from his role with ORWTA to watch the ‘grass grow’ and will no doubt be spending more time at Sandy Point.

On behalf of the Committee and members of ORWTA, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bernard for all his involvement over the many years with ORWTA. His willingness to lead walks has certainly been invaluable in our club. A job well done and much appreciated !!! Hopefully, you will join us on our walks from time to time.

Good and Bad news regarding tracks in Lorne area:-

We heard, from a couple of sources, that several tracks in the long-established network of paths in the Lorne area were to be closed permanently.  However, in December when this matter was raised, the Parks Vic Ranger for Lorne was adamant that no such closures were forthcoming. Let’s hope for all lovers of walking that these tracks stay open permanently.

NOTE- It was very sad to hear of young child recently who was critically injured after being hit by a fallen branch on one of the Lorne tracks near Erskine Falls. He was on an outing with his family when the tragedy happened. We all love walking in the Australian Bush, but these incidents, although very rare, do make us aware that it can be dangerous at times. 

Marriners Falls:-

And while we are on the subject of closures, Marriners Falls has been closed for many years now. It has been assessed as being ‘unsafe’. There is been a concentrated push in 2014 to re-open these Falls before they are ‘closed’ permanently. The track to the falls is certainly no more dangerous than many of the tracks through the Otway forests.

There is now a group known as "Friends of Marriners Falls". The ORWTA committee members wholeheartedly support this group, and we encourage all members to add to and support their Facebook page. This can be found by going to the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website, at; "www.abcct.com.au/friends" and clicking on the 'leave a comment' option just below the page title.  Also, if anyone has any photos or history of past visits to these Falls please feel free to share them with this group.

Marriners Falls is such an important asset to Apollo Bay.  It has a rich history dating back to early settlers visiting the Falls in the late 1800s. Unlike Lorne, which has many waterfalls and forest tracks of which to walk, Apollo Bay has only got the short track to Marriners Lookout, the start of the Great Ocean Walk and Marriners Falls. Marriners Falls have been a lovely cool place to visit with the family particularly on those hot days in the Summer holidays. 

New signage:-

There is new walk / cycle signage around Apollo Bay to help visitors get to places in the town.  On several of these signs, there is a photo that our Secretary took on the proposed ‘Highview Walk’ that we did last August which acknowledges our organisation. Great Les !

250 Victorian Waterfalls:-

The authors of ‘250 Victorian Waterfalls’ have decided on doing another book, but this time on Otway waterfalls.  So if anyone has any information regarding location, name or history of any known or ‘hidden’ waterfalls in the Otways then Ray and Ian would be happy to correspond with you. You can reach Ian via email at    i.wacey@jcbcea.com.au

We still have several copies of 250 Victorian Waterfalls, so if anyone would like a copy sent to them, contact Alan on 0400 404 046.

Social walks program:-

We have just released our 2015 Calendar of Walks.  I hope there is something in this for everyone and that you have free time available to do some of them.  Our social walks are normally held on the first Sunday of the each month.  However, sometimes we hold it on the 2^nd Sunday of the month to avoid such events as Father’s Day or Easter. We do ask for a gold coin donation from participants on the day of our walks.

·                Sunday 1^st February, 2015

- Day: Wild Dog Falls

- Evening: Dinner & ORWTA meeting at Forrest

(Venue to be arranged)

Trip Leader: Alan Dow 0400 404 046

·                Sunday 1^st March, 2015

- Day: Glasgow Falls

- Evening: (Dinner & Meeting to be arranged)

Trip Leader: Kim Attard: 0422 880 817

·                Sunday 12^th April, 2015

- Day: Sabine Falls Grand Circuit

- Evening: Dinner & ORWTA meeting at Forrest

  (Venue to be arranged)

Trip Leader: John Piesse: 9852 8924

To register or enquire more information regarding any of the walks; please contact the Trip Leader or the President Alan Dow –

0400 404 046.

Meetings of ORWTA:-

Monthly Meetings of ORWTA Inc. usually take place after the scheduled Social Walk. The venues for the Meetings are generally in the region of that month’s walk. Typically held at Apollo Bay, Forrest or Lorne, however, we have held them at Wye River, Deans Marsh and Beech Forest in the past. They involve a relaxed meeting often over dinner or a drink.

Our website is –

www.otwaywalks.com/front.html:-

If you Google ‘Otway Walks’ near the top of the page you will find the home of the Otway Ranges Walking Track Association Inc.  The ORWTA website is a wealth of information:-

·         Introduction to the Otways

·         ORWTA:- History, About this organization & the Club’s objectives

·         Walk Program

·         Contact ORWTA

·         Sales

·         Member resources:-

-          ORWTA Monthly Walk Report (Current & Archived)

-          ORWTA AGM Minutes (Current & Archived)

-          ORWTA Monthly Meeting Minutes (Current & Archived)

-          ORWTA Inc. Statement of Purposes

-          ORWTA Inc. Membership Form

For reports and pictures on our latest walks please look at our blog
http://otwaywalks.blogspot.com

We acknowledge the assistance given to us from the Bendigo Bank in sponsoring the yearly costs of our Website. 

Membership 2014 / 2015. 

New and return members are always welcome. We are asking all members to inform their family and friends as to what our organization does and so they may become ORWTA members or at least enjoy a walk with us.

Recent new members that have joined are Stephen Kerr and Andy Hewat. I hope you enjoy meeting the many other walkers and gain some great experiences while walking in the Otways.

The upcoming Social walk is to beautiful Wild Dog Falls on February 1^st  2015

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.

Ironbark Gorge and Currawong Falls circuit, 

Sunday, 3rd August, 2014

Walkers: Gabriel Fuller, Debra White, Helen Cuell, Mick Roberts, Doris Denny, Ginny Logan, Lyndal Almond, Janette Malone (visitor), Viv Pascoe, Katherine Graham, Brenda Riley, Andrew Hackett, Jack Antonas, Clare Cotton, Les Roe (these 4 from ORTWA) and Daphne Sands (leader).

It was a beautiful day for walking, clear, a little cold, but no rain. After climbing through the thick forest of the Ironbark Gorge we stopped for banana break on the rock shelf that gives a magnificent view to the sea and the Aireys Inlet lighthouse.

The highlight of this walk was to see water flowing over the Currawong Falls, not seen before by any of the walkers. Parks have constructed a small viewing platform giving a good view of the falls.

Descending after the falls the track was a running creek in a couple of places, but once we crossed the creek it was dry and in good condition. Except from the group from Camperdown, we all gathered at Truffles for a warm drink and a chat.

Currawong Falls - Picture Les Roe

Lake Elizabeth, Sunday 7th July, 2014.

Walkers: Alan Dow (leader), Bernard Jordan, Les Roe, Jack Antonas, Andrew Hackett, Sue Twigg, Biba Horvatic, Johanne Walker, Bob Lambell, Ginny Logan, Odette Sheills, Kim Attard, Conrad and Debra White, Annie Mostun, Linda Carter, Elizabeth Anderson and Patricia Dressel.

It was great to see a good roll up of familiar and new faces for our monthly combined walk with the Otway Ranges Walking Track Association. Having assembled at Forrest in gloomy rainy conditions, all 18 were worried that this was going to be a really wet day; none more than the trip leader who openly admits to not desiring ‘to do rain.’ However, off we went through the town and by the time we were walking along the West Barwon Dam wall the rain had all but gone. Incidentally, we briefly ‘lost’ the last 3 of our party!

We then followed the main shared walking/mountain bike trail up and over into the East Barwon Valley to the car-park. It was a welcome relief when we finally made the picnic area for a late break/lunch. The next leg saw us reach the charming Lake Elizabeth, then set off for the circuit around it. I thought I would organize a boot washing service for all participants, whether you liked it or not; to negotiate the far end of the lake we passed along the boardwalk, just so happens it was covered with water. The walk on the other side was dominated by ferns, moss and fungi. Although on the Park sign it said it should take 3 to 5 hours, we arrived back at the picnic spot in 1.5 hours, where we had our proper lunch. Although no platypus were spotted, we did pass two slow moving Otway black snails.

Then it was off again, returning to Forrest mostly on a different trail. So after six and a half hours we arrived back to our cars. A quick freshen-up and then it was straight across the road for the much-anticipated coffee-n-scones at the ‘Wonky Donkey’ Pub. What a great way to spend a particularly nice day in the Otway bush, with a great group of like-minded people.

Carisbrook Mill,

6th April, 2014

Walkers:

Jack Antonas, Kim Attard, Graeme Doune, Sandra Dyer, Gabriel Fuller, Jenny Grice, Andrew Hackett, Bernard Heffernan, Louise Kemp, Joan McMahon, Anne Molan, Sureth Pathy, Roslyn Ross, Jane Sklovski, Debra White, Bernard Jordan (Leader)

We commenced walking from the track (formally a road) off Henry's Road, some 200m west of Nettle Track. The track has a gate, but nearly obscured by scrub. It goes straight down to Carisbrook Mill site on the pretty Carisbrook Creek. Several artefacts and imported plants remain.

We walked east along the creek for some 2km, no track but the occasional ribbon. After we returned to have lunch at the mill site, we continued west along the creek until ribbons led us up and up a spur, which ended at Sunnyside Road. We then had a short road walk to the cars.

We enjoyed the good company on a fine day in the forest.

Many thanks to Bernard for that report.

Walk Report; 2nd March 2014

Walkers; Bernard Jordan (leader), Alan Dow, Patricia Dressel, Biba Horvatic, Victoria Howlett, Stephen Johnstone, Wally Krafft, Irene McGinnigle, Julie Mirtschin, Dev Pathy, Sureth Pathy, Sue Twigg, members of GBC, ORWTA and visitors.

We left a car at Jamieson Creek and departed from Cumberland River Reserve along 4WD Cumberland Track, which runs generally westwards along a ridge including Mount Defiance, alas no views. This and other tracks are currently being extensively widened for fire fighting purposes.we turned left at Curtis "Road" and shortly after, left again at Wye River Road. From here we followed another ridge, taking the left turn to Jamieson Track, which runs "basically" downhill to the Great Ocean Road at Jamieson Creek. The tracks have some steep sections, where walking poles would be necessary in muddy, slippery circumstances. The forests are attractive when you look past the current destruction. Thanks for the good company!

This walk report provided by Bernard Jordan

Four Falls- Jan 2014

Walk Report, Four Falls from TW Spur, Sunday 5/1/2014

Walkers: Jennifer Morrow, Barbara McCrae, Wendy Speer, Nick Speer, Patricia Dressel, Tim Dressel, Neil Mathison, Jenny Grice, Irene McGinnigle, Stephen Johnstone, Andrew Hackett, Scott Fowler, Jill Fowler, Sue Twigg, Nola Hardess, Craig Scales, Julie Scales.

The day was cool and showery but with lengthy fine periods and sunshine in the afternoon.

Seventeen walkers met at the corner of Mt. Sabine Road and TW Spur Track, whence they proceeded to Brunswick Falls, Galliebarinda Falls and Upper Cumberland Falls in

that order, beginning at 9:45.

There was much to see on this extensive walk. All falls were most attractive with strong flows of water despite the season. Bracket fungi in a variety of sizes and colours were prolific. Many birds were heard, including cockatoos, and some were also sighted.

Navigation proved to be somewhat difficult, owing to strong growth in the understorey which had obscured tracks and ribbons. Much fallen timber also lay across tracks, adding to difficulties and slowing progress, and the large number of walkers contributed to the delay at each obstacle.

It was 5:30 before the party reached the branching track to Yannathan Falls and unanimously decided to forego this part of the walk. Even so, the starting point was not regained till 7:00pm making it a long day.

Some track work and re-ribboning would shorten the time required (currently about 10 hours if all four falls are visited), but this rewarding walk is inevitably one of our longest and most demanding.

Thanks are due to Jennifer Morrow for her capable and energetic leadership.

Andrew Hackett

Next Walk

Wild Dog Track, Sunday 2nd February 2014

Leader: Alan Dow

Please call Alan on 0400404046 if planning to participate.

Walk Report Dec 2013 - Wye Canyon

Wye Falls and Canyon Walk  ~  Sunday December 1^st, 2013.

Walkers:- Richard Gilbert (leader), Alan Dow, Bernard Jordan, Kim Attard, Les Rowe, Patricia Dressel, Jenny Grice, Wendy Speer, Glen Stert, Digby Williamson, Andrea Lau, Philipp Ruiter.

Sunday the first was a fine sunny, perfect day for a change, and the falls were spectacular.

11 of us including 2 visitors from Germany, and representation from Camperdown and Geelong Bushwalking clubs, as well as ORWTA members set out from the Kennett Track starting point at about 10.30am.

I found the starting point first try, unlike the last attempt on April Fools day this year. The old bicycle near the start of the track is still there.

There was quite a lot of vegetation over the benched logging track on the descent to Wye River which slowed down progress.

The river was higher than I have experienced it after heavy Spring rains.

Growth of blackberry and nettle on the south side of the river made walking in the stream more attractive than pushing through it.

We lunched at the Falls, then retraced our steps downstream, to find the route out to where we left Alan’s car, at the intersection of Mud Rd and Wye Rd.

The climb out was just as steep as last time, marred by some idiots on trail bikes who had torn up the track causing water erosion on the steep slope.

Mud road was as its name suggests, and seems to be popular with trail bikers judging by the damage in evidence, some of it knee deep ruts.

We reached Alan’s car at 5pm which was pretty much on schedule.

Richard Gilbert

Leader

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.

October Walk

Kennett River Rd to Grey River Rd

6^th October 2013

Walkers:     Sue Trigg (ORWTA), Jenny Brice, Chris Barr (Camperdown), Joan McMahon, Kim Attard, Bernard Jordan (leader) (GBC) 

We set up a car shuffle with the end point 11.3 km along the Grey River road from the Kennett River Store. Another car was left at the gate on Ridge Road (off the Great Ocean Road). The track joined Kennett road, and we continued on a further 3 km or so to meet the Kennett Wye jeep track. We continued on a further 1.5 km to the junction with the track down (west) to Kennett River, but missed it! After a while we turned back and found it. There is an opening in the bush, a log on the ground, and now several ribbons. The track is an old logging track. We crossed the river - about 30 cm deep - and walked some 15 m along the bank upstream to the track - bikie erosion obvious - up to a sharp bend on Coopers No 2 track/road. My notes said the route to Grey River commenced within 5 minutes of this junction, heading south, but we missed it! (Two strikes!)

We walked on to the end of Coopers No 2 road at the Grey River road. Bernard volunteered to walk some 5 km along Grey River road to retrieve a car. Shortly, 2 gorgeous French girls gave Bernard a lift. On return, I found a gallant French(?) Canadian man waiting in the drizzle for the girls to return. Soon sorted. 

We were surprised to find Alan Dow, Sue McKenzie and Les Roe discussing ORWTA affairs at the Wye River pub, so we joined them for coffee before returning from our adventures.

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 !!

The 'Allambee Beek' Walk Report - Sunday 5/05/2013

Walkers: Jennifer Morrow (leader, standing in for an unwell Richard Gilbert), Carole Gowty, Chris Barr, Jenny Grice, Murray Kelson, Gary Higgins, Richard Morrow.

There was a problem at the start when two cars from Geelong did not arrive and there was no telephone reception so no communication. The group waited for twenty-five minutes before commencing the walk.  (Unable to locate the starting point, the Geelong walkers walked to Lake Elizabeth.)

A small group of seven walkers set off down Curtis Track. The track was well marked with no navigational problems to the lovely Allambee Beek Falls where morning tea was enjoyed, then on to Staircase Falls for lunch. In the dry conditions it was lovely to see water, even though the volume was well down. It was a lovely walk on a lovely day with a good group of enthusiastic walkers.

Jennifer Morrow.

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.