Bull Mallee (D Ong)
This page outlines some places for bushwalking in northern Victoria and the southern Riverina.
The open nature of forests in northern Victoria and the southern Riverina afford some good bushwalking opportunities. It is best to avoid summer when maximum temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The box-ironbark country around Bendigo is at its best during the Spring when wattles and wildflowers are in bloom. The Red Gum wetlands are often flooded during late Spring and early Summer..
Bushwalking Links
Links last checked 31st December 2009
Bibbulmun Track (south-west WA)
Bushwalking
in
northern Victoria and the Southern Riverina
On top Mt Terrick Terrick by Duncan Turnbull
Suggested bushwalks
in
Red gum wetlands and Box-Ironbark Forests
Introduction
Walk ideas on this page is provided in good faith by the webmeister, K Stockwell, and the walk suggestions may not necessarily be suitable for every person. Please research further to determine whether you are capable of doing a particular walk. Avoid walking alone, carry a supply of water, carry a first aid kit, carry appropriate maps and compass or GPS and wear suitable clothing. The area may be very hot at times. Avoid walking through high grass as there are many snakes in some places, especially Red Gum wetlands.
Great bushwalks in the Murray Valley...
Introduction
The following walking suggestions are meant as a starting point, something to work around. There is a separate page on most of the national parks mentioned on this page. Each of those pages contains notes on access, maps and camping sites. Walkers should obtain copies of the appropriae 1.25,000 topographic maps before attempting the longer walks, especially those which involve travelling cross country through bushland. Leaders are advised to do a reconnaisance prior to leading others on walks. Many of the shorter walks are suitable for those of average fitness or better.
Suggested venues for walks
1. Terrick Terrick National Park
The park-like nature of the woodland section of this park lends itself to cross-country walking. However, there are many seldom-used vehicular tracks winding their way through the park, so it is reasonable to follow these. It is recommended that walkers keep to the woodland section of the park. The grassland section is very flat, exposed and fragile. The best map to use is probably the one in the park notes which can be downloaded from the Parks AVictoria web site.
A full day cross-country circuit of this Park is feasible (e.g. in the late Spring, when the everlasting daisies are at their peak and before the hot weather of summer sets in).
Short Walk
There is a short walking track from the picnic ground to the top of Terrick Terrick (Mitiamo Rock. The picture at the top of this page was taken on the summit of Mt ATerrick Terrick (Mitiamo Rock). From the summit, one can see for many kilometres across the northern plains. Some of the features that can be observed include Pyramid Hill, Kow Swamp and Bendigo Creek winding its way across the grassland section of the park. Rating: medium (steep).Day walk (15km): start at the base of Mt Terrick Terrick (Mitiamo Rock), climb the rock and then walk in a north-easterly direction; change direction west and cross the north-south road which runs through the park. Then follow Rogers Track and Allan Track back to the starting point.
A circuit walk could take in native wells and the summits of the two main peaks. Great views of the flat surrounding countryside can be obtained from the granitic outcrops. A map is included in the leaflet occasionally available from the pamphlet box at the main entrance to the Park (it is worth downloading the brochure from the Parks Victoria office beforehand). Rating: medium (long, rocky in places).
Camping is permitted near the picnic ground at the base of Mt. Terrick Terrick. Good birding opportunities abound.
2. Port of Echuca and Victoria Park Bushland
A half-day walk from Echuca's Port area through Victoria Park bushland and back alongside the Murray River is always interesting. There are some interesting billabongs and the fenced Murray Pines Sandhill area to explore. Red gums line the Murray, Black Box predominates on the clay flats and Murray Pine is the dominant tree of the sandhills. The shrub with fine leaves which grows along the river banks is Cherry Ballart (Exocarpus) and it is semi-parasitic on the eucalypts. Silver Wattle is common on the sandhill and Golddust Wattle is scattered over the clay flats. Much of the grass is native. Obtain a map of Victoria Park from the Visitor Information Centre so that you can explore this area without getting lost. The walk could start and end at the Port of Echuca. You may prefer to jog or ride a bicycle around the "Scenic Drive". Rating: easy-medium.A short circuit walk that could be undertaken is from the tourist information centre upstream along the Murray River, incorporating Shinbone Alley, returning via a similar route. The sealed walking/bicycle track could be followed for part of the circuit. Several decades ago, there were many houses on a thin strip of higher ground of the floodplain ~ Shinbone Alley ~ but flooding caused the abandonment of the area. Little evidence of that section of old Echuca remain today, just some broken China, and natural revegetation has taken place. Rating: easy.
Another interesting short walk is to follow the Campaspe River downstream from near Echuca Cemetery to its confluence with the Murray. When the rivers are low, the remains of an old weir may be seen in the Campaspe. Darters and other waterbirds are frequent visitors to this section of river. The track continues to Wharparilla Drive but you may prefer to retrace your steps back to your starting point. Rating: easy-medium.
3. Echuca Regional Park (part of proposed Murray River Park
Echuca Regional Park is a good location for a 13km or 14km day walk (one way).Kiln Loop Track runs alongside the Murray from just north of Cape Horn Vineyard to Galaway Track, which meets Stewarts Bridge (Echuca-Nathalia) Road near the 12km peg on Stewarts Bridge Road; it can be followed by motorists and bush walkers and gives access to many good camping sites alongside the Murray River.
Here are some track notes on a one-way 15km walk in the park. Prior permission from the owners of Cape Horn Vineyard is necessary if you are start or finish the walk on their property. There is a caravan park 11.34km from Stewarts Bridge.
Drive from Echuca via Bangerang Road and, where the bitumen ends, turn left onto Stewarts Bridge (Echuca-Nathalia) Road. If prior permission has been obtained from the vineyard owners, leave some cars at Cape Horn Vineyard. Otherwise, leave cars on public land alongside cape Horn Track. All walkers need to be conveyed four per vehicle toward Barmah. Shortly beyond 12km from Stewarts Bridge, take a dirt track to the right for a few hundred metres and leave remaining cars out of sight from the road.
0km. Walk back along this track or overland to Stewarts Bridge Road, cross this road and cut across to Kiln Track.
1.4km Turnoff to Galaway Track. You can take a minor left track and then walk cross country to the north-west (using a compass) until the riverside Kiln Loop Track is reached
If you keep to Galaway Track rather than walking overland, turn left onto Kiln Loop Track (3km)
4.5km Tree with cross
5.8km Clearing and camp area
6.7km Red Gum; maze of tracks; the minor tracks lead to the Murray River,
7.6km Trees with large white painted circles; ignore Kalkunda Track and remain on Kiln Loop Track
8.2km 1744 sign on tree
8.8km Track to river with cliff bank across river.
9.8km Another track goes to the right
12.3km Echuca-Nathalia Road ~ walk parallel to river 13km Shackells Folly Bridge ~ If the creek is dry, to save time and distance, cross the creek prior to the bridge and follow Cape Horn Track back to Cape Horn Vineyard.
15km Cape Horn Vineyard ~ enter through riverside gate
15.4km Afternoon tea/coffee/wine; some cars need to return drivers to cars parked in forest near the 12km post.Topographic maps: Barmah 2825-1-11:25,000 and Moama 7825-1-4 !:25,000 (VicMap). Note: do not purchase the NSW version of the Moama map (unless there is a later version to mine) because it only details the NSW side of the Murray River ~ VicMap's Moama map covers both sides of the border.
Rating: medium (length)
Echuca Regional Park: good venue for a day or half-day walk (K Stockwell)
4. Barmah Forest
The Lakes Circuit is a half-day walk that can be started, and ended, at the Dharnya Information Centre, Sandridge Road, or at the Barmah Lake Camping Ground. The track was improved and gravel applied to it in July 1997. Rating: easy-medium.It is possible to do any number of full-day walks in the Barmah Forest but you should drive about the area first and study maps before setting out. Much of the forest may be hard to negotiate when runners and swamps contain water.
Some years back I worked out a circuit alongside Little Budgie Creek and the Murray near the Forcing Yards but the area was burnt by wildfire in 2006 and will need a few more years to recover.
Gulpa Island on the other side of the Murray seems to offer a greater diversity of vegetation types than much of Barmah Forest and it is therefore probably a better venue for bush-walking.
5. Gulpa Island, Millewa National Park
Barmah/Moira/Gulpa Island forest offers flat bushwalks on flat country. Most of the trees of this swampy area are River Red Gum or box. The best bushwalking area of the forest is probably Gulpa Island. Obtain local maps and survey the area by vehicle to plan a walk.I have led a 16 km day walk from Cranes Bridge near Mathoura following seldom-used forest tracks to the Edwards River bridge (Millewa Forest Road also known as Tocumwal Road) but a car shuffle is needed; if you do this walk, stop off at the bird hide on the way back to Mathoura.
View from the Reed Beds bird observation structure, December 2009 (K Stockwell)Another 16km walk I have led is from Langmans Sandhill, Langmans Road, to Cranes Bridge( or Pollys Bridge) in Mathoura, avoiding the Gulpa Creek Road for much of its length (as it becomes a bit boring) and using seldom-used winding tracks and/or some cross country orienteering instead. Again, a car shuttle is required. Rating: medium (cross country, length, navigational skills required)
6. Gulpa Creek Forest Walks Mathoura (3km each way)
On the northern edge of Mathoura, Cranes Bridge across Gulpa Creek is at the northern end of a well sign-posted3km walking track alongside Gulpa Creek. The walk was built alongside Gulpa Creek between Cranes Bridge and Pollys Bridge in stages (Walk 1, Walk 2, etc) but the sections are now all linked. The start/ends are clearly signposted, with access to Cranes Bridge from the Cobb Highway north of the town and access to the track near Pollys Bridge near the start of the Picnic Point Road in Mathoura. The Polly's Bridge end of the walking track is a short looped track. Rating: easy.
7. Moira Forest
Forestry NSW has sign-posted a great Forest Drive which leaves the Cobb Highway (a large roadside directional sign has been erected) and follows Coolamon Road and Porters Creek Road to the Murray. The drive is then along a 'perched' stretch of the Murray River that has no high banks (because the river is only a few thousand years old) back to Poverty Point Road. The top of the river is often higher than the forest either side, and contained only by its natural levee banks.Alternatively continue on Narrows Road through Tarragon Lodge to the sealed Picnic Point Road.
A full day 15km triangular walk can be done starting and ending at Poverty Point Picnic Ground or at Kings Log Landing, but
- take a track on the north side of Warwick Creek and parallel to Poverty Point Road to avoid the dust from passing traffic;
- cross Warwick Creek and follow Plains Road from Poverty Point Road to Porters Creek Road; and
- take the rarely-used Kings Landing Track from Porters Creek Road to Kings Log Landing to avoid traffic and to shorten the distance. Kings Log landing is a good camping spot but there are no facilities other than a table and fireplace. Follow the Murray back to the starting place. Rating: medium (length, navigational skills)..
The Narrows: a perched section of the Murray River (K Stockwell)Half Day Walk. From a barrier which prevents traffic from continuing south along Narrows Road, it is possible to walk south along the Murray to Moira Lake. At the end of the road, a narrow track through reeds away from the river reveals a great view of Moira Lake. Then retrace your steps. Rating: easy-medium.
If ever an old bridge over Moira Creek is replaced, it would then be possible to walk all the way from Picnic Point to Barmah Town. But Moira Creek is too deep and too wide to cross.
It is possible to do a 16km circuit walk of the lake but the grass between Moira Channel and Moira Lake is alive with poisonous snakes, most of which cannot be seen ~ a dangerous and frightening walk not worth doing except, perhaps, in Winter.
Moira Forest Walkway starts where the Gulpa Creek leaves Picnic Point Road about a kilometre west of Picnic Point, and follows the Gulpa Creek until a suspension bridge is reached.
A sidetrack continues from here to an old bird hide and occasionally, if Gulpa Creek is near empty, can be followed all the way to Mathoura; the new bird observation structure, however, affords much better views of the wetland, so it is wise to cross the suspension bridge and head toward the Murray River.
From the suspension bridge to the Murray River at Poverty Point,the track has not been maintained and is indistinct in places. If the Reed Beds contain water, the track may be under water for long stretches. Sleeper backs were laid down over a decade ago but most have washed away during floods!
From Poverty Point,you can return to the start by turning left onto Narrows Road and then following Picnic Point Road west to your vehicle.
The walkway follows Narrows Road for many kilometres until it reaches Moira Creek which is impassable. So you a car shuttle is needed.
To put it bluntly, the triangular walk outlined above has proved to be the most pleasant and most popular of the walks I have led in Moira Forest.
8. Whipstick Forest, Greater Bendigo National Park: Old Tom's Circuit (half day; 6.3km)
The Whipstick and Kamarooka Forest are adjoining parts of the Greater Bendigo National Park and are located north of Bendigo and west of Elmore.Old Tom's Circuit starts from Shadbolt's Picnic Ground at the base of Whipstick (or Flagstaff) Hill (alongside Neilborough Road) and leads to Old Tom's Mine. In Spring, following good Winter rains, the wildflower display is sometimes sensational, when colourful wildflowers (e.g. Baeckia) blanket the ground. Sometimes the orchid display along the track is very good. t But avoid this area in the heat of summer and in autumn when the March flies may be irritating. Rating: easy.
9. Kamarooka Forest (full day, 15-21km)
Mulga Dam is shown on most maps of Kamarooka Forest. It is a good starting point for a walk but there are no facilities there apart from a picnic table. A 21km walking trail commences here and continues via Campbells Road dams and Kamarooka Hill to Black Rock Flat Road. Highlight is the rock formation on a side track near the end of the walk.21km may be a bit too long for most, but it is possible to cut off about 5km by starting the walk where it crosses Campbell Road (near some old distillery dams). The walking track is marked with posts, which can be followed in a southerly direction to Black Rock Flat. There are some old tracks winding off from the trail: be sure to explore the rocks near the end of the trail.
As some vital posts are missing, especially where the walking track follows roads for short distances, it is worth using a good topo map and using a vehicle before setting out to check those sections which follow roads. A car shuttle is required.
Rating: medium (length, navigational skills required)
Kamarooka Forest (K Stockwell)10. Mt Sugarloaf Nature Conservation Reserve
Parts of Wellsford Forest is now part of Bendigo Regional Park. By far the most scenic and diverse section of this forest is to the east, the Mt Sugarloaf Nature Conservation Reserve.The forest to the west has been heavily logged and is monotonous to walk in, but Mt Sugarloaf NCR is terrific. It can be incorporated into a day or half-day walk. Rating: medium (steep sections)11 Mt Ida, Heathcote-Graytown National Park (full day)
Near Heathcote, an hour south of Echuca, is Mt Ida, now part of the Heathcote-Graytown National Park. It is a good idea to obtain maps of this area and to plan a circuit taking in the former Mt Ida Flora Reserve and the Dargile Ironbark Forest to the east (both of which have been incorporated into the new National Park). The picnic ground in the Killawarra Forest is worth incorporating into the walk. The vegetation around the picnic ground features Ironbarks and some plants introduced from outside the area. By contrast, the area to the west is Box Forest. Rating: medium-hard (steep sections, length, cross-country section/s, navigational skills required)The Whroo area is also popular with bush walkers but much of the ground is uneven as a result of gold mining. The unevenness of the ground and old mine shafts detracts from the area as far as bushwalking is concerned.
However, the short half day walking trail which starts at the kiosk and circles the Balaclava Open Cut is well worth doing. Rating: medium (steep sections).
12 Pine Falls-Wenhams, Warby Range-Ovens River National Park
The Warby Range is a few hours drive to the east of the region covered by this site, but there are some great walks there.There is a great walking circuit which starts from the Pine Falls Picnic Ground (off Thoona Road). A pamphlet is sometimes available from a box near the start of the walk but it is wise to download a copy beforehand from the Parks Victoria site. This area is best visited in spring. It is hot and dry in summer and by autumn the waterfalls have dried up. The V.N.P.A. is but one bushwalking group to offer walks in the Warbys.
I have taken groups on a 17km one-way walk from the nature circuit at Pine Falls to Wenhams camp ground via Black Springs.We have observed Koalas at black Springs, which was a good place for lunch. A combination of walking tracks, seldom used roads and cross country (near Wenhams) was involved.The last bit of the walk was cross country to pick up a section of the Friends Track leading to Wenhams. As this is a one-way walk, a car shuttle is involved; it is imperative that the leader do a reconnaissance first. Rating: medium-hard (length, navigational skills required, cross country sections)
The Friends Circuit, which starts and ends at Wenhams Picnic Ground, is a sensational half-day walk, especially good in Spring. Rating: medium-hard (longish, steep sections)
13 Killawarra Forest, Warby Range - Ovens River National Park
Another great walking spot is the Killawarra Forest,in the north of the Warbys and now incorporated into a national park. A circuit walk is possible, incorporating the wildflower circuit which commences and ends at Old Camp picnic area in the heart of this magnificent ironbark forest. Spring is the best time of year to walk in this forest. Rating: medium.14 O'Keeffe Rail Trail
The course of a dismantled railway can be followed from Axedale west to the outskirts of Bendigo. Walkers will need a car shuttle. En route, it is worth spending some time leaving the track to exsplore the Bendigo Field Naturalist Club's reserve. Cyclists should be able to complete much of the trail and return in a day. Before setting out, collect a map and brochure from the Bendigo Tourist Information Centre. Rating: medium (length)15 Bendigo Bushland Trail
A trail links Bendigo to its surrounding bushland. Blue and gold signposts depicting an Echidna mark the route. Part of the trail is in urban areas. Collect a map and brochure from the Bendigo Tourist Information Centre.16 Mt Alexander
There are some short walking tracks on Mt Alexander. Use a topo map to help plan a walk around the mountain. Rating: medium-hard (very steep in places).17 Great Dividing Trail
The Great Dividing Trail is a community-developed 260km public walking trail following the top of the Great Dividing Range from Bacchus Marsh to Bendigo, allowing walkers to enjoy central Victoria's unique combination of gold rush heritage and bushland. Created by a community-owned organisation, the Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA), the Trail links the old gold rush towns at the heart of Victoria, as well as the forests, hills and lakes, straddling the Great Dividing Range. The Trail's spokes include four major tracks, each of which can be completed in a day or less. The walking tracks in the vicinity of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are particularly good. Rating: medium (length)18 Gunbower Island: Black Swamp Circuit
Armed with good topographic maps, it is possible to undertake discovery walks in parts of the Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest. Avoid summer when it is likely to be hot. Parts of the forest may be flooded from late winter to early summer. Access may be difficult during or following rain. Avoid wetland areas. The end of the forest closest to Echuca-Moama is slightly higher and less prone to flooding.Box Trees grow on slightly higher ground; native Callitris Pine is the dominant tree on sand hills. These areas tend to be more open, allowing cross country walking using a compass.
Natural silt jetties alongside Gunbower Creek and the Murray are slightly higher than land away from them. Gunbower Island offers lots of good bush walking possibilities.
Black Swamp Circuit
One possible walk starts at one of the several picnic tables alongside Gunbower Creek near the intersection of Iron Punt Track and Koondrook Track (near the Treetops Scout Camp, just across Spences Bridge), on Gunbower Island.Armed with a good map, walk along Iron Punt Track to the Murray River.
Murray River, Gunbower Island (K Stockwell)After pausing for a while, turn left at the Murray River. Follow River Track for about a kilometre to Black Swamp Track. The less adventurous should turn left onto Black Swamp Track and follow it back to Iron Punt Track, retracing the first part of the walk back to the start.
The more adventurous, however, having checked the route by 4WD or trail bike beforehand without getting bogged, might take the unnamed track which leaves River Track about a half kilometre further on. The unnamed track (which is shown on Hayman's Forest Activities Map of Cohuna-Echuca-Gunbower Island), winds its way alongside wetlands and around Red Gum trees until it reaches Koondrook Track. Turn left at Koondrook Track and follow it back to your starting point. Avoid doing this walk in summer and when the forest is in flood. It is worth taking a camera as there are lots of photos opportunities if some of the wetlands still contain a little water. rating: medium-hard (navigational skills required; length)
19 Perricoota Forest: Kate Malone Bend
The Kate Malone Bend area of Perricoota Forest is particularly good, with sections of relatively undisturbed forest and secluded sandy riverside beaches.Armed with a good forest map, it is possible to do a circuit using forestry roads. Kat Malone Bend beach is a good starting and end point.
Note: locked gates prevent walkers from crossing Torrumbarry Weir between Perricoota Forest and the Torrumbarry kiosk/camping area.
20 Kanyapella Forest
Off the radar with walkers because it is not well known, Kanyapella Forest may be a suitable location for cross country walking. Much of the forest is of an open nature and it is possible to skirt around most wetlands. There are some channels and creeks which may prove to be obstacles when they contain water. A good topographic map is recommended. Large old trees line old roads whilst young Box trees are sprouting on areas which have been cleared in the past (see photo). Avoid the area during and following heavy rain or flooding.
Grassy Box Woodland, Kanyapella Reserve (K Stockwell)Designated walking tracks may be signposted and dilapidated picnic tables repaired, and a brochure distributed, sometime this year or next so that the public might enjoy this forest in increasing numbers.
This forest has been abused in the past and walking in it is nowhere near as enjoyable, say, as walking,alongside the Murray River in Echuca Regional Park.
It is possible to complete circuit walks in Kanyapella Basin using existing seldom-used vehicular tracks. Cross country (compass bearing) walks are possible in places. When planning a day walk in the forest, it is best to cross the main drainage channel via Mitchell Road bridge or via a regulator near the end of Castle Road.
Here is a circuit walk. Drive from Echuca via Ogilvie Avenue and Mitchell Road and, shortly after the bitumen ends, at a large Kanyapella Sign, turn left into Tehan Road and immediately turn left along a dirt track. Leave some cars alongside this track at the edge of a grassy woodland where a fence separates them from Mitchell Road.
O km Park cars and follow the track to the raised Levee and walk along the levee toward the east
1.6km Turn left off the levee once a track alongside the main drain is reached.
2.1km Turn right at Mitchell Road and cross the drain (Warrigul Creek)
2.3km Turn right onto dirt track (take left fork)
4.1km Veer left
4.6km Once Warrigul Track/Castle Track junction is reached head due east (off track, using a compass) (wetland).
6.3km Right at Murphy Road (head south along the eastern boundary of the reserve)
7km Right at Scott Road and immediately turn left and follow Kanyapella Track
10km Left at Scott Track and follow it along old fence line.
13km Follow the main drain back to Mitchell Road and then back to the cars (15km)
OR, if the drain is dry, cross the drain and take Levee 4 back to Tehan Road and the cars (15km)
OR walk alongside the main drain away from Mitchell Road and cross it on a regulator wall ~ return on the other side of the drain, taking Levee 4 back to the cars (17km). Rating: easy-medium (length)
End. This is the only page of Section Two
Click the next button for the birding section.
Northern Victoria and Southern Riverina
Conservation and Environment Site
Section 1: Conservation news Section 5: Bush photographs Section 2: Bushwalking Section 6: Bushland reserves Section 3: Birding Section 7: Indigenous animals Section 4: Indigenous plants Section 8: Conservation Links
Click here for Echuca Landcare Group's home page
Click here for Echuca and District BOCA home page Created 1997; last revision January 2010 by Keith Stockwell
