Yarra State Forest FS0033 Paul Pearson-Powelltown ISSN 1440-2262

March 2004 Yarra State Forest FS0033 Paul Pearson-Powelltown ISSN 1440-2262

Yarra State Forest The Lyrebird is a great mimic and is able to imitate the calls of many other birds including the kookaburra, pied Situated only 80 km east of Melbourne, the Yarra State currawong and crimson rosella. Forest (managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment - DSE) provides some of the best forest walks and drives in close proximity to Melbourne. Choose Walking tracks from a range of short or long walks, picnic or camping 1. Ada Tree areas and lookouts in the mighty mountain ash forests of Skill Level1: Basic Fitness Level: Low the region. 3.2km, 1.5 hrs return Getting there Journey through Myrtle Beech Rainforest to visit the Ada Tree, one of the largest known flowering trees in the From Melbourne, head out along the Maroondah Highway world. Estimated at over 300 years old, the Ada Tree to Lilydale. Past Lilydale, turn right onto the Warburton stands about 76m tall with a circumference of 15m Highway. At the township of Yarra Junction, turn right at measured at 1.5 m above ground level. The walk begins at the traffic lights and travel onto Powelltown in the heart of the picnic area on the Yarra State forest to the orientation and information Ada River Rd, board in the town centre or continue through the traffic following Island lights to Warburton and visit the Water Wheel Tourist Creek to the Ada Information Centre. Tree. Return to the picnic area along the Flora and fauna same route. If you Powelltown and the surrounding area is renown for its have time, allow an mighty forests: the mountain ash forests being one of the extra 45 minutes to most productive ecosystems in the world. However, on visit the New Federal closer inspection, the Yarra forests support a much broader Mill. Just continue diversity of native vegetation than might first seem 1.4km along the walking track at the Ada Tree. apparant. They include: • Wet sclerophyll forests dominated by the majestic 2. Seven Acre Rock Mountain Ash (E. regnans). Regnans means reigning, Skill Level: Moderate Fitness Level: Average accurately describing the world’s tallest hardwood. Typically straight and tall, some grow to over 100m in 1.2km, 30 mins return. height. This short easy walk leads to Seven Acre Rock, a granite • Damp sclerophyll forest rock outcrop which provides commanding views of the occuring at slightly lower Bunyip State Park, Western Port Bay and Port Phillip Bay altitudes, of Mountain on a clear day. The walk starts from the picnic area, 500 Grey Gum (E. metres east of the junction of Learmonth Creek Road and cypellocarpa) and Bunyip Road. Messmate (E. obliqua). 3. Reids Tramline • Cool temperate rainforest dominated by Mrytle Skill Level: Basic Fitness Level: Average Beech (Nothofagus 6km, 2.5 hr return. cunninghamii) and/or This walk follows the route of the historic tramline along Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) which horses, and later, steam locomotives once hauled occuring in moist sheltered gullies. logs out of the forest. Begin at the picnic area opposite the DSE office and head east through the town. Pass the The forests surrounding Powelltown support a variety of present day mill (look out for the original workers cottages native fauna species. These include; swamp wallabies, above the mill) before picking up the original tramline at wombats, platypus, echidnas and several species of possums and gliders. One bird of note is the Superb 1 To assist visitors in choosing walks, the walks are classified by skill Lyrebird, unique to Australia. level and fitness level. For a description of these classifications, refer to the Forests Note ‘FS0020 - Bushwalking in State Forest’

© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment Page 1 Yarra State Forest FS0033 the eastern end of the town. Relics of the former mill and match. Two sawdust heaps are all that remains to indicate tramline can still be seen on this walk. Return along the the sites of the bush mills along this section. The first same route or for a more challenging walk return via Big marks the site of Ezards sawmill, the second near Starlings Bertha Track. Gap operated here until 1942. Starlings Gap provides a good place to rest, explore or even camp overnight before 4. Spion Kopje beginning the next section. When at Starlings Gap take a few minutes to visit the old winch and boiler located on a Skill Level: Moderate Fitness Level: Average level track 200m past the toilet block. 1km; 45 mins return. A short, but slightly challenging walk to Spion Kopje 6c. Starlings Gap to Ada No.2 Mill lookout for views across the Tarago forest and Latrobe Skill Level: Fitness Level: Valley. Approximately 15 km further on from Seven Acre 8km, 3 hrs. Rock. The walk is signposted off Limberlost Road. The journey to the Ada No2 Mill takes walkers through the 5. La La Falls Ada River Valley. In the first 2 km of this walk alone, nine trestle bridges were required to move timber from the Skill Level: Moderate Fitness Level: Average mill to Starlings Gap. 7.5km into this section visitors 3.2km, 1.5 hrs return. reach the tramway junction known as the ‘crossroads’. An enjoyable walk through tall Mountain Ash and lush tree From this intersection you can head north to the New Ada ferns, before reaching the picturesque falls. Follow the Mill (2.8km return), or east to the Federal Mill (4.3km signs from Park Road along Old Warburton Road to the return) and Ada Tree (5.7km return) or continue the walk start of the track on Irruka Road. The falls are said to be south to the Ada No.2 Mill. named after past landowner Leila Ward, whose guest house “La La” (meaning Welcome Welcome) was located 6d. Ada No.2 Mill to Highlead Carpark in the area. Skill Level: Fitness Level: 5.5km, 2.5 hrs. 6. Walk into History This section leads visitors through forest that has seen the Skill Level: Fitness Level: effects of both the Black Friday fires of 1939 and more 33km, 2 days (one way) recently the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983. The high lead The Walk into History follows marks the start of the most difficult section of the walk. some well preserved sections The track drops 415 metres in 1600 metres, a grade of of the historic timber almost 1 in 4. tramlines, past old mills and other relics of the early timber 6e. Highlead Carpark to Powelltown picnic area industry. Several creek Skill Level: Fitness Level: crossings are required and a 10.5km, 3 hrs. map of the area is essential. Due to the steepness of the The track follows the Latrobe River, crossing it numerous High Lead section, the easiest times before arriving at ‘The Bump’, the divide between way to do the walk is from the Little Yarra and Latrobe Rivers. This site is also Warburton or Big Pats Creek known for ‘The Bump Tunnel’, an historic railway tunnel down to Powelltown. constructed in 1925. Spanning 313 metres in length, the tunnel was constructed to avoid winching up the existing The walk can be done in sections as detailed below. steep inclines. Evidence of the tunnel can be seen along the walk. Here the track leaves the Latrobe and joins the 6a. Warburton to Big Pats picnic area Little Yarra River, where it makes its way back to Skill Level: Fitness Level: Powelltown. 6.5km, 2 hrs Follow the Centenary Trail and Big Pat’s Creek Rd to Big The number of sections per day depends on experience and Pat’s Creek Recreation Area. fitness. Please obtain further information from DSE office. Map: The Ada River, Spion Kopje and Gladysdale sheets 6b. Big Pats picnic area to Starlings Gap in the 1:25 000 VICMAP series cover this walk. Skill Level: Fitness Level: 7.Richards Tramline 9km, 3.5 hrs Skill Level: Fitness Level: This section of the walk follows the Federal tramway and 9km one way, 3 hrs was constructed in 1933. Bush workers used to walk this section on a Sunday evening to be ready to begin work This walk, which follows an old logging tramline, winds early Monday morning. On a Saturday afternoon however, it’s way up the Mississippi Valley towards Starvation some workers were known to have run the 9 km distance Creek. The track starts opposite the Big Pats Creek Picnic back to Big Pats Creek in time to make the weekly football Area (800m along Smyth Creek Road from the bridge over

Big Pats Creek) and finishes on Brahams Road. The first across other people’s rubbish, do the bush a favour and 2km of track, known as ‘The Curves’, gets its name from take it out with you too. the series of bends constructed along the tramline to allow • Take care with fire – observe all fire regulations and for a steady descent from Mississippi Fireline towards Big Total Fire Ban days. Use existing fireplaces rather Pats Creek. than create your own. Never leave fires unattended. For keen walkers who wish to explore the area further, Ensure fires are safe and that they are completely DSE officers in Powelltown will be more than happy to give you information on other walks in the area. extinguished when you leave. • Only light fires in fireplaces or 30 cm deep trenches. Camping Fires must be less than 1 metre square and at least 3 m clear of burnable material. Latrobe River Camping Area and Starlings Gap are the • main campgrounds in the Yarra State Forest. Both Keep the size of your group small, ideally, less than campgrounds have toilet facilities, picnic tables and eight people and go off peak. fireplaces. Camping is on a first-come first-served basis • Vehicles and trail bikes must be registered and and no bookings are required, but early arrival may be roadworthy and may only be driven on designated advisable during peak periods. public roads and tracks. • Make sure you tell someone where you are going and Picnic sites when you expect to return, and don't forget to let them Picnic facilities are available at the Powelltown, Starlings know when you are back. Gap, Seven Acre Rock, Big Pats Creek, Latrobe River and Ada Tree picnic areas. For more information The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Driving in the forest is responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For All of the camping sites, picnic sites and walking tracks in further information contact the Department of the Yarra State forest are accessible from well formed Sustainability and Environment office at Powelltown ( gravel roads. These roads are suitable for vehicles for 5966 7203) or the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 most of the year, but care should be taken after rain. 186.

Snowfalls can occur at higher altitudes such as Starlings Visit DSE’s website Gap and the Ada Tree. http://www.dse.vic.gov.au then select “Forestry”. Take care on forest roads, they are generally narrow and winding and remember that the roads are used by many The Yarra State Forest is managed for a wide range of uses including catchment protection, timber production, vehicles, including log trucks, so please adjust your recreation and conservation. If you are interested in how driving accordingly. State Forests are managed, the current Central Highlands Forest Management Plan can be viewed on the Looking after our forests Department's website on the Internet at • Dogs are allowed in State forest but must be under http://www.dse.vic.gov.au direct control at all times and are expected to be kept then select “Forestry”, then select “Publications”. on a leash in picnic and camping areas or when near other visitors. • This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria Bikes and horses are generally not permitted on and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw walking tracks. Please observe access signs and help of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes protect the forest. and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other • consequence which may arise from you relying on any information Don't disturb native plants or animals. in this publication. • There is no rubbish collection service, so please take your rubbish home. If you have the misfortune to come

H D E A R O O R YARRA RANGES NATIONAL PARK N C505 BEN YARRA RANGES NATIONAL P

Y OSHANNASSY a To l Mt Donna Buang rra Healesville C A IR ROAD D WAY N O N N A STARVATION River WOODS l ROAD C505 Ben Cairn

B C507 U A N G ROAD

Dee C506

WARBURTON Warburton ROAD East BRAHAM D IR B

River E River R Warburton LY Millgrove

Don Y A W 6a DON H ROAD IG M H BigBig Pats ISSISSIPPI HAINING Wesburn PARK RecreationRecreation Yarra N Area 5 ROAD OLD ARBURTO To Lilydale WARBURTON W lLa La Falls SMYTH LAUNCHINGLaunching 7 Place B380 MOUNT Yarra Brita l Mt Bride nn Junction TA ia R R AN G B O RID E CREEK PLACE BRITANNIA 6b Little CREEK

C425 reek ROAD R ROAD C Starlings O A Gap D YARRA STATE FOREST GEMBROOK LITTLE

P AR KIN S ON PORTAS ROAD D Hoddles ROAD A O Gladysdale R

R ROAD Mt Myrtalial FITZPATRICK

D K

C424 E Yarra S E

D R

N C A S RO BLACK AD

ROAD YARRA Powelltown ROAD IG

M Picnic Area B

O lReids Mill

N T River 3

ROAD T

Creek Lake N Powelltown O Mautore M BEENAK 6e TORBET LE C425 ROAD AR

McCrae M ROAD O N C TH R Mt Beenak E E ROAD POWELLTOWN l K ER RN TU Creek B

WEST U BE N ENA Y K D IP D R A A RO O O C424 RO R A AD D E LK Basan Corner BIO KURTH KILN REGIONAL PARK KO YARRA STATE FOREST NEER PIO Seven Acre Rock lTomahawk Gap Bunyip K A BEEN 2 l Seven Acre To Gembrook Rock ROAD AST E Riv er

BUNYIP STATE PARK To Upper Yarra State Forest Yarra Reservoir Highway Upper AD Yarra RO Sealed road River Reservoir D A C511 O Minor unsealed road R BOUNDARY ATIONAL PARK Walking track Y McMahons SS Creek Gate Ya rra State Forest POINT M cM AHO Parks & Reserves NS

S TA Water body R VAT M cMahons RO A YARRA RANGES NATIONAL PARK 1 Walk number IO D N Recreational MUDD Y ROAD Facilities

Camping CR EE K Fireplace

C RE Lookout EK D ROA Forest information

Picnic table YARRA STATE FOREST Creek Toilets

ROAD R O 0 1 2 A D

B KILOMETRES

U Cartography by Spatial Vision 2003

N 7 ã

D M/7403

A N

Y R O A D ROAD

MELBOURNE l K H E E R R O B C A IG D

L ittle Ada LATROBE STATE FOREST Tree 1 R l O A McCAR A New Ada Milll D 6c da N THY Ada E

W l

Federal Mill

K E

E SPUR R

T C Ada No2 Mill er Riv U l R R O D A K D OW EY E Y River SPUR

IG B Jamies ROAD

RIVER S PU Marysville R ROAD l

6d Y Matl W Y YARRA l H W MELBA H lHealesville STATE FOREST H DA R N LaT O l 6e robe O O Latrobe River A R Warburton High Lead D A WARBUR Camping Area ROAD M TON Carpark HWY l N Powelltown W River LTO R NOOJEE O Dandenong A l LO NIES D l Neerim WER BEN South PRINCES HW R R l Warragul O LaTrobe iv Y l AD er ston l Moe D ROA Whites Corner

ROAD To Noojee

NEER PIO CREEK LIM BERLOST ROAD 4 C425 To Neerim Nayook Spion Kopjel South

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.