Mount Cole State Forest FS0048 DSE - Ballarat ISSN 1440-2262

October 2012 Mount Cole State Forest FS0048 DSE - Ballarat ISSN 1440-2262

“Walk through cool fern gullies and alpine plateaus then Walking rest to take in the views across the spreading plains to Langi Ghiran and the Grampians. Experience a night at Mt Cole is a walker’s paradise. Whether you have a day or the charming Beeripmo campground, then descend a week to spend, there is a walk for you. through spectacular tall forests.” 1. Beeripmo Walk Distance 21 km 11 hours 2 day return (moderate) Located one hour drive west of Ballarat, just off the Starting at Richards campground, the most recent walk at Western Highway, Mt Cole State Forest is 25 kilometres Mt Cole is a journey of discovery for the novice and from the township of Beaufort and marks the gateway to experienced hiker. Walkers can experience a variety of the Pyrenees Wine District and the Grampians. different forest environments from lush forests with ferns, falls with a gentle sound of running water, the brilliant History green of the moss covered rocks, weather beaten rocky outcrops and magnificent vistas of the tablelands below The mountain was created 390 million years ago when hot and surrounding mountain ranges. magma pushing up from deep beneath the earth, but failing to break through, crystallised to form granite rock. Over 2. Grevillea Walk millions of years nature sculpted the area, eroding the Distance 1.8 km 45 min one way to Richards (moderate) softer sediment and leaving the hard rock protruding from The Glut picnic area is the starting point for this walk that the plains below. takes you on a short journey through Mt Cole to Richards and return. Other walking tracks in the area include: Mt Cole or ‘Bereep-bereep’ was home to the Beeripmo balug tribe that form part of the larger Djab Wurrung 3. Woods Gully Walk language-speaking people. Through translation of the Distance 1.4 km 40 min return (moderate) local language we can get a feel for these people and what they saw, ‘Bereep-bereep’ meaning wild, and Beeripmo 4. Paradise Walk translating to “wild mount”. Distance 9.2 km 4 hours one way (difficult)

Following Major Mitchell's 1836 expedition, settlers 5. Borella Walk quickly moved into the area. Timber harvesting with axe Distance 5 km, 3 hours one way (moderate) and cross cut saw began during the mid 1840's. In 1856 This walk from Chinamans to Ben Nevis is a bird watchers the use of steam powered mills commenced. By 1889, delight. It was named in memory of noted local bird demand from the goldfield towns for building materials, observer Max Borella and offers great lookouts. As the firewood and railway sleepers led to thirty mills operating walk can be quite steep in places, it is recommended that within the region until 1904. The Forests Commission was you take your time and enjoy the views. established in 1918 and soon after Mt Cole State Forest was closed for timber harvesting. Timber harvesting was reopened in a managed structure from 1947, by the Forests On the right track Commission. In the 2000's timber harvesting was significantly scaled back and is largely a by-product of Choose appropriate footwear for the terrain. Solid but land management activities. lightweight walking boots are best. Avoid sensitive vegetation by staying on the walking tracks. Stay on tracks even if they are rough or muddy. Walking on the track Plants, birds and wildlife edges and cutting corners on steep ‘zigzag’ tracks will Large native trees including Messmate, Manna Gum, and increase the risk of damage to the environment and the risk Blue Gums can be seen on the wetter southern half, while to personal safety. woodland species such as Yellow box and Red Stringybark grow to the north. Plants such as the rare Mt Cole Four-wheel driving Grevillea can be found in a few locations, as can native orchids and a plethora of wild flowers. Bird watching can Popular for both private and organised 4WD club be very rewarding with more than 130 species of birds activities, a range of different forest types and sighted in the forest. Kangaroos, wallabies, echidna, topographies mean there is something for everyone. koalas and possums are also often seen. Remember that seasonal road closures apply in a number of areas from mid June to early November.

Things to see and do Horse riding Enticed by the tranquility and views of the area, visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including Riders are welcome to use most areas of the State Forest, camping, horse riding, four-wheel driving, walking and the majority of riding opportunities are along existing State picnicking. Forest roads. Smith’s Bridge picnic area provides the best base for horse riding in the Mt Cole area. Horse riding on walking tracks is not permitted.

Mount Cole State Forest FS0048

Camping - Picnicking • Fires must be lit in a properly constructed fireplace. Attractive and quiet camping and picnicking spots are Use the fireplaces that have been constructed for you. scattered throughout Mt Cole State Forest catering for both large and small groups. • The fire must be no bigger than 1 metre square. • 3 metres around the fire must be clear. Visitors have a choice of six different sites, these being Chinamans, Ditchfields, Mugwamp, Richards, Smith’s • The fire must not be left unattended at any time. Bridge and Beeripmo. The sites provide an ideal base, from which people can go walking or horse riding. The • Be absolutely sure that the fire is out before you leave. Beeripmo campground is purely for the hiker and forms If you can feel any warmth from the coals, use water part of the Beeripmo Walk. to put it out.

Most visitor sites at Mt Cole provide toilets, picnic On days of TOTAL FIRE BAN the following are facilities, fireplaces/pits and shelters. There is no charge PROHIBITED . for camping in the area and availability is on a first come basis. • All fires in the open air (including campfires and portable gas or liquid fuelled stoves). The Beeripmo Walk has one designated campground, and • is accessible by walkers only. Facilities at the site include All gas or liquid fuelled appliances in tents, tent type cleared tent sites, fireplaces, water and toilets. The trailers and vehicles. Beeripmo campground, high on the plateau is nestled in a natural bushland setting and is one of the many rewards, It is your responsibility to know if a day of Total Fire Ban those who tackle the walk, can experience. has been declared. Contact your local DSE or CFA office. If in doubt, don’t light it.

On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days , the Department Plan your trip of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria will • Let someone know before you go. be closing parks and state forests to the public. Tell them about your party, your route, when you plan to return and the equipment your party is carrying. For your own safety, do not enter parks or forests – and if Remember to contact them when you get back. you are already there, you should leave the night before or • early in the morning on a Code Red Fire Danger Rating Keep your party small (4-8 people). Large parties day. You may not receive a personal warning or see sings have more of an environmental impact and may affect telling you that the park or forest is closed. the experience of others.

For more information Looking after the environment • The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) All wildlife and native plants are protected by law. is responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For Please do not disturb them in any way. further information on the Beeripmo Walk or the Mt Cole • Don’t feed animals, especially around campsites. region contact DSE's Customer Service Centre on 136 186. • Dogs must be under direct control within State Forests and are not permitted within State Parks. Visit DSE’s website • Vehicles including motorcycles must not be driven off http://www.dse.vic.gov.au formed roads. All vehicles must be registered and then select < Forests. drivers licensed. • Don’t take potential rubbish such as bottles or cans. The Mt. Cole State Forest is managed for a wide range of You must carry out all your rubbish, including those uses including catchment protection, timber production, easy to forget items like paper, plastic wrappers and recreation and conservation. If you are interested in how orange peel, which won’t easily decompose. State Forests are managed, the current Midlands Forest Management Plan can be viewed on the Department's website on the Internet at Campfires http://www.dse.vic.gov.au Wood fires may be lit in fireplaces for cooking and warmth then select < Forests < Regional Information < Midlands , in most forests, parks and public land. A number of Midlands Forest Management Plan. restrictions apply to ensure that fires do not escape and fireplaces are safely constructed. Where possible, use the fireplaces that are provided. 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 Use only dead fallen wood. Standing trees, even dead of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes ones are a home for wildlife and are part of the scenery. and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other Do not cut down any standing trees or vegetation. Observe consequence which may arise from you relying on any information the relevant fire lighting regulations. in this publication

© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment Page 2 ROAD ALERTS Seasonal Road Closures and Many minor unsealed roads and minor tracks vehicle tracks are not suitable for To Ararat Some forest roads and tracks are traffic all year, they are constructed seasonally closed with gates to to a low standard primarily for PYRENEES protect road surfaces, the management purposes and are Elmhurst environment and for public safety generally only suitable for 4WD vehicles during dry conditions. AY P purposes. All seasonal road W YR closures are published on the Not all roads and tracks are shown H E on this map. HIG NE Parks Victoria Website at ES B180 www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Eversley W B180 To im HIGHWAY Ampitheatre D m A P O D e & Avoca Elmhurst I P r R A a Reservoir E R Y L B E I L N Y S S R E E H V IR E E

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