Places to visit Forest 4WD Tour ISSN 1440 -2262 FS0125

The Wombat Forest 4WD Touring Route starts at Gisborne and takes in the scenic sites of the Wombat State Forest managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The route is approximately 100 km and will take a full day to complete if you wish to explore some of the points of interest along the way. The route ends at Ballan. It can also be driven from Ballan to Gisborne. If you have time to spare there are many opportunities to camp in the forest and extend your stay in the Wombat State Forest.

4WD Touring Route – Getting started PoI 3: Rat Hole Mine Grade: Easy to Medium 100 km full day Track grade applies to dry conditions. Will become Returning to the main route an interesting drive brings more difficult in wet weather. us to Rat Hole Track. On this track is Rat Hole mine, an example of a recently worked mine in the district. From Gisborne take the Gisborne to Bacchus Marsh Road (C704) and travel approximately 11 km. Turn PoI 4: Balt Camp right into Carrolls Lane which joins Finger Post Road Balt Camp was built in 1946 to provide accommodation and leads you into the forest. Follow the tracks for young refugees from war torn Europe who became indicated on the map to get to the points of interest. forestry workers. The only ruins remaining today are Points of Interest the chimneys and concrete slabs on which the huts were built.

PoI 1: Firth Park PoI 5: Mt Hope Firth Park was established by Joseph Firth who in 1881 This is one of the highest points in the forest at 878 became the superintendent of the State Nursery at metres. There is a trig station here but views are very Macedon. In 1890 Firth obtained 100 hectares here, limited by the surrounding forest. cleared some of the land, dammed the creek and built a small house. He then planted the many exotic trees PoI 6: Picnic Area seen here today. There is a pleasant picnic area, camping and toilets. This pleasant small picnic area is located close to the bridge over the Werribee River. Leaving Firth Park the route travels through the forest crossing many creeks and gullies. Werribee River Walk Return 5.1km l 1.25 hours Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles PoI 2: Yankee Mine Site Sign posted l Occassional steps Some bushwalking experience recommended Located beside Yankee Road two kilometres from the The walk begins at the picnic area and follows the junction of North Blackwood Road this old mine site eastern side of Werribee River. A river crossing is has many relics of the bygone mining era. required at the northern end of the walk before the walk returns via the western side of the river back to the picnic area. Leaving the forest parks or forests on Code Red Days. If you are already there when a Code Red day is announced, The route leaves the forest at the Daylesford to Ballan you should leave the night before or early in the Road. From this point you could proceed on to Ballan morning. For more information contact DELWP (see or to the Western Freeway if you are heading for below). . Alternatively you could travel north to  Be responsible for your own safety. Be aware of Daylesford. extreme weather events, carry your own first aid kit 4WD Touring and let someone know before you go. Here’s some information to help you ‘tread lightly’ in Seasonal road closures the bush and to help us keep tracks open for your Some roads within the forest are seasonally closed enjoyment. each year from the Thursday after the Queen’s

Birthday holiday through to the Thursday before Vehicles may only be driven on open formed roads Melbourne Cup. This is to protect track surfaces and and vehicle tracks. the environment, and for public safety. Road closures

may be extended beyond these dates, depending on Stay on the track. Drive your vehicle only on roads weather conditions. These closures are enforced by a that are open to the public. Never “bush bash” or drive gate. Contact DELWP for information on road closures. on closed roads. Off-road driving is a major cause of erosion and vegetation loss. Off-road driving is illegal and some roads may be closed seasonally for reasons Join a 4WD club of safety, weather, or to minimise erosion. They are We hope you enjoyed your usually signposted or enforced by barriers. drive in the Wombat State Forest. Maybe you would like Drivers must be licensed and vehicles must be road to do more four wheel driving registered and roadworthy. with like-minded folk. If you are available during the week Remove fallen trees or limbs from roads or report the the Offpeak 4WD Club offer day trips, week long obstruction to DELWP – don’t create a new track by camping trips, base camps with daily trips and outback driving around it. trips. Their meetings are also held during the day. They support the aims of Four Wheel Drive Forest use guidelines www.fwdvictoria.org.au and the Four Wheel Drive Victoria Code of Ethics. If you are interested  There is no rubbish collection service so please take check out their website at www.offpeak4wd.com or your rubbish home. contact them on [email protected] for more  Dogs are allowed in State forest but must be under information. direct control at all times and are expected to be on a leash in picnic and camping areas or when near For more information other visitors. The Department of Environment, Land, Water &  Use toilets where provided. At some sites hand washing facilities and toilet paper may not be Planning (DELWP) is responsible for managing Victoria's supplied. Come prepared. State Forest. For further information contact DELWP's Customer Service Centre  136 186 (TTY: 1800 555  Campfire safety – Use fireplaces where provided. The fire must be attended at all times by a person 667) or visit DELWP’s website at with the capacity and means to extinguish it. For http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au solid fuel fires, the ground and airspace within 3m of the outer perimeter of the fire must be clear of © The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water flammable material. Ensure the fire is extinguished and Planning 2015. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons with water before leaving. If it’s cool to touch it is Attribution 4.0 International licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ safe to leave. It is your responsibility to know if a This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its Total Fire Ban is declared. If in doubt, do not light a officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or campfire. is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you Safety information relying on any information in this publication.  On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, parks and State Forest are closed to the public. Do not enter Kilometers Wombat State Forest tour 0 2 4 Forest Notes Map © Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. July 2016 FS-0125

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