Bendigo bush

For those who don't know Bendigo is a regional town in central Victoria. It’s home to around 100,000 people and is surrounded by bush and National parks. It was established from the 1850's gold-rush and a lot of the old mine relics remain.

An old slag pile in One tree hill regional park.

This makes it an ideal area to get out and explore. A few of my regular areas that I walked when I lived in Bendigo were: One tree hill regional park, Diamond hill historical area, Spring Gully reservoir, Koolamurt park, kangaroo flat bush and Crusoe reservoir.

But there’s so much more that I'd like to explore including: Whipstick state park, Greater Bendigo NP, Eaglehawk Regional Park and Kamarooka Forest. I’ve also walked from Bendigo to Mt Alexander along the Leanganook track.

The best thing about walking in the bush around Bendigo is I can take my dogs!!! They love being out in the bush and it makes it much more enjoyable for me as I can get my bushwalking fix and walk the dogs at the same time. It also gives me the opportunity to take the dogs on longer walks and wear them out!! There’s nothing I hate more than walking my dogs in the neighbourhood for an hour only to get home and they're still full of beans!

Keppy and Fyfe love their bushwalks!

There are a few national parks north of Bendigo where dogs are not allowed (of course).

One I tried to walk was Kamarooka forest, just north of Huntly. I stupidly took my dog with me and realized when I got there that they aren't allowed (I never knew about this rule until then). So I drove home and I'm yet to check out that area. Apparently it's an excellent area for bird watching. There’s also 17 km long walking track from Mulga dam in Kamarooka forest to Whipstick state park, which I'm keen to walk one day.

A White-eared honeyeater. The bush around Bendigo is perfect for birdwatching. 

All the bush around Bendigo is well used and there's stacks of tracks to choose from. My only challenge is finding a time of day when no one else is around (I prefer to have the place to myself!). I've found that I have a far better chance of seeing wildlife if there's less people around too!

A wallaby enjoying the peaceful bush!

One tree hill is probably my favourite place to walk in Bendigo. It's large and not many people walk in the area that I go, which is a bonus. I can choose between a short walk or a full half day walk. There’s also a few dams and the coliban water catchment running through the park. This makes it even better for the dogs, they love a good swim! The only problem, it's a little isolated in parts. I once almost stepped on a red-bellied black snake, which could've ended badly. There's also a lot of old mine cuttings and slag heaps around the area.

Old mine cuttings in One tree hill regional park.

Another of my favourite areas is Koolamurt park. It joins Spring Gully reservoir and is an ideal spot for taking my dogs for an hour long walk. Recently a mountain bike track was built here so that means walking becomes a little riskier! It's also a training/camping area for the local scout group.

Keppy at Koolamurt park

Diamond hill historical area is really cool for exploring. It's part of the old mining area but there are several old mine shafts that can be quite dangerous. Part of the Leanganook track from Bendigo to Mt Alexander travels through here.

An old mine shaft filled with water, Diamond hill historical area.

In Kangaroo Flat there’s an area of bush that's not a park or reserve but still an area where locals take their dogs for a walk. I've found that it's too well used and motorbike riders are often around. If I lived near here I'd probably use it but otherwise I have better options! Crusoe reservoir is near here.

So if you live in or near Bendigo there are plenty of close options, so get out and explore!

Walking solo

Possibly one of the most controversial topics in bushwalking is whether to walk with a friend/group or brave it on your own.

Honestly some of the best walks I have done have been on my own. Its a greater risk but its also ten times more rewarding. Don't get me wrong I like walking with friends and have done many enjoyable walks with other people, but there's just that element of freedom when you're out there with no backup, no support and no one telling you what to do!

View from Wright's lookout, New England NP, NSW.

There are obvious downfalls to walking solo, here are some barriers I've encountered and my advice on walking safe on your own.

*Please note I'm not a professional and any advice I give is based on my own experiences walking alone.*

The biggest and best advice I can give is be prepared, know your limits and use common sense.

An injury could pose a huge problem if you're out on your own. If you are injured the chances of getting out alive are slim. Ok, its probably not that extreme but it just means you are your only help. A lot if the places I walk I may only see one other person the whole day, if that. So the solution is to be prepared and be cautious.

Don't ever stray off track on your own!! Why people would do this is beyond me, its the reason why you get lost. But also be aware that the track you're on may change quickly. At Point lookout in NSW I went for one of my best walks. It was the middle of winter and pine needles and leaves covered the track. I lost sight of the track a number of times and was lucky to not stray off and end up lost. The solution is to research the area you are walking and always carry a map and compass, and never go off track! Another option in case you do involuntarily stray is to have a personal locator beacon (PLB), it could save you life.

Track sign in New England NP, NSW.

Out in the bush there's usually no phone reception so if you're going on your own you need to let someone know at home your plans. This includes where you'll be walking i.e the exact track, how long it should take and what time to expect you home. And you need to stick to your plans for obvious reasons, you don't need a search party looking in the wrong place because you changed your mind at the last minute, or sent out unnecessarily because you didn't let anyone know you were going to be home late.

Watch the weather, not just on the day you plan to walk but in the lead up. You never know if the weather might take a turn for the worse. Be prepared for all conditions by bringing the right clothing and footwear. Also keep in mind where you will be walking and how the weather could affect the track i.e. a walk alongside a river could be prone to flash flooding or the track could be completely washed away.

Flooding at Turpins Falls, VIC. 

Know your limits. Realize that you may not be able to walk as far as you planned and head back if you need. No one's judging you on how far you walk, its better to head back and be safe than to walk the extra track that adds another 10km to your overall walk and results in you not being able to move for a week. Trust me I've done this and its not pleasant!! Also the further you go the more fatigued you become which could pose a huge risk when out on your own. If you're already tired and then become injured how are you going to make it back!!

Know the dangers in the area. Australia is vast and varying. The dangers vary greatly between states and even regions. Know the local wildlife that could pose a threat e.g wild boars, snakes and the elusive drop bear! Keep informed and stay safe.

Red-Bellied black snake in Victoria.

Basically only walk alone if you're confident of your survival skills and have researched or know the area well. If not walk with a friend or join a bushwalking club to gain experience.

Enjoy the great outdoors on your own with no restrictions and marvel at its beauty. You may even find some inner peace and enlightenment!

Stay safe!

Wollomombi Gorge Pt 1

Wollomombi gorge was my first solo walk in NSW. I was quite anxious to head out on my own as most people advise against it due to the 'higher risk'. Having recently moved to Armidale I didn't have my trusty bushwalking partner (whose nickname is Bushy!) So anxiety and worries aside, I set out to Wollomombi gorge. Being only a half an hour drive from home and the second highest waterfall in Australia (424m) it promised to be a good day’s walk.

Wollomombi falls close up, NSW.

I left around lunch time and figured I’d do the Chandler walk (1km return) then if I had time go across to the other side and do the Wollomombi walk (4km return). 

So of I head on a very busy day with a ton of people in the barbecue area staring at me as I walked along by myself. The first lookout was only a short distance and not very exciting, so I continued to the second lookout which offered much better views of both Wollomombi falls and Chandler falls. Around this area I noticed a few lyrebirds but couldn't get any pictures of them this time.

View of Wollomombi falls with Chandler falls far right.

 I decided to continue down to Checks lookout, which was fine going down but coming back up was quite the struggle, particularly after I was just recovering from a bout of pneumonia.

The walk to Checks lookout was pleasant, if a little strenuous on the way back up, although it didn't offer much more in views of the falls. 

View near Checks lookout of Wollomombi gorge and the falls in the distance.

There used to be an extension of the track which made its way down to the river, but due to flooding and erosion the track was closed. As I was walking solo I wasn't game enough to check out the damage that was done.

Upon heading back to the picnic area I felt unsatisfied with the length of my walk. So I decided to do the Wollomombi walk around the rim of the gorge through to Chandler falls.

It was a nice walk, there were a few families swimming at the top of the Wollomombi river. I saw a female scarlet robin and was successful in getting a decent photo for the first time ever!

Female scarlet robin at Wollomombi gorge, NSW.

I walked on to Chandler falls lookout and watched the flow of water coming out of it..... it wasn't that exciting! Heading back I stopped at the lookout gazing across the valley and waaaay over the other side I saw eagles circling. There were a few people standing directly below getting some awesome photos, I was jealous!  So I decided to run around and take the chance that the eagles would still be there and I'd get some shots of them. Yeah well epic fail! I ran and fast walked about 2kms around to the lookout to find they'd disappeared. So I waited and waited, it started getting dark by this stage and I was tired so I called it a day. No close up eagle pictures for me this time.

This is the best shot I could get of the eagles!

Wollomombi gorge is a nice easy walk and if you don't necessarily want to go far this is a great spot. The waterfall lookout is only a short walk from the car park. It would have been an awesome walk if the track down to the river wasn't washed away. Checks lookout is worth it if you want to go a little further but don't expect anything overly exciting.

My first bushwalk

My first real bushwalk that I can remember was with Girl Guides.

I started Girl Guides when I was 7 and did it for five years. I was part of the 3rd Ingle Farm group in South Australia.

We did a lot of cool stuff like camping, bushwalking, kayaking, rock climbing and abseiling. But it was bushwalking that really stood out for me as being the most enjoyable.

It was here that I learnt a lot of my skills and I owe it to my guide leader, Brown Owl, for teaching me all I needed to know in survival skills.

In Guides we learnt things like;

-How to set up a tent.

-How to tie knots.

-Basic first aid.

-What to do if you see a snake in the bush.

-How to be prepared.

-How to use a compass.

-Navigational skills.

-Phonetic alphabet.

At the time as I was so young, I didn’t really pay much attention and was pretty much a brat!!! I mucked up a lot when I became a teenager (as you do) and I ended up quitting as it wasn’t a “cool” thing to do in high school. But some of the stuff clearly sunk in because I have a lot of knowledge that I remember from back in Guides.

Morialta falls, SA.

Morialta falls in Adelaide was my lucky first! It was here that I experienced the wonders of bushwalking for the first time on a rock climbing expedition with Guides. When I was young it seemed to be a massive walk to the waterfall with giant cliffs on either side. When I returned as an adult I realized that the waterfall wasn't as spectacular as I remembered and the walk was quite easy. The walks are still enjoyable and the waterfall is nice, even though its small!!

If you live in Adelaide check out Morialta falls, its a nice place to take kids and offers decent walks if you're a bit more adventurous!!

VIC walks at a glance

In Victoria I lived in Bendigo so most of my recent walks are centered around the town. I also have done multiple trips to the Grampians NP and a few random walks around Victoria. One of my greatest walks I have started but not yet finished is the goldfields track which goes for 210kms from Bendigo to Ballarat. Here I've compiled a brief list of all the walks I have done in Victoria.

Bendigo surrounds;

Bendigo bush
Bendigo is surrounded by bush which makes walking and exploring really easy. I'll talk about my regular areas and where I walk with my dogs.

Crusoe reservoir and no.7 park
A nice area rich in history, abundant bird life and two reservoirs.

Goldfields track- Bendigo to Ballarat

I've separated the track into four walks, two of which I have already completed.

Bendigo to Mt Alexander 
The first leg of the dry diggings track. An epic walk on relatively flat ground,  plenty to see and do.

30 kms, 8hrs.

Mt Alexander to Castlemaine
Another epic walk, Mt Alexander was a good climb but wore me out and I struggled get to Castlemaine, blisters are not fun!

28 kms, 9hrs.

Castlemaine to Daylesford- TBC
Haven't walked this section yet,  it should be promising. This time im going to split the walk over two days and camp overnight, it will be my first overnight walk.

Daylesford to Ballarat-TBC
The last leg, yet to be completed.

Grampians NP;

I've been to the Grampians several times,  the place is amazing and offers a variety of walks for all skill levels. I've done a new walk every time I visit, and there's still plenty I haven't done yet! Natural disasters have closed a lot of the tracks, but there are still plenty of accessible walks.

Pt 1- First visit.
I went with a friend who didn't really want to do much walking so we did a few small walks, and I also did one big one on my own. A lot of the area had been hit by fires the previous summer but didn't affect the walking tracks much.

Pt 2-After the fires.
Bush fires had wreaked havoc once again, this time causing significant damage. I did a few more well known tracks including the pinnacle and the balconies.

Pt 3- After the floods. 
Yet another natural disaster hit the area, this time flood damage. Silverband falls dramatically changed and a lot of the park was inaccessible.

Pt 4- Most recent.
The park is still recovering from all the damage mother nature decided to inflict. I checked out areas that hadn't been affected in the northern part of the park. Also ventured down a closed track (naughty I know!) One of my best trips to the Grampians.

Rest of VIC;

Hanging rock
I've been to hanging rock several times, its a nice short walk with pretty cool views. There's a nice story about girls that went missing and an in depth information centre.

Macedon ranges
I stumbled across a short walk when hanging rock was closed one day. It lead to a memorial area with a great lookout over the region. A good short walk.

NSW walks at a glance

One of the best things about living in Armidale is how close it is to the national parks in the region. There are so many options for bushwalking and camping.  Ranging from day walks to multi-day backpacking treks, some of which are only 30 minutes drive away. So far I've only done a few day walks, and by day I mean walking as far as I can from dawn to dusk.

Heres a list of walks I have completed in the New England region, how far I walked and how long it took me to do.

Armidale and surrounds;

Ebor falls 

Short and sweet with spectacular views and  two awesome waterfalls.

2 km, 1 hr

Point lookout 

One of my favorite walks with breathtaking views to the Pacific Ocean.  A myriad of tracks to choose from.

12km, 8hrs

Wollomombi gorge 

Highest waterfall in NSW, second highest in Australia. Great walks available and eagles circling above.

6.5 km, 5 hrs.

Dangars gorge  

My first solo walk, nice views, lyrebirds and a 500m death walk to the river below.

19km, 8 hrs.

Gara gorge

I walked half of this in the dark trying to catch the sunrise. Failed miserably but a nice little walk none the less.

9km, 5 hrs.

Armidale state forest

A regular walk of mine because I can take my dogs, yay! Not a NP but still worthy of a mention.

2.5-5 km, 1-2hrs

Walcha and surrounds;
Budds mare and riverside

Quite isolated and hard to get to (in hindsight I should not have taken my Daewoo lanos!) But the drive is worth it, spectacular views especially early morning.  

18km, 9hrs

Apsley falls

A nice easy walk, a bit too crowded for my liking. The waterfall was nice....

1 km, 0.5 hrs.

Tia falls

A lot less visited than Apsley falls but just as nice. Options to walk further but I was just too tired. One I would like to return to.

2 km, 1 hr.

So theres the very brief overview of the walks I've completed in NSW. In my next posts I will talk in depth about my experiences on each walk, keep an eye out and feel free to comment.

Happy bushwalking!!

A welcome note

I love bush walking and exploring all Australia has to offer. So I've decided to share my experiences by starting a blog. For me writing is not something that comes easy so hopefully what I write is both interesting and maybe a little bit enlightening. I hope to inspire people to get out and enjoy our beautiful country, see the local fauna and flora and maybe learn a little along the way.

For me getting out in nature offers a chance to get away and release all that pent up energy that comes with life! Its refreshing, exhausting and immensely pleasurable. If I could do it as a job I definitely would! It also gives me a chance to improve my photography skills. I love watching birds, and photographing them is even more fun! My camera is an essential part of my kit.

I intend to write about the walking tracks I have completed. A lot of the time it's really hard to find information about the tracks I want to do so I end up just winging it. Hopefully I can give interested walkers a bit more insight into some of the tracks I've done.
So far I've only walked in New South Wales and Victoria but hopefully I will be able to explore the rest of Australia in time (It's definitely a huge goal of mine!)