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!