U3A Ballarat Hikers

Steiglitz Circuit Hike (13km) Thursday18th October 2018 By Chris Charleson 18 hikers assembled in the "ghost town" of Steiglitz in excellent walking weather with the bush sparkling due to the recent rainfall. From the Old Courthouse, we trekked along School Track and then took the Mulrooney Track. Other trails included Native Youth Track and Deadmans Track. We saw an abundance of orchids, especially in recently burnt areas of bush land. Lots of identification and photography stops meant regular breaks in the walk. There were several stages where we traveled along ridges affording great views of the rock formations and vegetation below. Also there were plenty of steep sections to prepare the Great Ocean walkers for their upcoming venture.  Some fallen timber provided a pleasant morning tea break. We also noted various mining works including the tunnel leading from the creek to, we think, the Star of Hope mine. Lunch was taken at the rec.reserve

Ted Errey Nature Circuit – Brisbane Ranges – 4 th October By Marianne Kennedy   Our hike started at the Anakie Gorge Picnic Area and meandered along gravel tracks through lovely natural bush. There were two sections where huge boulders served as stepping stones across the floor of the gorge which is dry at the present time. Eventually a steep rocky ascent provided wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, of mountains and brilliant canola crops in the distance. We were fortunate at this stage to observe a pair of Wedge Tail Eagles circling majestically in the thermals just above the tree line of the gorge. We had been hoping to see wildflowers however they were very scarce due to the lack of significant rainfall over recent months. At the highest vantage point the views were amazing enabling us to see far into the distance. Here, as well as along the way, we were able to witness the regeneration process in effect after the bushfires in 2006. The undergrowth i