Jessie McIntosh Memorial Hike (Buninyong) - 15.9 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 127

Hike report by Dick Patterson

On a warm late Spring day twenty two walkers in three seperate groups met at the Buninyong tennis courts and then headed to the nearby intersection of Lal Lal street and Webbs Hill Road south of the highway to follow the trail of the four year old girl who went missing in 1867 in the Buninyong bushland.

Blue Group headed east up Webbs Hill Road where Andrew pointed out the aproximate house site that was home to Jessie McIntosh and her large family, from where Jessie wandered off.  It was from here that we left Webbs Hill Road and took to the rough vehicular road, Devonshire Road, that headed south east and through a very dry section of stringy bark trees.

We were pleased to see the wildflowers in abundance with quite large patches of delicately fringed flax lilies and bright blue pin cushions and coral lichen in different spots. It was very much the month to be wandering along these roads.

The odd kangaroo of a small size greeted us as did an echidna further along the track. Morning tea was on some well chosen bricks overlooking a removed pine plantation. It was at this point that we were overtaken by the two other groups of walkers. We continued on Devonshire Road north east and then to south and past a few houses tucked into bush settings. The new houses had very large clearings which tell or the fears and regulations that resulted from the recent fires throughout Victoria.

The Scotsburn fire of 2016 that burned through this area was hot enough to take out the crowns of the trees but fortunately most were now recovering for the disaster.

When we hit Nashs Road we headed south and then east along Scotts Lane and then south into Nidschelms Lane. This continued until we reached Pioneer lane and turned north for a short distance along the Buninyong - Mt Mercer Road and then east along Peers Lane and north to Walshes Road and to McLeods Road and then Sandy Hill Rd and finally (nearly) into Brennans Road and up the memorable hill of Mangans Road, into Skirkas Road then Gainer Lane, Fasham Street and the final run to our cars parked along Webbs Hill Road.

During our hike we passed several points where Jessie had been sighted but not realising she was lost no alarm was raised and no assistance was offered to her.

Quite a bit of navigating. Well done and thanks to our leaders.

We had a very well deserved lunch break at the old railway station siding at the Men’s shed in Buninyong in a good and cooling breeze as the temperature neared 30 degrees. 

A detailed newspaper report of the inquest can be accessed via the Historical Link after the photos. There are also links to downloadable GPX track file as well as an interactive map.

Photos by Andrew




White Group

Gold Group







LINKS



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Berringa Mines and Heritage Walk - 9 Kms

Image
 U3A Hike No 279 Hike Report by Lyn The day was overcast and hazy as our group set out from the Berringa Recreation Reserve and started walking back towards Ballarat. Soon we stopped and marvelled in awe as Andrew waved a $50 note in the air, then a $5 note apparently picked up from amongst the roadside litter. However we were not fooled and Andrew returned the notes to his pocket and we continued on.  Our first mine we came across was the Birthday Tunnel mine set high up the steep sided gully. Since our last visit in February 2021, the mining relics consisting of brickwork and a rusting boiler were still evident but a new addition in the form of a modern looking living transportable container was within close proximity. Not wanting to hang around for too long we then descended the steep sided gully concentrating on our foot placement as it would have been very easy to slip on the downward leaning grasses, although we took time out to look at the impressive mullock heap.  With expert n
Read more

287. Frith Gully - Mt Misery Loop. Enfield State Park

Image
 U3A Hike No 287 Hike Report by Colin Fraser Eight hikers assembled outside the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol for an 11.5 km hike on the Frith Gully-Mt Misery Loop in the Enfield State Park. We travelled in two vehicles to the start of the walk at Bald Hill on Incolls Road, Enfield. The walk was graded as moderate, and described as continuously hilly. We walking paths and rough bush roads through isolated parts of the park. There were deep gullies with lush vegetation, high ridges with open scrub, and areas that still bear the scars of extensive surface mining in the 19th century. We followed Misery Creek Road south then the Misery Creek and Forest Park walking tracks to Surface Point Picnic Ground, where we had smoko. Before arriving at Surface Point we were accompanied overhead by the raucous alarm calls of a group of cockatoos warning of our intrusion into their forest. Coincidently this occurred just near Mt Cockatoo!! We shared the picnic table with a man who was camping there
Read more

305. Fisherman's Bend - Port Melbourne Walk 11.3km

Image
 U3A Hike No 305 Aerial Photo Showing Former Airfield Hike Report By Sharon Moss. On a blustery but fortunately dry morning , 19 intrepid travelers made their way to Southern Cross Station to begin their suburban hike through Fisherman’s Bend - Port Melbourne. We set off at a brisk pace with Andrew capably leading us & Gordon as whip. We had a lovely walk along the banks of the Yarra River, passing impressive boats moored at the marina with one bearing the name Costa Lot ! Andrew pointed out pylons that are decorative rather than functional, as they sit adjacent to the Bolte bridge but are not part of the structure . Passing under the bridge, we then joined busy Lorimer St , where conversation slowed somewhat as noise overtook. We were all alert watching out for bikes , scooters, joggers & traffic ! We passed several landmarks of interest . The  art deco building previously GMH , with one part of the building now occupied by a Ballarat company J King  Homes . Andrew shared inte
Read more