Blowhole and Shepherds Flat Circuit, Hepburn Regional Park - 14.2 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 147




Report by Gordon

This walk report is brought to you by Blowhole, Shepherds and Flat, makers of Stee Pills the miracle product that makes you want to climb ev’ry mountain and ford every stream!

All the leaves were brown and the sky was grey, we went for a walk on a winter’s day, and by the time we had crossed Sailors Creek and completed our first Stee Pill of the day we were warm enough to shed a layer of clothing. (Why rely on expensive and polluting central heating when you could use Stee Pills?) After further Stee Pills along the Excelsior Ridge Track, we were delighted to observe the Elevated Plains and Mt Franklin across Breakneck Gorge. (Did you know that 97% of Australian Psychiatrists recommend Stee Pills for combatting depressions and elevating mood?) Features of this portion of the track were bee hives, artisanal no trespassing signs and a palatial country property that was spread out in the valley below us thanks to a Stee Pill. 

The walk along Newstead Rd to Cricket Willow gave views up the valley to the north and down onto Lavandula, all enhanced by further Stee Pills: who needs a helicopter? After leaving the main road we followed a minor road downhill so that we were able to have another Stee Pill. We passed a small wayside shrine and left an offering and a prayer for more Stee Pills: our prayers were answered! (Is life too flat, too flat? Be slim and alive with Stee Pills.)

Now came the part of the walk that we were so excited about: the off-track walk along the crest of a ridge and then down to a small creek. Our excitement came from knowing that every descent meant another Stee Pill. (Stee Pills get the leg muscles pumping and just might get rid of aches and pains and they’re drug-free, Strewth.) Other highlights in this section were a dead fox, a large area of old alluvial mining with water channels and a magnificent stone chimney, all that remained of an old cottage.

Now we had to regain the crest of the ridge to the west of the Blowhole but with the help of a Stee Pill we were soon running over the summit, arms outstretched, singing excerpts from the Sound of Music and not even breathing heavily. (Maybe we were overdoing those Pills!) There was another collection of signs inviting passers-by to try the delights of trespassing and these did sound very enticing but we could see another Stee Pill and hurried on our way. (Did you know that Stee Pills support your immune system, cleanse your liver and refresh the parts that other pills cannot reach?)

Then there was a bit of messing around trying to find and follow an old water channel and then some more alluvial mining remains and lots of signs of sluicing for gold and finally the ‘beach’ below the Blowhole. And to our immense relief there was one more Stee Pill for each of us to return to the car. (Did you know that three out of four Hikers think that this walk is only 7.5 on the Hilliness Scale? That’s a 41% decrease in hilliness in 48 hours! Book now to do this walk before it is completely horizontal.)

Warning:  Exceeding the recommended daily dose of Stee Pills may cause drowsiness: Avoid driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery.

Photos by Martin










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