Scorpion Gully Circuit, Wombat State Forest - 11.8 Kms

U3A Hike No. 154



Hike Report by Mark H

Thursday morning saw 13 of us led by Gordon meet at Kirk’s at 7.45 sharp to head to Shepherds Flat northeast of Hepburn. After parking at the edge of Shepherds Flat-Werona Rd we headed from about the ‘3 o’clock’ part of what would be a circular clockwise hike.  


Following roads and tracks the walk headed east then south along a ridge with great views to the east then downhill to cross a creek (Stringers Creek – thanks to Essendon’s Jake for the memory jog on its name) The ruins of at least one house at Welcome Gully gave us a brief excuse to rest up before continuing west-ish and loosely following Stringers Creek and Welcome Gully.

  
Typical of many areas of bush in central Victoria is the remains of gold mining activity and this was no exception. Evidence at Scorpion Gully was the remains of a stamping battery wall plus outlines of various buildings. The sludge pool from this must have made an awful mess in its day and even now you can see how it has drastically changed the shape of the nearby gully.

Lunch near Scorpion Gully – check first before sitting down.


Now fuelled up with lunch and heading east we were offered great views across Shepherds Flat to Mount Franklin rearing up in the background. But watch your step! Several slips amongst the group made them painfully aware of the slick muddy surface.  A particularly deep and straight sided mine shaft lurked nearby. Back to the cars along Shepherds Flat-Werona Rd and coffee in the big shed with no discernible purpose (another Government funded folly?) at Hepburn Recreation Reserve.

Great walk thanks Gordon. You even put the forecast showers on hold as a bonus. A mixture of dirt roads, fire tracks, walking tracks and off –path mixed with hills and ridges provided good variety. Mining and some settlement remains added more interest. Enjoyed it!


Photos by Mark B




















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