U3A Ballarat Hikers

  U3A Hike No. 161 Hike Report by Chris 15 hardy hikers journeyed to Dredge Rd for the Enfield Forest Hike. We took in the Surface and Long Gully trails and part of the Enfield Loop. A chorus of birdsong greeted us as we arrived. Sulphur-crested cockatoos were a constant presence. Lots of frogs and water birds were evident at the large dam close to Enfield. Early in the walk, we followed several old water races and we stopped at the sites of some of the gold mining era dams.   As we made our way towards the Surface Point Picnic area, we saw much evidence of the shallow level prospecting that was conducted by Chinese miners. It was pointed out that a lot of surface prospecting has been conducted at similar elevations around Ballarat. We had two lunch stops at points close to Misery Creek, enjoying the dappled sunlight and signs of the coming springtime. Thanks Gordon for the enjoyable, if arduous hike around the Enfield Forest hillsides, ridges and gullies. Photos by Frances

  Leaving Andrew's house, on a mild sunny day, we started south along Canadian Creek to Recreation Road.We were so fortunate to be able to follow a mostly bush trail beginning right in the heart of a suburban Mt Clear/Canadian street!   Up to Mt Clear shopping centre and west down Whitehorse Road. Taking a left turn before the bridge over the Yarrowee river brought us in line with the Wallaby Track/Yarrowee walking trail. An easy saunter south along the flood plain past settling ponds to Docwra St and a chance to stop at the historic Magpie Goldrush and Pulpit Rock for a few of Ken's words of wisdom. As we headed east past Magpie Primary School, still displaying buildings from another era, Docwra st became Charles Scorer Ct and the road behind the gate became All Nations Lane. A bit confusing here as we weren't sure whose 'driveway' we were supposed to encroach on as each road displayed a letter box. The GPS and Andrew's memory prevailed. We were now amongst the

 U3A Hike No. 159 Hike Report by Fiona The U3A Hiking Group commenced this 13 km circuit walk in drizzling conditions from Devesons Lane Nerrina. Firstly we examined a few of the historic buildings that are still standing in the area known as ‘Little Bendigo’ during the Gold Rush days. During the boom era of 1880-90’s the area grew to accommodate 3000 residents. The Little Bendigo Primary school was opened in 1878. We passed the two historic churches nearby - Anglican (now a residence) and Wesleyan churches. Andrew related an interesting story of a local legend ‘Smokey Jimmy’ who evaded the authorities by hiding in the Anglican property. We then headed south, crossed over the Freeway Bypass and walked through bushland adjacent to it before crossing the bridge again and descending onto the Yarrowee Trail. The Yarrowee Creek was amazingly full and running over the floodway in Brown Hill.   After a small distance we turned off the track (just short of Ditchfield Road) and headed up in a