Mt Macedon - Macedon Regional Park - 14.2 Kms
Hike Report by Lyn
For those that were unable to come on this walk you must consider putting it on your to-do list especially at this time of the year when the autumn colours are at their best. The Macedon area is renowned for its picturesque beauty and did not fail to deliver the day we were there.
When our group of 9 left Ballarat it was grey and cloudy. But by the time we were approaching the summit of Mt Macedon the sun was trying to come through giving us hope that we were in for a spectacular walk. Soon the dappled light was coming through the tall messmate trees as we picked our way carefully along the well defined but rocky and, at times, damp path. It was also very evident that there is a very healthy population of wombats in the vicinity as we tried to avoid their very fresh and numerous cubic scats. The walk through the forest was so enjoyable with the chatter from our group often masking that of the birdlife.
Not long into the walk we came across our first patch of fungi. Most, if not all of our group, were enthralled to see this lovely patch of pure white fungi. There were also some sporadic yellow and pink flowers along the path's edge, but these would soon be overshadowed by the incredible variety of fungi.
We continued on and after stopping at Mc Gregor's Picnic Ground for morning tea, which was bathed in sunshine, our next challenge was the steep climb to the top of Camel's Hump (1011m) the highest point in the area. The clouds were teasing us as our view was coming in and out of focus but eventually, they cleared, and we were rewarded for our effort with a spectacular view to the north towards Hanging Rock and beyond. Since we had reached the highest point, I guess the only way now was to go down. So we obliged. At times the track was soft underfoot with leaf litter and it felt as though we were walking through an enchanted forest. We marvelled at all the different colours and forms of fungi and not far from Sanitorium Lake the delicate, tiny blue pixie parasols (Mycena interrupta) were spotted by Mark.
Lunch was at the lake which was constructed in 1899 to provide water for a larger sanitorium which never eventuated. However it was a lovely restful spot for lunch and provided the perfect spot for Fiona to remove an uninvited passenger ..a dreaded leech possibly picked up when she was photographing those beautiful pixie parasols.
While we were having lunch a little girl walked past with her parents and a large soft toy under her arm. Ken said it was a nice kangaroo. She quickly set him straight 'It's not a kangaroo, it's a T Rex, see!'
Setting off after lunch we passed even more fungi including patches of Amanita muscaria, the fungi typically associated with fairy folk, some with their white spots and some without. By this stage I'm sure there were some group members who were suffering from fungi overload and the often heard cry of "oh look at this". But then there was still one more outstanding example of fungi ..a deep rich ruby red cap and stem form apparently a similar colour to a good merlot (thanks to Ken for this analogy).
Arriving back at the cars, all in
one piece, we were soon on our way to reclaim the other cars parked at the
summit of Mt Macedon. It was then a short walk to the Memorial Cross for a
group photo. As the trees near the cross had grown the view was non-existent
but we were afforded an outstanding view from the Major Mitchell lookout albeit
a little hazy from nearby burns. At this point some of us said farewell whilst
others stopped at Mt Macedon Village for a well-earned drink.
Thanks to Andrew and Gordon for another wonderful walk and to all those that participated.
Photos by Mark B
A really great report Lyn. I wish I'd been there.
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