Hepburn Back Tracks, Hepburn Regional Park Circuit - 10.8 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 196


Hike Report by Annette
Our group of eight met at Kirks at the normal time and travelled to the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve.  The weather Gods were on our side (despite fears earlier in the week of a miserable, wet Thursday) and we set off with Gordon leading the way on to the first loop.

The track wound its way up a slow long hill in the direction of Daylesford. At the top of the ridge were a large number of very, very deep mineshafts, which Gordon believed, were all part of the same mine (Argyle mine), looking for/following a gold bearing reef. There were shafts going into the side of the ridge as well.

After a careful explore of the area, we headed off again, this time in a downhill direction (well, for a short time, anyway!) and found a lovely place on two fallen trees for morning tea. Some gentle spots of rain began to fall, so out came the rain jackets, but it was short lived and barely another kilometre on, the jackets came off. 

As we wound our way back to the reserve (along a muddy track), we came upon "Gordon's Surprise" - it was a very old swimming pool, created by damming the creek, complete with concrete sides. It looked beautiful, but as one of our fellow hikers commented, it can be a dodgy, stagnant place in Summer when the creek water doesn't flow... A swimming hole for the brave hearted!!

Back at the cars we made good use of the toilet block, then headed off again, this time on the second loop.  This was very scenic and followed a trail up Wildcat Gully, past Wyuna Spring and Argyle Spring - neither of which were working!  The climb out of Wildcat Gully was long and steep, but it did eventually lead us back to the cars.

During our hike, our wildlife 'spotters' noticed a Red Headed Mouse Spider (actually a stunning little thing), a wallaby and Gordon was lucky enough to see a Marsupial Mouse (with his little tuff on the end of his tail), doing a dash.  A great hike with great company!

Photos by Andrew









   GORDON SAW A BRUSH TAILED PHASCOGALE  (Not this one)


Red Headed Mouse Spider

Old Hepburn Pool











The new swimming pool recently constructed by Councillor E. H. Zelman, in the Spring Creek, has been well patronised. [The Melbourne Argus Friday 8 January 1932, page 10]

Where's Wally????ARGYLE SPRING ON WILDCAT CREEK 


LINKS




Comments

  1. Janet16 May 2022 at 17:14

    Andrew, did you enjoy your swim with the bathing beauties? And what was that fearsome looking creature joining us for the photo. A giant cat? Wally looking pale in comparison. Great photos and report.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17 May 2022 at 08:47

      Thanks Janet. A wildcat in wildcat gully.

      Delete

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