Werribee Gorge State Park : Falcon's Lookout Circuit - 3.4 Kms and Ingliston Gorge Circuit - 4.0 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 201

Hike Report by Geoff

It was a very dull, miselly start to our day when our group of 10 met at Kirks. However, with Andrew driving ahead on our way to Ballan, the murky conditions cleared, and we were able to walk in dry, and occasionally sunny, if not blustery conditions.

Our convoy continued from Ballan, along Ingliston Road until, after going under the rail bridge, we parked at the Ironbark Gorge carpark. The walk first led us 400 m down a steep slope, with many steps, into Ironbark Gorge. Then along a side gully, winding our way uphill to the top of the gorge and along the ridge to a track junction leading either to The Granites or, in our case, taking the right fork to Falcon's Lookout.

Onwards, mostly downhill, to this very spectacular lookout.  The rough, rocky surface proved to be slippery, providing some challenges as two of our walkers found that it was easy to take a tumble. Fortunately, both were up, and able to continue on, without serious discomfort.

The photos taken at Falcon's Lookout should provide a much better story than can be put into words.  The lookout afforded more than 180° views, up cleared valleys to the west, across to the Western Hwy to the north and down Werribee Gorge to Bacchus Marsh in the east.  There were no barriers at this point, so we did have to be careful not to get too close to the very steep drop off the edge.

After taking in this view, we walked down from the lookout to a boardwalk below. This provided further spectacular views as well as giving us an appreciation of this remarkable, orange rock face, a favourite haunt for many rock climbers. We took morning tea here before climbing back to the car park.

In our cars we travelled about 2 km back down Ingliston Road, towards Ballan, this time parking in the Ingliston Gorge car park. From here we completed a second walk, first to a cleared gas pipeline track, before dropping down into Sloss' Gully.  We then ascended up a rocky path, being slightly disturbed by the sound of a branch crashing down nearby.  Gordon advised that the track would soon level out but, for those thinking that this meant we would no longer be ascending there was disappointment to be had as Gordon simply meant that the track ahead while still ascending presented less undulating challenges.  We eventually came out at a clearing, providing more dramatic views to the south and west across Ingliston Gorge to the Werribee Gorge escarpment and to the Yalloak windfarm beyond. Here the strong wind presented a challenge, especially for those with ill-fitting caps. Fortunately for Mark his cap blew up the hill behind us rather than over the cliff.  

From here we started a descent into Ingliston Gorge where we walked for some distance downstream before finding a grassy verge on which to have lunch. Despite the temptation to stay for some time, knowing we could not put off the inevitable, we returned along the creek and back up and up out of the gorge, eventually coming back to our cars to complete a shorter than usual 8.5 km. Considering the challenges of this hilly terrain, most of us were satisfied that we had walked enough for the day. 

Most of us considered that this was one of the more spectacular walks we have undertaken in recent times. For me it brought back memories of University geology days when I had walked across private pasture from the railway line with other geology students to see the spectacular birds eye view over Werribee Gorge provided at Falcon's Lookout and be impressed by the surrounding convoluted rock structure. The temptation to fly paper planes off the edge at that time was over-whelming but now, as a responsible adult I know better than to litter such a beautiful place.

Thank you again to Gordon for his efforts in planning and leading the walk and to Andrew for ensuring that the day was again dry. The photos accompanying this report will convey more of the story.

Photos by Mark B

Falcon's Lookout:

Ingliston Gorge:

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