La Franchi's Hut Circuit, Wombat State Forest - 13.2 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 210

Hike Report by Janet

On a frosty but sunny morning, 10 hikers set off to drive to Eganstown, looking forward to seeing the famed display of spring flowers at Lafranchi’s Hut, tucked away in the Wombat State forest. Although it is possible to drive to the spot, (4WD recommended), we opted for the 13.2 km hike, starting at the corner of Werona Road and Rodoni Track, following rough 4WD tracks, initially downhill but with the knowledge that we’d have to eventually come back up!

The tracks took us through lovely bush, catching sight of the occasional wallaby, then skirting around open farmland with views across to Mount Franklin and then Mount Kooroocheang. 

We then continued through a pine plantation down to Lafranchi’s Hut to be delighted by the glorious display of daffodils and jonquils. The hut, built of logs and an impressive stone fireplace was built in the late 1920s by Victor Lafrachi, son of Giulio Lafranchi who migrated from Switzerland in 1855. This is the original site of the home where Giulio and Ann Lafranchi, raised their 14 children. Imagine just how tough their life must have been.

 After morning tea at the Hut, we continued, up and down through a series of gullies and climbs, making our way to Stevenson’s Hut in a small clearing. Not much of a hut, more of a ramshackle lean-to with a ridge pole and a fireplace and nothing known about who built it or when.   We then headed off to find the Butterfly track which continued alongside the McLachlan Creek, towards Walker’s Gully, the falls being a short distance down the gully. These are usually dry, but given the recent rains we were hopeful, and scrambling down a steep rocky bank, were rewarded by the lovely sight of water flowing down the rocks into a pool and down the creek.

 After another stop for sustenance that Gordon thought we might need before the final stage, a  steep climb to re-join the Butterfly track, down into Butterfly Gully and back up the hill to our cars, a cuppa and chat before heading back home.

Thank you Gordon for another delightful and interesting hike (and no rain). 

Photos by Mark B













































































































Comments

  1. Anonymous3 September 2022 at 17:12

    Thank you, it looks like a lovely walk. Regards, Jane.

    ReplyDelete

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