Centenary Track and the Island, Werribee State Park Circuit - 10.8 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 255

Hike Report by Terry O

Jack went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Well, we walked up the hill to admire the vistas and get to know more about the Werribee Gorge and the distinctive Island that is part of the landscape that many of us have viewed from the Western Highway as well as the Ballarat train line. The lava flows filled river valleys and now eroded to leave the flat-topped hill, the island, and our destination for this walk. The weather gods were so kind to us. After many miserable winter Ballarat days and another cold front approaching, we could hardly believe our luck with sunshine and refreshing winds.  Nine of us arrived at the appointed time at Kirks Reservoir and headed off with our leader Gordon.  The joy of walking with this group is you know you are always on a walk that is well researched and there is no aimless wandering wondering if you are on the right track. When you are made aware of all the emergency planning that Gordon has had to do for each walk as well as leadership on the actual day, we are all so indebted to Gordon. Thank you, Gordon, for making these walking opportunities available to us.

We started our 10.8 km walk at Meikles Point Picnic Area and headed uphill to join onto the Centenary Walk. Lots of uphill but early in the morning and an invigorating start.

We traversed some gullies and near Junction Pool crossed the Myrniong Creek. It is a steep climb to the top of the James Whyte Island Reserve. At the lower elevation it is a narrow slippery track. Mud is fun if you don’t slip! The deeply eroded channel in the middle of the track also does not help with the ascent. Our morning tea stop was at a timber lookout with fantastic views of the Gorge to the south. With such a clear day we enjoyed these views to their full effect.  After completing a circuit around the hilltop, we descended. Few falls off to the side on the way up with the slippery track but no incidents on return. We had adjusted to the slippery track and made sure we were well balanced.

On our return we were mainly on formed tracks but some cross-country detours to pick up other interest points. One was the old shelter shed.  We were all taken by the language on the interpretative sign at this site with its extracts from a 1913 excursion to Werribee Gorge “…. Some strenuous climbing had to be carried out, in which the ladies came out most creditably” I am pleased to report that on 6/7/2023 all walkers came out most creditably.

There is work underway to restore biodiversity into this landscape. Rehabilitation work with revegetation, weed and vermin control are underway to bring back the natural Shrubland vegetation. We could see the active planting underway as part of the Myrniong links project that aims to create a link between the Lerderderg State Park and Werribee Gorge State. On our walk to the top of the James Whyte Island we also saw the challenges with this rehabilitation work with washouts of earlier plantings, spread of thistles and eroded tracks. The 204-hectare W James Whyte Island Reserve was gifted to Conservation Volunteers in 2006 and they worked on its rehabilitation. In September 2022 the land was advertised for sale. Not sure what this means for ongoing commitment to its continuing protection and rehabilitation but hard to understand why it is not part of the Werribee State Park. Some of the land is protected by a Natural Reserve Covenant.  Would be good to hear more updated and local information on what is happening.

One wallaby was the only wildlife spotted on the walk, but we were charmed by the many fairy wrens flitting about as we picnicked at the end, especially some of the colourful male ones.  Good company, great weather, stunning views and we all enjoyed an invigorating day immersed in nature.

Photos by Gordon and Terry O