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

 U3A Hike No 268


Hike Report by Fiona

Today’s hike involved a scenic 13.2 km circuit route through the rolling hills of the Wombat State Forest between Hepburn Springs and Kooroocherang. The hike commenced in cool conditions at a point along Werona Road, Eganstown, with views toward Mt Franklin. We turned off the road fairly quickly onto 4WD trails initially heading in a westerly direction until we came alongside the MacLachlan Creek.

We followed the creek southward passing through both pine forests & lightly timbered eucalypt bushland in Brown Snake Gully. Pretty wildflowers were evident along the way including Grevillea, Tetratheca, waxlip orchids and "Creamy Candles’’ (Stackhousia). We observed a wedge tail eagle circling in the area. We also stumbled across and avoided a red headed mouse spider who looked keen to inflict its venomous bite.

Soon we came to La Franchi’s Hut amongst a swathe of bluebells within a forest clearing. This well preserved log cabin had been constructed as a hunting lodge in the 1920’s by Victor La Franchi. Victor was the son of a Swiss migrant Giulio La Franchi who immigrated to Australia in 1855 during the Gold Rush. A farm house which had previously been built on this site had burnt down in the early 20th century. (see a more detailed history via the link after the photos)

We stopped here for a well-earned morning tea break before rejoining the MacLachlan creek and continuing south to Stevenson's Hut. This hut was a less well preserved old miner’s stone cottage with makeshift corrugated iron roofing.

We continued along the Butterfly Gully track along Upper Walkers Gully but found that the creek was not flowing and hence the waterfall here was dry. This track eventually led back out to Werona Road. As we completed the circuit we were rewarded with views of rolling green hills including Mt Kooroocheang - near Blampied.

We finished the morning with a picnic lunch near our cars.

Thanks to Andrew and Gordon for organizing and leading such an enjoyable walk.

Photos by Andrew




















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