Bottle O'Porter Track to Tipperary Springs, Hepburn Regional Park Circuit - 13.4 Kms
U3A Hike No 282
HIKE REPORT BY GEOFF
After a very varied week weatherwise, Goldilocks would have said today was just right, not too hot not too cold.
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Eleven hikers met at Kirks today and soon after we were on our way to Basalt Road, Eganstown. Our hike saw us setting off on Bottle O Porter Road, which leaves Basalt Road opposite Brandy Hot Road. This very pleasant, occasionally used, vehicle track saw us walking between a pine forest to our left, and an impressive eucalypt forest to our right. Over our first hour we gently descended down the track to reach Sailors Creek. Numerous, brown, Monarch butterflies fluttered around us as we walked. Walking along the track, above the creek, we were careful not to step too far right, into the blackberries which disguised the perilous drop down to the creek. We enjoyed this particularly attractive part of the walk before reaching Tipperary Springs.
From here Gordon led us up a poorly defined track through the open, eucalypts forest, toward Bald Hill. Much of this area had been recently burned, as had some of the track signposting. This provided a clear view through the woodland. After we crossed Bald Hill Road we continued along Pfeiffers Track where we came across a very large troop of over 20 kangaroos in one of the rare patches of open pasture land. Soon after, we found an ideal place to stop for morning tea. After our break we continued uphill, along Pfeiffers Track before crossing Bald Hill Creek and winding our way up onto Basalt Road. On our 800 metre walk along Basalt Road, we stopped at an unattended stall with honey and potted plants on sale. Three of our group couldn't resist the opportunity to splurge on the two dollar plants. Don was impressed by a Scabiosa, Joan purchased a succulent and Jan a Lavender, so our group now included 11 plus 3 plants and Gordon was left wondering what the rule for carrying plants on a hike should be. We also noted the Teena was a little quieter than usual, obviously missing Alan, but we became particularly concerned when we saw that she was cradling a can labelled Whiskey and Coke. Again the rules were discussed and Gordon seemed to remember that group members could be sent home if intoxicated on arrival but there were no rules attached to drinking along the walk. Teena assured us that she had collected the empty can along the track and was doing her civic duty in taking the can to be disposed of more appropriately.
After our short walk along Basalt Road we turned off onto Humbug Road which provided was a pleasant, open track. Along the section of the walk we soon came upon another plantation of pines being enjoyed by black cockatoos. A small number of wildflowers were to be enjoyed including some early blue pincushions. A chirpy troop of choughs also flitted across our path. After further twists and turns, mostly now climbing back up hill we crossed Bald Hills Road again and found our way back to Bottle O Porter Gully and the track leading back to our cars. We completed the 14.6 km walk at about 12.30. All plants also made it back to the cars, having being carefully conveyed. Lunch was then enjoyed by our cars before we returned to Ballarat. Thanks again to Gordon for leading us through this very attractive part of Hepburn Regional Park.
PHOTOS BY TEENA & GEOFF
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