297. Mt. Buninyong - Union Jack 10.6km

 U3A Hike No 297


Hike Report By Myra Trudgen

WE began the 10.6 km walk around Mt Buninyong and the Union Jack Reserve, at 8 am at the picnic ground.
As we walked towards the crater, the air was still and the sense of peace and calmness that Mt Buninyong always seems to bring enfolded us. Mist lay over the trees and partly obscured the crater, which lay dreaming in the silence. Very evident was the beautiful strong smell of eucalyptus, which was being released by the recent rain and surrounding mist. I think we all took deep thankful breaths.
We walked up to the first road, but instead of continuing to the top of the Mount, we turned right until we reached the South Walk. It was in  good condition, despite the recent heavy rain.  Although there appeared to be no wind, the trees here are tall and robust enough to produce that soughing sound which can be so calming.

Arrived at the bottom of the Walk, we turned left and made our way through quiet country lanes and semi-rural countryside towards the Union Jack Reserve. 
Granny White Lane was in very good condition which made walking easy and pleasant.
We passed interesting stone walls, some almost derelict and covered in brambles, others in the process of being meticulously rebuilt. We also passed a very large well-kept vineyard on our left, covered with the essential white netting.
As soon as we entered the Union Jack Reserve, the path became undulating and very steep in places. We passed many abandoned gold mines in this area, some very close to the path. This in spite of hundreds being in-filled in the 1950's. The trees here are tall and the path was surprisingly green considering the long dry spell we have had until recently. The Cherry Ballarts were abundant, and provided extra greenery to the landscape. It is a pity that they are semi-parasitic and harmful to our eucalyptus trees..

Andrew gave an interesting account of the gold-mining that operated in the area, , especially in the gully leading down to Union Jack Creek.
Morning tea time and a rest was greeted with pleasure after the fairly stiff climbs. Afterwards  we soon reached the memorial to the two miners who were suffocated in this mine and the heroic efforts of the men who tried to save them (more on this on the history link)
We then made our way to Gittings Lane and back to the Reserve for lunch. On the way, we stopped at an abandoned house which has stood empty for almost 10 years and gradually falling derelict. There had been a fire and the owners had to be rescued, but it appears that they never returned. 
The house is connected to the 1995 story of Mad Max, and Andrew enthralled us with the story of his shoot-out with his police one of which was Detective Rod McDonald, a local lad. (see the link below)

We enjoyed lunch back at the reserve.

Thanks to Andrew for leading this walk, and to Gordon for being whip and for his gentle encouragement to the occasional flagger

Photos By Andrew Parker





















LINKS

DOWNLOAD GPX ROUTE FILE FOR GARMIN ETC

INTERACTIVE MAP

HISTORICAL NOTES

MAD MAX

BLAST FROM THE PAST






Comments

  1. Jan4 April 2024 at 18:01

    Very nice blog Myra. And lovely photos of the mist Andrew.

    ReplyDelete

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