309. Bungal State Forest

 U3A Hike No 309



Hike Report By Annette Curry

A small contingent of enthusiastic hikers met at the Tennis Courts in Buninyong on a cool but sunny morning and headed out to the Bungal State Forest, parking the cars just off the Ballan- Egerton Rd (about 4 kms from Mt Egerton)

Led by Mark, with Gordon as the whip, we set off in an anti-clockwise direction to do a boundary loop of the Forest.
We headed up and then down a smallish hill, and found ourselves at the South Moorabool River. At this point, we were given the option of either going straight up a gnarly down hill mountain bike track (or was it a hill climb for motorbikes?), or to walk up a 'gentler' track to the top of the ridge. The second option won, so off we went, but still found it very steep AND long! But we all did make it to the top, had a short rest, then followed a truly more gentle track through the bush, stopping for morning tea at a 'campsite', complete with some left behind chairs that a couple of members made good use of!!

After some food and drink, we continued on again, past the edge of a large pine plantation, past the only marked road junction sign posts (North Main Rd and Llandeilo Lane), past the Bungle State Forest sign,.... no - WAIT- ... We stopped at the sign and took the obligatory group photo!
We wandered amongst some mineshafts, dropping 'that rock' down into one of the shafts to 'guesstimate' the depth (DEEP!), then onwards to an old Iron Mine site.

After that, it was along a rambling track back towards the cars. Though, at this point, there was some discussion between Mark and Gordon, with both comparing their directional equipment?! This was followed by a short trek cross country to pick up the trail again, down one last gully (very rutted from motorbikes/ cars?), around the last corner and suddenly, back at the cars.
The Bungal State Forest is only small, but surprisingly enchanting and very quiet.
Thanks Mark for leading us yet again, and thanks to Gordon, our reliable whip who ensured none of us were left behind. 

It was a very enjoyable hike.

Photos By Annette, Mark & Alan 


















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