322. La Franchi's Hut 11.8km -Wombat State Forest

U3A Hike No 322


Hike Report By Leona Ryan

Twelve well attired happy hikers set out from Kirk's at 8am and headed towards Daylesford, turning left into Basalt Rd, then wending our way to our start point on Werona Rd. We were off and walking by 8.30am. In calm conditions and morning shadows and with patches of blue sky peeping through the trees, we made our way along a clay track in a northerly direction. The track soon became somewhat rutted as we negotiated the first of several hills. Verdant farmland could now be glimpsed through trees in a landscape devoid of undergrowth. 

Continuing in roughly westerly then southerly directions, we arrived at our morning tea break - La Franchi's Hut, at about 9.45am. What a pleasant surprise this was, especially for the 3 walkers who had not seen this site before. Set in a secluded picturesque dell on Deep Creek at Werona, this well preserved little wattle and daub /stone hut has undergone some "renovation" with the original bark roof replaced by metal. La Franchi's hut was built in the 1920's by Victor La Franchi, the son of a Swiss gold miner who had migrated in 1855. Victor and his wife had 14 children! There was a home (thank goodness - given the size of this Irish/Swiss family) alongside the hut but it burnt down in the early 20th century. 

Although we were a little early for the anticipated sea of blue bells which surround the hut in Spring, extensive swathes of daffodils and jonquils with a sprinkling of snowdrops were very impressive. The site also featured a couple of quince trees, lilac and a large collection of unidentified deciduous trees. Someone will have to come back when they are in full leaf. 

Our journey continued up and down hill through the Wombat State Forest, featuring sections of fallen timber, until we reached the more remote but much less preserved Stevenson's Hut. Picking our way though fallen timber we returned to the track, negotiating more hilly sections and passing through a pine forest before arriving back at our cars for a well deserved lunch in the sunshine. 

Incidentally, according to my iPhone, we/I took 17,649 steps over 11kms, burning 3,499 kms in the process and climbing the equivalent of 104 floors! (1 flight being approx.' 3 metres in altitude)  What an impressive and fit lot we are.

Thankyou to Andrew, Gordon and Jan for their organisation and on the ground support.



Photos By Andrew Parker























Photo from Last Year



LINKS




 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

287. Frith Gully - Mt Misery Loop. Enfield State Park

Image
 U3A Hike No 287 Hike Report by Colin Fraser Eight hikers assembled outside the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol for an 11.5 km hike on the Frith Gully-Mt Misery Loop in the Enfield State Park. We travelled in two vehicles to the start of the walk at Bald Hill on Incolls Road, Enfield. The walk was graded as moderate, and described as continuously hilly. We walking paths and rough bush roads through isolated parts of the park. There were deep gullies with lush vegetation, high ridges with open scrub, and areas that still bear the scars of extensive surface mining in the 19th century. We followed Misery Creek Road south then the Misery Creek and Forest Park walking tracks to Surface Point Picnic Ground, where we had smoko. Before arriving at Surface Point we were accompanied overhead by the raucous alarm calls of a group of cockatoos warning of our intrusion into their forest. Coincidently this occurred just near Mt Cockatoo!! We shared the picnic table with a man who was camping there
Read more

Hiking Group Rules

Image
All members resident in Ballarat are expected to attend the meeting point for a travel briefing. Expectations as to pre-hike meeting times. 1. Arrive at the nominated meeting point prior to 7:50am. 2. 7:50 to 7:55 - Vehicle allocation & transfer gear to allocated vehicles. 3. 7:55 Briefing regarding travel to hike venue. 4. 8a.m. (or when all previous steps complete), depart the meeting point. All members of the U3A Ballarat Hiking Group need to sign a form which sets out the risks associated with hiking   A copy of the form can be found here:   Acknowledgement of risk form  All members will: ...play a part in maintaining my safety and that of the other members of the Group.   ...disclose to the leader details of any health problems that may arise during a walk.   ...be responsible for carrying their own medications on walks.   ...comply with the Hiking Group rules regarding clothing, equipment, and safety* ...follow the instructions of the designated leader(s).   ...consider
Read more

305. Fisherman's Bend - Port Melbourne Walk 11.3km

Image
 U3A Hike No 305 Aerial Photo Showing Former Airfield Hike Report By Sharon Moss. On a blustery but fortunately dry morning , 19 intrepid travelers made their way to Southern Cross Station to begin their suburban hike through Fisherman’s Bend - Port Melbourne. We set off at a brisk pace with Andrew capably leading us & Gordon as whip. We had a lovely walk along the banks of the Yarra River, passing impressive boats moored at the marina with one bearing the name Costa Lot ! Andrew pointed out pylons that are decorative rather than functional, as they sit adjacent to the Bolte bridge but are not part of the structure . Passing under the bridge, we then joined busy Lorimer St , where conversation slowed somewhat as noise overtook. We were all alert watching out for bikes , scooters, joggers & traffic ! We passed several landmarks of interest . The  art deco building previously GMH , with one part of the building now occupied by a Ballarat company J King  Homes . Andrew shared inte
Read more