329. Goldfields (Leanganook) Track - Sutton Grange to Mandurang South 15km

 U3A Hike No 329



Hike Report By Jan Herperger

Today's 15 km walk was really terrific!

We gathered at yesterday's end point just off the Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road and met Mark's relatives-in-law, Kim & Simon who joined us on our penultimate day of the Goldfields Track.

It was a beautiful sunny day as the 11 of us set off on a wide track beside the burbling water in the Coliban Main Channel. 

The Goldfields Track guidebook accurately described the countryside as "picturesque boulder-strewn hills and long views across farmland." It was Very pretty.
 
There were all sorts of things along the way to keep us interested (in no particular order) - a picnic table and seat made out of a thick slab of granite that will probably still be in great shape for hikers to rest at in 1000 years; 
  • wattle trees in flower; 
  • grey shrike thrushes singing; 
  • not one but two tunnels (one called Wirths and the other called Brennans) where the channel disappeared underground for a while then popped out again further along the track; 
  • a couple of decent hills to climb and carefully descend;
  • ruins of old flumes; 
  • a pack of speedy cyclists who warned us about snakes ahead (we saw no snakes, thankfully);
  • a shingleback lizard; 
  • a lovely shady spot for morning tea; 
  • 3 waterfalls with brick dissipators; 
  • and a brand new picnic shelter where we enjoyed some lunch.

We left the channel for about a kilometre following the track through very dry scrubby bush and then were reunited with the Coliban Channel again.
Close to the finish of the walk we heard a rumbling sound that ended up being -  Not a helicopter but a big tanker spraying water over the recently graded track and then a large roller machine to smooth out the track.

I thought that this walk was great and I really enjoyed the curving channel of flowing water that kept us company for most of it.

Well done Mark and Gordon for leading and planning such a pleasant hike.

P.S. I have also very much enjoyed getting together with everybody and sharing dinner and lots of stories and laughs every evening. Thanks everyone, it's been fun. :-)



Photos By Andrew Parker






























WATER CASCADES ON THE COLIBAN CHANNEL


LINKS





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