364. Rhinoceros Walk - Brisbane Ranges NP 12.1km

 U3A Hike No 364



Hike Report by Sharon Moss

On a crisp 2 deg Ballarat morning, 11 keen hikers set off for the Rhinoceros walk in the Brisbane Ranges , named in honor of its outline on the map. There was not a safari suit or pith helmet to be seen!  We were certainly all  over -dressed leading to frequent wardrobe stops along the way.

We soon warmed up with a steady climb, as we left Friday’s Campground. The Rhinoceros walk is part of the Burchell trail which is a multi day hike of 33 km.

Not far into our walk, we decided to stop for morning tea at the lovely Old Mill camping ground. Then we reluctantly left our sunny picnic spot and headed off.

Once a popular area for gold mining, the Brisbane Ranges offer a wide variety of hiking trails. There is an abundance of Australian native flora, with grass tress, eucalypts and masses of wildflowers in Spring. Previous mining is evidenced by the deep gorges, old mine shafts and relics along the way. We detoured to visit The Centenary Mine, which commemorates a specific area within the park where gold mining took place in the late 1800s. Joan was tempted to climb down a  steep ladder into the depths of the shaft, but was restrained by her fellow hikers and the iron grid covering the shaft!

A few more ascents and descents along lovely bush trails brought us to the United Albion Mine site. This mine was constructed in the 1890s and was considered a very successful mine, initial finds yielding approximately 28 kg or  1000 ounces of gold per fortnight. The mine eventually closed in 1899 following a miners strike over a pay dispute .

We finished our hike with lunch at Friday’s campground.

Thanks to Mark and Kym for keeping us all on track. 

What better way to spend a winters day than walking with friends, in native bush under a cloudless blue sky!

Photos by Alan Evans


















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