382. BC Starlings Gap to Ada Tree Carpark 12.9km

November 12, 2025

U3A Hike No 382

Hike Report by Geoff Howard

🚗 Meeting & Departure

Our group of 19 walkers met again at Ottrey’s car park in Warburton to head to the Ada Tree Picnic Area. We left some cars there before travelling on to Starlings Gap, where our walk commenced. Unlike yesterday, there was no sign of rain and, although it was a cool 7° at the start, we soon warmed up as we walked.

🛤️ Tramway Route & Timber History

The walk followed an old tramway route once used to carry sawn logs from the many sawmills in the area, including one at Starlings Gap, into Warburton or Powelltown. These mills operated from the early 1900s until the last, the New Federal Mill, closed in 1949.

The tramway provided an excellent path with a gentle gradient for most of the way. Occasionally, where trestle bridges had disappeared, we had to descend into gullies and climb out again, but the track remained of good standard overall.

🌳 Forest Scenery

The forest was a constant source of inspiration. Towering mountain ash trees with silver-grey to brown trunks impressed us, while the mid-story of brilliant myrtle beech displayed fresh green to golden/orange shoots. Closer to the path, lush tree ferns and rasp ferns added vibrant foliage. Many wildflowers also adorned the track.

🐦 Leaf Litter & Lyrebirds

A major feature of the track was the significant amount of leaf litter and bark from the mountain ash, sometimes creating tripping hazards. Interestingly, the litter had been extensively cultivated along the track edges. This did not appear to be deer activity, as little forest damage was evident. Lyrebirds seemed the most likely culprits.

Although we didn’t see any lyrebirds at first, Joan and Corinne found two feathers, and near the end Terry spotted one scurrying into the undergrowth.

🪱 Mud & Leeches

Recent rain left sections of the track wet and muddy. The damp conditions also brought leeches, which were regularly found on boots and gaiters, with some walkers later reporting that leeches had found their way inside.

☕ Lunch at Ada No. 2 Mill

After 7.5 km we reached The Crossroads junction. Turning right, we followed the tramway 300 metres to the Ada No. 2 Mill campsite — a perfect spot for lunch. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1939, but remnants remain, including two significant boilers and a large circular saw blade, offering a glimpse into the area’s timber history.

🌉 Creek Crossing & New Federal Mill

Returning to the main track, we walked another 2.2 km to the site of the New Federal Mill. This required crossing a significant creek, which everyone managed with only moderately wet feet and no mishaps.

The mill site featured a pleasant picnic area where we paused before continuing.

🌲 The Ada Tree

A further 1.4 km brought us to the Ada Tree, reached via a newly constructed boardwalk. This grand mountain ash is estimated to be over 300 years old, standing more than 75 metres tall with a girth of around 15 metres.

And who was Ada? She is believed to have been Ada Mortimore, a local resident who caught the attention of the surveyor of the region. Both the tree and the Ada River below bear her name.