383. B.C.Mt Donna Buang Hike 8.7km

 U3A Hike No 383


🏞️ Mt Donna Buang Hike Report by Leona Ryan

Date: 13th November 2025 Distance: Approx. 9 kms Leader: Gordon Talbot

🚗 Journey to the Starting Point

What a pleasant surprise it was to see clumps and patches of snow remaining along the road as we wound our way, in five cars, up to Mt Donna Buang. Once cars were parked at the starting point and the car shuffle organised, we alighted, suitably attired, into crisp, sunny conditions.

🗼 Tower Views & Guidelines

A short uphill incline loosened up the leg muscles and brought us to a very sturdy looking tower. From its 21‑metre top we absorbed panoramic views of the Yarra Valley and surrounding tree‑covered ranges. Gordon then gathered us together to deliver some guidelines, including how to negotiate variable tracks with hidden obstacles, and assuring us that no snake in its right mind would brave these conditions. And neither, we hoped, would any of those pesky, voracious leeches.

❄️ Snowy Descent

Off we went, slip‑sliding downhill through snow, slush, wet grass and those hidden trip hazards. We immediately realised how accurate Gordon’s description of the conditions was. At times we diverted our attention from careful footwork to admire the hardiness and beauty of a soft shrubby and grassy mid‑layer, whose branches and fronds were weighed down by clumps of pure white snow.

The bottom of the slope opened onto a grassy gravel track, then more snow. We deftly negotiated a fallen forest giant, then some tangled recently fallen branches, all the while admiring the myrtle beech and mountain ash trees surrounding us.

☕ Morning Tea at Mt Boobyalla

Upon reaching a free‑form, arty rock cairn at Mt Boobyalla, we found a sheltered spot to enjoy a well‑earned morning tea.

🐍 Snake Encounter

The next section of shrub‑lined track was more open, strewn with bark and twigs — and hiding a TIGER SNAKE! Thankfully Gordon spotted the small but feisty specimen. Its head was raised but sluggish in the cold. Andrew persuaded it to slither off into the shrubbery, and we set off again, carefully noting what might be underfoot.

🌸 Wax Flowers

We were soon distracted by stands of beautiful white‑flowered shrubs with waxy scented leaves. Our educated guess was Eriostemon. A quick search confirmed this was Philotheca, commonly known as the long‑leafed wax flower.

🌿 Below the Snow Line

Dropping below the snow line, we followed a grassy track lined with tree ferns, beech and mountain ash. We admired a bubbling stream and negotiated another tangle of branches. After climbing over a metal gate, we continued about 1.5 km along the road to reach our end point — the aptly named Rainforest Gallery.

🌳 Rainforest Gallery

While waiting for drivers and cars to return, we lunched and explored the 40‑metre‑long observation platform and elevated walkway. This offered a unique perspective of the rainforest canopy, especially the magnificent tree ferns. Further inspection revealed that some walkers had indeed given clingy leeches a free lift down the mountain.

🌟 Conclusion

This was a beautiful walk to finish off four delightful days of hiking around Warburton. Many thanks to Gordon for researching and leading the walks, and to Andrew for pulling the whole thing together.


Photos by Andrew Parker































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