387. Ted Errey Nature Circuit Anakie Gorge 12.1km

 U3A Hike No 387




Hike Report by Monica McCormack

🎾 Gathering at Buninyong

Amongst the many questions that no-one asked, as we waited at Buninyong Tennis Courts for the usual car pool scramble, was: Who is Ted Errey? And why was the 12km nature circuit, conducted by 14 regular U3A hikers under cool, sunny skies, named after him? Everyone appeared quietly determined to avoid the only other pressing question: Who’s Going to Write the Blog! (Luckily, there’s always Someone.)

🌿 Who Was Ted Errey?

Ted was, in fact, EGE – Edmund George Errey – a native of Geelong whose enthusiasm for Victorian native fauna earned him a highly respected position within the Victorian botanical community.

  • Educator, botanist, and naturalist

  • Renowned for his deep knowledge and promotion of native plants, particularly in the Geelong area

  • Played a key role in establishing the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) (formerly SGAP)

The Circuit is a tribute to his valuable contribution in identifying and promoting the rich variety of flora that exists in this very special area.

🚗 Journey to Anakie Gorge

Armed without this fact, but with plenty of good cheer on such a beautiful day, our four vehicles headed off on a longish drive through roadworks around Meredith, followed by a turn-off towards Anakie in the Brisbane Ranges.

🥾 Setting Off on the Trail

Starting at Anakie Gorge Picnic Ground, the group, ably led by Kim and whipped by Gordon, began the hike along Stony Creek Track.

  • Gentle, level pathway

  • Jagged, towering granite outcrops on both sides

  • Accompanied by magpies, grey shrike thrush, and kookaburras

🏗️ Relics of the Past

We discovered broken remnants of concrete water pipes, once built to service Geelong.

  • Geoff reminisced about childhood adventures clambering over these pipes and exploring tunnels

  • Explorer Joan investigated a tunnel entrance, now blocked by Parks Vic for safety

⛰️ The Uphill Challenge

The Ted Errey Circuit began with a sheer, rocky uphill path.

  • Silence replaced chatter as hikers focused on footing

  • Nelson’s Lookout offered morning tea and distant views of the dam

👀 Lookouts and Descents

  • Nelsons Track → Aqueduct Track → Redbeak Track → Outlook Track

  • Second lookout provided another rest stop

  • Steep descents demanded concentration and sure-footedness

💧 Stoney Creek Dam

The group reached the decommissioned dam, contained within high concrete walls.

  • Water looked uninviting for swimming

  • Some explored the dam wall, others headed to the carpark

  • Writer entertained by copper-coloured skinks darting and leaping like acrobats

🌱 Final Valley Walk

The last 2.5 km along Stoney Creek Valley was easy and scenic.

  • Comfortable dirt path

  • Lush vegetation: giant grass trees (“Tina Turner’s Hairdo”), stringybarks, Brisbane Ranges grevillea

  • Occasional orchids unique to the ranges

No wonder Ted Errey became enamoured with the diverse flora of such a unique place.

🙌 Thanks to the Leaders

Gratitude to Kim and Gordon for guiding and navigating. The hike was worth the drive and, as always, satisfying to finish at a spot with toilets, shade, and benches for lunch.


Photos by Andrew Parker































Dam Photos by Geoff Howard







LINKS

INTERACTIVE MAP (click the pins for text)



THIS HIKE IN 2018 (see how many people you recognise)





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