388. Rifle Range Fern Walk 8.2km

 U3A Hike No 388





Hike Report by Jan Herperger

🌄 Welcome and First Walk of 2026

Happy New Year to everyone in our hiking group, and a warm welcome to Craig, our new member. Our first walk for 2026 was a gentle and engaging outing, beginning at the Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail. Twenty‑three smiling hikers set off, eager for exercise and conversation.

🥾 Crossing to the Rifle Range

After a short section of the Dementia Trail, we headed cross‑country toward the old rifle range. Along the way we spotted at least five gold puddling sites—surprisingly unnoticed by the group until now. A minor medical moment involving barbed wire and a hiker’s hand reminded us that nurses never truly retire.

🎯 Exploring the Rifle Range

We paused to inspect the remains of the target mechanisms and sheds. Unfortunately, graffiti now covers many of the structures, which was disappointing to see.

🌿 Gravel Tracks and Mining History

Beyond the rifle range the track became gravelly, with gently undulating terrain and sparse vegetation, including several grass trees. We crossed a small bridge over a breached dam wall—another reminder of the area’s mining past.

🌱 Fern Gully and Morning Tea

Continuing along the Fern Gully Track, it was noted that these are the only tree ferns that we are aware of in the Woowookarung Regional Park. Morning tea was enjoyed on a log long enough to seat seventeen people. Gordon gave a timely refresher on snake‑bite first aid: stay calm and DON’T MOVE, to slow the spread of venom through the lymph system,

🪵 Return via the Rifle Range

On our return we passed the butts and targets of the short course, then crossed the long‑range course before heading back to the cars for lunch.

🎁 A Festive Lunch and a Special Visitor

Lunch felt like a second Christmas, with gifts of maps, bushwalking guidebooks, fruit, and even cartons of eggs. A delightful bonus was an echidna shuffling about very close to us.

🙏 Thanks

Thank you to Kath, Teena, and Alan for the generous gifts. And thanks to Andrew for leading, and to Gordon for being the whip on a very enjoyable hike.


Photos by Andrew Parker
























LINKS

INTERACTIVE MAP

GOOGLE MAPS START POINT

DOWNLOAD GPX FILE

HISTORICAL NOTES - FULLY REVISED

A RIFLE RANGE HIKE DURING COVID RESTRICTIONS + CLEARING THE GORSE

YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT 'HORSE PUDDLERS'






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