398. Mt Buninyong-Union Jack 10.6km

 U3A Hike No 398



Hike Report by Monica McCormack

☀️ The day started promisingly with blue skies and autumnal sunshine streaming through the densely timbered slopes of Mount Buninyong—sitting 745m above sea level. 11 warmly dressed hikers met at the Blackberry Lane Reserve after a downpour the previous evening had left the air fresh and crisp. 

🧗 This 10.5km walk, led by Andrew, is a clear favourite. The route offers a mix of up and downhills, landmarks like the scoria crater, and views over green, cloud-flecked valleys. Along the way, hikers enjoyed the screech of local cockies and the changing autumn colours of European trees in Buninyong’s estate-sized gardens. 

🌋 A cracking pace was set immediately from the Reserve on an immaculately graded path to the famous Buninyong Crater, set in a wide, grassy basin. Though it is believed a volcanic eruption could still occur one day (the volcano is currently dormant), the group used the moment to catch their breath after the steep climb. We then continued along a narrower track, passing the Crater Viewing Platform and South Walk, circumventing the Summit and Tower. 

🛤️ South Walk was mostly downhill with steps that were somewhat slippery and ill-defined due to recent rains. It was reassuring to see lush regrowth amongst blackened trees, as almost all signs of the bushfire that gripped Mt Buninyong a year ago have disappeared. 

⛏️ Engineering & Mining History 

🌲 The group detoured through Union Jack Reserve, which was a hive of mining activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era of engineering was massive in scale. 

💰 Ballarat-Buninyong alluvial lead system. This entire system was incredibly wealthy, with a total recorded gold production assessed at 88,175 kg 

📱 A modern "hazard" was discovered at the "Morning Tea Log" (MTL) when Whip Kim realized his phone had fallen out of his pocket at morning tea. Kim and Andrew went back to relocate the specific log among many look-alikes, and the phone was luckily recovered. 

⛓️ The Locomotive Extended Mine serves as a sombre reminder of the industry's dangers. In 1933, the mine claimed the lives of two miners who died of carbon monoxide inhalation while attempting to install air ducts. (hear the full story in the podcast via the historical notes in links below)

🌧️ The Homeward Stretch 

☔ The dark clouds finally released their load as the group exited the Union Jack Education Precinct. The final 30 minutes were a soaking trudge along Yankee Flat Road back toward the carpark. Lunch consisted of swift farewells and hasty retreats to cars. 

👤 Origins of Place Name: The name Buninyong comes from the Wathawurrung warrior, Bun-a-Yung, who was mortally wounded in a fight. He lay on his back with one knee bent, giving the location the literal meaning of "a man on his back with one knee up and died". 

Photos by Andrew Parker
















LINKS

INTERACTIVE MAP

GOOGLE MAPS START POINT

HISTORICAL NOTES Well worth a look!

DOWNLOAD A GPX FILE 

THIS HIKE IN 2020  (slightly longer version)




 




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