402. Upper Yarrowee River Trail. Out&Back 10.2km

 U3A Hike No 402



Hike Report by Fiona Deutscher

🍂 A group of 14 hikers met on a mild autumn day to commence the circuit trail along the Yarrowee River from Brown Hill Reserve to the Gong Gong Reservoir and return. The Yarrowee trail is part of the Goldfields track, being mostly a flat gravel path. It follows the Yarrowee River/Creek with pleasant bushland surrounds within Ballarat's outer residential areas.

🛤️ Initially, the track passed the Brown Hill oval then along the river before leading upwards and through the tunnel running underneath the freeway. Then it opened out into a cleared area before passing through the Ditchfield Bush Reserve. This area is renowned for its birdlife.

🏡 Once we crossed over Springs Road, it was interesting to view the various gardens of properties backing onto the trail. The track became more undulating and climbed gently upwards with various cross tracks and bridges. It was helpful to have interpretive signs displayed indicating native wildlife in the area.

🌲 The vegetation changed once more as we walked through the pine plantation and then through a wetland area before reaching a picnic area at the Gong Gong Reservoir. Although the "Gong Gong" sounds like an indigenous name, the traditional name is "Gang Gang," named after the red-headed Cockatoo.

☕ We enjoyed a cuppa near the picnic area before retracing our steps back to the Brown Hill Reserve to complete the circuit.

🤝 A number of our group then went on to spend a pleasant 30 minutes visiting a long-term member of our group, Robert Sims, who has been unwell.

🙏 Thank you to Andrew for leading our pleasant walk today.


Photos By Andrew Parker

























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