The Ben Cruachan Walking Club sought support from BTAC to help clear one of their favourite walking tracks. The Mitchell River Walking Track follows the Mitchell River for some 20km from Angusvale to Den of Nargun in the Mitchell River National Park, a park jointly managed by Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
BCWC made arrangements for BCWC and BTAC to volunteer to the park management to clear the section of the track from Billy Goat Bend towards the Den of Nargun. Some of the volunteers arrived on Thursday afternoon, 5 September, to set up camp at the delightful picnic and camping area at Billy Goat Bend with a magnificent view over the Mitchell River from the Amphitheatre lookout platform. A large tree fall on the approach road had to be cleared to reach the camp site. Two Park Rangers and a further volunteer arrived early Friday morning to get the clearing work started.
Friday was warm and windy. Rain overnight cooled the air and drenched Bob’s swag. A possum helped itself to Joe’s preprepared breakfast. Saturday was cool making for pleasant working conditions. Seven volunteers including three from BCWC cleared logs from 8kms and brush cut 4kms over two days, contributing over 100 manhours of labour and 40 hours of travel. Apart from volunteer labour, BTAC provided the tools and PPE while Parks Victoria provided fuel and transport.
The section of track does need further work. There are three kilometres still to be cleared to get to Woolshed Creek. In places the track needs to be reinstated onto its original alignment to stop it moving further and further downhill.
Thanks for the support from Parks Victoria and GLaWAC and thank you to the volunteers for giving of their time, the work put in and their companionship.