Distance: 21.5 Km | Duration: 6 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
The walk features pleasant forested bush tracks of tall trees, mountain ash, disused tramlines, and the sounds of a running creek.
The Walk in Detail
Starting from the bridge over Big Pats Creek, head south along Smyth Creek Road for 60m, then follow the Upper Yarra Walking Track (aka ‘Walk into History’ Track). From the picnic ground cross a small wooden bridge and continue along the ‘Walk Into History’ Track (also called the Yarra Ranges Walk). After about 1km alongside Big Pats Creek the track steadily rises for the remaining 8 km to Starlings Gap. About 2km from the start cross Burns Road and continue up for another 3.5 km to the old Ezard Mill Site (hard to find any remains) at a junction with a crossing track. Continue straight along the ‘Walk Into History’ Track to Starlings Gap Picnic Area. This 9 km section is on a good bush track. Lunch may be had here if not too early.
From here follow Big Creek Road uphill for about 1km to Mississippi Track on the left. Another slight climb then downhill along this 4WD track. Some views may be had near the high point on this track depending on logging activities. Care needs to be taken as there are steep descents on this track which will be very slippery if wet. Near the end of this track we divert left along the lower section of Richards Tramway (called ‘The Curves’) crossing Smyth Creek Road and back to the cars along the ‘Walk Into History’ Track.
Getting There
From the Warburton Visitor Centre travel east on the Warburton Highway (B380) and Woods Point Road (C511) for about 4km. Just 200m after crossing the Yarra River take Riverside Drive on the right for about 600m turning left into Big Pats Creek Road. Follow this for about 2.5km where it does a sharp left turn before crossing Big Pats Creek and becomes Mississippi Creek Road.Walk Precautions
It is also a good workout with some steep sections. Walking poles recommended.