Distance: 13 Km | Duration: 5 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: | Style: TBA
About the Walk
Overview
From Merricks, a walking track and equestrian trail passes vineyards and farmland, with distant views<br /> of the Nobbies and Phillip Island. Many gum and pine trees en route to Red Hill ensure sightings of<br /> parrots, thrushes, rosellas, silvereyes and many other birds, before you return along the same trail.
The Walk in Detail
From the NW corner of the Station Ground Recreation Reserve, follow the trail uphill for about 2km. You will pass vineyards and have great views of Phillip Island, the Nobbies and Western
Port Bay. The trail continues through farmland and down a short, steep hill before reaching Tomkins Rd. Here, the gradient becomes easier: the trail follows an easement which was once a local railway.
The single-track Red Hill line, which opened in 1921, branched off the Stony Point rail line at Bittern, but it was relatively short-lived, closing in 1953. The rails were subsequently dismantled, and much of the line is now on private property, although the right-of-way between Merricks and Red Hill has been preserved as this shared-use trail.
From Tomkins Rd, the trail passes through an avenue of gum and pine trees and two small cuttings, before reaching the Red Hill South Bushland Reserve (toilets), close to Point Leo Rd, for lunch.
After lunch, retrace your steps along the rail trail, enjoying the wonderful views enroute to Merricks, which is well-known for its General Store and wineries.
Getting There
From Wallaces Rd, turn left into Nepean Hwy. At roundabout, turn left onto Dunns Creek Rd C788 (which becomes the Bittern-Dromana Rd). After 7.6km, turn right into Merricks Rd for 4.3km then turn right into the car park entrance of the Merrricks Station Ground Reserve (230m before Frankston-Flinders Rd junction). (Melways 192 F9) Distance: 16km.
Walk Precautions
Watch for equestrians on the shared trail