Eight BTAC volunteers recently travelled to the Sheepyard Flats in the Howqua area to clear the bottom section of the Eagles Peaks Walking Track. This 6km section entailed a steep climb of 400 metres in elevation to the 1.8km mark and then a gentle ascension to the 5km mark and then a steep section of 1.0km to the top of a knoll at 1236 metres. Read the full report HERE.
Philip Clark Ingamells was a legend in conservation circles and a tireless campaigner for parks and nature. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for his work. Nature in Victoria is better for his efforts, and we are all the wiser.
Memorable highlights of Phil’s time with VNPA
The Victorian National Parks Association has setup a celebration of Phil’s contribution HERE, with an open invitation to share your memories and thoughts of Phil.
Bookings for the FedWalks weekend event based at Trentham on 21-22 October 2023 are closing in just two weeks so don’t miss out!! It’s shaping up to be a great weekend, with over 200 already booked in to enjoy a great weekend of bushwalking fun and friendship.
Our fabulous volunteer leaders have been out on the tracks doing their final recces and are looking forwarding to taking you on an exploration of this beautiful area.
Register and get more information HERE.
Eight BTAC volunteers recently travelled to the Sheepyard Flats in the Howqua area to clear the bottom section of the Eagles Peaks Walking Track. This 6km section entailed a steep climb of 400 metres in elevation to the 1.8km mark and then a gentle ascension to the 5km mark and then a steep section of 1.0km to the top of a knoll at 1236 metres.
The volunteers were afforded the luxury of camping at Parks Victoria’s Blackbird Depot, about 2km from the start of the track at Davons Flat. Although volunteer numbers were fewer than expected  but with the great help from Rangers James and Tahlia the whole section of track was cleared of logs, apart from a very small number of stepover logs, and the brush cutting, trimming and raking was completed to within 1km of the objective. The initial bottom 1.8km had been cleared previously.
It was pleasing to have the company of two new volunteers, Mike and John and a returning volunteer Gabby, who toiled on clearing the very dense track regrowth.
The BTAC team were very appreciative of Parks Victoria for allowing them to access the facilities at the Blackbird Depot, especially the hot shower facility. The great support and contributions from Rangers James and Tahlia were much appreciated. They also prepared a sumptuous meal for the volunteers on Saturday evening.  A big thanks to Rangers Jim and Tahlia who carried out a reconnoitre of the track in early August which was very helpful in planning the tools required for the clearing activities.
BTAC statistics include 192 volunteer work hours, 70 travelling hours and 14 administration hours.
The BTAC team look forward to returning to the area in mid-November when a track from Circuit Road to Mount Thorn will be cleared. This event will be a good opportunity for new volunteers to participate in the BTAC activities.
These photographs show conditions encountered and volunteers in action.
Spring is a magical time for bushwalking in Victoria’s Alpine areas. As the snow retreats and the wilderness awakens, the high country bursts into life with a vibrant display of colors and biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned bushwalker or a novice looking for adventure, spring in the Victorian Alps offers a raft of reasons to lace up your boots and hit the trails. Here’s 9 reasons to put the Victorian Alps on your calendar this Spring.
Wildflower Wonderland:
Blanketing the alpine meadows, you’ll discover a tapestry of blooms, from the vivid alpine daisies to the gnarled Snow Gums. Head to locations like the Mt Baw Baw or Mount Stirling for a firsthand encounter with this colorful spectacle.
Mild Climate:
Spring’s mild weather offers the perfect bushwalking conditions. With temperatures rising but still comfortable, Spring is a great time to tackle challenging hikes. Try the Big Walk at Mt Buffalo, pick a section of the Australian Alpine Walking Track (AAWT), like the stunning section from The Bluff to Mt Cobbler, or, if you are keen to venture further afar, Lake Tali Karng. But make sure you always check the snow cover and weather forecast, this is Victoria after all, and a spring or summer snow dump is always a possibility.
Waterfall Chasing:
The thawing snow and spring rains transform waterfalls into gushing torrents of beauty. Explore destinations like Rollasons, Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls at Mount Buffalo, Fainter Falls, a short walk near Bogong VIllage, or if you are looking for a bigger challenge, try Victoria’s longest waterfall, Dandongadale Falls, with a drop of 255m, on the Cobbler Plateau.
Birdwatcher’s Paradise:
Spring marks the return of numerous bird species to the Victorian Alps for nesting. For birdwatching enthusiasts, it’s a prime opportunity to spot species like the Gang-gang Cockatoo, Flame Robin, and the Australian Pipit.  Â
Alpine Vistas:
Spring offers the unique experience of hiking amidst snow-capped peaks while witnessing the emergence of lush alpine meadows. The Razorback Ridge, looking out over Mt Feathertop, Mount Buffalo, and Falls Creek are iconic locations that provide breathtaking panoramas and unforgettable bushwalking opportunities, with both shorter and longer options.
Tranquil Trails:
Unlike the busier summer months, spring brings fewer crowds to the trails. Enjoy the serenity and solitude as you traverse trails like the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (again, always check conditions!), the Buller Huts Trail. For comprehensive planning, consult the Bushwalking Victoria Bushwalking Manual.
Photographic Adventures:
Capture the ever-changing spring landscapes and the vibrant flora and fauna through your lens. The Victorian Alps offer a treasure trove of photographic subjects. Don’t forget to explore locations like Mushroom Rocks and Mt St Gwinear in the Baw Baw region, Mount Stirling for amazing snowgums, layered sunsets, and cattlemen’s huts, and Mt Buffalo for every kind of photographic opportunity you can imagine. Don’t forget towns like Bright and Harrietville that fill with spring blossoms at the same time each year.
Adventure at Ski Resorts:
Ski resorts transform into adventure hubs during spring, offering activities like mountain biking and both short and long walks. Basing yourself in a ski resort offers the epic mountain and skies, coupled with fun walks that feel remote, with the relative safety of people close by, and a hot shower and delicious meal at the end of the day.  Head to Falls Creek, Mount Buller, or Dinner Plain for a unique blend of alpine adventures, delicious food and bushwalking explorations.
Spring Festivals and Local Culture:
Immerse yourself in the local culture and celebrate spring at events like the Mansfield High Country Festival and the Bright Community Picnic. Want to challenge yourself on 4 iconic hikes into the mountains near Bright? Check out the 4 Peaks Bright Alpine Climb, held on Melbourne Cup weekend each year. Combine these festivities with bushwalking excursions for a well-rounded alpine experience.
Spring in Victoria’s Alpine areas invites bushwalkers to embrace nature’s rebirth and explore the diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife of this pristine region. So, pack your gear, consult the Bushwalking VIctoria Bushwalking Manual for invaluable guidance, and embark on an unforgettable bushwalking adventure this spring. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the transformation of the alpine wilderness at its finest.
All Images:Â Richelle Olsen/Escaping Your Comfort Zone
Report on BTAC Firebreak Track activity 22 and 23 July 2023.
For the July track clearing activity BTAC sought a track that was not likely to be covered with snow, something at a lower altitude. We partnered with Friends of Baw Baw to do work on the AAWT within the Baw Baw National Park. Parks Victoria readily accepted the offer to attend to this section of track which was indeed in need of attention.
Over the two days more than 100 logs, some quite substantial, were cleared from the 6.5km section of the AAWT from the Mt Erica Road, down Fire Break Trail to O’Sheas Mill Site and out to the Thompson Valley Road. 15 volunteers, some from as far afield as Benalla, toiled with chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers and hand tools to clear the many logs, regrowth on the track and the overhanging vegetation to restore the track hopefully for some years to come.
Peter Maffei and Joe van Beek checked out the track ahead of the event. They counted over 100 chainsaw jobs and noted the huge amount of hedge trimming that was needed. On passing through the intended camp site for the weekend at O’Sheas Mill Site, aka East Tyers Camping Area, they declared it as not fit for purpose because of mud, dampness and lack of suitable tent sites.
We worked as two teams, each with a similiar combination of skills, experience and equipment. On Saturday one team lead by Peter Maffei started on the Mt Erica Road and worked downhill on Firebreak Track while the other team lead by Joe van Beek worked uphill from O’Sheas. The chain sawing was all done by the end of the day. On Sunday Peter’s team, without chainsaws, went back to finish off Firebreak Track while Joe’s team cleared from O’Sheas to Thompson Valley Road. The participants contributed some 200 on-the-job volunteer hours with a further 80 to travel and in preparation.
Although it was cold with temperatures between 2 and 12 degrees, the days were ideal working conditions. Soft misty rain set in around 3 on Sunday afternoon just after our objectives for the weekend were achieved and we had arrived back at our vehicles.
Thanks to Parks Victoria and Friends of Baw Baw for their support for this activity. Â Thanks to Peter Maffei for leading the second team and special thanks to all the volunteers for giving of their time, travelling to the site, hard (but hopefully satisfying) work and camaraderie.
Joe van Beek
BTAC Activity Leader
PS: An example of feedback on Facebook:
Yippee! Oh heartfelt thanks to everyone concerned for all of those tireless days of hard work. Please know all of your efforts are very much appreciated! You guys are absolutely all legends!
On 9 August, five members of the BCWC assisted Parks Victoria with maintenance work on a significant section of McMillans Walking Track within the Grant Historic Area. The section is a benched track leaving Brewery Creek Track not far from Talbotville and then follows the embankment of an old water race to the Wongungarra River. As with much of McMillans Walking Track it was constructed in the gold rush era of the 1860s. These tracks were built to a specification which required a minimum width of 4 feet (1.2m) and a steady gradient to facilitate movement by miners with pack horse or on foot pushing a wheelbarrow. To obtain the minimum width it was necessary in places to hew into the rock and build up the outer edge with dry stone walling. There is still ample evidence of this construction work along this 1.9km section of track.
This section of track is also significant in the history of gold mining in Victoria. In 1864 a member of McMillans track cutting party stumbled onto gold bearing quartz at the point where the track departs Brewery Creek Track. McMillan recorded in his diary “Tuesday April 12 Remained in camp. Some of the men found a quartz reef which appears to be very rich … most of them leaving.” McMillan named the reef “Pioneer” after his favourite horse. Whereas the alluvial gold mining rush in the Crooked River Goldfield in 1861 was initiated by Howitt’s find of payable gold in the Good Luck Creek, some 9 km upstream, this event on Pioneer Reef set off the quartz mining rush in 1864 which was to last much longer than the alluvial workings on the Crooked River.
Unfortunately after the March 2019 bushfires burnt through this area blackberry has bounced back in abundance. When BTAC cleared the track in March 2022 the section of track along the old water race was in places totally obscured by blackberry. Walkers had not been able to find their way through. Hopefully a program of spraying and regular clearance will help preserve this historic section of track.
It was a cold and foggy start on 9 August when the team met up at the depot in Dargo but the day soon warmed to a perfect working day as we made our way through Grant and Talbotville to the start of the track. With lack of rainfall in recent times the crossing of the Crooked River was straight forward. Armed with chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmers, loppers and rake the team cleared a basic way through to the Wongungarra River and then turned back and started attacking the blackberry in earnest. The work by the BCWC and Parks Victoria team involved cutting the blackberry and other vegetation back from the track as well as clearing logs and fallen trees to ensure the track is fit for walkers. A surprising amount of work was achieved in the short working day we had. Thanks to Gary, Robyn, Tony and Sue for their great effort. Special thanks to Gary for all the driving. Thanks to Bec, Tehan and Camila from Parks Victoria for organising the day, working alongside of us and affording BCWC the opportunity to work on this wonderful historic walking track.
Premiering on Thursday, 10 August at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro sees Logie nominated actor, presenter, and comedian Julia Zemiro (Fisk, RocKwiz) invite audiences on an intimate journey exploring of Australia’s most stunning and historically significant walks.
Watch the trailer HERE
We are excited to announce that bookings for the Federation Walks weekend based at Trentham on 21-22 October will open on Monday 31st July. Don’t miss this popular annual event that brings together members of our bushwalking community for a fun weekend of walks and social activities.
This year provides an opportunity for participants to visit sections of the Wombat State Forest that have reopened after the devastation of the 2021 storms.  The program will include visits to Lyonville Springs, Garden of St Erth, Blackwood township and Mineral Springs, Lerderderg River, Nolan’s Creek Picnic Ground, Balt Camp and Yankee Mine.
The forest offers an extensive network of trails varying in difficulty levels and length – from steep ascents to rocky descents. It promises a diverse range of terrains for us to explore and a variety of flora and fauna to discover.
More information and the booking link are available on the event website.
Bookings open at 9:00am on Monday 31 July 2023.
The illegal clearing of native vegetation along private property fence-lines has become a worrying trend across Victoria. We’re once again warning private landowners and earthmoving contractors to ensure they have the right authorisation before disturbing any native vegetation.
Reports to the Conservation Regulator about the clearing of trees from public land have increased this year, with several cases part of our ongoing investigations.
Last month, a second conviction was handed down for the illegal removal of mature eucalyptus trees in the Annya State Forest, near Heywood, in 2021. A southwest earthmoving contractor was ordered to pay nearly $22,000 in combined fines and legal costs after he was hired by a private landowner to clear trees from the forest along the fence line of their property. The private property owner pleaded guilty to similar charges under the Forests Act 1958 and the Wildlife Regulations 2013 in April last year and was ordered to pay fines and legal costs combining to almost $60,000.
In a separate case, an earthmoving contractor was charged earlier this month with more than 125 offences after allegedly bulldozing 60 large native trees from an area of public land in and around Mount Lawson State Park. The business owner is accused of destroying wildlife habitat and using a vehicle to damage public land without a permit and will face court next month.
Our native trees and other vegetation provide significant wildlife habitat to a range of birds, mammals, and reptile species, some of which are endangered. The removal of native tress like these from public land has lasting negative impacts on the environment and biodiversity.
In Victoria, it is illegal to remove native vegetation on public land without authorisation. Damaging, disturbing, or destroying wildlife habitat attracts penalties up to $9,615 per charge.
Anyone with information about illegal land clearing or other environmental crimes is urged to call 136 186.