On Friday 28 February 2025 seventeen volunteers travelled to the remote Native Dog Flat Camp Ground (NDFCG), located just off Limestone Road, about 47 km east of Benambra. The NDFCG is a jewel of a campground with toilet, running water, flat tent sites and is well maintained. The resident kookaburras were most helpful in announcing the wake-up alarm on both mornings.
On Saturday 01 March the volunteers left camp at 7:30am and travelled for just over an hour to the intersection of Macs Creek Track and the AAWT to meet up with Omeo and Buchan Valley Ranger, Jo Durrant, to undergo necessary Vic Parks and BTAC safety inductions. Bairnsdale Vic Park Rangers, Susie Hale and Darcy Truman assisted Jo.
The alignment of the AAWT uphill from Macs Creek Road to Misery Trail had previously been taped by Jo. As the first five hundred metres had been cleared mechanically last December, the remaining 1 km was cleared by the “Uphill Crew” by early afternoon. The “Downhill Crew” commenced clearing of the section towards Dead Horse Creek. The first four hundred metres had been cleared mechanically last December. The crew cleared a further 1.2 km - the very steep downhill section proved challenging.
On the Saturday evening the three rangers prepared a fantastic BBQ meal and the accompanying salads were a taste sensation. All participants enjoyed good fellowship whilst sitting around the camp fire.
On the Sunday, the “Uphill Crew” travelled to the AAWT via Limestone Creek Track and carried tools to Smoke Oh Creek before commencing to clear the track in a westerly direction. It should be noted that the Limestone Creek Track is a particularly challenging 4-wheel drive track. The “Downhill Crew” returned to the work face via Macs Creek Track and continued clearing to the east. Due to the impressive progress made by the two crews the track clearing was completed before 1pm
Jo Durrant was extremely impressed with the track clearing effort of the volunteers in achieving the set targets. A total of 5.4 km of track was cleared whilst the section between the Limestone Creek Track and Smoke Oh Creek is easily traversed.
The volunteers expended 273 manhours on track clearing and some 214 manhours on travel to and from the NDFCG.
All participants enjoyed the event, and hikers will now not have to contend with difficult navigation issues whilst hiking this section of the AAWT.
Upcoming Track Clearing Events
- At the end of March, 28 -30, BTAC is partnering with Friends of Baw Baw National Park and Parks Victoria to undertake track improvements to the AAWT from the Mt Erica Carpark to Mushroom Rocks and beyond. Work will include repairs to boardwalks, construction of additional boardwalks, track drainage improvements as well as the more traditional BTAC work of chainsaw, brush cutter and hedge trimmer work. 29 volunteers are registered.
- On ANZAC Weekend BTAC will be working on the Mitchell River Walking Track in the Mitchell River National Park.
- 16 to 18 May BTAC will be working in the Yarra Ranges National Park clearing Morleys Walking Track.
View the latest version of BTAC 2025 Program