Nice walking along Sutherland Creek this morning.
The rain had mostly stopped by the time I set off this morning.
This is Glen Tempest's version of a similar walk that I've featured here written up by the House of Chapman. On this morning's walk I'd venture a little further along Sutherland Creek before swinging back onto the more well known Deadman Track. I didn't just drop straight into Sutherland Creek this morning though, firstly after passing by the historic Steiglitz Courthouse I followed Stawell Street along to pick up a faint track climbing up to meet South Steiglitz Road. The track to climb left Stawell Street just past the signposted Wrixon Street, don't think that these streets are normal streets though, they are really just signposted as a reminder of the Steiglitz town grid back in the gold mining days. Once on South Steiglitz Road I headed south away from town on this dirt road for ten minutes or so before veering off to the right down the closed Miners Track.
This track heads off up the hill a few metres past the signposted Wrixon Street - it is probably Wrixon Street I guess - whatever it's called it's the track I used to climb up to meet South Steiglitz Road.
The walk along South Steiglitz Road features some nice Grass Trees.
After ten minutes or so along South Steiglitz Road I veered right onto Miners Track.
Miners Track made for a pleasant walk this morning as I slowly dropped down towards Sutherland Creek, the rain that had accompanied me on my drive down here had pretty well stopped by now and the wet glistening bush was looking nice and fresh. After passing by some old diggings, Miners Track made its final steep descent down to the creek and my walk got a lot harder. For the next couple of kilometres I followed Sutherland Creek up stream until I met Deadmans Loop Track and the going is pretty rough along this stretch.
Miners Track was easy walking as I passed by some old mullock heaps.
Miners Track is about to start the final descent down to Sutherland Creek.
Dropping down towards the creek.
Almost immediately I crossed a spur and got bluffed out by some cliffs. Dropping down the crest of the spur I was soon back at creek level again though and continued my journey north. Normally when I walk out here the creek bed itself provides the best option in some sections however after this mornings rain all the river rocks were wet and slippery and the creek itself was actually flowing in spots - not a usual occurrence at the end of summer now days. So, with walking the creek bed off the agenda I was pretty well picking my way along the numerous small creek side flats while trying to short cut some of the bends by crossing the low spurs, all the while pushing through the ringing wet scrub. Occasionally I did drop down to cross the creek and even eventually I had to scale a dry waterfall with the angled sloping wet rocks required a fair bit of caution this morning.
Once down in Sutherland Creek I turned right and headed up stream.
Sutherland Creek and it's various channels normally make for a walking option - although this morning the wet rocks were a handful.
Sutherland Creek
There are many signs of human activity down here.
Walking the creek side flats require a little caution.
Sutherland Creek, Brisbane Ranges National Park.
Once over the waterfall the going got a little easier as the creek side falls opened up a bit. After passing by some more beautiful rock holes I reached the spot where Deadmans Loop Track crosses Sutherland Creek. Deadmans Loop Track climbs another waterfall up the western slopes above Sutherland Creek here, and it would be easy to miss I'm thinking, there are a couple of track markers on the rock but little in the way of a track initially. Once I'd scrambled out of Sutherland Creek up the waterfall though all was good as Deadmans Loop Track is a defined pad (actually, this use to be part of the long(ish) distance Burchell Trail back in the day).
The clouds started to clear a little as I made my way up Sutherland Creek this morning.
The nearest 'road' was probably at least a kilometre away up the hill so I'm not sure how the headlight got down here - maybe some kind of home made spotlight for illegal shooters?
This waterfall forms bit of a choke point in the valley, the slick rocks required a bit of caution this morning.
There was a few splashes of colour around this morning.
Once above the waterfall the walking got a bit easier.
Sutherland Creek scenery, Brisbane Ranges National Park.
Shuffling my way up Deadmans Loop Track I had my first and only human encounter today when a couple of trail runners passed me heading down to Steiglitz, I also had my most notable wildlife encounter when I surprised a Wallaby drying out in what was now some weak sunlight. This is really a walk in two parts I reckon, the Sutherland Creek section being a roughish off track adventure and then from Deadmans Loop onwards the route being all on good walking tracks, 4wd tracks and even quiet dirt roads. Fifteen minutes or so after setting off along Deadmans Loop Track I crossed over the sealed Steiglitz Road and dropped down the Crossing Picnic Area along a quiet dirt road, arriving for morning smoke to find the picnic area deserted as well.
Deadmans Loop Track climbs this side waterfall out of Sutherland Creek - I had to keep eye out for it.
Once up the waterfall and out of Sutherland Creek the Deadmans Loop Track makes for fairly easy walking (this was originally part of the Burchell Trail).
This guys was out drying out under the weak sun.
After crossing over the sealed Steiglitz Road I dropped down to the Crossing Picnic Area.
After a nice break enjoying the warm sun I grabbed my pack and set off again, now following the long distance Burchell Trail for awhile as I climbed gently up Yankee Gully. Arriving at the un-signposted Native Youth Track I zigged when I should of zagged (check out my map), although thankfully I only climbed for a few minutes before I decided to check out my map and I realised the error of my ways - hey, I need the exercise anyway. Once I'd re-oriented myself I dropped back down Native Youth Track, crossed Yankee Gully and started a fairly long climb up to Yankee Gully Road and the walks high point. The walk now followed a fairly convoluted route as I passed by the old Kinlock Mine Site before eventually dropping down to pick up the minor Mulroonys Track down Yankee Gully (yes, again!). After awhile Mulroonys Track climbed to merge with the Burchell Trail (yes, again!) and I soon emerged onto the more major Durdidwarrah Road.
The deserted Crossing Picnic Area - time for morning smoko.
Nice walking along the Burchell Trail.
Climbing Native Youth Track I got a glimpse down to this old breached dam wall in the gulley.
A Feral favourite.
I followed the old Mulrooneys Track along Yankee Gully for a few minutes before climbing up to meet Durdidwarrah Road.
Once on Durdidwarrah Road I turned south and headed towards Steiglitz. There is an option here of following Durdidwarrah Road all the way back into town and short cutting the walk by half a kilometre or so, however after checking out the old Pines Mine Site I soon headed left off Durdidwarrah Road and headed down the lesser Hay Track. While Hay Track is a little longer it makes for a much more pleasant walk I think. Initially Hay Track is a fairly prominent track as it services some private rural land, however once past the rural land the 4wd track deteriorates until by the time it re-joins Durdidwarrah Road just outside Steiglitz I was just walking a faint benched pad. Once back on Durdidwarrah Road I crossed the old bridge into town and meandered my way through Steiglitz back to the ute, checking out the historic buildings along the way. No matter how many times I visit this old township I always enjoy checking this place out, for any of my friends in the west and north of Melbourne then I highly recommend a visit to Steiglitz - particularly if you have a interest in early mining history.
Brisbane Ranges National Park.
The Pines - climb the mullock heaps in the background for a bit of a long range view.
Hay Track parallels some rural land for awhile.
Crossing over Sutherland Creek for the last time.
The Dirt.
According to my GPS I walked 14.9 kilometres and climbed around 441 metres on what I'd call a medium - hard grade days walking. As I've mentioned this is really a walk in two parts, a fairly intense off track section mixed in with some fairy easy tracks. This walk is a good one for people interested in history as you don't have to walk far to see relics of our past around here. The Crossings Picnic Area makes a good spot for a break and has a couple of picnic tables. I used Glenn Tempest's notes and map for this walk out of his book Daywalks Around Victoria along with my GPS topos and Brisbane Ranges Meridian Map.
Relevant Posts.
Yes, yes, I know I'm old and boring however I find Steiglitz a very interesting old town.
There's always plenty of parking near the old court house.
