The Hepburn Regional Park is an area that surrounds the small township of Daylesford. Gum trees, and Wattle trees are abundant through the entire area, as are creek beds and mine shafts. On this particular sunny afternoon, I had decided to head down to Tipperary Springs and try the mineral water. I figured while I was there I might as well bring a small backpack and take a walk through the area. I had not long ago purchased new hiking shoes and figured a good walk to test them on was Bryce's Flat, which was only a seven kilometer circuit.
I started off, as expected, at Tipperary Springs. I had been looking for somewhere close to the Daylesford area that I could hike and find a campsite for a future overnighter but it seems that most of the sites along Hepburn Regional Park are strictly no camping. I can't say that I blame Parks Victoria, given the sorry state that I see many of our state forests in I'm surprised that the whole area is not closed to the public. I brought some basic gear with me in a small backpack: water bottle, coffee cup, a few tea bags, first aid kit, hammock and of course I threw in my
scouting survival kit.
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| The sign saying "No Camping". I really shouldn't be surprised. |
I tried the mineral water at Tipperary Springs, which was strange to say the least, then headed off towards Bryce's Flat. As expected in South-West Victoria, the trail was very uneven, hilly and the terrain was varied. The forest was full of various types of trees that I could not identify nor name, though I did recognize the Gum trees and Wattle trees as well as the Blackberry bushes lining the shore of the creek.
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| The Gum trees and Wattle trees. |
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| One of the many thorny Brambles surrounding the banks of the creek. |
Whilst there wasn't much wildlife out, the walk was not as unpleasant as I had expected. I had been expecting to slip and slide on the muddy and rocky tracks, however due to having recently purchased my first pair of hiking boots, I was finding the walk very easy on my feet. At times I found myself virtually skipping along and had to slow myself down so that I could take in the views through the forest. Most of the terrains was well above the level that the creek was on, so I had a lovely view of where the creek ran and the vegetation surrounding it.
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| This was the clearest shot I could get. It really was spectacular |
Shortly before I came to the clearing that was Bryce's Flat, I found what seemed to be an old abandoned mine shaft or a cave formation. The opening was quite small, but if I slightly bowed my head I could make it through. Those who do not know me personally may not be aware quite how vertically challenged I really am, standing at a stout 165cm in thick-soled boots. I walked a couple of steps into the mouth of the mine shaft, but that was as far as I dared to venture as they are notoriously unstable and prone to flooding.
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| The mouth of the rock formation. The camera did not pick up the wooden beams on the roof of the entrance. |
The clearing that is Bryce's Flat appears quite suddenly on the trail, though it appears suddenly at the top of the stairs leading down to it. It's not far from the road, has the creek running right next to it, has plenty of trees to hang a hammock and has a small picnic table in the middle of green grasses and tall trees. I had decided to stop for a few minutes on the picnic table, have a drink and have something to eat.
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| The entrance to Bryce's Flat. |
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| One of the many pictures taken while I sat on the picnic table |
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I debated whether or not to walk the extras three kilometres to The Blowhole and back to the main track, however time dictated that this time I could not deviate from my current course and I pushed on back to Tipperary Springs. The second leg of the trip was much stranger than the first, with much more varied terrain and what I first thought was an old hunter's cottage. When I approached the construction made entirely on wood and corrugated iron, it turned out to be a sealed up mine shaft, though this one I could clearly see into.
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| It simply appeared to be a shelter for hikers |
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| Closer inspection revealed a sealed up mine shaft |
The rest of the walk was as expected, varied terrain with alot of hills, rocks and bumps. There were fallen trees blocking the path at times, however they were easily avoided, The creek continued to run along side the walking track with a steady growth of Brambles on bank and the warm, spring sun continued to shine.
When I arrived back at Tipperary Springs drenched in sweat, I once more drank some of the mineral water from the bore and took a few minutes to rest and cool down before getting back in the car to make my way home. I absolutely love hiking in the Hepburn State Park, the surroundings, the creek, coupled with the wildlife and the various mineral springs make it an area well worth visiting again and again.
