Mt Beckworth Scenic Reserve@Clune (my rating A)

Mt Beckworth is located 35km north west Ballarat.  It's about 2.15hrs drive from Melbourne City via M80.

We spent some time searching for the entry.  I initially set the GPS to go from Pickfords Rd to Cork Oaks Camp Site, but for some reason, the GPS couldn't find the way.  We had to re-set the destination to the other entry (the one at the end of Mountain Creek Rd), and then followed the road within the Reserve to Cork Oaks.

 

(This is the Sign of "Mt Beckworth Scenic Reserve" at the Entry)

 

(The sign at the Entry)

There're a few signs in the park showing the way, but not sufficient in my opinion, especially when the road splits, there's no sign to tell you which way to go.  Thanks for my GPS, I had a reference (yup, to turn on to the road that looks closer to the destination).

But once we arrived, it made all the effort worth.  The Cork Oaks is a nice camp site, with toilet facilities.

After a well-prepared hotdog lunch, we set the hiking to "Mt Bechworth" summit.

As said before, there was no enough signs, we followed the sign of "Mt Bechworth" at the beginning, soon we found us climbing up the mountain following sort of walking trail.  It was literally and actually climbing, the path is really steep, and not well formed (so different from You Yangs and 1000 Steps).  Mum and Jessica climbed 2/3, then decided to go no further. 

It took us 45 mins to reach the summit, this is one of the reasons I believe we didn't follow the track (it says on the sign about 3hr return if stays on the walking track).

However, I must emphasize I made no complain at all.  The view is breathtaking, the climbing was fun! It made the hiking more adventurous, the only regret was Mum and Jessica couldn't make to the summit and enjoy the view.

My suggestion to you, if you plan to visit this reserve, please do have a hard copy of the Park Notes, and I'm sure you would thank your proper hiking boots after climbing the mountain, they would protect your ankles and also provide good grip.

 

(Sign at the Cork Oaks)

 

(This section of the climbing is easy compared to the summit part)

 

(View at 1/3 from the summit)

 

(path at the start, much steeper than what looks in this photo)

 

(This is the path heading summit)

 

(map from Park Vic website)

Ballam Park@Frankston (my rating B)

Ballam Park in Frankston is a big offleash park.  It features 2 big adventurous playgrounds, a half basketball court, toilets, car park, etc.

It seems very appealing to me, but the kids didn't really enjoy the adventurous playgrounds, and because it's a such popular park, the basketball court was always in use.

But Jessica liked the park, she was quite active in this park, and wagging her tail, introducing herself to other park users.

JC Donath Reserve@Reservoir (My rating C)

JC Donath Park is a big park with sports ovals.  It has an average playground, and a skate park which in my opinion not suitable for beginners / intermediate uses.

Hardy Gallagher Reserve@Princes Hill (my rating C)

Hardy Gallagher Rerserve is located near Princes Park and is on the Capital City Trail and within the Inner Circle Railway Linear Park.  It is an offleash park with a few unusual play equipments.

There's no toilet facilities on site, guess you may use the one in Neighbourhood Centre (next to the park).

This makes a nice rest spot if you ride a bike along Capital City Trail.

Malahang Reserve@Heidelberg West (My Rating A)

Banyule is the most dog friendly city council in Inner Melbourne, from what I've researched so far!  All the parks are dog offleash (there're some common rules to apply, like consideration to sport games, wetlands, and playgrounds, etc).

Malahang Reserve is a big recreation park in Heidelberg West, the park features: Playground with wide range play equipments, basketball hoop, netball hoop, skate park, BMX dirt track, large Ovals, paved path, toilets, BBQ, carpark and OFFLEASH, of course!

It is a popular park, especially during school holidays and weekends.  But when we were there on a sunny Saturday, though the park was busy, the kids had great fun!

The only regret was the toilet wasn't clean enough, guess it was because too many visitors using the toilets......