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)

RJ Hamer Arboretum@Olinda (my rating A)

RJ Hamer Arboretum is surrounded by Dandenong Ranges National Park, a wonderful place to visit.  It's just about 1 hr drive from Melbourne city.

We loved the magnificent view, the vast green and massive beautiful trees.  The kids loved to run up and down the hills.  There are 2 BBQ stoves, sheds and toilet facilities.  The toilets are reasonably clean.

Please note there's not bin at the park.  You'll need to 'Take your Rubbish Home'.  We did take our rubbish HOME, and into our own Rubbish Bin. :-)

We did a bush-walk after picnic lunch.  It took us some moments to confirm that the first part of the track is to cross the grassy plain.  See the map below, the walk we did is traced over in blue, it took us 2 hrs return.  Some part of the track is quite steep, and because it was wet, the path was quite slippery.  There is no bench along the path, but we managed to find a few tree logs / stumps for Mum to rest.

 

(Map downloaded from Park Victoria website)

The only problem I found was to find the path and direction.  I hope Park Victoria can make the signs clearer and better.  To me, there wasn't enough track signs.

And because of this, I would highly suggest you to have your map ready (I had a softcopy map i.e. PDF file stored on my Smart Phone, downloaded from Park Victoria Website), the track guide map at the Information Display Board is barely informative.  And you'll find wearing hiking boots help a lot.

 

(How would you like it to have picnic lunch facing such magnificent view?)

 

(This is where we started our walk)

 

(After 50-100m, the path is more visible)

 

(At the edge of of the grassy plain, there's a sign on the left). 

(The stony road is Mathias Road)

 

(Follow Mathias Road, past "Red Dog Hut" on the left, you'll see this sign)

(We turned left onto Sequoia Track)

 

(Follow Sequoia Track to the end, you'll see the T section, and the Sign)

 

 

(This kookaburra accompanied us till Red Dog Hut)

(It was low-flying ahead of us, then stopped and waited, and flew again)

Macedon Regional Park @ Macedon (my rating A):

Macedon Regional Park is about 1.5 hrs drive from City.

Part 1:
We parked at Harbison Picnic Ground, and did the walk to Camels Hump Car Park.  The whole walk is 4.8km.  It took us nearly 3.5 hrs to complete the trail and return.  The walk starts near the tea house.

 

(Map from Park Victoria)

Some sections are quite steep, loose stones are throughout the path.  Wearing walking boots would be wise.

(entrance to the trail)

 

(this is the sign to follow)

 

(This sign is at McGregors Picnic Ground)

Suggest you to get the map / Park Note from ParkVic beforehand.

Part 2:
Hello, Macedon!  Again................

This time we parked at the McGregors Picnic Ground, had lunch, and started the walk towards the Camels Hump Lookout.  I've found my favourite Picnic Ground!  It's here, at McGregors!  Quiet and Paceful and Relaxing, surrounding by the big tall trees, green grass, several picnic tables and benches.  It's not as popular as Harbison Picnic Ground, thus not as noisy as at Harbison.

 

(McGregors Picnic Ground)

The walk was easy, especially from Camels Hump Car Park to the Lookout, it's all paved.

 

(trail to Camels Hump Lookout)
 

 (to Lookout)

 

(Lookout)

 

(View from Lookout)

 

(View from Lookout)

The whole walk took 1 hr return, at the leisure pace.  We spent an additional hour at the Lookout!

Kurth kiln regional park (my rating B)

Kuryh kiln regional park is just an hour or so from melbourne, it makes the park ideal if you want to escape from the city noise, stress & civilization.
We parked at the lower car park of kurth kiln pinic ground (cnr beenak & soldiers).  At the time we were there, the 2 small car parks were almost full.  There were people camping there.
We did the 'thornton walking track', it took about an hour to finish the loop.  The walk was easy to moderate, with uphills & downhills. 

It was very peaceful deep in the forest, especially though it's summer & flies were buzzing at the entry of the track, I stopped noticing any after 15mins' walk.

We drove to the waterfall afterwards, but the fall wasn't particularly spectacular.

(Shiprock Falls)

Please check the bushfire risk before going (www.cfa.vic.gov.au/)

Creswick Regional Park (My Rating: A)

Creswick Regional Park is a perfect spot for a picnic at St. Georges Lake, and a bush walking for the rest of the day.  Dogs are allowed ^-^

It's just 90mins drive from Melbourne city.  It might be a good idea to get the map from Creswick Information Centre.

St. Georges Lake is  picturesque and peaceful.

(St Georges Lake)

The bush walking trails are just as awesome too.

 

(Walking Trail)

We intended to take Koala Park Trail, but Honey mis-read the map and we went to 4WD track, and then saw a very very steep slope in front of us.  That was fun, to walk down/up the STEEP muddy slope!   And there was a 4x4 at the foot of the slope, the men drove down from the slope.  They then drove up the slope just for us to witness the adventure!  AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXCITING EXCITING EXCITING EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The steep hill that 4x4s love to come and rev!)




Later the day, we met 3 more 4x4s asking for the direction to go UP the hill................ That place must be famous for 4x4 adventure!
 
I'll definitely go back and try all other trails out.
  
p.s.:  Beware of the sunset time,  you don't want to get lost in the woods, especially when it's dark.

For reward, we went to Creswick Woollen Mill afterwards, and fed alpacas....... :)
Creswick Woollen Mill opens 7 days from 10.00am - 5.00pm

You Yangs Regional Park (My Rating: A)

You Yangs Regional Park in victoria is a nice park to explore with kids & dogs.  Big rocks along the way to summit, kids would love to climb, & dogs can hop among them finding the way up, if walking on the track becomes a bit boring. 
A viewing platform on the summit, it's a treat to people climbed to the top!
Awesome!