I have done a lot of walks. Many of those tales have been lost somewhere in the blogosphere but this walk stands out as one of my favourites. I should admit my bias, though.
The Wirrawilla walk is one of the easiest places to see pink robins in spring/summer. Each season, birders descend on here to catch glimpses of these guys and other birds that have migrated here to breed. It is phenomenal – and so accessible.
I love both the Otways and the Dandenongs but have found a lot of those walks to be really overcrowded. Dozens of tourists are at Maits Rest at any given time and are rushing the experience, as many are attempting to do the Great Ocean Road in one day. This little patch hasn’t caught on just yet so, for the most part, it feels like you are by yourself.
The walk is about 2km and can be done very quickly. I couldn’t walk it quickly. I’ve visited here twice for birdwatching and it isn’t a place you can just do quickly. My friends had finished exploring and were eating lunch in the carpark. I ran back to explore it a bit more because it truly needs to be savoured.
Look at the above spider. Yes, many places in the Otways do have similar critters. I think here, the light unfolds a bit differently which makes for a more magical experience.
Cool stuff
Fungi:
There was a sign saying that you get different types of fungi here, which definitely piqued my interest. While the ferns and trees were amazing, I didn’t have much luck with the fungi. I’ll have to return at different times of the year.
Moss
Dawsonia superbia, The tallest moss in the world. The moss is about 8 cm tall and looks like a miniature pine tree. I didn’t think moss could be cool until I returned the second time with my macro lens. It can grow up to 50cm tall in the right conditions and has cute flowers. (This site gets a bit nerdy about it for those interested.)
The trees:
According to the above sign, there are three types of trees that make up the canopy. These are Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Sassafras. Now, Sassafras is something we don’t normally see in the Otways. Both areas are considered to be cool, temperate rainforests – my favourite kind of rainforest. Probably explains why I feel at home in both places and it Queensland
The walk:
The track itself is quite smooth – a mixture of boardwalks and well maintained paths. There are no steep areas, which makes it friendly for those with health problems. It passes over a couple of small creeks which can lead to beautiful photography if the lighting is right.
This information board explained the entire journey the water takes from here to get to the sea. The water from here seeps into Sylvia Creek, which then joins the Yea River. The cycle continues through the Goulbern and then Murray river, until it eventually ends up meeting the ocean at the Murray River mouth. So, technically, I’ve seen where this water ends up.
I think that’s pretty cool 🙂 I am also easily amused.
Tips:
This information board gives a good overview of the area. I highly recommend reading all of the information boards and looking out for the fauna they describe. It’s also worth sitting in the same area for a while and being patient, as there are lots of hidden creatures here.
There is a public toilet here but be warned, it’s a stinker. There is more then ample car parking.
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