Bairnsdale - Mitchell River Walk
.jpg "Bairnsdale - Mitchell River Walk")
The total distance for the walk in a loop is 5.4 km which takes about one and a quarter hours at a leisurely stroll. One starting point for the walk is at Mitchell Port Road where there is a huge shelter with four tables, BBQ and toilets. There is also a display of a huge steam powered alternator (which is surrounded by a fence). Immediately east of here is a water tap with bowl.
As you head westwards along the river, there are a number of grassy areas dotted with trees and unshaded tables. A nice feature of the walk are a number of information boards with historical information and there are a couple of viewing platforms.
At the west end are two exercise stations which are double sided and have body pulls / push-ups on one and pull-ups and leg raises.
You cross the Mitchell River at Lind Bridge to get to the other side of the river. There is a water tap near the bridge and a bowl for dogs. There are also a few tables on this side. On the return at the east end is a narrow suspension bridge to cross and there is a water tap and bowl on the east side of this bridge.
This trail is an easy gradient, and varies between bitumen, concrete and gravel surfaces.
Trail Historical Information
The Mitchell River on Brabralung Country, was traditionally known as Wy Yung, the original name of Bairnsdale; the adjoining township to the river. The meaning of Wy Yung is spoonbill, a type of wading duck. Wy Yung is now the name for a suburb of Bairnsdale, located north of the town across the Mitchell River.
The camps along the Mitchell River were places for collecting food sources and preparation for the long journey ahead; between the Den if Nargun and the mouth of the Mitchell, as many woman made their way to the Den for ceremonial gatherings. The men had a special place for gathering also. and they too collected food sources and resources for their own ceremonial gatherings along the river; they hunted and protected the ducks and swan eggs in the swamp lands.
The Mitchell River has an abundance of Gunaikurnai history of clan group gatherings and hunting rites, scarred canoe trees, toe-hole trees for hunting possums and collecting eggs. The wattle trees were also used for weapon making and medicinal purposes. The river still provides fish of different species such as the Black Bream, Blue Nose Bream, Flathead, Tailor, Mullet and Perch. Most of the river is a nursery for birds and fish alike.
The first Bairnsdale Cemetery was located along the banks of the river. It was to prove an unsuitable cemetery site, as the 1870 flood inundated many graves and washed caskets downstream. The current Cemetery was used from then on. Thereafter this area became the Mitchell Gardens containing many fine avenues of trees, some of which remain today.
Alongside, where the Paynesville Road follows the river tubing traffic off the highway, stood Jackson's Tannery. The tannery was a significant structure and stood for nearly a century, until its demolition in 1971.
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Location
21 Mitchell Port Road, Bairnsdale 3875 Map
