Ruffy - Snow Gum Reserve Walk
This 3km return walk meanders down an unused road reserve through open Narrow-leaf Peppermint forest until it crosses a walking bridge and enters the Ruffy Flora Reserve. A circuit of this reserve takes you through swampy riparian woodlands dominated by ancient Mountain Swamp Gums. The path continues past a tiny population of Snow Gums, remnants of a colder climate, and skirts a chain of dark deep billabongs into bandicoot and koala territory.
The recommended seasons for this walk are autumn and spring. There is uneven ground with logs and branches to step over. Gum boots are recommended on wetter days. Avoid the tiger snake season unless you enjoy the company of these reptiles.
Map of Walk Route
Walk Notes
Start of Walk - Noye Lane off Buntings Hill Road, 2 kilometres from Ruffy township. Starting at Ruffy Recreation Reserve Gate.
1. Cars can be parked at the Ruffy Recreation Reserve. Walk east along the unused road reserve that is a continuation of Noye Lane. Follow the mown path for 1.1km and enter the Ruffy Flora Reserve.
2. Follow the track markers to the left, along the fence line for 95m to a clump of lonely Ruffy Snow Gums. This population consists of six straggly trees that have been savaged by koalas and drought.
3. You are now entering a swampy depression full of seasonally herbaceous plants, tea-tree and mountain baeckea thickets and mountain swamp gums. This is perfect frog and snake habitat. Please tread carefully and be aware that you will encounter snakes on warm days.
Notice the many Silver Banksias and other shrubs that have been planted along the track, providing a nectar and pollen source for insects and honeyeaters.
4. Follow the track markers in an easterly direction for 220m. The tattered remains of a few classic cars abandoned by earlier Ruffy inhabitants can be found clustered together amongst the trees near the easterly edge of the reserve. Identify and photograph these rusty relics but leave the spare parts you might find where they lie for future generations to marvel at.
5. Circle back past an old "chain of ponds" watercourse: deep dark pools linked by a trickling creek. Listen for frogs and watch out for the bunyip!
6. Pass through the grove of ancient Mountain Swamp Gums (Eucalyptus camphora). Notice the knobbly growths on their trunks. During spring the wildflowers can be impressive up this section. Lilies and orchids are common. Smell the fresh peppermint scented air. Feel the bracing Ruffy winds blowing in from the south.
Location
Ruffy Recreation Reserve (Maygar Park), Noye Lane, Ruffy 3666 Map
Web Links
→ Walk Notes - Ruffy Snow Gum Walking Trail, Ruffy (PDF)
→ Snow Gum Walk, Ruffy (Walking Maps)
