Toolangi - Yea River Walk
The easy 1.5km loop Yea River Walk begins behind the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre on the north side of Main Road. It is an easy 1 hour walk which passes through Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua), Narrow Leafed Peppermint (E. radiata) and Mountain Grey Gum (E. cypellocarpa) forest, before reaching Mountain Ash (E. regnans) forest. The Yea River runs through the forest providing the visitor with a feeling of tranquility.
A wide variety of plant species can be seen on the Yea River Walk. Take note of the different bark types of the eucalyptus tree species that form the canopy along the track. You may see the Tasman Flax-Lily (Dianella tasmanica) with it's distinctive purple berries. There are two tree-fern species along the track - the Rough Tree-fern (Cyathea australis) and the Soft Tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica). Watch out for Forest Wire Grass (Tetrarrhena juncea), a rampant forest floor species.
The Yea River walk contains interpretive boards beautifully hand painted by local Toolangi artist David O'Gradey. They tell the story of the forest as a journey through time.
The Yea River Walk exists on land donated to the people of Toolangi by Alex Cameron. A sawmill, "Scherbers" operated in this forest until the turn of the century. This mill site was eventually purchased by C.J. Dennis in 1915 and is now the 'Singing Gardens'.
The Yea River begins its journey in the mountains of the Central Highlands and becomes part of the Goulburn water catchment, flowing into the Goulburn River, the Murray River and eventually to South Australia. Many homes in the township of Toolangi pump water from this river for domestic and agricultural purposes.
Yea River Walk Map
Timber History
These forests have an interesting timber history. Early settlers lived and worked in the forest, cutting and milling the giant Mountain Ash trees. The 1939 fires destroyed many lives and sawmills.
The Forest Today
Today, areas of forest like this one are important as they are set aside for public recreation, education, inspiration, water catchment and biodiversity protection. Other areas within the state forest are used for timber production.
Fauna
There is an array of wildlife to be found on the Yea River Walk. Just stop walking and listen to the bird calls. Look closely and you may see the birds that are making those calls. Species to look out for include King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and Kookaburras. There are also Lyrebirds living in this forest. If you are lucky you may get to see one. Ringtail possums, Sugar Gliders and Greater Gliders fossick in the forest at night but are very rarely seen during the day. Wallabies and Wombats are also active at night but you may be lucky enough to see one during the day.
Yea River
The Yea River is full of aquatic life including platypus and many fish species. The viewing platform provides an excellent vantage point to see the river. The water here flows from the slopes of Mt. St. Leonard and joins the Goulburn River and eventually the Murray River just upstream of Echuca.
Weeds
Unfortunately there are many introduced plant and animal species in Australia and this forest is no exception. Blackberries, Holly and English Laurel are common throughout this forest. The seeds are transported via animal droppings, mainly birds. Other weed species can be introduced into the forest environment by domesticated animals, humans and cars.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Review:
A lovely walk through a variety of vegetation types including many tree ferns. From behind the Forest Discovery Centre, follow the dirt path to cross the Healesville-Kinglake Road where there is a sign at the start of the walk. Even though there are a number of different tracks in this area there is no directional signage. Continue on this track, which is well maintained, all the way to the river and ignore any side branches and a track which crosses the track.
The river is a beautiful spot with a lookout platform overlooking the water fringed by tree ferns. There is a track down to the river where an old tree lying across the river can be used to test your sense of balance. The sides of the river have soft deep mud so be careful of where you step or it may be an uncomfortable walk back.
The easiest and simplest way to return to the start point is to go back on the same track. The track does continue as a loop but it is a lot less maintained and vegetation crowds over the track in parts. This track also has a little diversion to the river.
On the return via the loop there is a branch. We took the left hand branch which goes uphill and comes out next to the entrance. If you take the right hand branch that will intersect the track which goes to the river. At this point turn left to get back to the entrance. Google maps is also handy if you are unsure which way to go.
While you are in the area, the Toolangi Sculpture Trail is an interesting 1.5 km walk with outdoor sculptures created in 1996 and 2016.
Photos:
Location
1657 Healesville-Kinglake Road, Toolangi 3777 View Map
Web Links
→ Yea River Walk (Walk Notes)
