Yallourn North - Ollie's Track Walk
Enjoy strolling to the sound of the Tyers River and birdlife along a hillside of diverse vegetation on this 2km return walk. Keep an eye out for historic remnants of the original pipeline. This area is part of the Wirilda Environment Park.
This is a 2km return walk, and is reasonably easy although you are walking on the slope of a hill so be prepared for the odd wobble in your step. You begin your walk at an easy pace to the sound of the water pouring over the weir and a generous diversity of birdsong. A regular scuttling of skinks makes a gentle rustle in the leaf litter as you walk along the track. Stunning scenery of the Tyers River is a feature, as is the sense of balancing on the edge as you follow the ridge line above the riverbank and witness noticeable changes in the vegetation. There are some beautiful swimming and fishing spots dotted along the way, so if you have the time to idle away, this is a good place to spend it. Bring your binoculars if you're a birdwatcher, and you'll be kept happily occupied.
Note: It's important to head back when you reach the intersection sign-posting the Wirilda Track one way (along the river) and Pipeline Track (heading uphill). Wirilda Track is a one-day walk that requires bushwalking experience. Along the way you will pass a sign "Red Box Track" which is an indistinct track leading off to the left. Ignore it.
Directions: Approximately 180km from Melbourne, you head towards Tyers (on the way to Walhalla) and take the left just before the Tyers River Bridge. Follow Clarkes Rd for a short distance and take a hard right to the Wirilda Environment Park, which is sign-posted. You'll pass the homestead and Environment Centre, dip down across a wooden bridge and then straight ahead the car park where the Gippsland Water Pumping Station is situated, next to the weir and picnic area.
If you take the gravel road on the left as you're heading in, you'll drive up the hilltop to an amazing visual contrast between the industrial iconography of the Latrobe Valley on one side and the wild forests of the Tyers River and Moondarra State Parks on the other. It's a brilliant view but not a walk, so hop back in your car and down the track towards Ollie's track, which is accessible from the carpark.
Ollie's Track is named in honour of Ollie Thompson, a dedicated local field naturalist whose constant participation and commitment goes way back to when the Park was an idea, with a steering committee seeking support. Along with his wife Bon, he was widely acknowledged for his generosity of spirit and a long-term friend of the Park.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted off leash. Motorbikes, horses and mountain bikes are not permitted.
Map of Route
Interactive Map
Points of Interest
1. Tyers River
It's a shame how many of us haven't visited this beautiful river, because the idyllic walk along its riverbanks is well worth your while.
2. Great fishing spots
Whether you're going to sling your hook or just sit and look, there are tracks leading down to the riverbank where you can spend quite a bit of time.
3. Historic pipeline
There's some memorabilia of times gone by in this area, including the old pipeline that transported water from the river to the township of Traralgon.
4. Follow the orange markers
Small orange arrows are situated on trees as you make your way along the track, but make sure you don't go further than the sign to Wirilda Track if you aren't planning a very long walk.
5. Track on the hillside
It's a wonderful feeling to know you are safely balanced between the base of a large hill and the fall to the riverbank.
6. A steep track
One of the joys of this walk is the contrasting heights and varying vegetation types that come with the changes.
7. A home in the hollow
This burrow sits at the edge of the track, so presumably its resident waits until nightfall when the walkers have left the park before it takes its own stroll.
8. Fern forest
The lush forest sensation hits you when look up, but also when you look down to discover a flush of ferns (also known as Fish Bone Ferns) by your feet.
9. Healthy understory
Great swathes of Dogwood (Cassinia aculeata) can be seen as you wander along the track, as well as numerous other understorey plants.
Review:
At the point where you start walking there is a camp ground which has a shelter with four tables and BBQs, water tap and BBQs plus drop toilets. The campground has a minimal fee of $5 per night per vehicle (pay online), maximum stay of three nights and all campers must remove their own rubbish.
At this point there is also the Tyers River Pumping Station where steps lead down to a weir across the river. The gate which could restrict access to the weir was open and locals say that it is generally open. The weir has three sections and when we visited one section was above the water level while the furthest two sections had water flowing over them and would be very slippery. During warm weather this is a swimming location for locals.
There is a sign with the following general warnings:
- Strong Currents
- Submerged objects
- Deep Water
- Drop Off
- Slippery surface
- Children must be actively supervised around the water at all times
- This Inland waterway is not supervised by staff or lifesavers at any time.
At the end of the walk, before you turn back, we saw a lovely beach area on the side of the river but it was too difficult to get through the thick bush from the track to the river.
Photos:
Location
Pipeline Track, Yallourn North 3825 View Map
Web Links
→ wirildaenvironmentpark.org.au
→ Ollies Track - Wirilda Environment Park (Walking Maps)
