Track Maintenance

Two thumbs up to the Parks Vic team at Mt Buffalo.

The South Buffalo View Point track must be one of the least used tracks in the Park, so great to see numerous bags of material ready for some track repairs.

Mahers Hill

I just love the views from this spot. And not much has changed since my last "pano pic"

Plus judging by the free lemons the locals are happy to have walkers.

Conic Range

A short walk, with a nice Panoramic view.

Understanding the BoM rain forecasts

I spotted this on the ABC's news feed and thought it was worth sharing.
Link here;

Whilst not the best example next Tuesday forecast below;

St Mary Peak, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

St Mary Peak is the highest peak in the Flinders Rangers.

Summit Marker

It offer commanding views in all directions.
There are two approaches to Tanderra saddle, the Inner track through Wilpena Pound a distance of 13.5km. Or via the Outer Track, this way is around 7.5km to the top but has a steep section which includes some rock scrambling.

View across the Pound

I selected the outer track, departing just before 7am, about 30min after local sunrise, the track is well marked with only a few spots where I took a moment to identify the next track marker.

Northern View

The signage at the start carries a warning about temperature and the need to carry plenty of water.
I started with 5.5lt, (1.5 over the recommended) and by the time I returned I had consumed just over 3.
However not everyone goes as well prepared, I meet two ladies who had left with just 750ml of water each, I had not long left the summit when I meet them with very little water left. Fortunately I was happy to part with a 1.5lt bottle which I had not used. despite this refill I suspect they both would have been very thirsty by the time they returned to the Resort.

Near Mt Loch

Feathertop and Fainters as seen from near Mt Loch (Machinery Spur in right foreground)

Mt Beckworth, A Lolly Pop tree and Two ducks

The Mt Beckworth Scenic Reserve (Park Web link.) offers pleasant day walking at just a short distance from Ballarat.

Lolly Pop Tree

Mt Beckworth is well known for the Lolly Pop tree which was frequently used as a bombing target by the local airbase during WW2.

At the Summit with the Lolly Pop Tree

I chose to park my car near the Mana Gums picnic area and following a walking track up to the top of the ridge then following the vehicle track to the summit.

Wind Farm, don't have these where I live

About half way up I noticed a pair of Mountain Ducks (Australian Shelduck) circling and making a great racket.  Information on the Australian Shelduck

They also appeared on my return trip I can only assume they were nesting nearby. This was a new experience for me, and why it is great to walk somewhere complete different form your normal stamping ground, you never know what you may see.

Spot the Ducks

Updated 5th Sept: More on the Lollypop Tree.
From: A Heritage Victoria Document; Victorian Heritage Database place details Pinus radiata
This tree is located in the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve. The "Lollipop" is one of five trees planted in 1918 by Mr Jack Scarfe, a forest overseer from Maryborough, and four schoolboys; Arch Andrews, William Young, Francis Kinersley and Colin Drife. One tree died and 3 others were cut down during World War II 
(apparently to make room for an aerial survey beacon Park Vic Park Note)

This tree is a well known landmark in the district as it can be seen from almost any direction for up to 50kms. The tree was used for practice bomb-aiming sorties by the RAAF during World War II. The airmen were based at the Ballarat Aerodrome during this time. It is particularly vigorous and healthy specimen of a very widespread species, The name comes from the spherical shape of the crown; unusual for the species, and a result of low pruning of branches in the 1940s and wind pruning of the crown 

A link to Information on the Ballarat Aerodrome