LAKE SIDE NATIONAL PARK Loch Sport Victoria Aus

 The Lakes National Park is a bushland reserve bordered on three sides by Lakes. We explored the area on bicycle, covering 33 km along gravel Lake Side Tracks. Checked out Lake Reeve Nature Trail featuring the Lookout Tower with magnificent views of the Gippsland Lakes system. Rode via Lake Victoria Track through sandy bush trails .. with many soft patches ... 10km of the track (after Emu Bight Camping area) is signed "4WD only". It was a rugged tough ride with lots of pushing. The peaceful bushland picnic area at Point Wilson Jetty was a most welcomed sight. We returned to the carpark via the very corrugated gravel Lake Reeve Road.

Distance- 33.5km
Duration- 2hr 50mins



Paddling on the Macalister River

Put the kayak in at the Port of Maffra near the the Beet Museum. Successful in boat entry. River meanders around rich dairying agricultural area, Paddled upstream but didn't get to Bellbird Corner at the Newry Creek junction but had a great couple of hrs paddling.

Bairnsdale to Bruthen (part of East Gippsland Rail Trail)

Bairnsdale to Bruthen is the first 32km section of the magnificent 100 Km Bairnsdale to Orbost rail trail. Start at Howitt Park in Bairnsdale, ride around Howitt park untill you see the Rail trail sign. The first 9km from Bairnsdale to Nicholson is sealed path and remaining 25km to Bruthen is along smooth gravel surface. Trail runs through picturesque farmland with views of Tambo Valley.

Distance- 63.57 km (return)
duration- 3hrs 54min
Total climbing- 218m

Cat 4 Climb to Agnes Falls

Agnes Falls are the highest single span falls in Victoria.

Surface -   sealed road
Distance-  18.61 km
Duration-  1 hr 26 mins
Climbing- 221 m

Bunurong National Park

Today we rode from Inverloch to Bunurong Marine National Park in Southern Gippsland.We have in the past explored some  panoramic Bass Strait coastal (here). Today we explored one of the State of Victoria's thirteen Marine National Parks the 'Bunurong Marine coastal Reserve & National Park'. Regular readers would be aware of my dislike of cycling on roads or preference of staying away from cars.But today's ride along the coastal tourists route  was one I've been looking forward to for some time.  We did it midweek and thankfully traffic was light. The bike path along the esplanade is great and the numerous carparks & places to pull over to check out the scenery made for a great ride.

Distance- 21.55 km 

Surface- Concrete Bike path & Bituman Road

Climbing - 82m

Time- 1hr 37:52

Map my ride data here

The Bunurong Marine National Park extends along approx 5 km of coastline on the Inverloch - Cape Paterson Rd, and extends offshore for approximately one kilometer. Thousands of dinosaur bones have been lifted from this area. The name "Bunurong" refers to the original Aboriginal occupants of the area.

Holey Plains State Park - Rosedale, Victoria, Australia

On a previous visit to Holey Plains we rode from Harriers Swamp to Holey Hill Fire Lookout loop (Holey Hill blog here). This time we rode from "Harrier Swamp to Merriman Creek" picnic area, still enjoying the banksias & eucalypt forest.


Surface-   Smooth gravel
Distance- 23.5 km (14.6 miles)
Time -     2:20:59
Total Climbing- 215m 
Map My Ride Data here

We returned via Chessum Track and turned right along West Boundary Track (a flat ride until @2:53 on video)



To get to Harriers Swamp Campground from Rosedale head South 1.5k on the Willung Rd, turn left at 'State park' sign onto the Rosedale-Stradbroke Rd,  travel about 6km , turn right onto gravel road at West Boundary Track sign, travel about 1km then turn left onto Long Ridge Track, that takes you to Harriers Swamp (camping ground on left & picnic area on right)

You Yangs Regional Park

This park is well known to myself for the great MTB trails, but the Park also has some great walking trails.
Distance - 10 klm walk
Duration - 1 hr 47mins

Started from the Park Office car park along the Big Rock Walk, up to the granite rock peaks,  then crossed over to the East-West Walk looping around & returning back down the Big Rock trail. Sadly the Flinders Peak steps track is still closed due to flood damage . More info on Park here