Where to go for an overnighter near Warragul?

[Geta]

Hey all, my wife and I are heading down to my parents farm near Warragul over easter, and we want to slip away for an overnighter somewhere. We're both keen but fairly inexperienced hikers. I was looking at Baw Baw Plateau which looks lovely, but not being able to have a fire is a bit of a downer, especially as we don't often get to go away together alone and it's so nice to sit around a fire in the evening.

Does anyone have any other suggestions that are relatively close to Warragul?

I guess another option is to shoot down to the prom instead.

Cheers!

[neilmny]

I don't know much about the Wrragul area (other than Baw Baw) but maybe Tarra-Bulga National Park has something to offer. http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks ... ional-park

The Grand Strezlecki Track might have something to offer .
http://www.grandstrzeleckitrack.org.au

[MickyB]

I don't know much about the Wrragul area (other than Baw Baw) but maybe Tarra-Bulga National Park has something to offer. http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks ... ional-park

The Grand Strezlecki Track might have something to offer .
http://www.grandstrzeleckitrack.org.au

The Grand Strezlecki Track is a great suggestion but I would recommend starting at the Tarra Bulga end as IMO it's a lot nicer.

but not being able to have a fire is a bit of a downer, especially as we don't often get to go away together alone and it's so nice to sit around a fire in the evening.

THERE IS A NO CAMPFIRE POLICY ON THE GRAND STRZELECKI TRACK AT ALL TIMES OF THE YEAR.

[Alittleruff]

Just wondering where at Tarra Bulga you would set up camp? There is no camping near the visitors center or the rangers hut. Do people venture further up to the waterfalls and camp at the caravan park?

[MickyB]

Just wondering where at Tarra Bulga you would set up camp? There is no camping near the visitors center or the rangers hut. Do people venture further up to the waterfalls and camp at the caravan park?

http://www.grandstrzeleckitrack.org.au/ ... r-walkers/


The facilities at the Jumbuk Rest Area are now completed and the area is ready for use as an overnight stop. Remember to sterilise water for drinking. We are still fund-raising to build facilities at Macks Creek.

Nina and Tobern at the Tarra Bulga Guest House at Balook, have very kindly offered their grounds to use as a camp site. You can contact them on (03) 51 966 141. If you are walking the track call in to the Guest House for great food and coffee. There are toilets and water available at the Tarra-Bulga Visitor Centre in Balook (please sterilize water for drinking). Parks Victoria do not encourage camping on Park grounds.

Camping is available at Fernholme Caravan Park in Tarra Valley. Tent sites, both powered and unpowered are available and also cabins by prior booking. Please phone Vicki and David on (03) 51 861 283.

There are no facilities elsewhere so if you are planning to camp elsewhere please come prepared with water and something to bury toilet waste.

[Alittleruff]

This could be quite romantic for a young couple. It gets quite cold up there, so maybe a little cabin and then do day trip walking?
http://www.tarra-valley.com/id9.html
The rosella cabin might be good for $140.

[Geta]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've been reading all about the Grand Strzelecki Track and Tarra Bulga and it looks great. I did note the no campfire policy - looks like we might have to suck it up and do without a fire!

I think if we go this way the Macks Creek loop (25.2 km) or Tarra Valley loop (22.9 km) may be good options. My wife is looking forward to trying out our new tent, so we'd be looking to bush camp along the trail.

I'll have a chat with her tonight and see what she likes the look of best. One option I might look at further regarding Baw Baw is the possibility of starting at Mt Erica car park, and heading up just past Mt Whitelaw to Mustering Flat. From what I can see the fuel stove only area extends from Mt Erica to Mt Whitelaw. I've left a message with the ranger in the area to confirm as I don't want to do the wrong thing.

[neilmny]

This could be quite romantic for a young couple. It gets quite cold up there, so maybe a little cabin and then do day trip walking?
http://www.tarra-valley.com/id9.html
The rosella cabin might be good for $140.

Hey you don't have to be young

[Alittleruff]

Sounds good Geta. There is no camping in Tarra Bulga national park, so I thought the caravan park might suit. I never thought of walking along the tracks and roads to get to Tarra Valley falls. I might go up for a look see with the kids tomorrow to do the 1.4km Tarra Bulga Rainforest walk before the area gets too wet. The kids are driving me crazy, time to get them out for a walk this week I think The café at Balook, is also quite nice, and welcoming and a little bit retro Very cool.

You have got me thinking more about the area. We have done Tarra Bulga loads, mostly the tracks from the visitors car park. Lyrebird ridge track, the suspension bridge, forest track, scenic track. Basically the little walks with the kids.

[Geta]

Sounds good Geta. There is no camping in Tarra Bulga national park, so I thought the caravan park might suit.

Ah I saw this

There are no facilities elsewhere so if you are planning to camp elsewhere please come prepared with water and something to bury toilet waste.

but missed the bit where it says camping is discouraged.

Well I just spoke to my wife and we're going to head to Baw Baw Plateau fire or no fire, but I'll be sure to get to Tarra Bulga at some stage. It looks like it might be a great place to bring the kids to, especially since I've discovered that if I find my six year old a hiking stick and give her a bit of a rev up she transforms from "my legs hurt" into a little trooper!

[Alittleruff]

Tarra Bulga is great for kids. The visitors center is interesting and have coloring in pages for the kids to do there. The walks are short and easy. You don't really need any specialist equipment there. Our playgroup often have excursions there, so even little ones are ok. Some tracks you can get around with a pram with a little help up a few stairs. To spur on the little ones, we made a "treasure hunt" game, where I handed out all the kids a clipboard with a heap of pictures to find on their journey through to the swing bridge and around the 'low' track and back to the visitors center. I had taken a stack of photos previously of interesting things to find, one day after I had done Kinder/School drop off with my little one in tow. Some of the flowers had not been there on our return, but it was loads of fun. I'm thinking of leaving a copy with the visitors center for people with children. Or maybe I could send a copy through to you if you want to do the treasure hunt with small or primary aged children?

[neilmny]

Geta you will see a lot of fire rings from ignorami that don't comply with the laws on the Baw Baws but don't be tempted, it's just not right.

[Geta]

Or maybe I could send a copy through to you if you want to do the treasure hunt with small or primary aged children?

That sounds great! I'd love a copy if you have it handy, thanks.

Geta you will see a lot of fire rings from ignorami that don't comply with the laws on the Baw Baws but don't be tempted, it's just not right.

Duly noted and no problem there - we'll trade firelight for starlight for the evening!

[Alittleruff]

We headed up the hill today to visit Tarra Valley and check out the caravan park. Both were terrific. Well worth the trip. I also spoke to the ranger, and asked about camping spots. he told me that there wasn't any real camping spots to be had, except at the old Balook school site off the Yarram-Balook road. Some of the other camping sites on the map are still in the proposition stage for the strezleki walking tracks, and haven't actually been created yet, and he didn't know if that was going to happen.
But anyhow, we checked out Tarra Valley. Thank you for pushing us a little further out.

[Geta]

No worries Glad you had a nice time!

We had fun, we went from the the Mt Erica car park up and across the plateau and camped at Mt Whitelaw hut, and back the next day. *&%$#! freezing night, lucky we brought some red wine! Lovely up there.

[neilmny]

No worries Glad you had a nice time!

We had fun, we went from the the Mt Erica car park up and across the plateau and camped at Mt Whitelaw hut, and back the next day. *&%$#! freezing night, lucky we brought some red wine! Lovely up there.

OK where's the pictures and detailed report