Gellibrand Hill Summit

Woodlands Historic Reserve is in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. In fact, the park’s high point has a view over Tullamarine Airport in one direction and also had views of buildings that are high-rise that is located in the city’s CBD in the other direction. I’ve been here a couple of times in the past and, while it’s always enjoyable, it’s not the place I’d go to for a single visit. With a hike out to Blackwood scheduled for today, I thought I’d go to Woodlands Historic Park first thing in the morning before heading out to Blackwood in order to get some sunrise pictures of Gellibrand Hill. It was evident that when I arrived at the car park that was deserted near Providence Road that I wasn’t going to get sunset photos in the morning, but I’m sure it will be a good one.

However I’m not one to be deterred, so after taking my backpack and setting the GPS again, I ventured through the park to see what I could find. Instead of walking along the 4WD track that is closed, I got into the park through it’s Weeroona Aboriginal Cemetery, from the information I have gathered the cemetery isn’t a typical burial ground for our Aboriginal owners but rather a contemporary development. However, the cemetery is a serene and serene place with graveyards that are well maintained scattered across in the bush and dry. Then back to Woodlands Historical Park after my short excursion, I was soon at the fence with high voltage that divides a large portion of from the park to ensure conservation of local Bandicoot population. This fence is always giving me problems when I walk across the park as I often end up in the wrong part of it.

I was able to get through this morning however and I soon followed an old set of 4wd tracks when I turned towards the west, and then the south, before finally setting in an easterly direction. Normally, a visit the Woodlands Historic Park means that the background noise of planes landing and departing at Tullamarine Airport is constant. However, this morning the borders to our overseas countries being closed, and travel to the domestic level a bit risky in case the state borders close and the airport is a quite peaceful place. I walked through the gloomy morning to the to the east. After passing by a fence line that was not locked. gate. I soon arrived at the eastern edge of the electric fence to find no gate , and no way to cross the fence.

I wasn’t worried too much about the absence of a gate (the map of mud I used was more than 20 years old! ) It was unlikely that I was going to lose my way and the open woods provided a pleasant walk. Once I had reached the fence line, I chose to walk along the fence along the lower slopes Gellibrand Hill thinking that I’d come across gates at some point, and after ascending to the north eastern part of the Bandicoot Reserve I did come across an unlocked gate and was able to get out of this conservation zone. From the gate, I was a short distance from the top at the top of Gellibrand Hill and less than 10 minutes later I was at the trig. At 204 metres, Gellibrand Hill isn’t an imposing mountain, but despite its modest height, it has surprisingly beautiful views. From the summit , there are views of Lerderderg as well as Wombat State Parks in the far distance. Mt Macedon is visible in another direction , and the structures in Melbourne’s CBD can be easily seen… Oh for those air-spotters, the views downwards to Tullamarine International Airport is also quite good.

Gellibrand Hill is also the site of the historic Dundonald Homestead. The original homestead was built in the mid-1850’s, and the final owner passed away in 1959, which marked the final year of farming in the area. The homestead that was once there was destroyed by an blaze after developers purchased the land (now this is a complete surprise!) All that’s left is the grove of introduced trees that define the area. There are ruin of the homestead’s old stables, which are partially still standing slightly away from the homestead but I’d recommend looking around the stone ruins close as they look like the perfect Tiger Snake territory if you want to ask me.

 

It was not Tiger Snakes the ones I saw this morning, it was the massive groups of Eastern Grey Kangaroos which kept me amused. It’s always fascinating to observe the power dynamic between the roos. As I walked along the track, the young roos as well as the females would eventually jump out to the bush first, to keep an watch at me. The males of the big size are the opposite. They would get on their hind legs and stand their ground for a longer period of time and then slowly withdraw to the bush once it became apparent that I was not going to go away. I was now heading back toward the ute and following a different management 4WD track and it was straightforward and easy. As I saw the Weeroona Aboriginal Cemetery on my right , I crossed the fence that was low and was again amidst the gorgeous gardens as I made my way towards the ute.

 

Based on my GPS, I was able to walk around 5.7 kilometers and climbed around 85 metres during this morning’s easy walk. If animals (particularly Kangaroos) or historical sites are your thing, this is a hike worth considering. Except for about 700m in which I followed the electric fence to the north, the walk is on decent tracks, though the signage is slightly elusive. If anyone visits the stunning Weeroona Cemetery then obviously be mindful. I utilized the one Tyrone Thomas’ mud maps and notes in his previous guidebook 40 Bushland & Park Walks in Metropolitan Melbourne and they were pretty accurate, however the access track has an unlocked gate across Providence Road. I’m thinking Parks Vic or someone else online might offer a map for free which is downloadable? Google maps should be able to allow most people to navigate as well, I’m guessing.

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