Wed, 19th August, 2015 Janet & Geoff’s, Smiths Gully (exploring Dandenong Ranges)

Beautiful clear morning though only 5 degrees in the van. Not going out to see what the temp is outside – weather forecast was for 2 degrees!! Fog in the gully.

9am headed off to Dandenong to buy a new clutch. Will get it installed in Bathurst. Got a new travel mug too!!

Drove around till we found a laundromat to wash and dry our clothes. The clouds have come over and it has gotten colder.

Headed off to the Dandenong Ranges. Turned off to check out Lysterfield Park Lake and have our lunch. From 1936 to 1975 Lysterfield Lake supplied fresh water to the Mornington Peninsula. A large area around the lake had previously been purchased from farmers and fenced off to protect the quality of the water. In 1975 Cardinia Reservoir became operational and Lysterfield Lake was no longer needed. The lake was then developed into a recreational facility. The area was linked to Churchill National Park in 1997 to create a park area of 1668 hectares and form a valuable green link between the Dandenong Valley and the Dandenong Ranges. There are lots of walks and bike trails following old tramlines which they used to cart the rocks from the quarries to build the dam wall. Another walk follows the old aqueduct built in the late 1920s which once supplied Dandenong with water. The water in the aqueduct came from the Bunyip River and from Belgrave Reservoir via a wooden pipe. The channel ceased operation in 1940s following the operation of Lysterfield Lake.

After lunch by the water in the sun, when it came out from behind the clouds, we walked up onto the dam wall. There were a couple of kangaroos lazing in the sun by the edge of the lake.

It is only small compared to Cardinia Reservoir.

On the way out to the main road we passed Montague Apples. Huge area of trees covered with mesh.

Then we passed a Christmas Tree Farm. Cute little trees all in rows. Photo didn’t come out though.

Into Belgrave to check out the Puffing Billy Steam Train. Steep windy road took us down to the creek then up the other side over the railway line – no parks available. Glad we didn’t have the van on too. Drove back into the village and found a park and walked back to the entrance, then followed the windy path down to the station. Reading the information as we went then we heard the toot toot of the steam engine and watched it arrive at the station. He was backwards though.

Finished reading the info then headed into the station.

The engine uncoupled and reversed back then drove around the carriages.

Steve wasn’t too keen on a ride with the open carriage as it was a lot colder now!!

More interesting information in the carriage. The ‘Little Train’ as it was called, carried people and goods from 1900. The tourists loved it so much the railway built the open air carriages that people still ride in today. The track was closed in 1954 after landslide blocked the track and because the railway had been losing lots of money as more roads were built and cars became more popular. They held one last ride for the children in ‘Puffing Billy’, as it was now known, and it was so popular they reopened part of the track for tourists. It is now run by hundreds of volunteers.

Wandered down the track where the engine was being serviced in its shed.

The other side was where the other engines etc are worked on.

Back up the zig zag walkway to the truck.

We headed off to Monbulk following the signs but they weren’t very clear and we ended going straight up a hill through all the tall trees.

Through Sassafras (there is a town in Tassie the same name – lots of repeated names in Australia) which is famous for its popular tea rooms. This is Miss Marples.

On to Olinda which is the highest village in the Ranges at 580m. More tall trees.

Into the village of Mt Dandenong where we turned off to SkyHigh Mount Dandenong to check out the view over Melbourne. View from the carpark and zooming in on the city – not the clearest day but we can see it all and out to the Bay.

Walked up to the coffee shop and viewing areas around the building (633m elevation).

Great looking tree – wonder if they will carve it.

Wandered around the English Garden with lots of statues that Steve liked.

The Secret Garden is only used for weddings and private functions.

The Wishing Tree.

Leigh Conkie carved The Sentinel in 2012.

He also did the Australiana Tree in 2006.

There was also a hedge maze but that was closed but you could peer in the gate at the fountain.

Another water feature was a spinning world.

On our map it said tree carving – not the most exciting but must have been an original one.

Down off the mountain into the flatter valley to Lilydale (another Tassie town name) where we stopped for a cuppa at the Lake. Lots of people out enjoying the sunshine.

Back to the van where the kangaroos were busy mowing the grass in the paddocks.

Finished our packing and cleaning.