Summary

An excellent circuit walk with a testing climb to the OT Dam in Arthurs Seat State Park. The dam is very scenic and set in a peaceful setting among the trees.

Description

Attention walkers: Please see the note at the bottom of this page from the map-creator (there are lots of trails so take a good map / tracker so you don't get lost!)

The start point for this walk is the car park of the Hillview Community Reserve, on Boundary Rd in Dromana. The reserve itself is an ideal spot for short walks and picnics. It has fairly extensive grassed areas, a dam, toilet facilities and is also at one end of an extensive network of mountain bikes tracks that exist within Arthurs Seat State Park

The first 300 metres or so of the walk is within Hillview Community Reserve and there is a gateway into the state park. The trail then heads steadily uphill until it gets near the OT Dam. There are two access points to the dam. We approached from the southern one, made a circuit round the dam (there is a path all the way around it) and then left via the second access point on the western side of the dam.

We returned via a different track that brought us along a farm with great views to the sea and over Dromana, as well as of cows grazing. It was a delightful setting.

We came across a second very small dam which does not appear to have a name and then returned to the Hillview Community Reserve and finished our walk by walking round the rear of the dam there.

Overall it was a very satisfying walk of about 5.5km with lots of different aspects and things to see.

Please note that the trails (both walking and for mountain bikes) are quite extensive within Arthurs Seat State Park. In fact the OT Dam can be accessed from another direction - from Arthurs Seat Rd which runs to the top of the mountain; and there are other trails that link into the one to the OT Dam. I strongly advise people not familiar with the state park to make sure you have a GPS enabled map on your smart phone so that you can check exactly where you are when forced to make a choice at the various crossing points. I use the Avenza Maps app which works in conjunction with maps produced by Parks Victoria - so that I can see where I am on the map even if mobile reception is lost.

DOGS: While dogs are permitted in Hillview community reserve they are NOT permitted in Arthur's Seat State Park.
Enjoy!

7883 Views

Points of Interest

1. Map image

There are lots of smaller trails (bike trails etc...) so best to have a GPS tracker with you to keep you on the right course!

2. Gateway to Arthurs Seat State Park

Where the trail starts

3. Signage to the dam

One of the places where the trail crosses with a bike track

4. OT Dam

Hidden among the tree in the state park

5. OT Dam

Pretty dam

6. OT Dam

A path runs around the dam

7. OT Dam

Lush reeds on the dam

8. Bay views

Where the state park intersects with a farm

9. Cows grazing

A peaceful farm setting

10. Small dam

Presumably for water for the nearby farm - a bike track runs along this dam's 'wall'

11. Scenic spot

A bit more pasture like setting

12. Dam from the rear

The dam in the Hillview Community Reserve - seen from the rear

Features

Picnic spot

Public toilets

Nature trail

Park / Garden