Summary

A lush forest walk through tall Mountain Ash before heading down into Myrtle Beech rainforest. A couple of small creek crossings & some areas of dense coverage will immerse you in the Australian bush.

Description

A lush forest walk through tall Mountain Ash before heading down into Myrtle Beech rainforest. A couple of small creek crossings & some areas of dense coverage will immerse you in the Australian bush.

This walk can be started from two points. This post is for the track that begins from the Wirrawilla carpark, accessed via Myers Creek rd. From there turn right onto Sylvia Creek road and follow for 4.3km until you reach the Wirrawilla carpark. The beginning of the walk is easily accessed via signs from the carpark.

Public toilets are located by the carpark.

This track is signed as a 8km circuit, however, I believe it to be closer to 8.5/9km. We followed the circuit clockwise.

Please pay attention to signage as a second trail can be accessed via this path if you were wanting to extend the walk to the tanglefoot loop (17km circuit). There are also a few extra paths heading out of the circuit, one right at the beginning of the track and one that heads towards the wirrawilla walk and carpark. Some signage is missing so I recommend paying close attention or following your path on an app, there are spots of reception around for this.

The walk is a beautiful wonder through damp forest vegetated by mountain ash and giant tree ferns before heading towards the creek and into cool temperate rainforest where plenty of myrtle beech grow.

While you may spend a lot of the walk looking up into the canopy, don't forget to look down and see what fungi are growing around your feet. The damp understory is perfect for finding interesting mushrooms and mosses. Here the world's tallest moss (Dawsonia superba) can be found flanking the path and the base of trees.

There is a small sheltered picnic area about 3/4 of the way down the circuit (walking clockwise) and a couple of creek crossings; these are passable but be careful in times of heavy rain as rocks can be very slippery.

At the time of this walk, snow was still around from a previous fall and the path was very muddy in places. However, the forest was very green and lively and worth the time in the cold air.

20859 Views

Points of Interest

1. Leftover snow fall

This area still had a bit of snowfall left from the weather the week prior. The elevation is a little higher than where the rest of the trail goes.

2. Bench with forest view

A nice little rest spot to take in the surrounding forest

3. Old growth remnants

A giant old mountain ash tree stump. It's difficult to see in this image, however, the old growth remnants left behind give an incredible indicator of what this forest used to be.

4. Fungi

There are many fungi to see along the forest floor

5. Mountain Ash

On a good day, this is the perfect environment to hear, and (if you're really lucky) see, lyrebirds. Keep an eye out for their scratched mounds amongst the ferns.

6. Picnic area

A small undercover picnic area just off the path. Take the boardwalk to the right to a small forest clearing with a shelter. Very pretty spot for a bite to eat.

7. Board walk

A sweet little boardwalk just after the picnic area. Very lush and green, careful as it can be a little slippery when wet.

8. Creek Crossing

Weather dependant, this creek can have a bit of water running threw. Be careful crossing as rocks can be slippery.

9. Stay to the right to follow the Myrtle Gully Creek Circuit

This point is the turn off to get to the tanglefoot track. Keep right here to avoid doing the 17km loop. Signage is sparse so follow a map or an app if you have one.

10. Mountain Ash

Just one of the beautiful mountain ash in this forest, this tree is particularly huge and worth the time to take a moment with.

11. Creek crossing

Another small creek crossing. Again, be careful crossing as rocks can be slippery

12. Myrtle Beech area

See how the forest vegetation changes to cool temperate rainforest along the creek. Here many myrtle beech are found and fewer mountain ash.

13. Dawsonia Superba

As the climate of this area dampens, the vegetation is made up of rainforest plants. Here you can see Dawsonia Superba, the tallest growing moss. Looking down on this moss is like an arial forest view

14. Junction

Don't forget to turn left here and head back to the carpark, rather than turning right and continuing back around the same loop just completed.

Features

Picnic spot

Public toilets

Nature trail