Summary

The glory that was Ferndale - today the site of an upmarket restaurant, but formerly the location of one of the Dandenongs' most palatial summer mansions. Also a beautiful short walk.

Description

Ferndale was one of the most impressive of the late 19th century mansions built as summer residences for the wealthy of 'Marvellous Melbourne'. The story is indelibly linked with that of the Griffiths Bros., famous for Griffiths Tea. But the story ended in tragedy.

James and Emily Griffiths arrived in Melbourne in 1879; after brother, John, had joined them, they set up a business in the tea trade, which was extraordinarily successful. For years, rail travellers all over Victoria would see signs pointing the distance in miles to Griffiths Tea.

Yet the railways that brought success to the Griffiths Bros was also their nemesis. In 1925, the elderly James Griffiths, and his wife, Emily, were crossing the rail line at Bayswater. James, who was driving, failed to hear an approaching train. Both were killed, along with two others on the wagon.

Ferndale was passed through a number of owners: the property became rundown for lack of maintenance, and was finally claimed by a bushfire in 1962.

This walk starts at the Basin-Olinda Road; parking is limited, but there is none at the other end.

The first 600m is a steady uphill, though crossing the Old Coach Road at 300m shows how steep tracks were in earlier days. Veer slightly left to Ferndale Road above the restaurant entrance; loose gravel may be slippery when wet.

The former Ferndale site is marked by a rough noticeboard placed here by local residents. Past the locked gate after 800m (walkers are excepted) the climb continues a further 500m. The track surface becomes less rocky, and also takes one through a small rainforest gully, where a bubbling tributary of Dandenong Creek may be heard.

Beyond the gully, views may be seen through the trees of Mt Dandenong to the north, and across the suburbs. Being open to walkers only, birdlife is prolific, along with other fauna sometimes sighted in the early mornings and evenings.

Corsair Track is a possible emergency bailout, though steep. Snakes are not usually a problem in cool weather; this walk should not bee undertaken in hot and/or windy conditions, due to the risk of falling branches, and of fire.

About 2 km from the start, after the second locked gate is a private residence with a modified shipping container for a garage. Increasing traffic noise indicates the proximity of the main road.

Ferndale Road emerges about half-way up the well-known Basin-Sassafras Road. The road is known locally as the '1 in 20 Road' from the overall gradient of the 7 km between The Basin and Sassafras, though infact the gradient varies in places. It's preferable to walk back to the start point, as Mountain Hwy has limited sealed shoulders, and often carries heavy traffic, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled, particularly at weekends.

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Points of Interest

1. Start of Ferndale Road

This gives an indication of the climb, though gradients are not excessive. Watch for traffic on The Basin-Olinda Rd, particularly on weekends. Less traffic uses Ferndale Rd, but still take care.

2. Old Coach Road

The Old Coach Road gives some idea of how travelers in the 19th century reached the Dandenongs: accidents were not uncommon. Fortunately, Ferndale Rd runs across the escarpment rather than up it.

3. Ferndale site

The mansion site was below the road, but through the trees some view is still visible. Ferndale had hydro-electric power, a car museum, and elaborate gardens; sadly, all gone.

4. Fern Gully

This is as deep in the forest as we get. Pause for a minute, to watch, and listen: the stream below, much birdlife, possibly even a kangaroo or wallaby early in the morning.

5. Seeing the Wood for the Trees

At this point, the view is to the north. The television towers in line are one landmark, but through the trees can be seen the suburbs far below.

6. Locked gate

The narrow bypass track discourages unwanted visitors, such as equestrians and trail bike riders. However, growing traffic noise shows we're near the end.

7. Unusual garage

An old shipping container has been modified a little, complete with chimney. Being someone's driveway, the track is smooth around the corner, to trail's end at the main road.

Features

Historical interest

Local treasures

Nature trail