Summary

A delightful walk along narrow bush tracks, beside waterways, ponds, across bridges and in the presence of wildlife and wonderful gum trees.

Description

This is a wonderful walk that follows 20 interpretation signs dotted along the route of the Nature Trail and correspond to the location and numbers on the map in the booklet 'A Walking Guide to the 100 Acres Flora and Fauna Reserve' that can be downloaded from the the City of Manningham.

Note that there are many different paths and junctions so the map that is in this booklet map help to follow the route.

The guide book in the link above states "100 Acres forms part of the Yarra River catchment area. Prior to European settlement, a number of Wurundjeri clans lived and hunted in this area. Squatters began moving into the valley during the 1830s followed by the survey and establishment of
the Parish of Warrandyte in 1839. The land has subsequently been used for various activities including cattle grazing, apple orchards, a training ground for the army and the hosting of car rallies. In 1978, following vigorous community campaigning, the land was reserved for its conservation values."

Dogs are allowed on lead except the identified area of environmental significance in the north west corner of the Reserve where dogs are prohibited.

5674 Views

Points of Interest

1. Look up, look down, look all around

You are surrounded by five of the Reserve's nine eucalypt species that are mostly of similar height as they all started to grow about 65 years ago when 100 Acres ceased to be farming land.

2. A cold gold winter

In the cold of winter this area comes alive with colour with the Hedge Wattle which is a hugely popular plant for small nesting birds such as wrens and is is a food plant for butterflies and moths.

3. Feel my bark

The tree is a Red Stringybark, a very important tree to indigenous dwellers. Its long fibres could be twisted into string and it made good weather protection for their shelters.

4. Austin seven dam

One of four dams that supplied the orchards. Retrace your steps and continue to Tea Tree Track.

5. Stop, look, listen

Imagine what it was like for those that worked the orchards. The quiet, the stillness, just birds for music. Listen for the calls of the Yellow Robin, White-browed Scrubwren, and Brown Thornbills.

6. Don't forget to look up

Many of the interpretative signs encourage you to look at what is happening around the forest floor, but up above is also a joy to see.

7. Bridge near the tadpole Dam

This is approximately the centre of the reserve and a quarter of the way round the circuit, near what was the Tadpole Dam, another orchard reservoir. It is now a wetlands habitat.

8. A creek path

After some heavy rains, the path seemed to have become a little creek.

9. Swamp Gums in the gully line

Once full of blackberries, but since their removal (with a lot hard work), there has been good regeneration of groundcover and Swamp Gums and Narrow-leaf Peppermint Gums.

10. Sun-bakers ahead

If you here in summer your senses might fill with a lovely fragrance from the flowering Sweet Bursaria, understory plants are very important habitat to nesting birds and hunting reptiles.

11. Shady, damp path

A gorgeous section of path that is quite damp underfoot. It is amazing how much the vegetation changes on the walk.

12. Near Hypoxis track

The bush in between Gahnia and Hypoxis Tracks.

13. Bird Corner

Past Bird Corner you reach some houses (not a bad place to live). At the Corner you may see a Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote, Scarlet Robin, Golden Whistler, Yellow Robin, Weebill or Silvereye.

14. Walk back into history

You are now at the highest point in 100 Acres where an old homestead once stood. A hundred years ago this area was very remote and popular with orchardists.

15. The forest layers

Here you get a sense of the forest's layers for the floor to the canopy, we liked the sill standing dead tree. Walk to High Track then turn towards Wattle Track.

16. Wattle Track

A quick detour along the Wattle Track is worth it as it is nice and quite, although a bit overgrown in parts (which adds to the appeal).

17. Green Dam

Apparently, it is alive with the croaking of frogs at night

18. Open space

There is a bit of open space before the official walk turns left to go around the Western Boundary Track, but we went right along the Long Leaved Box Track to finish (same distance).

Features

Seating available

Historical interest

Local treasures

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river