Ovens River Mosaic Trail Accessible Walk, Myrtleford

Ovens River Mosaic Trail Accessible Walk, Myrtleford created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

This gorgeous return walk or roll follows the tumbling Ovens River along the floor of a mountain sided valley. Start at either end for a delightful, forested mosaic art discovery tour.

Description

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Enjoy beautiful scenery while walking or rolling a stunning riverside art trail. There are delightful surprises all along the way and it is the perfect location for a BBQ or picnic when done.

This walk is accessible to everyone by foot or using a mobility aid. Accessible map and interpretive signs are provided.

Begin at either Rotary or Apex Park. Paths are sealed asphalt, smooth and 1.5 - 2.0 meters wide, enough for side-by-side travel, passing and wheelchair turning. The Rotary Park footbridge is a pinch point at 1.15 meters wide.

The path is generally flat with some gentle slopes. The Rotary Park footbridge has a moderate slope with a short steep ramp. Manual wheelchair users may require assistance or prefer to start at Apex Park and return before crossing it.

Other footbridges are 1.5 meters wide, have mildly sloping ramps and grippy plastic grated surfaces. All have safety rails. You can see through to the water below.

There may be lips present between surfaces and shallow drop offs at path edges to grass or dirt. Overhead branches drop tree litter.

Rest areas
The Mosaic Trail consists of handmade mosaic art pieces that are fun to discover. Apex Park toilet block has great murals. BBQs, sheltered and outdoor picnic tables, rubbish bins, a non-accessible playground and an outdoor gym are all provided. Most of these features require crossing grass. Rotary Park has an historic Tobacco drying shed with a connecting path and internal displays.

There are tree shade and exposed sections along the path. Seating along the path has poor accessibility.

A non-accessible drinking water fountain is installed at Rotary Park. Carry water.

Rotary Park has public toilets with a large internal toilet cubicle including bilateral rails. Door width is 0.8 meter. The Apex Park toilet is not accessible.

Dogs must be leashed. Cyclists may share the path. The Ovens River runs beside the path and is subject to flooding.

Car parking
The path begins immediately from both car parks. There are no kerbs or road crossings. The car parks are enclosed spaces safe to cross. Vehicles move slowly.

There is space for drivers to pick up / drop off at both ends of the trail. There are no dedicated accessible spaces at Rotary Park and one without protected side/ rear zones at Apex Park. The general parking has room for loading / unloading. Surfaces are sealed, smooth and flat.

The following photos and descriptions provide more information regarding all abilities access. Conditions may change. If you notice any variations, please let us know.

We would like to know what people with disability and carers think of this accessible Walking Map. Please tell us by completing this brief survey. Your feedback will help us to create high quality information about accessible walks.

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Points of Interest

1. Rotary Park

Rotary Park has a roomy car park without dedicated accessible spaces. A sheltered BBQ and picnic tables require crossing the grass. The playground is not accessible.

2. Happy Valley Creek footbridge

The Rotary Park trail entrance is directly from the car park. The footbridge has a moderately sloping ramp on both sides. If necessary, it can be avoided by starting at Apex Park entrance.

3. Historic Tobacco Drying Shed

The Ovens Valley was a principal supplier of tobacco. This historic shed is accessible via a sealed connecting path. It has comprehensive display panels inside with a roll under picnic table nearby.

4. Barwidgee Creek mosaic gallery

Following Barwidgee Creek up to the Great Alpine Rd bridge is worth the detour. Underneath is a gallery of fish mosaics.

5. Dogs

Dogs are welcome. They must be on a leash and under control at all times.

6. River access

There are dirt paths to the riverbank. These are not accessible to everyone, but some mobility aid users may find them usable. The river views from the footbridges are also lovely.

7. Outdoor Mosaic Bird Gallery

Discovering the many mosaics scattered along the walking or rolling path is great fun. There is also an outdoor mosaic gallery featuring local birdlife.

8. Seating

Seating along the path consists of irregularly spaced benches and occasional seats with back and arm rests. Placement is across grass or dirt. Lips are common between surfaces.

9. Ovens River footbridges

Footbridges over the Ovens River are 1.5 meters wide with a grippy plastic grated base. Ramps are short and mild. Manual wheelchair users may require assistance.

10. Distance markers

Distance markers indicate how you have travelled or have to go. Even these are subject to the mosaic artist's hand.

11. Outdoor gym

This outdoor gym at the Apex Park entrance to the trail is in a lovely setting. It has sealed path access from the walking / rolling path. There is an accessible map sign installed here as well.

12. Apex Park public toilet art and parking

Artists Andrew ‘Sirum’ Bourke (komplexgraphix.com), Andrè (setitoff.com) and local young people have created these murals. The toilet is not accessible (use Rotary Park). There is accessible parking.

13. Apex Park BBQ area

A BBQ shelter, picnic table and rubbish bin are provided at Apex Park. Crossing grass from the car park is necessary to access them. There are lips between surfaces.

14. Rotary Park public toilets

These public toilets are not signed as accessible. However, the internal cubicle is large with bilateral rails (door of 0.8 meters wide). Jubilee Park on Great Alpine Rd has 24hr accessible toilets.