Clonbinane - Mount Disappointment State Forest
Straddling the Great Dividing Range about an hours drive north of Melbourne, the Mount Disappointment State forest is one of Melbourne's most accessible forest areas for recreation. The area was burnt in both 1982 in the northern parts of the forest and again very severly across the whole forest in 2009. The forest is now regenerating and continues to provide a haven for wildlife, visitors and recreation activities.
Mt Disappointment State forest has a number of camping areas and walking tracks scattered throughout the forest.
Access - Mount Disappointment is approximately 1 hour north of Melbourne via the Hume Highway, through Heathcote Junction and then North Mountain Road.
History - In 1824, Mount Disappointment was named by explorers Hume and Hovell because of their disappointment that the dense tree growth prevented them from viewing Port Phillip Bay from the summit. Historical information relating to the expedition is provided at Blairs Hut Picnic Area and at the top of the Summit Walk.
The European use of the forest followed the familiar pattern of goldmining, timber cutting and sawmilling. Once the gold mining began in the 1870's, so did the establishment of the Clonbinane, Reedy Creek and Strath Creek townships. As a result of the mining, there was an increased need for timber to make poles, posts, pit props and firewood which saw the beginning of large scale timber harvesting in the area. Sawmilling began in 1880 and continued until 1939. At its peak, the timber industry employed 420 men to meet the high demands. Logging continues to take place in the forest and is balanced with management of other important forest values such as conservation, recreation and catchment protection.
Facilities - There are numerous camping opportunities within Mount Disappointment State forest. The main campsites are Regular Camp, Andersons Garden and No.1 Camp. There are facilities to cater for horse riders at No.1 Camp Horseyards. Day visitor areas include the sheltered forest alongside Sunday Creek, Andersons Gardens, Blairs Hut and Strath Creek Falls. All camping and visitor areas have picnic tables available and most sites have fireplaces and toilets.
A trail bike visitor area is also located on Main Mountain Rd to cater for the large numbers of trail bike riders who use Mt Disappointment State forest. The visitor area provides ample trailer parking and further information about trail bike riding in the forest.
Things to see and Do
The surrounding forest provides excellent opportunities for four-wheel-driving, camping, bushwalking, horse riding and trail bike riding.
Walks
Summit Walk
Summary:
Return 3.5km (1 hour)
Short steep hills, formed track, some obstacles
Signposted
Many steps
No experience required
The walk starts at Blairs Hut Picnic Area and follows the tree-lined fern valley to the summit of Mt Disappointment. Here you can learn about the explorations of Hume and Hovell and the history of this area and take in the views of nearby farmland.
Strath Creek Falls Walk
Return 1km (45 minutes)
Short steep hills, formed track, some obstacles
Signposted
Many steps
No experience required
This waterfall has been popular with visitors for over 150 years. The walk leads to the amazing view of the falls cascading over the rock face and into the gully.
Sunday Creek Reservoir Walk
Return 5km (1.15 hours)
Short steep hills, formed track, some obstacles
Signposted l Many steps
No experience required
Starting at Andersons Garden Picnic Area, the track follows alongside Sunday Creek. The walk crosses over a boardwalk and three footbridges before arriving at the base of Sunday Creek Reservoir. Walkers then loop back onto the southern side of Sunday Creek, crossing at a 'leaf' designed bridge, and follow the track along the creek back to Andersons Garden.
Mount Disappointment Forest Drive
40km, 3 hours return (circuit drive)
This leisurely forest drive takes in the sights of the summit, Strath Creek Falls, and majestic Mountain Ash forests, largely affected by the 2009 fires. Turn off the Hume Highway at Heathcote Junction and enter Mt Disappointment State forest via Main Mountain Rd. Continue on Main Mountain Rd at the five ways intersection before turning onto Mt Disappointment Rd then Board Rd. Follow Disappointment Rd and stop at Blairs Hut Picnic Area for a picnic and short walk to the summit of Mt Disappointment for magnificent views of the area. Continue along Disappointment Rd and turn right, back onto Main Mountain Rd at the five ways. Just past Regular Camp, turn right down Flowerdale Rd. At No.1 Camp detour down Murchison Spur Rd to view the Strath Creek Falls. Returning back to No.1 Camp, continue down Flowerdale Rd. At the end of Flowerdale Rd, turn right down Whittlesea Yea Rd and continue on to Whittlesea, returning to Melbourne via the northern suburbs.
Location
Flowerdale Road, Clonbinane 3658 Map
Web Links
→ Mt Disappointment State Forest (PDF)
→ Mount Disappointment Trail Bike Visitor Area
