Drouin - The Big Tree Walk - West & South Gippsland

Drouin - The Big Tree Walk

This 5.5km long linear walk (or 6.5km for circuit return) is on the north perimeter of Drouin's residential areas. It was designed for a walking event held during the Ficifolia Festival for many years and known as 'The Big Walk'. A two car drop off would ideally work with one car left at the end point in Robin Hood Way and one at the start. There is one long uphill section. For those wanting a circular walk, one return route is suggested. This walk incorporates grassy verges, uneven formed paths and compressed gravel paths. In winter grass areas may be wet.

The Big Tree Walk Map

1. Start on the NW comer of Hopetoun and McNeilly Rds. McNeilly Rd is named after John McNeilly who is recognized as the first settler in Drouin in 1870 with 320 acres. Walk north away from Drouin, on the grassy verge on the left hand side of Hopetoun Rd.

2. At the top of the hill, stop and appreciate the incredible view. The mountains are part of the Bunyip State Park and Yarra Ranges National Park. Continue walking north.

3. Just before Settlers Rise, cross over the road and look at the huge Manna Gum hiding on the South East corner. This remnant giant is a pre-European, very wide spreading gum, with six trunks coming from the centre of the tree in outward arches. Its massive trunk is 2 m+ diameter, 6.75 m girth and estimated to be 250 years old. Can you see any ducks nesting in the 'platforms' up high in the tree? This the largest Manna Gum in Drouin.

4. Cross back over Hopetoun Rd and then continue north.

5. The four old oak trees, in a line across the property on the left, lined the driveway to the original farmhouse called Green Valley at the end of Hopetoun Rd. They are beautiful shade trees in summer. A tree canopy can drop the air temperature by 8 degrees!

6. The eight trees on the opposite side of Hopetoun Rd are remnant Mountain Grey Gums. All but one is over 3 m in trunk girth and the tree at no. 182 is 5.2 m. They are high value habitat trees, and you might see Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Australian Ravens, Red Wattlebirds and Crimson Rosellas. Before the advent of the freeway this was Higgs Rd which used to continue north from the end of what is now Hopetoun Rd. Imagine the horses, carts and old cars which these trees have seen passing.

7. Continue north to the end of Hopetoun Rd to the big eucalypt. Listen for the Bell Birds (Bell Miners). This magnificent Mountain Grey Gum is 30 m high with a trunk girth of 6 m. Its bark is loaded with insects making this tree a very valued tree for native birds. One of the last families to farm here for many years were the Whittons.

8. Walk back to Green Valley Dr and turn right. Walk west along Green Valley Dr.

9. At the end of the road, look for a walking link on the right. This track can be rough, uneven and wet in winter. Walk along the track across Whiskey Creek to Surman Crt.

10. Head uphill to the next intersection. There is a seat for you to rest on this comer. While you do so, look up into the large gums in the property on the north side of the road. Can you see any ducks roosting?

11. Walk west along the grassy verge, under and between the large eucalypts along Waddell Rd.

12. The property at 49 Waddell Rd was named 'Oakdale' after the whispery oak trees you see at the entrance, planted about 90 years ago by Mervyn Theodore Pearson.

13. As you walk along Waddell Rd note how many of the large eucalypts have sap stains on their trunks and branches. Sugar gliders are prolific along this spectacular road corridor. They live in families in small tree hollows and live on sap, flowers and fruit They make a sofryip, yip noise and often emerge with the first starlight of the evening.

14. At no. 34 Waddell Rd, there is now only the stump of what was a spectacular remnant Mountain Grey Gum giant The base shows just how big this tree was.

15. Turn right into Lancelot Crt. Alternatively you can continue all the way along Waddell Rd to lacksons Dr where you turn left and walk to the McNeilly wetlands. At the wetlands take one of the walking paths across or around the wetlands. At the south east corner is Empire Ave. Continue south along this road then up the hill to the roundabout. Turn left and continue all the way back to your car.)

16. Walk to the end of Lancelot Crt. Between no. 6A and no. 7 is a walking link with a row of pine trees on the right. This grassy path can be very wet in winter. Walk along this path to Pepperell Dr.

17. Walk the length of Pepperell Dr. At the T- intersection at end of the road, turn left and look at the huge oak tree in the front yard of the private property here. When John and Elizabeth Esler purchased the land in 1913 this superb oak was already an established tree. It is one of the few heritage listed trees in Drouin.

18. Turn around and walk north past Pepperell Dr. On the left you will see a narrow path just after the Australia Post red mail box. Walk down this path to Main Neerim Rd. Look for the 'road ahead' sign.

19. Cross over this main road and look for the asphalt path heading down behind the left end of the barricade on the west side of Main Neerim Rd.

20. Follow this path which veers to the right and then turns left before you get to the crossing over the small creek.

21. Continue walking straight ahead (west). On your left you will see a swampland forest, known as Amberly Bushland Reserve with approximately 100 remnant Swamp Gums and Messmates. This is home to a significant number of birds. There may be nests in the canopies and hollows of these trees.

22. Continue west on the path through the parkland, past the playground to Nottingham Crt.

23. Turn right and walk up to the roundabout.

24. Turn left on to Robin Hood Way. The roads of this area take their name from the story of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. This locality was known as Robin Hood Estate which is the name of the old hotel built in 1877 further to the west.

25. This is the end of the walk. Collect your car.