Pyramid Hill - Hill Walk
Pyramid Hill is named after the adjacent granite hill with its many interesting rock formations.
A cairn on the southern slopes of the granite pyramid commemorates the explorer Major Sir Thomas Mitchell who discovered and named this area on June 30th 1836 during his journey into "Australia Felix". From the top of the hill, which rises 187m above sea level, there is a wonderful view of the township and surrounding irrigated farmlands.
Hill Walk Map
A 2 km safe and attractive pathway winds around the base of Pyramid Hill, linking an existing 3km walk from the town. For the more adventurous the track also extends across the "saddle" of the hill.
Wildflowers abound in the spring and the hill reserve is a popular picnic spot with tables, a barbeque and toilet facilities.
On June 30 1836 Major Thomas Mitchell climbed a granite outcrop rising 187m from the rich soils of the northern Victorian plains and from this vantage point surveyed the surrounding area. He named the mount 'Pyramid Hill', a reflection of its remarkable symmetry when viewed from a distance.
In 1872 a settlement bearing that name was established on the southern side of the hill. With the arrival of the railway in 1885 the growing township was relocated to its current place west of the hill.
From the car park on the southern side of the hill a trail loop of 1.8km takes you around the base of the mount. A 600m return trail also climbs to a vantage point in the saddle where a wonderful view of the township, nearby hills and surrounding farmland is on offer. From the saddle one can return south to the car park, scramble to the summit or continue north on unformed track to meet the base loop trail.
Things to see
The Plains Grasslands around Pyramid Hill support sparse woodland, a variety of grasses, saltbushes and groundcovers. The hill itself presents a range of microclimates that many plant species have exploited forming Rocky Outcrop Shrubland. Many wildflowers appear at certain times of the year and the vegetation is habitat to a wide range of birds, reptiles and marsupials. Black Wallabies are regularly sighted amongst the Deane's wattle, the most common small tree in the reserve. Birds of prey, including the Wedge-tailed Eagle, find the plains grassland habitats particularly suitable, they nest in tall old gums and utilise the thermal updraft caused by the hill for spotting prey on the plains below. The region also boasts some of Victoria's largest Brolga nesting sites.
Other places of interest nearby worth exploring include Mount Hope to the north, Terrick Terrick National Park to the southeast, Loddon River wetlands to the west and Kow Swamp to the north-east. All may be visible along sections of the trail.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted.
Review:
The starkness of the boulder filled hill above the surrounding flat landscape makes this an interesting environment for a walk.
At the carpark there are three unshaded tables, seat, information sign, shelter with large tables and wood fired BBQs, bins and toilets. We weren't sure about the quality of the water, so it might be best to bring your own water.
The most interesting route is to take the track uphill from near the information sign. In mid November there were a lot of purple Rock Isotome flowering (although it was just starting to fade). When you reach the highest point there is a lookout point with directional marker. If you want to reach the summit a track leads off from this point but it is a tricky uphill scramble which is not for the faint hearted. Otherwise head onwards and downwards along an indistinct track (which does have an occasional marker pole) through the boulders to connect with the base loop track. In this area we saw a wallaby.
For an easier walk you can take the ring track around the base of the hill. This track starts just as you enter the car park area on the left.
At the carpark the sign has the following information:
The Land and People
The rock at Pyramid Hill and surrounding area is granite. This is an igneous rock derived from magma (lava) that has solidified below the earth's surface. It is a very coarse grained rock, predominantly composed of large crystals of quartz, feldspar and mica. The large mineral grains developed under unusual conditions. The parent granite was rich in gases such as steam and compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and boron. These create open spaces in the rock.
Indigenous People belonging to the Baraba Baraba, Dja Dja Wurung and Yorta Yorta Language Groups inhabited this area and still live locally and in the surrounding districts. Pyramid Hill was called Kilmarbil and the Tanne Balug and Yulowil Balug clans were associated with this area.
Mount Hope to the northeast was called Yeerarbil and the Moyberrer Bulloc clan were associated with this area.
Terrick Terrick to the southeast refers to two granite outcrops in the forest visible from a distance, named by the Terrick Terrick People which lived in the area, and possibly meaning Sister Sister.
Sir Major Thomas Mitchell climbed Pyramid Hid in the winter of 1836 and was very impressed with the surrounding countryside. The a northern granite outcrop of the Dividing Range, became a memorable landmark for Major Mitchell and the Settlers that followed.
From atop the Hill, which rises around 192m above sea level, there is a wonderful view of the surrounding farmland, former settlement areas and today's township.
Nestled at the base of the Hill is a picnic area, shelter with wood fired barbecue and toilet facilities.
The walking trails allow a leisurely stroll around the base of the Hill, or a little more demanding walk up and over the western saddle. The trails offer spectacular views, impressive granite formations, and show the beautiful flora and fauna of the area.
The Majors Vision
Excerpt from - Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Vol 2. By Major Thomas Mitchell.
The Year 1836
THE PARTY QUITS THE MURRAY.
June 29.
The party moved forward in the direction of Mount Hope and, leaving it on the left, we continued towards Pyramid Hill where we encamped at about three-quarters of a mile from its base. We were under no restraint now in selecting a camp from any scarcity of water or grass; for all hollows in the plains contained some water and grass grew everywhere. The strips of wood which diversified the count, seen from the hills generally enclosed a depression with polygonum bushes, but without any marks of having had any water in them although, in very wet seasons, some probably lodges there, as in so many canals, and this indeed seemed to me to be a country where canals would answer well, not so much perhaps for inland navigation as for the better distribution of water over a fertile country enclosed as this is by copious rivers.
PYRAMID HILL. June 30.
Having seen the party on the way and directed it to proceed on a bearing of 215 degrees from North I tended the rocky pyramidic hill, which I found arose to the height of 300 feet above the plain.
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SEEN FROM IT.
Its apex consisted of a single block of granite, and the view was exceedingly beautiful over the surrounding plains, shining fresh and green in the light of a fine morning. The scene was different from anything I had ever before witnessed either in New South Wales or elsewhere. A land so inviting and still without inhabitants! As I stood, the first European intruder on the sublime solitude of these verdant plains as yet untouched by flocks or herds, I felt conscious of being the harbinger of mighty changes; and that our steps would soon be followed by the men and the animals for which it seemed to have been prepared. A haziness in the air prevented me however from perceiving clearly the distant horizon from that summit, but I saw and intersected those mountains to the southward which I had observed from Mount Hope.
PYRAMID HILL.
The progress of the party was still visible from that hill, pursuing their course over the distant plains like a solitary line of ants. I overtook it when a good many miles on; and we encamped after travelling upwards of fourteen miles in one uninterrupted straight line. Our camp was chosen on the skirts of a forest of box, having a plain on the east covered with rich grass, and where we found some small pools of rainwater.
July 1.
Proceeding still on the bearing followed yesterday we reached at three miles from our camp a fine chain of ponds. They were deep, full of water, and surrounded by strong yarra trees. Passing them we met a small scrub of casuarinae which we avoided; and we next entered on a fine plain in which the anthisteria or oatgrass appeared. This is the same grass which grows on the most fertile parts of the counties of Argyle and Murray and is, I believe, the best Australian grass for cattle: it Is also one of the surest indications of a good soil and dry situation.
Location
Hill Road, Pyramid Hill 3575 Map
Web Links
→ Pyramid Hill Trail (PDF)
