Upton Hill - Wallaby Gully Walk
Wallaby Gully is a very special place that presents a diversity of significant ecosystems. It is recommended you stick to the suggested route. Natural wonders are sure to be found and the views are wonderful.
No formed track exists. However, the borders of this Parks Victoria Reserve are bounded by farmland and well defined by fences, so walking widely is an option. The recommended route mapped here will serve to take you to the various distinctly different spaces.
To start, follow the upper fence line to the left while veering downhill. You will find yourself in granite littered open grassy woodland. Expect to see eastern grey kangaroos, echidnas, thornbills and bronze cuckoos. Explore as you go.
Red stringy bark and blackwood dominate this relatively dry high ground. From here, you will begin a 90 m descent into the lush gully proper. Be aware, the way back involves a 110m ascent over a peak of hard granite.
Map of Walk Route
Interactive Map
Location
2130 Upton Rd, Upton Hill 3664. Turn off the Hume Freeway at Oak Valley Rd, Longwood. Drive 9km to the intersection with Upton Rd, Upton Hill. Turn left. Drive 2km until you see the "Wallaby Gully Flora Reserve" sign on your right. The frontage is narrow, so keep your eyes open. Parking is limited and needs to be on the verge due to the narrow roadway. Low slung cars may have difficulty and need to park further away.
Track Notes
1. Wallaby Gully Flora Reserve
There isn't much frontage, so watch out for the sign!
2. Grassy open woodland
As you walk, you will witness dramatic changes in landscape and vegetation. Here, granite and tree fall littered forest dells are relatively dry. There are certain to be black wallabies warily watching your progress.
3. Dry dells merge into damp gullies
The transition is progressive. As moisture accumulates in the soil the greens become richer, the vegetation denser and the trees larger. Expect to see frogs, possibly snakes.
4. Cascades
Follow the creek along its path across beds of pink granite, into small narrow ravines and finally cascades and falls. Expect to see robins, tree creepers, fan tails and wombats.
5. The walking gets interesting
Further down the gully the sides steepen and narrow, obstacles and wombat holes abound. Take it slow and easy.
6. Small falls
The slopes get rockier, the rocks get bigger, gradients increase, water flows accelerate, sandy bottomed pools appear.
7. The Ravine
The bush, the granite, the moss, the water and the sand combine to bring joy to the senses. Below this spot a fence across the creek signals time to head directly upward to the road.
8. The climb
The climb is steep. As you cross the first ridge you come to another gully which can be viewed from overhanging rocky outcrops. Pass tree ferns and defiles as you make for the peak, then notice a change in the landscape. Scale an increasingly rocky forest floor.
9. At the peak
A solid granite crown marks arrival at the peak. Boulder clusters, pavement, moss covered sheets, shelves and fractured slabs serve up the full granite experience. Expect to see raptors, skinks and geckoes.
10. Spectacular views
On clear days, the views across rolling hills to Mt Wombat and the Victorian Alps are spectacular. From the peak, continue walking across the pavement north into the open grassy woodland back to your start point.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted.
Location
2130 Upton Road, Upton Hill 3664 Map
Web Links
→ Walk Notes - Wallaby Gully, Upton Hill Walk (PDF)
→ Wallaby Gully Walk, Upton Hill (Walking Maps)
