Eleven hikers joined us at Mortimer Picnic Ground on Sunday 11 February 2018 for a counter-clockwise circuit through Bunyip State Park.
The event was planned as a 12km loop with approximately 300m of elevation gain. Our completed route measured 11.00km, took 2hr19min and recorded 288m of ascent. It was a little shorter than expected, but the group completed it at a strong pace.
Hike details
- Date: Sunday 11 February 2018
- Starting point: Mortimer Picnic Ground
- Planned distance: 12km
- Recorded distance: 11.00km
- Duration: 2hr19min
- Elevation gain: 288m
- Attendees: 11 hikers
- Direction: Counter-clockwise
- Route type: Loop
- Difficulty: Grade 3
Returning to the Mortimer trail network
This was another visit to the extensive network of forest tracks surrounding Mortimer Picnic Ground. After completing clockwise and anti-clockwise circuits with a smaller group in January, this event attracted eleven hikers for another counter-clockwise loop.
The event route extended well beyond the short Mortimer Nature Walk, but incorporated part of that trail at the beginning of the circuit.
The Mortimer Nature Walk follows William Wallace and Diamond Creeks through damp sclerophyll forest, swampy riparian forest and heathy woodland. It provides a scenic introduction to the wider tracks of Bunyip State Park before longer routes continue deeper into the forest.
Following the circuit counter-clockwise
From Mortimer Picnic Ground, the route followed the Mortimer Nature Walk before continuing towards Steege Road and Tree Fern Track.
Tree Fern Track travels through tall, shaded forest before crossing Link Road and joining Nichols Hut Track. From there, the circuit used Silvertop Ridge Track and Ferres Track to return to Mortimer Picnic Ground.
Walking the circuit counter-clockwise changed the order of the climbs and descents compared with the clockwise route. Familiar junctions and forest sections were approached from the opposite direction, giving the route a different rhythm despite using many of the same tracks.
A shorter and faster result
The advertised route was expected to cover 12km with approximately 300m of ascent. The Garmin recorded:
- 11.00km distance
- 2hr19min duration
- 288m elevation gain
The final distance was 1km shorter than planned, while the recorded ascent was only 12m below the estimate. With eleven hikers completing the circuit in 2hr19min, this became a relatively brisk outing through the Mortimer forest.
No photographs, but a recorded result
No photographs were uploaded from this particular hike. However, the Garmin recording and original event details preserve the essential record of the day: eleven hikers, an 11km counter-clockwise circuit and another successful group walk through Bunyip State Park.
The absence of photographs also distinguishes this event from the two Mortimer circuits completed on 13 January, which produced extensive galleries of fern gullies, raised walkways, fungi, towering gums and Four Brothers Rocks.
Planning a Mortimer Circuit today
This article records a route completed in February 2018. Track alignments, signs and access conditions within Bunyip State Park may have changed, so the historical route description should not be used as a standalone navigation guide.
Check the current Bunyip State Park information and changed conditions before visiting. Parks Victoria also provides current information for the Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area, which remains a useful starting point for exploring the park.
No exact current Trail Hiking Australia guide was located for this 11km circuit. The Bunyip State Park Southern Circuit is a different and longer 16km circuit beginning at Mortimer Picnic Ground. It can be used as a current alternative, but it should not be confused with our 2018 route.
For detailed printed coverage, the Gembrook Powelltown Forest Activities Map includes Bunyip State Park at 1:40,000 scale, showing roads, vehicle tracks, walking tracks, contours and elevations.
The broader Yarra Valley West Gippsland Adventure Map also provides full coverage of Bunyip State Park on its 1:50,000 Gembrook–Noojee side.
Carry an appropriate map or navigation device and check current weather and fire conditions before setting out. Some tracks are also used by maintenance vehicles, trail bikes or four-wheel drives, so remain alert on the broader roads and vehicle tracks.