A Bushland Paradise On The Shores Of Lake Eildon

The Age

Friday January 14, 1994

John Siseman

A PLEASANT drive of 130 kilometres along the Maroondah Highway leads to the attractive town of Alexandra, from where it is a further 17 kilometres to Fraser National Park, a bushland paradise on the shores of man-made Lake Eildon.

The road from Alexandra winds through farmlands before passing through Haines Saddle and descending steeply into the Park.

Immediately upon passing through the entrance station (where a parking fee is levied), turn right along the road along the lake shore and then left into Forsyths Flat day visitor area. A suitable place to leave the car, Forsyths Flat is home to some of the inhabitants of the park.

Early in the day grey kangaroos can be seen grazing close by and, if you pause for morning tea before setting off on the walk, cheeky magpies, noisy miners and rosellas are sure to want to join in.

One of the attractions of walking in Fraser National Park lies in the open nature of the forest. Once cleared for grazing, the natural vegetation is being encouraged to return and although this reafforestation has been successful, there is still a delightful `openness' that invites you to stroll about the park and enjoy the many views across the waters of Lake Eildon.

Leaving Forsyths Flat, walk back up to a main road and turn left, following the road around the lake shore until you reach an information board on the left. The board provides much information about the history and wildlife within the park. A few metres beyond the information board, on the right of the road, a vehicle track open only to walkers ascends an open grassy spur to Estate Spur.

Following this track, the open nature of the country ensures increasingly fine views across Lake Eildon as you gain altitude. The track climbs to a clear knoll on Estate Spur, an ideal lunch spot with a view, as long as you have brought drinking water with you.

Continuing on from here, take the track signposted `Lakeside _ Point Mibus' that follows Estate Spur north-east to another lower, signposted bump.

Turn right here along a faint foot track with orange markers, descending until you meet another signposted track on your left. Here you can either take the easier left-hand track or continue down the right-hand track to the lake shore at Point Mibus.

If you take the longer alternative, turn left at Point Mibus and follow the steep shoreline northwards. The track shown on the Eildon map listed below does not exist and you will have to find your own way; it is quite diffcult walking in places.

If you keep 50-100 metres above the lake you will finally meet the easier alternative, a well-formed track descending diagonally down the hill towards the lake shore. This track is then followed to Point Mead, with a welcome seat overlooking the lake, and around to the road at Lakeside camping area.

Walk through the camping area and look for the well-formed path between the road and the shore. This is then followed back to the Forsyths Flat day visitor area.

F Distance: 8 kilometres. Map Reference: Vicmap 1:50 000 Outdoor Leisure Map Lake Eildon.

© 1994 The Age

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