Bushwalking: Sherbrooke Forest

Walk overview

Length: 11.5km
Time: 4 hours
Grade: Medium
Ascent: 480m
Maximum height: 490m
Region: Dandenong Ranges, Victoria
Map: Melway 75, 124

"One of the most popular forests in the range is Sherbrooke Forest. From the 1850s until 1930 this forest was used for logging. In 1958 Sherbrooke Forest was declared a park and in 1987 was merged with other areas to form the Dandenong Ranges National Park."

"Sherbrooke Forest contains some of the finest examples of towering Mountain Ash in this region. These are the world's tallest flowering plants growing to more than 100m in height. Many of the trees in Sherbrooke sprouted after a severe fire in 1926. Below the tall trees is an understorey of treeferns, wattles and shrubs. Birds are prolific with many treecreepers and parrots. The first is also home to the superb lyrebird which searches the forest floor for insects and grubs. This large bird is able to mimic most sounds and is commonly heard imitating other birds and man-made noises. It is sometimes seen crossing the tracks."

Source: Day Walks Melbourne

My comments

This was my fourth walk through this very pretty part of Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges, and I'm sure it won't be my last. It's a beautiful park and a nice length walk with just enough ups and downs to get you puffing.

Today I was accompanied by Claire and we had clear weather that turned into a beautifully sunny day by the time we were done. This may have been why there were more walkers out today than I've ever seen before, and we even managed to bump into my old philosopher friend, Alan.

My knee held up, but only just. As we turned into the picnic ground at the end of the walk (with surprisingly few birds today), I could feel it twinging.