Walk Description

From the Eltham Environs Walking Group, walk 3M

Commences at the car park, about 500m off Reynolds Rd Donvale. Note that the car park is past the turn-off to the Ranger’s Office. On leaving the cars, walk past the toilet block towards the (no longer in use) animal sanctuary. Turn right, and follow the track downhill. At the bottom, turn left, and walk for a short way before veering right onto a narrow, much overgrown undulating path, which is the beginning of Killjoy Circuit. On reaching a broad easement/ management vehicle road, turn left, and follow this, initially down then up, to the electricity tower. To return, follow one of the following three options:

1) Reverse your steps, initially following the broad management vehicle road to the top of the hill, and pause to look at the steep descent/ascent. Turn right rather than continue on this road, and walk down a narrow, rather vaguely defined track to the bottom. Turn left onto the path used earlier, until the animal shelter is again noted, above and on the right. Turn right here, and, rather than walk uphill, follow a path around the base of the hill. The car entry road into the park is crossed. Go up some steps. A track goes up, then leads to Miller’s Pond on the right. Walk around the pond, then back up to the cars.

2) Reverse your steps, initially following the broad management vehicle road to the top of the hill. The next section involves a very steep descent and ascent. Do this, taking care to avoid slipping on the downward part. Turn right at the top onto what is known as the Pipe Track (a long easement), and continue first over a low chain barrier, then down to the bottom of the track, and turn left. You are now back on the Killjoy Circuit. Continue on this track, turning left onto a management vehicle track just after crossing a bridge. Continue on this until you turn right to Miller’s Pond and then back up to the car park.

3) Walk out of the park via the gate, and go straight ahead along to the end of what is Orchard Grove. Turn right onto Heidelberg-Warrandyte Rd. Walk along the verge where possible, and turn right into Tindalls Rd. Continue along Tindalls Rd (sometimes on the verge, sometimes on the roadside), to the Transmission Line Easement (this is called the Pipe Track). Turn right onto this, looking for a break in the fence to enter the easement. Walk to the end (>1km) and turn left. You are now back on Killjoy Circuit. Continue on this track, turning left onto a management vehicle track just after crossing a small bridge. Continue on this track for about 200m. Where the track veers left, and with a large Pampas grass plant on your right, look for an indistinct path. Turn right onto this path and proceed to Miller’s Pond. After inspecting the pond, reverse your steps, but rather than return to the pampas grass plant, veer left to return up a moderate slope to the car park.