By KATH GANNAWAY
THE view that most people get of the Warramate Hills is as they travel between Woori Yallock and Healesville (or vice-versa) along the Healesville Kooweerup Road.
But, there’s much more to this little-known bushland for those who take up the opportunity for a ‘behind the scenes’ visit.
The Warramate Hills rise up from the flats of the Yarra River as it snakes its way from its beginnings high up in the mountains above Warburton, to Yarra Glen and beyond.
The range is hardly mountainous, it’s more a series of hills that, at a pinch, could be described as a “mini-mountain range”.
Somehow, some 460 hectares survived privatisation attempts in the latter part of the last century to remain as a haven for native plants and animals – and walkers, photographers and bike riders.
In 1992 it was named ‘The Warramate Flora and Fauna Reserve”.
There are two ‘mini-mountains’ Briarty Hill at 420 metres above sea level, and Steele Hill at 395 metres.
The attraction for many are the magnificent views from Steele Hill Lookout, and Briarty Hill, but there’s a price to pay. Even walking groups rate the hill climbs as ‘challenging’ and ‘not a walk in the park’.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a walk in the park.
The walks through the lower level bushland are not flat, but they aren’t too steep either, and ideal for an amble, a chance to enjoy the tranquility of the bush and, quite likely, the thrill of a wildlife encounter.
(Does a deer leaping out of the bush and dashing across your path count as such an encounter? If it’s just on Christmas, and you have kids in tow … it certainly does).
Ideally, however, autumn and spring are the most comfortable times to visit.
To get to Warramate, turn into Killara Road off the Warburton Highway at Seville East, and turn into Yarraloch Way.
The Warramate Flora and Fauna Reserve is managed by Parks Victoria.
