Cancelled - to be rescheduled - Steiglitz Historic Park Walk

CANCELLED at 2pm Friday 1 March:

Due to the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for 37deg C temperatures for the Steiglitz / Bacchus Marsh area for Sunday afternoon, together with high humidity from forecast thunderstorms, this walk has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled later in the year.  In making this decision I also considered: that Sunday’s 37degC follows three preceding days of 37degC+ heat, making the bush very dry; Vic Emergency Services on 774 this morning put out an alert for the possibility of lightening initiated fires from thunder storms on Sunday, as a  cold front passes over Victoria; exercise, such as bushwalking in high temperature and humidity is more stressful on the body than just dry heat; and, the resilience of the walkers wishing to attend.

I trust this is not too great an inconvenience for you,

Step back in time to explore the remains of gold mining, including an interesting “ghost town”, nestled among stringybark and grass tree woodlands.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate to medium circuit walk of about 8.5 km, estimated 4 hours.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Steiglitz Courthouse Car Park, which is on the Geelong-Steiglitz-Meredith Road (C142).
MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 419 grid A1 or X911 grid D4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/SLUbdRhtpFC2.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Approximately 95 km from the Melbourne GPO, Steiglitz is north of Geelong and south of Ballan, allow about 1 hour 30 minutes from Melbourne. Drivers should look at a map before they leave, as some local roads are not signposted (e.g. exiting Lara) and some roads may not be on your car GPS or phone. The easiest is along the Princes Hwy / Freeway, continue on the new Geelong Bypass, take the exit after Bacchus Marsh (possibly signed Lovely Banks or Ballan or Meredith) and follow the Lovely Banks Road (north west) [do not take the Anakie Road from Lovely Banks] until you meet the Geelong-Meredith Road C142, and follow it to Stieglitz. 
FOOD: There is no food or drink shop at Steiglitz, so bring your lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water as it could be a very hot day.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Dress for the weather forecast, and carry rain/wind jacket and beany or sun hat and sunscreen as appropriate. Walk in boots or walking shoes that are suited to poorly made and potentially wet tracks.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: 
This 8.5 km circuit walk in the southern part of the Steiglitz Historic Park was originally planned for 17th June 2018, but was cancelled due to extremely wet and windy conditions. The walk is through more varied country than the 9th July 2016 circuit walk along the Burchell Trail in the north of the park. It is also shorter in recognition of the possible high temperatures.

The walk starts from the Courthouse car park and follows tracks S-W towards the Sutherland Creek then swings north to The Crossing Picnic Area (probable lunch stop). We will then head east along the Burchell Trail to The Pines car park and New Chum Mine, and return to the Courthouse via Hay Track for a wander through the old village.

Gold was discovered in the Brisbane Ranges in 1860, and by the 1890s Steiglitz became established adjacent to the Sutherland Creek. It had a population of 2000 plus, with its busy streets including dozens of buildings - houses, banks, several schools, a public library and a courthouse. It is now the home of only a few residents, and an interesting set of name plates marking former buildings. After the walk, some may wish to stay and wander around the historic remains of the town. 
FURTHER INFORMATION: Parks Victoria Map & Park Note: parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/315802/Steiglitz-Historic-Park-Visitor-Guide.pdf

LEADER | BOOKING: Ian G. | by Thursday 28th February. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members->Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.