Gitting’s Lane-Mt Buninyong Crater-Webb’s Hill Road Walk
WALK DETAILS
Walk Distance: 11.5 km
Difficulty Level: Medium-Hard
Estimated Time: 3 to 4 hours
MGA94 Co-Ordinates of Start/Finish:
E 754450 N 5829200
POINTS OF INTEREST
1. Desoza Park
2. James Park
3. Old rail Embankment & Cutting
4. Mt Buninyong Crater
5. Stone Walls
6. “Strawberry Glen”
7. Powercore Battery
Starting at Desoza Park, walk through the Park and follow the Goldfield’s Track up the Union Jack Creek. Cross Warrenheip St then along Elizabeth St. Elizabeth St crosses the old Buninyong Railway at what was known as Greenhill Flat, Flag Fall Station. The flag would be pulled down to enable you to catch the train. Follow Elizabeth St through Union jack Education Area along Gitting’s Lane then left into Mt Buninyong Rd, which you follow then turn into Blackberry Lane where there is a small car park. Take the Crater Walk at the back of the car park; at the T-junction turn right.
The volcanic crater is on your left.
Take the next turn right and follow the Goldfields Track to Granny White’s Lane, turn South along the Lane, passing a number of stone walls. Cross the Midland Hwy to Nash’s Rd, and then turn west into Webb’s Hill Rd.
You will pass on your left an old stone quarry that provided sandstone for buildings in Buninyong. Higher up the hill is a water race though this is difficult to see. Follow Webb’s Hill Rd past “Strawberry Glen”, on the corner of Lal Lal St. On reaching Warrenheip St it is worth diverging right for about 50 m to view the largest battery in Australia installed by Powercore. Retrace your steps. Follow Warrenheip St back to Desoza Park.
“STRAWBERRY GLEN”
The 18 acre property located on the NE Cnr. of Lal Lal St and Webb’s Hill Road was settled by James Kerr in 1854. His son, David, aged 24, took over in 1869 with the death of his father. Fruit production consisted of apples, pears, currants and strawberries as well as a 3.5 acre vineyard. David set up a jam factory producing in 1875, 20 tons of jam.
He was a Buninyong Councillor for 36 years, Mayor six times between 1890 and 1911 and MLA for the electorate of Grenville.