MORIALTA : ROCKY HILL – CENTRE TRACKS

Circuit : 3 hours, 10 km

ROCKY HILL


This is an interesting walk in that it takes us right outside the general ‘public’ area of Morialta, and gives us some idea of the greater scope of this Park.

From the First Falls Car Park, we make our way up the steep incline to Deep View Lookout.   Directly behind the Lookout, the Rocky Hill Track continues up the hill.  We follow this, and after some ten minutes the track levels out, following the enclosing ridge of the Morialta Valley, but at a high level on the outside, giving views out over the Plain.

Rocky Hill Track, looking back                                                                             

Then the track veers right, following around a new bush clad valley, bounded on the far side by the extension of Moore’s Road, and also belonging to the Park.  These walks may seem to be all trees, but I find great pleasure in discovering the folds and valleys of the Hills.

Not much fauna and flora of interest on this track, although this bush is interesting with its tiny flowers surrounded by fake leaf flower - imitations.

After a time the walking track emerges onto a well made fire track which follows north along a ridge.

Near the top of the first steep rise, a little track leads to this view out over (the public) Morialta Park.  I was interested to see Stonyfell Quarry on the central horizon, and just to the left a high ridge above Gandy’s Gully, from where there is a panoramic view (across to Morialta!).

The Fire Track brings us finally to Moore’s Track – the extension of Moore’s Road.  Chapman’s Track continues north from here, but we turn sharp right and follow Moore’s Track (Road).

After a short distance, (‘Central’) Centre Track leads off to the right, and gently follows down a ridge.

The track passes through a plantation of native grass trees ...

We don’t turn off along the sign-posted Pylon or Twin Creek Tracks.  After a time we come to a ridiculously steep and treacherous descent which I think would need a six-wheel drive vehicle to negotiate!  The sign says 'Walk, do not run'.  They have to be kidding!

We soon return to more familiar scenery ...

... joining up with the First Falls Plateau Track heading towards DeepView Lookout.  The Gully in front of us is Steep Gully.

We take the Steep Gully Track down.

The Track is narrow and rough, and needs to be negotiated with care.  The bonus is the views of the rocky cliffs towering above us.



At the bottom of the Stony Gully Track we turn right and return to the Upper Falls Car Park along the Main Valley Track, and so back to Stradbroke Road.

  ROCKY HILL