Mt Macedon memory

Chingshang *

There are few events in life that just happens unexpectedly and imprint a lasting memory which one would love to last forever. My recent visit to Mt Macedon at regional Victoria is definitely not an exception.

I never have the slightest idea that I will be visiting this place sooner or later even though I have heard a lot about the place from travel magazines as well as friends who have visited the place previously. In fact I have cross over this area on many counts on the way to Mildura.

But for one or the other reason I have never been so much enamoured by this place until my visit with friends recently there. It was a wonderful experience and a much needed getaway from the hustle bustle of city life at Melbourne. Even though the place is not very far from Melbourne, it is a completely different metaphor of its own right and I could feel the pulse of it in every step I walk there.

The serenity of the place and its salubrious weather incensed with rustling snow gum trees makes a mind-blowing encounter of heart and soul deep within. The place is richly endowed with hard to describe natural physical beauties enhanced by man made cultural features.

Of course it may not be fair enough for me to draw a comparison between Mt. Macedon and other places of similar resemblance. But I must agree to the fact that I could not stop thinking of Ooty in Tamilnadu and for that matter Cheiraoching at Imphal except that our very own Cheiraoching is completely shaved and bald of its vegetation.

Mt Macedon is located in the southern end of Victoria's Great Dividing ranges and it is one of the highest peaks in the range. It is a regional park of considerable significance in terms of its natural and cultural embodiments. It is about 1013 metres high above the mean sea level forming a significantly higher ground from the surrounding plain areas and rolling hills providing stunning scenery.

However Mt Macedon is highly accessible with a network of fantastic sealed and unsealed roads from its surrounding foothills. Long winding serpentine roads connecting many crests in the ranges provide a very convenient access to all the places of interests in the area.

Scenic valley view

From Melbourne it can be easily accessed through M80 Calder Freeway and it is about one and half hours drive. The physical distance between Melbourne and Mt Macedon is about 75 kms. But the distance between the two places is hardly immaterial as one drives on an ultra modern freeway with no red signals on the way.

In fact the landscapes along the freeway keeps ones eye constantly fixed giving a sense of jubilation now and then. It provides a perfect backdrop for a comfortable journey all along the way. Beautiful hill top wineries now and then on the way enhances ones sense of understanding of the importance of regional economy apart from its picture perfect settings.

I was literally on cloud nine since we left home at Melbourne around 11 am in the morning and it continues to heighten till the moment we start entering the Mt Macedon regional park area. The tree line road takes us upwards to the top of the mountain with a feeling nothing sort of a road to heavenly abode.

The numerous historic gardens and estates on various heights of the mountain that one can see all along the way provides a glimpse of the relationships between the past and present that endured the test of time. The climb to the top of the mountain was very steady and comfortable with dense forest of messmate and alpine ash all the way.

But when one reaches at the crest of the mountain there were patchy grassy clearings intermeshed with abundant snow gum trees that provide a perfect setting for comfortable walk and exploration. In fact there are ample opportunities to explore the park on foot via a series of walks that make up the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail. Most of the walks are easy to moderate and link up with the five major picnic grounds and park features available in the Mt.Macedon range.

Mt Macedon Regional Park has not many things to see but provides lots of things to be done. Some of the things that one is sure not to miss will definitely include the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross, Major Mitchell Lookout, Kurana Display, Camels Hump and Sanatorium Lake. I feel Mt Macedon Memorial Cross is the most significant of all the visits here.

It is one of the most important war memorials in Victoria after the Shrine of Remembrance at Melbourne. It consists of an imposing cross structure that stands 21 metres high and commemorates all those who served in wars and conflicts. The outstanding view of the surrounding areas from this cross is simply mind blowing.

It is located away for about 10 minutes walk from the main car park and Harbison Picnic Ground. Major Mitchell Lookout and Kurana Display are located close by from the Memorial Cross. Major Mitchell Lookout offers stunning views to the north west of the Macedon ranges that expanse far and wide. The view from here constantly reminds me of the similar views which I had at Ooty from the Telescope House.

It is very beautiful giving sort of aerial views of the surrounding low lying areas. This lookout was named after Major Thomas Mitchell, the first European to climb this peak in 1836. We spent few minutes having some of the finest moments of our lives enjoying once in a lifetime views.

After that we went towards the Kurana Display area which is located in the southern slope of the peak. Basically Kurana Display is just an interpretative board that marks the site of the crash of Australia's pre war DC3 aircraft. This display board chronicled the events and photographs of that particular fateful day in history.

There is nothing more than the single display board to see here. But it gives a different feeling that turns the time backwards and be a part of that event in history. The next stop that we have decided to explore was the Lake Sanatorium, a small creek lake that can be reached via the Eco Tourism Trail.

The trail marker

Walking in the trail was one of the best parts in the journey as it provides a glimpse of the rich flora and fauna of Macedon range. But I feel that Lake Sanatorium itself is not that of a great attraction. But the historical fact associated with it is definitely the one.

In fact the Lake was constructed in 19th century to provide water supply for a sanatorium that lodged patients suffering tuberculosis. Even though the sanatorium no longer exists today, its legacy is left definitely with the lake. The nearby picnic grounds provide ample space for recreational activities. We had our sumptuous lunch break there.

One of the many things that I really would love to mention here is how the Park Victoria maintains such beautiful places so successfully. The Mt Macedon Regional Park is spotlessly clean and is devoid of any sort of littering. There are no rubbish bins there.

Believe it? It has its own self sustaining toilet facilities using harvested rain water. There are ample display boards mentioning dos and don'ts in the park area. It also provides a small box containing leaflets about the area along with a detailed map that can be taken away by the visitors.

I like the guidelines that are given to the visitors while enjoying the park spaces free of cost. Of course it is our moral responsibilities to follow the guidelines for our own benefit in the long run. Some of the guidelines that are given to visitors in Mt Macedon Regional Park include,

• Please take rubbish away with you for recycling and disposal.
• All plants, animals, relics, archaeological sites and geological features are protected by law. Please do not disturb them in any way.
• Dogs are permitted in the park but must keep on a leash at all times.
• Camping and firearms are not permitted in the park.
• Light fires only in the places provided. No fires, including gas and fuel stoves and barbeques may be lit on a day of Total Fire Ban.
• Collection of firewood is not permitted in the park – please bring your own.
• Vehicles, including motorbikes may only be used on open formed roads. Drivers mud be licensed and vehicles must be roadworthy and registered.
• Mountain bikes are not permitted on walking tracts.

The feel the reason why conservation of parks is so successful here is definitely the result of generic co operation between the appropriate guidelines and strict adherence to it by the visitors.

I know I admired all beautiful things happening here but I don't know why it keeps reminding me of many potentially beautiful things home at Manipur. Beautiful Sendra, Koubru, Keibul Lamjao, Baruni, Kangla, Cheiraoching etc. are all undeniably crowd pullers.

But the pace of degradation taking place in all these areas suggests its own doom in foreseeable future. However the recent efforts in conservation of Kangla by the concerned authorities are noteworthy. As I am a concerned citizen I don't want it to have an unnatural death.

In no way I am suggesting that we don't know how to write appropriate guidelines. We all can write beautiful guidelines. But the guideline to make it work and function involves education for both protectors and users. Visit to Mt Macedon Regional Park was indeed a lesson learned by doing.

We all brought back our rubbish back home for disposal. I saw a couple bringing their mountain bikes on their beautiful Ute to ride on various trails in the park. Literally they took out their bikes and about to start riding. But as soon as they realised that the area is not a mountain biking trail, they just took back their bikes to their parking vehicle.

Their action was understandable and their understanding of the park guidelines was almost innate. We came back from the Mt Macedon Regional Park in the evening completely recharged and very happy. The drive back home was very satisfying with those beautiful memories penetrated deep within.

The unexpected journey to Mt Macedon ends with an unexpected journey of self exploration and a lasting niche impressions. I would love to have another visit whenever and wherever possible in the future.



Check out the photo gallery on this report here.

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* Chingshang, a Graduate student at University of Melbourne, contributes regularly to e-pao.net. The writer can be contacted at rockm(at)rediffmail(dot)com . This article was webcasted on May 11th 2009.

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