Summary

Mountain Creek runs through green forested slopes and moist gullies. This pretty, short walk crosses two foot bridges as it loops its way back to the road.

Description

With a small ferny waterway, hillsides of white trunked gums and wildflower displays in spring, this is an appealing short walk right on the Murray Valley Highway. It is suitable for the whole family to enjoy.

The track itself is a simple and accessible Parks Vic foot trail that wends its way around a gully to take full advantage of contour walking and is sympathetic to the local terrain. The native vegetation is prolific and attractive.

There are a couple of signs to indicate the beginning of the trail. There are a few parking spaces on the highway itself. However, on the opposite side of the highway corner with Avondale Road you will find the open parkland of Tom Mitchell Reserve. Here you can find more parking, public toilets, picnic tables and a fire place, an old tractor for kids to climb on and plenty of open space for running around in. There is also information about other local attractions. This is the more logical place to park and start the walk.

The track has trail markers, numbered markers and signs that designate it as an educational trail. However, there is no material available to identify what each numbered marker indicates. There is a history to this place .....

The Shelley location is significant for being home to the vulnerable Striated Sun Moth. Roadside reserves are key areas of habitat for this moth which is only active in sunlight.

Avondale Road has further local offerings worth visiting. On the High Country Rail Trail, historic Shelley Railway Station is just up the hill. The Highest Railway Station in the country.

Avondale Garden is another, 12km down the road and worth the drive. Find it here: Avondale Garden walk

Pretty any time of year, spring is a particularly lovely season to visit for wildflower displays.

Dogs are not allowed.

Other walks in this region
Sandy Creek Bridge walk, Huon
Bellbridge Foreshore walk
Lake, Town and Rail, Tallangatta
Waterfall and Darbyshire Hill trestle bridges walk
Playles Hill Lookout walk, Corryong
Mitta River to Old Tallangatta

1314 Views

Points of Interest

1. A preferable place to park

Tom Mitchell Reserve on the Avondale Road corner, opposite the walk entrance offers public toilets, parking and local information signage.

2. Home of the vulnerable Striated Sun Moth

Within a narrow natural distribution, road reserves around Shelley help to support the largest population in Victoria.

3. Alternative parking

There are a few parking spaces adjacent to the trailhead, but no amenities like there are across the road.

4. Trailhead

Trail markers guide you into the forest and along the foot track.

5. Footbridges

Foot bridges are in place for creek crossings.

6. Moths and ....

Native fauna is present for the observant. It is probably no accident moths live alongside Wolf Spiders.

7. Trail markers

Stick with the trail markers and the cleared track and you will have no trouble finding your way.

8. Native berries

Red currant bushes create bursts of colour in Autumn.

9. Numbered markers

An explanation of what each marker indicates could be very interesting. This does not appear to exist on site at present.

10. Wet gullies

The wet gullies support moisture loving flora including water and tree ferns.

11. After the second foot bridge

A small rocky water fall / chute emerges from the fernery.

12. Wildflowers

Spring sees extensive displays of wildflowers. It isn't the only time though. You can expect your own discoveries at any time of year.

13. Explosive store

Another of the locations attached to a numbered marker.

14. Play space and picnic tables

Tom Mitchell Reserve is also a good place to rest, eat and play after the walk.

Features

Picnic spot

Seating available

Public toilets

Historical interest

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden