With a name reminiscent of a fairytale, the Lemonade Creek provided a magical walk on a magical day.
The 17 people who came along to walk in the Otways, many experiencing the delights of this track for the first time, voted it as one to remember.
The sign near the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground directs you to the walk. Lemonade Creek is a tributary of the Erskine River.
The sunlight was filtering through the canopy of the tall trees as we started walking, and blossoms from the Manna Gums were strewn on the leaf-littered track.
And then it was into the ferny glades with the track lined on both sides by a variety of ferns – tree ferns, water ferns, ground ferns.
At times it was dark and mysterious with the light excluded by the vegetation challenging the imagination as to what creatures might be found in this habitat.
One inhabitant did show itself – the carnivorous Otway Snail. It was quick to recede into its shell when it noticed the intruders.
Otway Snail
Fungi were present in many shapes, colours and textures fascinating us as we endeavoured to identify them:
Parks Vic staff had obviously carried out track works since we had reconnoitred the walk.
On reaching the Erskine Falls car park we walked down to the first viewing platform for the Falls where we had lunch..
The Erskine Falls were more impressive from the second level – 230 steps down to this viewing platform.
And I think it was the highlight. We were just so excited with the antics of a Rose Robin that was flitting from rock to rock frustrating photographers, but staying still long enough for us to view its beauty.
I’m sure that all who came on the walk will be revisiting this track at a later date.
Margaret MacDonald