Yarram to Wannon
Cruisy terrain, wildflowers and excellent track with Serra Range views
We respectfully acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Gariwerd.
Marvellous views over Wannon campsite (clearing centre right) towards the Serra Range
Today’s 11.1km/6.9mi Grade 4 hike to Wannon campsite has enticing views over the Serra Range and fantastic wildflowers. Although it’s still Grade 4, the trail is significantly easier than what you’ve had in the Central Section, with almost no scrambling and generally well-formed track. Here’s today’s map:
Yarram to Wannon map and elevation profile — just 470m/1540ft elevation gain and the 740m/2430ft descents are typically well-graded.
You are still following the William Range, but you have left its higher reaches and today descend its southern petering tail. Views north provide a satisfying picture of the terrain you’ve already traversed, whereas south and west are the track to come: it is an inspiring day.
The wildflowers too are wonderful, with varied soil and vegetation associations creating a rich diversity that will keep botanist photographers happily snapping in spring. And yes, of course there are views for those inspired by the bigger picture.
How to Make Today Easier
If you have decided to skip the Central Section, Yarram Gap Road is an excellent opportunity to start the southern section (as an alternative to Jimmy Creek and thereby avoid the steep climb to into Yarram). Either use a transfer company to drop you there or, if you have two cars, a shuffle between Yarram Gap Rd and Dunkeld will work too. There is almost no parking space on Yarram Gap road, though, so leave your car at Wannon Crossing Campground near the intersection of Yarram Gap Rd and the Grampians Highway.
Today’s distance is short and the terrain much easier but this same campground is also an opportunity to split the day into 6.4km (4 miles) and 8.1km (5 miles), perhaps for families with children. The campground is about 1.7km (1 mile) from the Yarram Gap Rd crossing point (we’ve included that distance in the previous figures).
If you are hiking the full distance and want to drop food to minimise pack weight, Yarram Gap Rd is the first spot to do so. A serviced water tank is also at the crossing, so no need for a full day’s carry from the hut.
The official maps suggest today’s hike time is 3 hours, but leisurely hikers will take longer (we took about double that time). Plant photographers will be particularly slow in spring!
Walk with Us
After the steep, rocky descent into Yarram, the walk out is cruisy as it contours and gradually descends from the range.
Into forest in the lower reaches
So many wildflowers!
The endangered Horny Conebush, Ispopogon ceratophyllus. It is extremely vulnerable to phytophthera, so botanists will be thrilled to see it here after evidence of the disease in previous days.
A new spider orchid, Caladenia parva. The differences between some species are subtle!
Tall bracken fern in the lower-lying areas. It must be the toughest, hardiest fern in existence! Many people assume bracken is introduced, but it is a native and was used by First Nations People to treat insect bites, as bedding, and to make bread.
The cloud is gradually rising, providing glimpses of what is in store.
But alas, the top of the Serra Range is still in cloud. You will be walking along that serrated knife edge tomorrow!
This entire day is rich in orchids. Here, the Woodland Plumed Greenhood (Pterostylis extensa)…
…and the aptly-named Red Beard Orchid (Calochilus paludosus)
After the tough day into Yarram yesterday, you’ll likely find today’s contouring and smooth surfaces welcome.
Purple Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida) alongside the track, while…
…red lichen paints trunks red.
Slowly descending the Mt William Range as it peters out, here looking north. It has been raining on and off, just enough to keep jackets on!
Still marvellous views to be had eastwards.
And there it is, the campsite in the clearing centre right, with the Grampians Valley and Serra Range beyond.
Here is a zoomed version. The tent pads are lined up along the opposite side of the clearing, with the communal shelter slap bang in the middle of the wind venturi where breezes funnel through the narrow part of the valley.
Onto the flat…
…and approaching the clearing. The grass has been neatly mowed by kangaroos: you’ll likely see many at dawn and dusk around camp.
Early Caps, (Caladenia praecox) seen, well, earlier in the day.
Map of the campground. The toilet is about where the word “You” is in the red tag. Pads 1-4 are the most sheltered.
Here’s that communal shelter. The seats weigh a ton and are very difficult to move, but a desperate soul has wrangled two into the lee for when the wind is blasting through from the west, as it is when we are there. A second windbreak on the opposite side would be nice!
And this is the loo. It illustrates the big disadvantage of the lack of a shelter: not to shelter you, but to catch rainwater. This tank will empty very quickly so be sure to check status or top up at Yarram Gap Rd if you’re not confident it will be full.
The tent pads are somewhat exposed. Bring a few nail stakes to hammer into the compacted substrate.
I had a big accident when my buggered knee gave out and I fell onto rather than into the tent.
The fix is described here and we recommend anyone who uses a DCF tent to carry tape for instant repairs that can be stronger than the original.
Once we repaired the tent, it was time for a cuppa: it’s still raining on and off. Every manufacturer of every tent tells you not to cook in the vestibule but this is to cover their asses because it is assumed by every camper ever that you will when it is snowing or raining or windy. We are not suggesting it either but, if you do, use common sense and make sure your tent is solidly pitched especially in wind, when a flapping fly can knock things over or catch alight.
A little later when the rain has stopped. Don’t worry, Geoff is not directly under those limbs! Some other hiker desperately seeking more shelter has lugged two more benches under this tree out of the wind. Another has been placed by a tent pad in the background.
Today has been delightful hiking, just what we needed after the challenge of the Central Section. And yet the views, variety and wildflowers have been every bit as good! If the rest of the Southern Section is like this, the next days will be rewarding indeed!
