We’ve mapped a 5km run/walk trail through Yetmans Nature Conservation Reserve - try it out!
After joining our first parkrun in Melbourne, we searched for the nearest one to home and unfortunately it was either Mildura or Nhill. We needed something closer to home otherwise we’d never get around to it. So we created our own (not)parkrun just down the road!
Parkruns are usually on held every Saturday morning at 8am (all across Australia and the world!) and they’re run by a group of volunteers who organise, manage and promote the weekly event. Obviously that’s not going to work in our tiny town, so we’re sharing this unofficial trail so that anyone can do this (not)parkrun whenever it suits them.
Yetmans Nature Conservation Reserve is a beautiful spot and this 5km trail utilises some 4WD tracks and dirt roads. One section of the trail, through the middle of the reserve, is rarely driven on, so you need to keep your eyes open and watch your footing over fallen branches. At the time of recording the trail there were massive puddles over some of the tracks, so beware of slippery areas.
Check out the trail map below and here is the link to Garmin Connect to download the trail and import into your smart device.
Throughout the reserve you’ll see a mix of eucalypts, wattles and pines, and an understory with native grasses, saltbush and wildflowers.
We’ve seen Regent Parrots here twice so far, and it’s good habitat for Pink Cockatoos so we’ll be keeping eyes and ears open for them in future. We often come across birdy hotspots where a mixed species flock is foraging which is delightful to watch. This morning it was Singing Honeyeaters and three different Thornbills - Yellow, Chestnut-rumped and Yellow-rumped (or butterbums as they’re called).
Tips for this trail
Drive up Moloney Road, about 300m past the white plastic container and you’ll see an area on the right where you can easily pull off the road and park.
Around the 2km mark, along Woollards Road, look across the paddock to your left and you’ll see Patchewollock township from the back.
Around the 3km mark, when you reach the house and machinery near the bottom of Woollards Road, turn right and head into the reserve (under the powerline). This is where the track is sometimes a bit overgrown, but look ahead and you should be able to see old vehicle tracks.
We hope you enjoy running or walking this trail as much as we have. And please let us know if you have ideas for new trails, it’s always fun to explore new areas!