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CLELAND : BOTANIC GARDENS LOOP Circuit : 2 hour 30 minutes, 7.5 km |
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WINE SHANTY
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Just by the Mount Lofty Summit turn-off, the Warre Track is visible, unfortunately barred by a locked gate! However, 20 metres up the road there is a walking trail which joins onto it.
Right at the start of the track is 'Carminow', Sir Thomas Elder's Scottish summer house (castle!), originally built in 1885. One of a number of casualties of the 1983 Ash Wednesday bush fires, it has supposedly been restored, but it still looks a bit derelict.
We soon turn right off the Warre Track, following the Heysen Trail as it descends down the Eurilla (goat!) track. After a time this meets a well formed trail, and exploring a little way left we found this wonderful lush and distinctive bush, quite different in character from other Cleland bush. It is high, and on the eastern side of the range.
The Eurilla Track comes out on Sprigg Road. I am amazed at the number of these Park gates I have never noticed before! The Carminow house is on the horizon.
Turning right down Sprigg Road, after a time we come to a T-junction, and turning right brings us to the Mount Lofty Botanical Garden gates. The garden gates don’t open until 8:30, but we may be able to enter through the nearby ‘Tradesmen’s Entrance’.
I love this view across the Gardens to the hills. Work on this spectacular 80 hectare Garden was started in 1952 and the Garden first opened to the public in 1977. It was the vision of then curator of the City Gardens, Noel Lothian.
We walk around the large lake, enjoying this lovely adjacent pond along the way.
It is worth walking out across the dam to view the central lake. The Gardens look great in any season.
Next comes the hard climb back through the Gardens to the top of the ridge. Near the top we find Stan's Wall, a 300 metre long masterpiece finished in 2009. I once came across Stan at work on a previous visit - a retired gentleman and an expert stone mason.
Just below the top car park there is a view across to the conifer section of the Garden. I’’m not sure that the upper gates of the Gardens would be easily bypassed outside Garden hours (8:30 to 4). Fortunately it was past 8:30 when I arrived here. Arriving at the Summit Road we turn right, stopping for a quick view of Mount Lofty House – lodging with luxury! Unfortunately I had no time to stop!
Beyond this is the entrance to the rather grandly named dirt road, Reynolds Drive, almost under the TV towers ...
... and just down Reynolds Drive is the pretty Harford Bushland Trail (in fact adjacent to the exit of the Nangare Track) which we follow.
An unsigned steep track to the right leads to the interesting discovery of Arthur's Seat. This house was built in 1858, and has also been a Girls' School. It fell victim to the 1983 fires.
A loop track takes us back to the Harford Trail which then reverts to the Nangare Track, and shortly we come to the dreaded Attunga Track. We turn right here, although it as steep as ever! It leads to an enclosure around the TV towers, but following left around this we come to all that remains of St Michael's Theological College. I found this quite sad.
Back to the Nangare Track which runs past the old Shepherd's Hut (ca 1875), now a Youth Hostel property.
Then right and across the Mount Lofty Road to the Summit. I found myself puffing here again: it must be the altitude!! There are good views of the beautiful Piccadilly Valley from behind the Summit.
I take some issue with the sign here: 5.2 km for the Botanic Gardens Loop. I think 7.5 km might be closer, at least for the walk we have done.
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SUGARLOAF
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