Re Birht of the Vic High Country.

Just got back from the re birth of the Vic High Country.

Knowing that the areas around the Vic High Country that I visit quite often have been burnt it was with mixed emotions when we left Bright for a 7 day trip in the Vic High Country.

Some of the areas that we normally go to are still closed so a revised trip was put together starting with Wonnangatta Station. The valley is lush with green grass but the surrounding hills are a mixture of burnt dead trees to trees that are burnt but still alive to trees that are supporting re growth.

The hills behind the cemetery are now blackened but with a new growth of grass that has started to grow now that tree canopy has been removed.

The small wooded bridges that cross the gullies, leading out of the valley have also be caught in the fires and are not safe to drive over.

Leaving Wonnangatta valley and going up Herne Spur there was a mix of dead trees and trees that will survive. The fires had raced up the side of the hills and in some cases was only a cool burn which meant that the trees will live although the trunk is burnt the upper branches are still supporting leaves. The slower, hot burn, had taken out all that it come in contact with. The bush litter that covers the hills has also been burnt. Humane litter has also been cleaned out so this would be a good time to keep it that way.

Tracks that I know are there I was able to see plus a lot more. Fire brakes that were put in to contain the fires now cross the hills as a scare. In time the trees will cover them but they will remain as a reminder of what had happened in 2007.

One of the places that we go to is the fire tower at the top of the Billy Goat Bluff Track. This has a good view of the valleys around the Dargo area. When I was there in November, fires were spotted to the south; this was the start of the big burn. Ironically the tower itself fell to the fires, reduced to concrete piers, molten aluminum, broken glass and a few nails. The good thing is a new tower will replace the old. The solar panels and communication towers also survived as well as the new hut, but the toilets had been reduced to a hole in the ground.

The area that we went through has been burnt, but that is how the Australian bush regenerates itself. The evidence of this is how much new growth is coming through. I will never see it as it was but hopefully see it re grow. If you have not been there before or it has been some time ago, go as soon as possible to witness the rebirth of the Vic High Country.

Wayne