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Walk 7: Yan Wirring Mirr Loop
This walk was opened in 2021 and named in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of the land and means ‘walk, listen, look’.
STARTING POINT:
Bundjil Mirr Lookout on Alcoa Boundary Track
TIME AND DISTANCE:
2 hr – 4.5 km circuit
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:
Easy to moderate
How to get there

From Anglesea, cross Anglesea River and turn right into Noble Street. Drive to end of road and turn in to Harvey Street that becomes Mt Ingoldsby Road (gravel road). Drive 3.2 km and then turn right into No 2 Road. This becomes Bald Hills Road. Drive another 3.6 km and then turn right into Alcoa Boundary Track. Drive 300 m and park near Bundjil Mirr Lookout.
From Aireys Inlet, take Bambra Road that runs into Distillery Creek Road after 2.4 km. Continue on Distillery Creek Road (gravel road) for 5 km and then turn right into No 2 Road. This becomes Bald Hills Road. Drive 3.4 km and then turn right into Alcoa Boundary Track. Drive 300 m and park near the Bundjil Mirr Lookout.

Walk Notes
Yan Wirring Mirr map

The diversity of wildflowers in spring is magnificent, but the variety of vegetation and views across Bald Hills, makes it a good walk at any time of the year. This round trip takes you through open heathland and then swampy woodland as it crosses the Salt Creek catchment, returning to the start on a well-defined undulating track. It is a peaceful hinterland home to over 100 bird species. As there is Cinnamon Fungus, (Dieback), in the area, clean your footwear at the hygiene station located here, before and after your walk.

The walk begins at the Bundjil Mirr Lookout where there are sweeping views across the rehabilitation of the former Alcoa coalmine and perhaps a Wedge-tailed Eagle (Bundjil) soaring overhead. Observe the diverse heathland plants such as the variety of peas, smoke-bush, beautiful Heath Milkwort, Western Peppermint, and some species of orchids as you walk down the hill and across Bald Hills Road. Turn left onto the track which follows ridges amongst grass-trees and banksias before dipping into damper gullies with Scented Paperbark. Enjoy the extensive views of Bald Hills and glimpses of Anglesea and the old coal mine.

The undulating track becomes sandy and drops to an area of taller eucalypts, tea-tree and Tassel Rope-rush. Watch out for the distinctive foliage of the rare Satinwood beside the track, possibly introduced by work equipment. Continue to stay on the loop track, passing a track to the left which leads to Bald Hills Road (an alternative access point). The path can be wet as it crosses Salt Creek. Frog calls are a feature here.

The track gently rises to heathland and is undulating as it crosses several small water courses. Continue along an old vehicle track as it climbs steadily back to the start of the walk. When you reach the road, an alternative return is turning left at Bald Hills Road and right at Alcoa Boundary Track to enjoy perhaps the best display of heathland flowers.

Bird and Frog Calls
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Common Eastern Froglet
Eastern Banjo Frog

Yellow-tailed Cockatoo (Recording by Marc Anderson, CC BY); Common Eastern Froglet & Eastern Banjo Frog (Recordings  by Ric Longmore in Australian National Botanic Gardens)

Check Out Fauna & Flora Below

Satinwood (Photo by Neil Tucker)
Austral Grass-trees (Photo by Gail Sluikhuis)
Victorian Christmas Bush (Photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Photo by FIR0002 CC BY)

Heath Milkwort (Photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Scented Paperbark (Photo by Melburnian GNU)
Tassel Rope-rush (Photo by Ellinor Campbell)

Banksia (Photo by Margaret MacDonald)
Common Eastern Froglet (Photo by David Paul CC BY)
Prickly Teatree (Photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Soft Bush-pea (Photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Eastern Banjo Frog (Photo by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos CC BY)

Filmed by Zoe Strapp for Angair with assistance from Surfcoast Events.

Filmed Walks

More details about this walk including a species checklist can be found on the Angair Nature Show website.

Video by Samantha Madell