We were thrilled to have Trevor Prescott from Geelong Field Naturalists Club as our guide for the day, and after driving from Aireys Inlet we met Trevor at Forrest Post Office at 11.00am.
Trevor had chosen the site for our activity and he led us along Thompson Track to the start of a narrow track leading down to Lake Elisabeth.
Four cameras and bait stations were set up at various points along and close to this track.
Who knows what great creatures live in this great environment?
We then walked back up to Thompson Track and drove further along to the start of another track leading down to the upper reaches of Lake Elisabeth.
We had lunch on the side of the road where the flowering bushes of Olearia and Pomaderris were most spectacular.
After lunch we then proceeded down this initially steep, dry and rutted track to come to lush flat grassy land at the East Barwon river as it enters Lake Elisabeth.
Some time was spent here observing fish in the river and exploring the area, bird watching etc.
Returning once again to Thompson Track, the party returned to Forrest to have a cup of coffee at the Guest House Cafe now owned by Peter and Emma Ashton. Peter was a former ranger of the Great Otway National Park. Even though rain had been forecast for the day, it proved to be delightful weather for our outing.
Report by Lachlan Richardson
Photos by Margaret MacDonald
Many thanks to Trevor for his great assistance.