Fire recovery works complete in Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park
When 90-year-old Bill Carkeek heard about the celebration for the new lookout at Bluff Falls, he made the three-hour trip from Numurkah to Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park to share his story of this hidden gem.
Friends of Murray Mountain Parks and Parks Victoria held the celebration to open the new lookout and visitor facilities at Bluff Falls last month. This grand opening marked the end of a long recovery from the impacts of the 2019-20 Black Summer fires, which burned 95 percent of the park and destroyed nearly all visitor facilities.
More than 60 people attended the special event, enjoying a local country singer, folk band, and BBQ lunch. But it was Bill who stole the show by sharing how he helped develop visitor facilities in the park.
"I grew up in Cudgewa and was always interested in stories about Bluff Falls and anxious to see them myself," Bill said.
In the 1950's, reaching the falls was a hazardous journey. People could only walk from the Cudgewa north road following the creek or hiking cross-country. There was no road in.
"My father was a councillor for the shire for 20 years. I kept pestering him to see if the shire would make a road to the falls so that they would be available for everyone to see. Eventually it happened and a good turn-around and viewing area was established," Bill told the crowd.
After finishing at Dookie Agricultural College (now part of the University of Melbounre), Bill worked part-time in Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park.
"I was employed to manage and maintain the park when there were no rangers available and was answerable to the Forestry Department for bushfires and controlled burning.
"My first job, apart from painting and erecting signs, was to create steps down to the base of the falls from the viewing area."
Working alone, it took months. Bill selected park trees, felled them, and turned them into steps for the staircase.
"Once I finished that, I had to create additional steps using rocks with a flat edge from the base of the falls up the other side to where the falls began and cement them in place," Bill said.
"There was a bit of a wallaby track from the viewing platform around the right side to the top of the falls. So, I carried the bottom of a 1000-gallon galvanised tank up the track to mix the cement on, along with the bags of cement."
"I used the sand from the creek and after mixing the cement and putting it into a bucket, carried it to where I was placing suitable stones for steps and cementing them in."
"Since most, if not all these works were destroyed by the 2019-20 bushfire and subsequent landslides, we gather today to open the refurbished facilities for coming generations to enjoy."
Kerri Villiers, Regional Director Eastern Victoria, cut the ribbon for the newly constructed stairs leading to the base of the falls, while Chris Derrick, District Manager North East spoke about the importance of Parks Victoria's relationships with community organisations.
"The reopening of Bluff Falls lookout, campground and visitor amenitites is vital for Parks Victoria. The turnout of more than 60 people shows how much the local community and volunteers care about this special place," Chris said.
"We're grateful to the Friends of Murray Mountain Parks for making this celebration memorable and for our longstanding relationship with this dedicated community of volunteers."
The Bluff Falls campground and new visitor amenities are an ideal spot for visitors to wanting to experience a remote setting for bushwalking, nature study, and four-wheel driving
Located in the scenic Upper Murray, Burrow-Pine Mountain National Park protects two picturesque mountains, with different micro-climates and vegetation. It is home to many native species and has significant plant conservation values.
The new campgrounds, picnic area, visitor amenitites and signage enhance the nature-based experience for visitors. Here they can enjoy the park's remote setting for camping, bushwalking, nature study and four-wheel driving.
The spacious picnic area and access road to Bluff Falls are also an ideal spot for day visitors to see the spectacular waterfall plunging 30 metres from the plateau through the forest.
