Anakie
Small service township on the edge of the
Brisbane Ranges National Park
Anakie is a small township located about halfway
between Bacchus Marsh (in the north) and Geelong
and due west of Werribee. Depending on the route
taken it is 80 km from Melbourne (via the
Princes Freeway to Werribee and a variety of
minor roads) or 92 km (via Bacchus Marsh and the
main road south to Geelong). The town's main
appeal lies in the attractions which lie around
it.
Sugar-growing was attempted at Anakie in the
1870s. It is named after 'The Anakies' - three
hills that overlook the town which has a
population of some 400 people.
Things to see:
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Presbyterian Church, Anakie
Built in 1865 out of squared coursed rubble
basalt, fine axed basalt and a slate roof, this
is a highly original and unusual church which
catered for the large numbers of Scots who
settled in the district.
Fairy Park
Located at the northern end of Anakie (at 2388
Ballan Road), the Fairy Park is a fantasy and
fairy tale theme park set amidst 9.5 ha of
natural parkland and landscaped gardens.
Displays include animated figures (including a
six-metre giant at the entrance), the Elephant
Rock picnic ground (where you will see koalas)
and the Camelot Playground ('medieval fun with
towers to climb, tunnels to explore, dungeons to
visit, slides to slide and scream'). There is a
kiosk, along with picnic and barbecue facilities
and souvenir sales. It is open from 10.00 a.m.
to 5.00 p.m., closing at 5.30 p.m. during
daylight savings. However, visitors must be in
by 4.00 p.m. For more details contact (03) 5284
1262.
Wineries and Vineyards
There are two wineries in the area. At 20
Staughton Vale Rd (on the corner with Ballan
Road) is Staughton Vale Vineyard which was
established in 1986. It offers cabernet
sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit
verdot, riesling, semillon, chardonnay and pinot
noir and lunch is available in the restaurant.
The cellar door is open Friday to Monday and
public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and
at other times by appointment, tel: (03) 5284
1477 or (03) 5284 1229.
A little further north, at 130 Staughton Vale
Road (3 km north of Anakie) is the Mt Anakie
Vineyard which has been operating since 1968. It
produces cabernet sauvignon, Rhine riesling,
chardonnay, cabernet franc, dolcetto, shiraz,
semillon and biancone. The restaurant is open
for weekend lunches and other times for group
bookings. The cellar door is open seven days
from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5284
1256 or (03) 5284 1452.
Brisbane Ranges National Park
Brisbane Ranges National Park (7718 ha), to the
north of Anakie, is noted for its extensive
native flora. There are 619 species in the park
(one-fifth of all species in Victoria). Many of
them are rare (e.g., the golden grevillea and
the velvet daisy-bush) or are remote from their
usual habitat. Grey kangaroos, wallabies,
echidnas, possums and gliders can be found in
the park, along with over 170 bird species,
including the yellow-tufted honeyeater,
white-throated nightjar and rainbow bee-eater.
The park also contains the state's greatest
density of koalas. which live in the park's mana
gums.
The Brisbane Ranges were elevated above the
Werribee Plains by earth movements along the
Rowsley Fault which developed some four million
years ago. The Wathaurong people occupied the
area until they were decimated by European
settlement which commenced with the granting of
pastoral leases in the late 1830s. Gold was
found in the Anakie hills in 1851 and the
Steiglitz rush got under way in 1855. Gold
mining created a great demand for timber and
much of the forest was cut down as a result. In
1859 the remaining members of the Wathaurong
clan were relocated to a reserve which was
closed in 1901 after minimal use.
The Brisbane Ranges became the main water
source for Geelong when two dams were completed
in 1873. The park was established in 1973 with
additions in 1979 and 1995.
The Anakie Gorge Picnic Area has fireplaces,
toilets, water and an information board. It is
also the start of the Anakie Gorge Discovery
Walk (3 km one way) which follows Stony Creek
westwards, crossing the creek at several points,
passing through Stony Creek Picnic Area and
finishing at Lower Stony Creek Reservoir. A
pamphlet, available from Parks Victoria,
provides details which relate to a series of
numbered posts. It traverses primarily flat
terrain, focusing on koala habitats, the
north-facing rock escarpments, rock faults,
flora types, bird-watching opportunities,
bushfire scarification, creek pools and a
pipeline built through the gorge in the 1870s to
funnel water to Geelong. The pipes were carted
to the tops of the spurs by horse teams then
taken down the gorge by bullock drays.
The Nelson Track Walk (3 km one way)
intersects with the Anakie Gorge Walk about 1 km
west of the Anakie Gorge Picnic Area and 2 km
east of the Stony Creek Picnic Area. It is a
narrow track which climbs steeply to the crest
of the ridge then follows a fence, joining up
with a management vehicle track near Switch Rd.
A shot track, near the corner of the fence,
leads along a narrow ridge to Nelsons Lookout
which provides fine views over the Lower Stony
Creek Reservoir and Anakie Gorge. To access
Anakie Gorge Picnic Area, follow the Staughton
Vale Rd (sealed) north of Anakie for 7 km then
take the signposted turnoff on the left.
The Stony Creek Picnic Area is also
accessible by road: follow the Staughton Vale Rd
north of Anakie for 4 km then turn left onto the
Ballan Rd (also sealed). After a little over 2
km turn right onto Switch Rd (surfaced but
unsealed) and it is another 2 km to the picnic
area. It has tables, fireplaces, water and
toilets. This is a good birdwatching area. As
previously mentioned, it is also an alternative
access point to the Anakie Gorge Discovery Walk
and thus to Nelsons Track Walk. If you head west
of the picnic area along the walking track,
towards Lower Stony Creek Reservoir, you will
soon come to a turnoff on the left onto the
Outlook Walk which heads south-west for 2 km. It
climbs steadily over a saddle, descends, crosses
a broad water course then climbs again to join a
vehicular management track (known as the Outlook
Track). Follow this eastwards for 100 metres to
the Outlook which furnishes views over the Stony
Creek Water Catchment. From here you can follow
a 1.25-km circuit walk along the Outlook and
Redbeak Tracks. In spring it reveals many
wildflowers.
An alternative is the Kurung Walk (2.5 km
return). To get to the start of this track,
follow the walking track westwards from the
Stony Creek Picnic Area. 30 metres beyond the
start of the Outlook Walk (on the left) is the
turnoff on the right onto the Kurung Walk which
heads northwards along the track which
ultimately leads towards the Little River Picnic
Area and reservoir. It climbs steadily, offering
good views of Anakie Gorge and the Stony Creek
water catchment area. After about 1 km it joins
up with the Switch Road. Turn right and follow
it southwards back to the picnic area, taking in
views of the gorge and the You Yang mountains.
The Boar Gully bush camping area is located
further to the north. It is a pleasant woodland
area which is a good base for bushwalking and
offers several campsites, toilets, a picnic area
and a water supply. To get there follow the
Staughton Vale Road north of Anakie for 4 km
then turn left onto the Ballan Road. 20 km along
this road is Mt Wallace. Turn right here onto
the Bacchus Marsh Road and follow it for 6 km
until you see the signposted turnoff on the
right which leads to the camping area.
If you wish to camp in the park it is
necessary to contact the Anakie office first,
tel: (03) 5284 1230. Lists of local birds and
plants, a detailed map and a brochure outlining
a three-day walk through the park are also
available from the Anakie office. For further
information ring the Parks Victoria infoline on
131 963.
