Beeripmo Walk

Author: Darryl Glover - Ballarat
Courtesy of Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Skill Level -  Moderate, Fitness Level: Average
21 km, 1 l hrs 2-day return

Located an hours drive west of Ballarat, just off the Western Highway, Mt Cole State Forest is 25 kilometres from the township of Beaufort and marks the gateway to the Pyrenees Wine District and the Grampians. The Beeripmo Walk winds its way through Mt Cole State Forest as well as Mt Buangor State Park and has been designed as a 2-day walk. Walkers will be exposed to a seriously rewarding forest bushwalking experience.

"Walk through cool fern gullies and alpine plateaus then rest to take in the views across the spreading plains to Langi Ghiran and the Grampians. Experience a night at the charming Beeripmo Campground, then descend through spectactular tall forests."

Richards to Raglan Falls

Distance - 1.0 km 30 minutes
The track climbs steadily through a ferny gully surrounded by large granite boulders until reaching the cliffs of Raglan Falls. The flat top of the cliffs is a good place to catch your breath and enjoy forested views.

Raglan Falls to Cave Hill

Distance - 2.6 kms 1.0 hour
The track continues to climb gently to Cave Hill. The forest begins to change from the tall eucalypt forest with a shrubby understorey to the more open sub alpine vegetation. Nearing Cave Hill, you will experience the extensive views to the south towards Mt Cole and the western plains.

Cave Hill to The Sugarloaf

Distance - 3.5 kms 2.0 hours
As you climb Cave Hill, the views to the Grampians and Mt Langi Ghiran are revealed. To the north the densely forested ridge to the summit of The Sugarloaf is exposed. The track now winds its way gently through the eucalypt forests and heath of Mt Buangor State Park. If you look closely you may see the locally endemic Mt Cole Grevillea with its serrated leaf edges. As you begin to climb steeply to the top of the Sugarloaf, breaks in the forest reveal views south towards Cave Hill, where you have just come from.

The Sugarloaf to Beeripmo

Campground Distance - 0.9 kms 30 minutes

Beeripmo Campground to Mt Buangor Lookout

Distance - 5.4 kms 3.0 hour
The track heads uphill to the summit of Mugwamp Hill, which exposes views to the east of Mount Lonarch State Forest. At the base of the Mugwamp Hill, the Beeripmo walk meets the Mt Buangor lookout sidetrack. The Mt Buangor lookout offers the most extensive views of the Mt Buangor State Park and the western plains from Mt Langi Ghiran to the Grampians.

Mt Buangor Track to Grevillea Track

Distance - 6.6 kms 2.3 hours
The track slides past Dawson Rock and descends gradually through regrowth forest before joining and following Long Gully. As you walk through Long Gully the tall eucalypts become overwhelmingly taller. Descending to the intersection of the Grevillea Track, take time to enjoy the steep gullies lined with large tree ferns.

Grevillea Track to Richards

Distance - 1.0 km 20 minutes
The track now follows open heathy forest, including Mt Cole grevillea, back to Richards. Many of the trees have blackened outer bark from recent bushfires, which have promoted a healthy understorey of heaths.

Camping

Camping is on a first come first serve basis. No bookings are required, but early arrival may be advisable in peak periods. The Beeripmo campground is flat, easily accessible and includes 10 camp pads, fireplaces and toilet.

Looking after our forests

  • Let someone know before you go bushwalking.
  • Keep your party small (4-8 people). Large parties have more of an environmental impact.
  • Minimise your impact by taking the following items:
    - fuel and stove for cooking.
    - good quality tent (with poles and sewn in floor)
    - hand trowel for burying toilet waste.
  • Pack it in pack it out. Don't take potential rubbish such as bottles, cans and excess wrapping. You must take all of your rubbish home with you.
  • Camp at an existing campsite. Creating a new campsite can damage the native plants.
  • Only light fires in the fireplaces provided. Fires must be less than lmetre square and at least 3 metres clear of burnable material.
  • Boil all water for at least five minutes before drinking.
  • Do not disturb native plants and animals.
  • Dogs must be under direct control within State forests and are not permitted within State Parks.

For more information:

For a printout of the Beeripmo Walk Notes including Maps
Beeripmo Walk - Notes

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For further information contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment office at Ballarat (Ph: 5336 6856) or DSE's Customer Service Centre on Ph: 136 186.

For more information visit the DSE's Forest Service website at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au then select "forestry"