mersey forest road to close at Juno creek 21/11/2022

[gorby]

this notice popped up from Sustainable timber, will affect Lees paddocks, lake Bill, Jackson creek tracks

[Tortoise]

Thanks for the heads up, Gorby.

[north-north-west]

I thought that bridge was looking a bit sketchy last time I went in, which was rather a surprise because they rebuilt it after the last floods in the area and that wasn't all that many years back.

[IDP]

Thank you for this information, as am going in via Moses Ck and out via Lees Paddocks in a couple of weeks. Will add a couple of kms at start and end which shouldn’t be a problem.

Although I’ve been to Lake Bill track a couple of times before, I can’t quite remember if there is much in the way of parking just before Juno Ck bridge. Can anyone advise?

Many thanks

[Son of a Beach]

Thank you for this information, as am going in via Moses Ck and out via Lees Paddocks in a couple of weeks. Will add a couple of kms at start and end which shouldn’t be a problem.

Although I’ve been to Lake Bill track a couple of times before, I can’t quite remember if there is much in the way of parking just before Juno Ck bridge. Can anyone advise?

Many thanks

Take a push bike and stash it in the forest near the track head,

[IDP]

Thanks but as coming down from interstate, maybe a bike not practical for me.
I seem to remember that the road is reasonably wide, so hopefully parking close to before the closed Juno Ck bridge is possible. Whilst annoying, the extra couple of kms road walk doesn’t really bother me all that much

[grant evans]

The Mersey forest road will be gated off at Stretcher creek bridge, this will add around 5km each way to a walk to Lee’s Paddocks, even more to the Moses Creek track. The landowners are writing to the government to try and get some action on bridge replacement asap. It would be great if bushwalkers could also write letters, email etc to the same effect.

[gorby]

The closure point has shifted since my earlier post, Please contact your local or federal politician to voice your concern
this will add considerable distance to these popular walks and fishing areas

[IDP]

Thanks for the update
What a bummer
Was intending Moses Creek, Cathedral Mtn, Mtns of Jupiter, Artemis, Traveller Range, Du Cane Gap, Reg Wadleys, Lees Paddocks circuit starting next weekend
The Juno Ck bridge closure didn’t bother me too much, but now the closure back to Stretcher Ck bridge significantly lessens the appeal

[bogholesbuckethats]

Does anyone know the current state of the west rowallan track/road? eg how far in can you get a 4wd? The LIST seems to show a decent road that goes at least halfway up the lake but im not sure if there is a boom gate closer to the dam wall. Cheers

[Lostsoul]

Does anyone know the current state of the west rowallan track/road? eg how far in can you get a 4wd? The LIST seems to show a decent road that goes at least halfway up the lake but im not sure if there is a boom gate closer to the dam wall. Cheers

You can get in about 500m back from Old House Creek Falls in a 4wd but the last 1km would be quicker walking.

[teak]

I rode my bike along the West Rowallan track today, there is no boom gate to worry about but from the dam on the road has not been maintained for years. The first section up to the fork at -41.78421 146.19965 is overgrown but possible in a SUV type vehicle, from there on needs a high clearance low range type 4WD. I rode to the National Park boundary but it would be a challenge to drive a 4WD that far the only tracks I saw were of quad bikes.

[MrWalker]

I rode my bike along the West Rowallan track today, there is no boom gate to worry about but from the dam on the road has not been maintained for years. The first section up to the fork at -41.78421 146.19965 is overgrown but possible in a SUV type vehicle, from there on needs a high clearance low range type 4WD. I rode to the National Park boundary but it would be a challenge to drive a 4WD that far the only tracks I saw were of quad bikes.

After the falls there are several sections where the road is collapsing on the edge with a steep drop to the lake. I would not advise taking a 4WD past the falls, since it will make these sections collapse further, and there is a risk you might get past, but not be able to get back again.

Small quad bikes can get through, but probably also cause damage.

[bogholesbuckethats]

thanks for the replies. It sounds like its quicker and easier to stick with the shoelace express. Cheers

[MrWalker]

thanks for the replies. It sounds like its quicker and easier to stick with the shoelace express. Cheers

You could kayak down the lake. Just before the lake ends and the river begins, the track on the western side is close to the shore, where you could drag up the kayaks and walk to Lees paddock or wherever. Don't paddle too far or you end up in a marsh.