Map: Not required
Last Visited: 22/09/2010
Length (km): approx. 4 km (according to MapMyHike.com)
Time (hrs/min): 2 hrs (allowing time to explore the rocks)
Grade: Easy
Return / Circuit / One-Way / Partial Circuit: Return
Region: South-East Vicotira
Park: Baw Baw National Park
Closest Town: Rawson (14 km)
Maximum Elevation: approx. 1243 m (according to MapMyHike.com)
Total Ascent: approx. 139 m (according to MapMyHike.com)
Further Details / Source(s): See ParkWeb Park Note: Baw Baw National Park – Visitor Guide.
Car Access: From Rawson, follow the signs north toward the Thomson Dam. You will soon see a sign pointing left to Mount Erica. Follow the Mount Erica Road to an intersection, where you need to turn right to find yourself at the car park.

 

 

For a taste of the natural beauty found along the Australian Alpine Walking Track, this short walk to Mushroom Rocks is definitely worth a visit. The track is well signed from the Mount Erica car park and should you decide to make the return trip a little longer, signs also indicate a range of distance and time options for other points along the track.

Mushroom Rocks - Baw Baw National Park - Rawson - Victoria
Boardwalks protect the more delicate sections of the forest floor

 

After starting the walk surrounded by rainforest, visitors pass by a small waterfall before the track gently climbs up into the drier Mountain Ash forest. Massive granite tors are dotted alongside the track to begin with but as the turning point approaches, there are so many that they could be explored and climbed for hours.

Mushroom Rocks - Baw Baw National Park - Rawson - Victoria
The beginning of the walk is much wetter, resulting in
the most amazing looking moss-covered granite boulders.

 

The track was very muddy due to recent rains but aside from this, the walking was very easy. The changing landscape and vegetation makes you want to explore further. I would have actually liked to extend the walk through to Mount Erica, but unfortunately we were a bit short on time.

Note: This walk was part of a feature article I co-wrote, that appeared in the February/March 2011 issue of Great Walks Magazine.

On my trip to Walhalla, I was a guest of Tourism Victoria, Destination Gippsland, and Scott & Jason at Wild Cherry Bed & Breakfast. This does not influence the view that I put forward here in any way.
Further Info:

  • Scott Gallop has produced an excellent book on the history of the region, titled A Day In Walhalla. Having sat around a dinner table listening to the stories of almost the entire population of the town during my visit, I can tell you with complete certainty that the town’s history is fascinating. Although I should point out that you’re very unlikely to get all of the stories I’ve heard from this book.

Accommodation Ideas:

  • Wild Cherry Bed & Breakfast – On the side of a hill overlooking Walhalla, Wild Cherry has two beautiful and cosy queen rooms and two excellent hosts to make you feel right at home. The highlight of our stay was the huge breakfast, served on the verrandah in the company of some very friendly kookaburras. Scott & Jason were able to give us all the information we needed about hikes in the area and even arranged us a lift and pick-up from the one-way Poverty Point Bridge Walk.
  • Walhalla Log Cabin – Scott & Jason also rent out the Walhalla Log Cabin. While I didn’t get the chance to stay there, the guys gave me a good look around and it looks like the perfect holiday accommodation for a couple or small family. I know where I’ll be staying if I ever take my lady to Walhalla.

Related Walks:

 

 

Have you visited Mushroom Rocks? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.