Just around the corner (about 2 km) from our house lies Billy’s Creek, the Morwell National Park, (the start of) a lovely walk (the Grand Stzelecki Track) and just a kilometre up the track and stream this lovely old weir (built in 1913) set amongst majestic blue gums in a lush narrow, steep valley. The weir used to be part of the Morwell Water Supply. http://www.theultralighthiker.com/grand-strzelecki-track/
You can see it has a hole in it about 200mm/8″ in diameter through which much of the stream flows. The hole has an enchanting history. It was created as an act of anarchy by local farmers who were incensed at how much of their own water supply had been stolen by the Government. A pity moe of us weren’t as galvanised by government theft.
The hole is 2.1 metres/7′ above the pool at the bottom which is only 35mm/14″ deep. On pretty much just one day of the year, trout try to swim up the outflow of that pipe, tunnel through that hole and so emerge in the stream above the weir to lay their eggs. Unbelievably some make it. We observed (and filmed) this on Mothers day 2006, May 14. Sometime in the next week, if you visit this weir every day you too will witness this natural miracle.
Below the picture I have attached a very poor quality video of the event, but you can still make out what the trout are doing. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the national park (which would not worry me) but there are some very busybodying locals (alas!) who will make a fuss if I take the dogs for a walk there every day, so I may not manage a better piece of film due to other work commitments – but you may!
It is a beautiful walk up amid the blue gums:
There are fine bridges to play on:
Milo spots a trout:
There is a lovely picnic spot at the weir with a sign implying no tents under this tree – but nothing about hammocks!
Milo is learning to be an ultralight hiker. He can really use that Gossamer gear pole.
It is quite hard work though and needs lots of concentration.
