The Chandler View Walk (click on thumbnail to see larger)  Back

A gentle path leads NE from the Picnic Shelter at the start of Chandler View walk. (Photo – Paul McCann)

Take the right-hand track at this sign.

(Photo- David Lawrence)

The Hillgrove Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus michaeliana) on the left is confined to the edges of the gorges, and sometimes (as here) is being swallowed up by the rainforest, where it is too dark for eucalypt seedlings to grow.(Photo – Paul McCann)

The light level falls dramatically as we move into the tangled vines and trees of the rainforest itself.(Photo – Paul McCann)

The Shrubby Deeringia ( Deeringia amaranthoides) is a red-berried semi-climber found where the lighting is better along the track. (Photo- David Lawrence)

The round brown berries of the Yellow Cedar (Rhodosphaera rhodanthema) often litter the track. As with many rainforest trees, the small red flowers are harder to see.(Photo – Paul McCann)

Fortunately, the beautiful flowers of the Orange Blossom Orchid (Sarcochilus falcatus) are often held at eye-level on branches along the track. It flowers in November, but the thick curved leaves (to 16 x 2 cm) can be seen at any time. (Photo – Paul McCann)

DON’T TOUCH! The Giant Stinging Tree Dendrocnide excelsa- leaves very large, roundish, light green, sprinkled or covered with severely stinging hairs. Violent reaction if touched- will recur for months if the affected area is wetted. The silica barbs bury in the flesh, and the only- not very successful- treatment is to try to pull them out with hair removal wax strips. Marina Hurley, the researcher, used a full face mask and welding gloves when handling them. (Photo- David Lawrence)

Close-up of the stinging cells in the Giant Stinging Tree.

(Photo- David Lawrence)

The rainforest ends abruptly, and you are back in Blackbutt (Eucalyptus campanulata) and Snow Grass woodland.(Photo – Paul McCann)

View W up the Macleay to Mihi Junction about 15 km away. (Photo Kathy King)

Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia), a shrub about 1.5 m high with broad (3.5-14 x 1.2-5.0) cm leathery leaves with prominent veins, grows thickly beside the track between the rainforest and the Long Point road crossing. It is related to the plant which was the original source of the rabbit poison 1080 to which most Australian native animals have considerable immunity. (Photo- David Lawrence)

This Giant Mushroom (Phlebopus marginatus ) is the largest species in Australia, with occasionally caps to 1m across, and with one Victorian specimen weighing 29 kg. This one was about 25 cm across, beside the track near the road.

(Photo Kathy King)

Crowded onto the (very strong!) Chandler View Lookout platform.

(Photo Kathy King)

Looking NE up the Chandler from the lookout platform.

(Photo Kathy King)

Looking down the Chandler, with the Oaky River running across the middle about 6 km away, and Raspberry Mountain on the centre horizon. (Photo Kathy King)

Directly below the lookout platform, with mostly rainforest on the shaded left side, and eucalypt forest on the drier north-facing left side. (Photo Kathy King)

Plaque attached to the Lookout platform. We assume she said yes!

(Photo Kathy King)

The path formed a fire control line during a recent burn. The local NPWS people are pretty good at managing fire in their estate.

(Photo – Paul McCann)

Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila). This large spider with handsome yellow and black banded legs is a female. Other spiders often live in the same web. The small one at the top of the photo may either be a male Nephila, or a kleptoparasitic spider - a stealer of food caught by the orb weaver ...

View to Michaeliana Ridge, a spur giving a backpacker’s route into the Chandler, with Raspberry Mountain on the horizon .

(Photo – Paul McCann)

...Golden Orb Weavers make large webs, often strung between trees in dry open forests and woodlands such as Long Point. They often have a golden sheen to them, hence their name. The spiders leave their leftover meals to hang in the web, making their home a sometimes messy affair.

Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) on the left and Hillgrove Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus michaeliana) is an unusual combination of trees. (Photo – Paul McCann)