Mount Matilda

Stopping in at the visitors’ centre and talking with the volunteers was a great help in knowing some of the other areas to visit. Still by 9:50 we were in the car park of Mt Matilda walks, and after gearing up we headed off.

Waking up to a definitely Grebelous morning, 6 or so hoary headed grebe’s swimming on the lake and 2 black winged stilts wading in the shadows, the lake was still as, and reflections of the hills across the water were crisp as were the two Stilts that happened to be pursuing breakfast in the shallows just outside the van. Along with our Hoary Headed Grebes was the usual menagerie of birds that always accompany the dawn, Magpies with their cadoodling and Mr Butcher bird resplendent in his calling, reminding us all we were in fact in the Australian bush…. just in case we forgot. A black swan on her nest in a little pool just the other side of the road watched us go by as we slowly headed into town on our way to Mount Matilda in the Wongan hills nature reserve.

Wongan Hills Nature Reserve is 12km north-west of Wongan Hills. Mount Matilda is the highest peak in the area. The Reserve has two grade 3 circuit walk trails 8km and 5 km they both share the same starting and finishing points at the carpark it’s just the 5km loop peels of halfway through. The walk trails are well signed, set among natural bushland, rocky outcrops and stunning wildflowers, especially in spring

8km walk

Starting at the interpretive trailhead in the carpark, make your way up the steep rocky stairs to the top of Mt Matilda, Follow the trail along the western side to take in the views of wheat fields and Lake Hinds, before looping around to the north and eastern sides of the hill. All up there are 9 lookouts and numerous information signs along the trail highlighting various types of plants and other interesting features. I’d fully recommend taking the little side trails to the lookouts as the views are breathtaking.

5km Walk There is a shorter 4.8 km Wildflower Loop available. When hiking clockwise take the right hand track at the old wooden sign and follow the mallee fowl markers

Even though we started reasonably early and it wasn’t that hot a day, 4 hours we were knackered even with regular stops, plenty of water and lots of bird watching, But wow what a walk. If you get the chance spend the time to do the full loop, but wear good shoes with grip, plenty of water and bring your camera!

Here be some pics we took for ye to enjoy!

A video of the walk can be found on our you tube channel here

Once we returned to the lake it was a beverage and after sunset watched a movie before crashing into bed and sleeping like the logs outside.