australia:vic:kurthkiln
Kurth Kiln camp ground
Introduction
3 basic average camp areas within the Kurth Kiln Regional Park
this is the closest free camp east of Melbourne (there are none in the Dandenongs!)
has a sandy bottomed creek to play in
nearby mill pond with frogs
drop toilets
easy trails
possible phone reception depending upon carrier
dogs on a leash only
Location
lies in a forested valley at ~220m elevation near Tomahawk Creek which flows westward, dropping a further 30m elevation or so before joining Shepherds Creek 1km to the west
Bunyip State Park lies nearby to the south-east and these hills rise to 400m elevation 3km away
hills to the north east are generally 500m but there is a 600m peak 2km away in the Powelltown direction
a low ridge of 280m elevation runs in a N-S line 1km to the west
further away are the Dandenongs which lie to the NW and are generally 400-500m but Mt Dandenong is a 600m peak and is 20km away as the crow flies
Access
10min drive from Gembrook;
just over an hour drive from Melbourne CBD via SE Freeway to Mulgrave then south of Dandenongs and past Cardinia Reservoir
~1hr 15min drive from Brunswick via Eastern Fway and East Link to Ringwood then north of Dandenongs
easy road in and is close to Melbourne hence it can get busy/loud on weekends or public holidays
Camping
30 numbered camp sites at Scout Loop and 6 at Magazine camping areas; PLUS 4 unnumbered communal camping at Heritage Fence camping area which shares the Magazine camp drop toilet;
sites are close to each other and can be busy and noisy on weekends and only 1 drop toilet can be challenging.
no bookings (govt scrapped fees for basic camp grounds in 2015), hence first in first served - AVOID weekends!
No rubbish bins or collection - unfortunately some people seem to often leave rubbish behind.
dogs on leash;
horses at Scout Loop;
a few fire places but BYO firewood
no potable water - need to treat the creek water!
not suitable for big rigs
Attractions
historic huts and caretaker residence
rare example of a relatively intact charcoal burning kiln and the only one of its type in Australia - charcoal was used in gas producer units attached to motor vehicles to produce combustible gas as an alternative to petrol during the Second World War.
rare plants including Long Pink-bells, Tall Astelia and Brickmakers Saw-sedge along with stunning Mountain Ash, stringybark and riparian forests.
Shiprock Falls near Shiprock picnic area (40min 3.5km one-way walk, or 6min drive)
25min drive to Emerald and the Puffing Billy train and ~5 minutes further is Aura Vale at Cardinia Reservoir
40 min drive to Olinda attractions via Yellingbo or via Gembrook
Warburton or Powelltown are just over half an hour drive via Yarra Junction - Noojee is a further half an hour east from Powelltown
Healesville Sanctuary is just over half an hour drive via Launching Place or Yellingbo and Yarra Glen is ~10 minutes further
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maps
Nearest alternate camp grounds
north-east
Doon Reserve Caravan Park Yarra Junction
also commercial parks at Lilydale, Healesville, Warburton
Gladysdale gravel pit
Powelltown Hall:
Bunyip State Park
south
Nearby town services / food
Gembrook
Gembrook Puffing Billy Railway Station
Motorist Museum
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petrol station at west end of town
Gembrook IGA supermarket
Maple Ridge local produce market - west of Gembrook
The Station House Restaurant
The Independent Restaurant
Hairy Dog Cafe
Spencers Store cafe
Mains Street fish and chips
The Local hotel bar
Cockatoo
Emerald
Puffing billy
Emerald Lake picnic area
Lakeside Tea Rooms
General Food Store cafe
Emerald Village bakery and cafe
Bam Bam Italian restaurant
Elevation@Emerald Restaurant
WoksnDumplings - Menulog delivery
Bohemian Kitchen mobile caterer
australia/vic/kurthkiln.txt · Last modified: 2022/05/13 23:05 by gary1