Tipperary Springs & Mount Franklin

- Elevated views

Don’t you just want to start singing, ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary… It’s a long way to go…’ No doubt you know the rest!

Our journey begins with large stepping stones

A narrow path passes alongside solid stone people

I felt elated to see some water

Information board

The water from this spring wasn’t as sulphuric as some others… more like soda water.

One of the Twin Bridges along the trail

Mount Franklin…

is another extinct volcano in this area that I felt drawn to climb and walk the rim - a 1.7km circuit. Mount Franklin (Lalgambuk) is a meaningful place for the Djaara people. After a fire destroyed most of the native vegetation in 1944, the landscape was replanted with conifers, Silver Birch, White Poplar, Sycamore and Californian Redwood trees - said to prevent erosion and provide revenue from commercial harvesting.

Oh, the magnificence of the trees on this mountain!

The tiny bird life, their sweet sounds and playfulness amongst the late autumn leaves was enlivening to feel. What a joy I felt as our accent began to climb the extinct volcano of Mount Franklin and complete the rim walk.

Aren’t the tree roots that have woven around the rocks amazing?! Especially in the dappled sunlight!

Do you see the Lion with its long mane wedged between the tree limbs? It has a horn like a unicorn.

Maybe you see the eye and nose of another sentient being, pleading with you?

Volcanic rock on top of Mount Franklin

Yet another face… reminding me of a walrus… what do you see?

I stood still for some time in front of this majestic being… while Luna waited patiently. It amazes me, more and more, what the senses pick up on when silent and still. Almost as if all of nature joins in with your unique signature song, heard only by those finely attuned.

Meandering back down the Mount Franklin hillside

May your life’s adventures provide you with elevated views that appease your muse! Next week the Pied Currawong cries as Luna and I walk the Dry Diggings Track… until soon…

Love’s Harmonies,

Leanda Michelle ✍🏼📚

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EarthAum’s previous Substack Post:

*Creswick Woollen Mills & Jubilee Lake*

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