Lal Lal Falls - at last!

Lal Lal Falls is located 25 kilometres south of the central Victoria regional City of Ballarat and is a natural wonder that offers an example of the greatness of Nature to inspire. Too, in my case to help repair a battered body.

It had been a tough fortnight health wise; one thing after another had to be dealt with (some past physical scrapes catching up with me as well). Impatiently, these were overcome and then came a blessing from the kindness of what once were strangers. I was in the druthers, puzzled in a way, beset by the coldest winter in 15 years, along with the wettest in 12 years and a season in the High Country that has seen the most extensive snowfalls since 1990. The rain, of course is welcome, finally breaking a 13 year Drought, though more is progressively needed. Longing for spring to break out, I happened to meet whilst in Hospital - a place I have never been kindly toward - Marree and her husband Stephen. As you do whilst waiting, seemingly endless in this corporate age of Medicine and key performance indicators, we got talking and soon discovered a mutual interest in photography and bushwalking. For a time, we regaled each other with stories from our adventures as neon lights droned overhead and we soon found ourselves happily mired in laughter. As I was about to see the Specialist, Marree and Stephen extended an offer to visit and to stay a few days at their home near Ballarat. They thought it might help me feel better and remove the sense of suburban siege that I have felt during this keen winter. She also indicated we could do a few walks and they would 'show me the natural sights' of the District. At once I accepted!

To cut a long story short. Both Marree and her generous husband Stephen welcomed me into their spacious home, which was located just outside of Ballarat in the historic township of Buninyong, nestled beneath a dormant volcano of the same name. The house I immediately adored as it was flooded by natural light from the floor to ceiling windows, aided by copious skylights, warmed by wood heaters and all set amidst a quiet few acres tucked away in bushland. There was no traffic noise to distract or the cold indifference of suburban living. There was green and other colours tippling my eyes and bird sounds to excite the ears. There was a crisp tingle in the air, clean as it was drawn into raptured lungs. So exhilarating was the atmosphere that it made my skin drink to sate my soul. There was sunlight too - still weak with winter - but it was there along with soaking rains and it all felt like a tonic to a parched traveller. I could sense my body react, gather renewed verve, my muscles twitch with anticipation, my senses ready to be exploited once more and my camera, dormant these past couple of weeks, ready to splurge with the capturing of moments.

I was already reasonably (so I had thought) familiar with much of the District, having plodded to many parts over the years but never with such interesting company lavished by generosity and honesty. On this last day of winter, we set off for Lal Lal Falls, a handful of kilometres south of Buninyong and a place I had last come across during the middle of last summer when the countryside was still in the gripe of the decade plus Drought. Then, the landscape was dehydrated, terrorised by the frugality and brittle underfoot with little green to break the blue-sky ruin of the New Year months. There was little, if any, water in the Creeks and Rivers. A nearby water storage (Bungal Dam) was the lowest on record. Severe water restrictions were in place across the State of Victoria and in most parts of Australia. The threat of fire rampaging through the bushland and into the nearby Brisbane Ranges was an ever constant outrage. At Lal Lal Falls there was only a thin bodice of water cascading borne by the near dry Lal Lal Creek - at most times a very modest water carriageway and often not shown on Maps. Whilst these Falls are always impressive, due to their 34 metre/112 feet height and three major drops (or ledges) with or without water, it had been 15 years since the cascades had assumed any notable volume. The basalt flutes and layers along with granites and clays lain down by volcanic activity millions of years ago stood as sentinels as the Falls patiently waited for rain. Across the bleak of a southern Australian winter, this year, the rains came. Not so much with a deluge but with a consistency lacking for over a decade. Nimbus clouds became a feature of the skyscape as the daily temperatures dropped below averages. The Sun was noted but not often seen. It seemed to be lingering above the Equator for longer than it should. Yet, the wintry damp was welcome; the land began to recover, grasses sprouted and crops planted. Dams began to fill, waterways flowed. Thirsty eucalypts drank of the bounty, growth and hope reappeared.

Approaching Lal Lal Falls, we could hear that unmistakable drum of bashing water and a faint mist arising. Would you believe me when I felt my pulse quicken? It had been a crappy couple of weeks but I felt redemption was near. Heading down the well trod path to one of the viewing areas I deigned not to look until I could obtain the uninterrupted aspect that I knew was accorded from the platform. Once there, Marree and Stephen beckoned me to look along the narrow Gorge and there was the Falls, drenched by water, smacking the basalts and granites, soaking the nearby Gorge walls with a fine mist, drawing out the deep ochres of the volcanic flutes and drinking into the flora. I remarked to Marree here was an epiphany, a reflect of my own recovery. I gave them both a big hug and then we fell about laughing with happiness at the bounty of our vista. Call me odd as surely I must be. For me it was like being in a natural candy shop and I was greedy of course!

Lal Lal is an indigenous word derived from a local dialect of the Wathaurong people who are Aboriginal custodians of the area and loosely means 'dashing of the waters'. It is believed at the base of the Falls is one of the abodes of the creator spirit, Bunjil, and therefore the Falls is considered a sacred place. Fortunately, this is now given much greater import than from when Europeans first came into the area in the mid 1830s.

Near the Falls is a well maintained Picnic Ground replete with undercover electric BBQs, play area for children and pleasant surrounds. A number of information bollards are found in the vicinity outlining the human and geological history of the Falls. Interestingly, pine trees planted over 100 years ago are being progressively felled and replaced with eucalypt seedlings in belated recognition of the better and more adapted native flora - a long overdue recognition. Another feature is a number of easy to moderately difficult walking tracks that emanate from the Falls. One in particular winds its way for about 3 kilometres to another picturesque drop called Moorabool Falls (27 metres/88 feet) on a River of the same name. Whilst not as dramatic or stepped as Lal Lal Falls, Moorabool Falls is noted for its single plunge and deep base with its enclosed Gully. Both Falls are a dreamscape, ripe for photography, let alone discovery on foot of the wonders of its diverse flora and fauna.

Since the European occupation, the area near Lal Lal Falls has been mined for minerals that have included kaolin and volcanic gravel. Extensive gold deposits were discovered at nearby Ballarat and Buninyong. The Ballarat to Geelong Railway Line passes within a few kilometres of the Falls, though nowadays it is only used for freight traffic. A number of sturdy and now rather forlorn bluestone stations dot the line; with the one at Lal Lal township (population - few - but there is a Pub that offers good bourbon and counter meals). Such stations are a reminder of when Victorian Railways was once the largest and most progressive employer in the State.

During our time around both Falls the Camera endured a shutter button drill as photo upon photo was composed - my eyes were darting from one object to another! I was so thrilled to be here, thanks to the kindness of these two people I had not known a few weeks ago. Also, being at the Falls affirmed once more why I have come to value this not well known location. Somewhat of a hidden natural gem. Needless to say, I was very reluctant to depart, despite the onset of storm clouds - a further reminder winter was only ending in a calendar sense. Still, some delicious home cooking awaited, a quiet and warm bed and I must confess I have lapped up the TLC shamelessly.

A note too for the very patient Blippers. I am indebted to your kind thoughts and enquiries, all of which I have derived comfort. Recent weeks have caused a tad of introspection and a re-appraisal of some aspects of my madcap life, perhaps an essence of less intensity on matters not related to Nature and Love (which will always be passions). Hopefully, a period of calmer health will ensure as in my climes we welcome wonderful spring into summer with its bounty of light and a renewal of the life vowels.

And I see this is my 100th blip - struth it took ages to get from 99 to 100!

Looks better enlarged I would think?