204 Excursion to Wavburton. f^'Mardf' 



as there was every appearance of others to follow, we made 

 a descent on the local store, and each secured a yard and a 

 half of American cloth, which, with the aid of a safety-pin, 

 formed a very serviceable " poncho," and, if it did not shield 

 us entirely from the rain, it at least had the merit of keeping 

 our shoulders dry, and was found to be considerably lighter 

 and easier to carry than an overcoat. After making inquiries 

 as to tracks, we decided to follow the tram line leading to 

 Richards's mill, distant about a mile, but situated at least a 

 thousand feet above the township, on the northern side of the 

 Yarra. Several smart showers occurred before the mill was 

 reached, and we were glad of an excuse to watch the huge 

 logs being cut up into various-sized planks and boards. From 

 the mill two or three tracks lead higher up, but we decided to 

 keep to the tram-line, which presently became still steeper. 

 The views down into the Yarra valley were very line, but 

 partly spoiled by the mist of passing showers. Presently we 

 found ourselves among the clouds, cut off from all below. 

 Onwards and upwards, in about another mile we reached the 

 terminus of the tram-line, close to the new bridle-track in 

 course of formation by the Public Works Department for the 

 convenience of tourists, at a point about six and a half miles 

 from its commencement, and three and a half from the summit 

 of Mount Donna Buang. This track, it may be mentioned, 

 starts from the bridge over the Yarra at the Adventists' 

 printing works, near Four-Mile Creek, and, to gain the summit 

 on an easy grade, has to make a considerable detour — first to 

 the east, then north to Cement Creek, where the four-mile 

 mark is situated ; it then turns due south again, gaining 

 almost the crest of the range, just where we struck it, at six 

 and a half miles. The position of this track is marked on 

 the new tourist map of the Healesville district. When 

 this fine piece of work is completed the ascent of the 

 mount will be an easy matter, though occupying perhaps a 

 little more time. The vegetation on the way up had been of 

 the usual type to be found in the forest country along the Yarra 

 valley — hazel, musk, mulberry, blanket-wood, Christmas-tree, 

 &c., among the remains of an old eucalyptus forest long since 

 vanquished by fire and axe ; but, owing to the wet state of 

 everything, we had to be content with observing it from the 

 tram. Just where we left the tramway were two or three 

 beeches, Fagus Ctinninghami, popularly known as myrtles. 

 Other and extensive myrtle groves are in gullies of this mountain, 

 but our way did not bring us near them. The track now turned 

 to the west, compelling us to face the showers. Winding along 

 the face of the range, in about a mile we struck the old Marys- 

 ville mining track, and found that the construction of the new 



