Thing are happening at McFarlanes Hill ... It is rapidly becoming a hill for all people

Green Corps leader Richard McTernan (right) and member Adam Wilson check a corps-built footbridge.

Have you been for a picnic at Swainsona Reserve or a stroll along the Ridge Walking Track at McFarlanes Hill Parkland recently?

Indeed, do you know the track exists or that there is a beautiful, peaceful little valley with picnic facilities at Swainsona Reserve?

McFarlanes Hill, or 'Hunchback' as many know it, is being transformed into a wonderful system of conservation and recreation zones for the benefit of the community.

Where is it?

Simply head west along Felltimber Creek Road, in Wodonga, until you reach Ingrams Road. About 200 metres further west you will find a large parklands sign depicting regional parklands and the location of current access points.

The Ridge Walking Track at MacFarlanes Hill provides a return walk of just over 4km and provides spectacular views, abundant wildlife and a wonderful sense of peace and relaxation. The first section from Ingrams Road to the summit is quite steep, but the rest of the journey is fairly easy going. The track is clearly sign-posted, has styles over fences and simple bridges over the deeper gullies. At the western end of the circuit the track has been constructed by and is periodically used by members of Wodonga Mountain Bike Club. Signage indicates dual use sections.

We are often asked about dogs. At this stage dogs under control are permitted on a trial basis, but you must be confident that you can control them because of their potential threat to wildlife and livestock. If you have doubts, keep your dog on a leash or leave it at home.

Swainsona Reserve 

Access to Swainsona Reserve is from Felltimber Creek Road about 2.7 km west of the Ingrams Road T junction. Take care on this road. It has a number of bends and steep hills and the surface can be a little loose at times. The reserve has a footbridge across the creek to picnic tables. A short trail leads to several spectacular views into a hidden gully.

Those of us familiar with Swainsona Reserve consider it to be a very special, peaceful place. Visitors will gain most by respecting the quiet, natural ambience of the reserve. Sorry, dogs not permitted here.

Development work on the track and the reserve is being carried out by teams from Green Corps, the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers, the Community Development Employment Project, and Koori students at Wodonga Institute of TAFE.