Ditchfield Camp is a fantastic free camping area within the Mount Cole State Forest - a beautiful scenic area with amazing views, popular for camping, horse riding, four wheel driving, walking and
picnicking.
Located about an hour from both Ballarat and Maryborough, the campsite features a large wooden hut with concrete floor, bench table (no seating) and an open fireplace. This hut is available to camp in. No fees or bookings are required, it is recommended to arrive early if you are seeking to use the hut as it is used on a 'first in first served' basis.
Alongside the hut is a large grassy clear area and a firepit with bench seating. Across the track you will find several campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, as well as the toilet blocks (non flush toilets).
There are no rubbish collection facilities at Ditchfield Camp, visitors must take any rubbish with them when leaving.
Dogs are permitted within Mount Cole State Forest on a lead.
There are several excellent walking tracks in the area, including Beeripmo Walk, Grevillea Walk, Woods Gully Walk, Paradise Walk, and Borella Walk (see further details below).
More information and history
The following text is printed in the Forest Notes for the Mount Cole State Forest (source):
"Walk through cool fern gullies and alpine plateaus then
rest to take in the views across the spreading plains to
Langi Ghiran and the Grampians. Experience a night at
the charming Beeripmo campground, then descend
through spectacular tall forests."
Located one hour drive west of Ballarat, just off the
Western Highway, Mt Cole State Forest is 25 kilometres
from the township of Beaufort and marks the gateway to
the Pyrenees Wine District and the Grampians.
History
The mountain was created 390 million years ago when hot
magma pushing up from deep beneath the earth, but failing
to break through, crystallised to form granite rock. Over
millions of years nature sculpted the area, eroding the
softer sediment and leaving the hard rock protruding from
the plains below.
Mt Cole or 'Bereep-bereep' was home to the Beeripmo
balug tribe that form part of the larger Djab Wurrung
language-speaking people. Through translation of the
local language we can get a feel for these people and what
they saw, 'Bereep-bereep' meaning wild, and Beeripmo
translating to "wild mount".
Following Major Mitchell's 1836 expedition, settlers
quickly moved into the area. Timber harvesting with axe
and cross cut saw began during the mid 1840's. In 1856
the use of steam powered mills commenced. By 1889,
demand from the goldfield towns for building materials,
firewood and railway sleepers led to thirty mills operating
within the region until 1904. The Forests Commission was
established in 1918 and soon after Mt Cole State Forest
was closed for timber harvesting. Timber harvesting was
reopened in a managed structure from 1947, by the Forests
Commission. In the 2000's timber harvesting was
significantly scaled back and is largely a by-product of
land management activities.
Plants, birds and wildlife
Large native trees including Messmate, Manna Gum, and
Blue Gums can be seen on the wetter southern half, while
woodland species such as Yellow box and Red Stringybark
grow to the north. Plants such as the rare Mt Cole
Grevillea can be found in a few locations, as can native
orchids and a plethora of wild flowers. Bird watching can
be very rewarding with more than 130 species of birds
sighted in the forest. Kangaroos, wallabies, echidna,
koalas and possums are also often seen.
Things to see and do
Enticed by the tranquility and views of the area, visitors
can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including
camping, horse riding, four-wheel driving, walking and
picnicking.
Walking
Mt Cole is a walker's paradise. Whether you have a day or
a week to spend, there is a walk for you.
- Beeripmo Walk
Distance 21 km, 11 hours 2 day return (moderate). Starting at Richards campground, the most recent walk at
Mt Cole is a journey of discovery for the novice and
experienced hiker. Walkers can experience a variety of
different forest environments from lush forests with ferns,
falls with a gentle sound of running water, the brilliant
green of the moss covered rocks, weather beaten rocky
outcrops and magnificent vistas of the tablelands below
and surrounding mountain ranges.
- Grevillea Walk
Distance 1.8 km, 45 min one way to Richards (moderate). The Glut picnic area is the starting point for this walk that
takes you on a short journey through Mt Cole to Richards
and return.
- Woods Gully Walk
Distance 1.4 km, 40 min return (moderate)
- Paradise Walk
Distance 9.2 km, 4 hours one way (difficult)
- Borella Walk
Distance 5 km, 3 hours one way (moderate). This walk from Chinamans to Ben Nevis is a bird watchers
delight. It was named in memory of noted local bird
observer Max Borella and offers great lookouts. As the
walk can be quite steep in places, it is recommended that
you take your time and enjoy the views.
On the right track
Choose appropriate footwear for the terrain. Solid but
lightweight walking boots are best. Avoid sensitive
vegetation by staying on the walking tracks. Stay on tracks
even if they are rough or muddy. Walking on the track
edges and cutting corners on steep 'zigzag' tracks will
increase the risk of damage to the environment and the risk
to personal safety.
Four-wheel driving
Popular for both private and organised 4WD club
activities, a range of different forest types and
topographies mean there is something for everyone.
Remember that seasonal road closures apply in a number
of areas from mid June to early November.
Horse riding
Riders are welcome to use most areas of the State Forest,
the majority of riding opportunities are along existing State
Forest roads. Smith's Bridge picnic area provides the best
base for horse riding in the Mt Cole area. Horse riding on
walking tracks is not permitted.
Camping - Picnicking
Attractive and quiet camping and picnicking spots are
scattered throughout Mt Cole State Forest catering for both
large and small groups.
Visitors have a choice of six different sites, these being
Chinamans, Ditchfields, Mugwamp, Richards, Smith's
Bridge and Beeripmo. The sites provide an ideal base,
from which people can go walking or horse riding. The
Beeripmo campground is purely for the hiker and forms
part of the Beeripmo Walk.
Most visitor sites at Mt Cole provide toilets, picnic
facilities, fireplaces/pits and shelters. There is no charge
for camping in the area and availability is on a first come
basis.
The Beeripmo Walk has one designated campground, and
is accessible by walkers only. Facilities at the site include
cleared tent sites, fireplaces, water and toilets. The
Beeripmo campground, high on the plateau is nestled in a
natural bushland setting and is one of the many rewards,
those who tackle the walk, can experience.
Plan your trip
- Let someone know before you go.
Tell them about your party, your route, when you plan
to return and the equipment your party is carrying.
Remember to contact them when you get back.
- Keep your party small (4-8 people). Large parties
have more of an environmental impact and may affect
the experience of others.
Looking after the environment
- All wildlife and native plants are protected by law.
Please do not disturb them in any way.
- Don't feed animals, especially around campsites.
- Dogs must be under direct control within State Forests
and are not permitted within State Parks.
- Vehicles including motorcycles must not be driven off
formed roads. All vehicles must be registered and
drivers licensed.
- Don't take potential rubbish such as bottles or cans.
You must carry out all your rubbish, including those
easy to forget items like paper, plastic wrappers and
orange peel, which won't easily decompose.
Campfires
Wood fires may be lit in fireplaces for cooking and warmth
in most forests, parks and public land. A number of
restrictions apply to ensure that fires do not escape and
fireplaces are safely constructed. Where possible, use the
fireplaces that are provided.
Use only dead fallen wood. Standing trees, even dead
ones are a home for wildlife and are part of the scenery.
Do not cut down any standing trees or vegetation. Observe
the relevant fire lighting regulations.
- Fires must be lit in a properly constructed fireplace.
Use the fireplaces that have been constructed for you.
- The fire must be no bigger than 1 metre square.
- 3 metres around the fire must be clear.
- The fire must not be left unattended at any time.
- Be absolutely sure that the fire is out before you leave.
If you can feel any warmth from the coals, use water
to put it out.
On days of TOTAL FIRE BAN the following are
PROHIBITED.
- All fires in the open air (including campfires and
portable gas or liquid fuelled stoves).
- All gas or liquid fuelled appliances in tents, tent type
trailers and vehicles.
It is your responsibility to know if a day of Total Fire Ban
has been declared. Contact your local DSE or CFA office.
If in doubt, don't light it.
On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, the Department
of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria will
be closing parks and state forests to the public.
For your own safety, do not enter parks or forests - and if
you are already there, you should leave the night before or
early in the morning on a Code Red Fire Danger Rating
day. You may not receive a personal warning or see sings
telling you that the park or forest is closed.
For more information
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
is responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For
further information on the Beeripmo Walk or the Mt Cole
region contact DSE's Customer Service Centre on 136
186.
Visit DSE's website
then select < Forests.
The Mt. Cole State Forest is managed for a wide range of
uses including catchment protection, timber production,
recreation and conservation. If you are interested in how
State Forests are managed, the current Midlands Forest
Management Plan can be viewed on the Department's
website on the Internet at
then select < Forests < Regional Information < Midlands ,
Midlands Forest Management Plan.
Raglan
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