Many of us have driven through the picturesque Briagolong district north of the township, but few have ventured out on foot to discover the natural wonders of the area.

A few years. ago, pounding the Briagolong beat would have tested the most seasoned walkers. but the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has made the activity a little easier by building a number of walking tracks through the district.

The new tracks provide different degrees of difficulty, so casual or experienced walkers can choose the challenges which best suit them. Already the tracks have attracted large numbers of walkers, who are able to enjoy the excellent views and historical areas at their own pace.

The latest track, an extension of the Blue Pool walk, was completed in 2000 by summer fire crews from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Briagolong. It is a well made track with an excellent grade, creek crossings and seats of rocks to rest on.

The track starts at Blue Pool, eight kilometres from Briagolong along a sealed road. Walkers can park here and begin the trek which continues past the Peregrine Lookout, to a well formed benched track leading to the crossing on the Freestone Creek. If the creek is running too high, walkers must be prepared to .hike back the same way, but.if the creek can be crossed, walkers will be able to return via the newly recut Track 96 to -Gladstone Creek. then via road to the Froam Picnic Area before venturing onto the walking track again en route to Blue Pool. The round trip should take less than three hours.

There are picnic areas at the Blue Pool. McKinnon's Point and Froarn areas and depending on the time of year, walkers will see wildflowers, bush gullies with running water, birds and wildlife in abundance.

Markers indicate that motorcycles and horse riding are prohibited ensuring the safety of walkers and preventing damage to the tracks.

After leaving McKinnon's Point you walk the road for 1 1/2Kilometres. Pick up the cut track 300m up Boundary track (Northernside), which is part of the historical track from Briagolong to Cobbannah constructed in the 1800's. The track was recut in 1995 by a group of unemployed people enlisted by the Department of Employment, Education and Training and supervised by the Ben Cruachan Walking Club and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

A number of school groups use the track because it is well marked and easy to follow. Seasoned walkers will complete the full trip in around seven hours but the less experienced may prefer to journey 30 minutes along the track for a picnic at one of the creek flats, before returning.

The walk includes the option to explore the historic Lees Creek Gold Mining Loop also known as the Alistair Fielding Memorial Track. This is a two hour walk taking you back to the alluvial gold mining era of the 1890s at Lees Creek. Walkers will be able to view old house sites, alluvial diggings and a water race used to bring water from a dam to the diggings. There is a large population of native wildlife in the area including deer. wombats and birds.

Separate maps for these walks are available from Department of Natural Resources and Environment offices, the Briagolong Bake House (open seven days) and the Maffra Visitor Information Centre (open 10 am to 5 p.m. every day except Wednesday). Further information can be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Briagolong Telephone (03) 51455215.