Today I became Bear Grylls minus the 5-star hotel

Bear Grylls is famous for his inspirational adventures, extreme survival skills and of course, when the cameras stop rolling, a 5-star hotel. So, like Grylls, was I about to brave the wilderness in front of a camera while drinking my own urine? No. I was going to attempt something far more demanding. Today, I was tackling adversity head-on by going for a hike. Specifically, the 8.5-kilometre Myrtle Gully Circuit in Toolangi State Forest, a mere 90-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD.

Going in blind

One of the defining traits of any proper adventurer is meticulous preparation. Careful research and planning help ensure they are equipped to manage changing conditions and potential risks. History has shown that neglecting this process can have devastating consequences. This was illustrated by the 1996 Everest disaster, where insufficient preparation and poor decision-making contributed to tragic outcomes. With this in mind, I left for Myrtle Gully circuit in a car containing my Dad, Cousin and Uncle, completely oblivious to the weather forecast.

Dubious beginnings

As I hopped out of the car, I looked up at the sky with hesitation. It was filled with dark, ominous clouds. The air was cool and damp. Goosebumps began to form on my arms, and I began to question my decision not to bring a jumper or rain jacket. At the entrance of the circuit, we were met with a smooth boardwalk. It was at this point I truly began to question what Grylls was always fussing about… surviving a forest, it turns out, is easy. There was no need for hiking boots… I thought. This thought process was short-lived, and the pleasant boardwalk soon gave way to a simple dirt track.

The consequences of trees ignoring growth hormone guidelines

As we ventured onto the dirt track, I began to appreciate the beauty of the place. The noise of the modern world had faded, and instead, we were surrounded by sweet birdsong and buzzing insects. Twigs and moss-covered logs scattered the forest floor, while layers of lush ferns rose above us. My eyes then caught sight of the towering Mountain Ash trees. Amazingly, Mountain Ash are the world’s tallest flowering plants and can be over 100 meters tall. What’s special about this is that they only grow 2-3cms a year, which made me truly appreciate the age of these trees.

An inspiring backstory

What makes Myrtle Gully so extraordinary is not its scale, but its story of persistence. Despite being ravaged by a severe bushfire in 1939 and experiencing significant logging, much of the forest has endured and regrown.

*“A useful sign about the history of the walk”*

As a matter of fact… I am a genius

As we continued onwards the sun broke away from the clouds illuminating the area in a ray of golden sunshine. In stark contrast to the beginning of the walk, sweat began to trickle down my back, and I was reassured of my genius. Instead, it was my cousin Clare, who was beginning to regret her decision to wear a jacket.

A quick snack break

At the halfway mark, we discovered a wooden bench, which we naturally collapsed onto to “enjoy the views”. In my case, this meant ransacking the snack bag and feasting on a collection of rice crackers and seaweed. After refuelling myself on salt, we continued onwards, the rest of the hike being a gentle downhill walk.

*“A little friend we made along the way”*

Conclusion

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the hike and would highly recommend it as a day trip for anyone living in or visiting Melbourne. The following contains some basic information about the walk.

Myrtle gully circuit walk – basic info

The trail begins on the boardwalk pointing to Wirrawilla walk before leading to the start of the loop. The circuit is a total of 8.5km, and is part of the longer 17.3km Tanglefoot Loop Trail. The first half of the walk is a constant 246m climb, and although it’s not too steep, I recommend bringing water or snacks. The ground is uneven and may not be suitable for elderly walkers; however, it is a great hike for families and kids. After any rainfall, I suggest bringing quality walking boots as the trail can become muddy.