Major Mitchell Plateau

The Grampians National park has dozens of day walks.  Walking north from the Mafeking goldfields  the route steadily ascends the southern end of the Major Mitchell plateau. The plateau is in full flower later than the rest of the Grampians

the Alpine Greenhood orchid was growing profusely in the snow gum gullies Acacia cuneata blocks our view to the Serra Range in the West The Apple Berry twines over the forest floor
at last we reach the plateau and the Western ridges of the Grampians unfold Looking south from the plateau you can see Mt Abrupt in the leave litter of the lower forest we found the Bird orchid "Chiloglottis valida"
The "Eyebright" is a root parasite that grows on the lower forest of the plateau just like a mini pine tree this primeval conifer grows profusely in damp places when you descend to the wet gullies again .. you will see Acacia verticillata.

These pictures were taken in October 2000