Flora Car Park - Tablelands track is the main arterial route to the west in these parts and is a 1.2 m benched and graded track throughout. It was constructed in the 1870s to serve the gold diggings on the Mount Arthur Tablelands and beyond, namely the valleys of the Leslie, Crow and Roaring Lion.
3 km down the track from Flora Hut is Bishop's Pool. Bishop Suter is said to have bathered here whilst on a visit to the Tableland diggings in the 1880s. At 3.75m you cross Horseshoe Creek, and 1.5 km further on are Grid Iron Creek and Grid Iron Shelters. Here giant blocks of rock have tumbled down Flora Valley from the parent formation higher up, and two of these blocks have been made into dry rock camps. Grid Iron Uppper Shelter 4 persons overnight and Grid Iron Lower can take 8. Dry Rock shelters keep dry in the roughest weather.
6 km down from Flora Hut the track divides at what is called the Upper Junction. The track to the left rises on a steady 4 km pull to the Tablelands. In 30 minutes Growler Creek is reached, usually a shady resting place where water gurgles down over mossy rocks, but in flooding rains the Growler lives up to its name as white water cascades down, dancing and seeting in a witches cauldron of sight and sound. There is a wayside shelter here with a couple of bunks to boil up a billy and rest up.
It is 1 hour from Growler to open tussock country of what is called Salisbury' Open. Salisbury Creek meanders dwon through the Open, and a short side side track here leads to a rock shelter, which is well developed from limestone overhang, nicely sheltered from the prevailing south westerlies and lying well to the sun.
Along the main track, beyond Salisbury Creek, 2 chimney mounts indicate the site of Salisbury Hut (1928 - 75) which was a counterpart of Flora Hut, built in a similar style. It was replaced in 1974 by Salisbury Lodge about 1 km further west. Salisbury Lodge commands a very fine view of the western side of the Arthur Range and is ideally suited for use by school, or other groups , or families.
Hut: Grid Iron Rock Shelters: 12 bunks; Growler Shelter, 2 bunks; Dry Rock Shelter 10 bunks; Salisbury lodge 24 bunks, gas burners provide heating & cooking |
