Victoria’s Valley of Giants
Published in The Age, Saturday 18th June 1932, page 6
By Alexis
The Cumberland Valley, tucked away in the Great Divide some twelve miles from Marysville, is a beauty spot unappreciated as it should be. To wander among the giants of the forest is to provide oneself with the means of untold wealth of romance. The pity is that few visit the spot in this so-called “unromantic age.”
The car trip from Marysvilie is, in itself, quite worth while. The road climbs from the very start, and proves a good test for the pulling power of the car. Winding in and out among the hills, new and varied scenes present themselves. At times we are driving round timbered slopes, now and then emerging at places where the road is on the very edge of a precipice, providing the opportunity for a fine panorama. At other times we drive through sparsely timbered undulating country. No matter what type of country we pass there is always plenty to interest us.
Arriving at our destination we decide to view the falls before lunch, and then to spend the whole afternoon in the forest. An avenue of tree ferns has been planted at the beginning of the track to the falls, and here one can find a cool and shady retreat on even the hottest day. Passing through the avenue the track continues along between a jumble of trees, ferns and undergrowth. The ground is damp, and mosses and small ferns are found everywhere. In several places, where the descent is steep, steps have been made, and wire hand rails provided to assist the tourist.
Along the track we pass Cora Lynn Falls, and the Meeting of the Waters, as well as the Cumberland Falls. Corn Lynn Falls are set among masses of shrubs and ferns, and, viewing them from a fallen log stretching across the stream, they present a picture full of charm and beauty. The Meeting of the Waters, as the name implies, is the junction of several mountain streams. Here they flow over extremely rocky beds, which provide numerous cascades set amongst the trees.
From here the truck begins to climb, and, after a short walk, we see the Cumberland Falls through the trees. After viewing the falls we continue our way along the track, which now brings us back to our starting place. We all set to work: the billy is boiled, and we enjoy our lunch; our appetites sharpened by the walk and the fresh mountain air.
When everybody is ready we start along the track to the forest. At first we pass only small trees, but shortly emerge into a space where the undergrowth and smaller trees have been removed—only the giants have been left standing. This spot, an acre in extent, was cleared some years ago to give a party of American scientists an opportunity of studying the trees. It proves very useful to tourists, as they also have the opportunity of seeing the trees to advantage.
Gazing upwards we are struck with wonder by the spectacle of these giants of the forest rearing their tops toward the blue skies. The trees in this clearing rise to an average height of 266 feet, and are so straight that they seem to have been dressed by a master carpenter. The first branch appears at a height of about 180 or 200 feet. The trees are of an average girth of 13 feet 5 inches at a height of 10 feet from the ground. So perfectly proportioned are the trees that it is hard to realise they are so tall. The fact is forced home to me as I attempt to take a photograph of one of them. In vain I try to include the full length of the tree in my picture. I walk back about 100 yards, but even then the top of the tree does not show on the focussing screen.
Continuing past this clearing, we come into the virgin forest, where the giants rear their tops over their less fortunate fellows. Here one may well stop and ponder over the majesty of it all. How old the trees are we do not know, but hundreds of years must have passed during their period of growth. What strange and wonderful tales would they tell if only they could speak to us. Such a heritage: and yet we Australians do not appreciate it to the full. In other parts we have permitted the ruthless destruction of our forests in response to the ever-increasing demand for timber for commercial uses. All lovers of beauty must join with me in hoping that this valley of giants will never be wilfully destroyed under any pretext whatever.
Alas! I cannot set all my meditations on paper, and must come back to earth again. We set out along the track back to the car once more. It is with regret that we leave, but the picture is one which cannot fade from the mind.
Much has been spoken and written about the wonderful Redwood forests of America, but, in the Cumberland Forest, Victoria possesses mighty trees of which any nation would be proud. If you have not already seen them, lose no opportunity, for you will be well repaid.
