What – Mt Napier – Tapoc, young Australian volcano which erupted 32,000 years ago
Where – Mt Napier State Park, south of Hamilton
How far – 2.5km return and 145m elevation
10 words – Worst windy day for climbing but brilliant experience and view
Mt Napier – traditionally known as Tapoc, Taapuuk or Murroa – provided much childhood wonder and dread.
It is among the youngest of mainland Australia’s volcanoes and my adolescent self lived in fear of its re-awakening.
The daily school commute passed both its peak and the rocky valley which had been a river of lava 32,000 years earlier.
Often, I would check for signs of steam curling from the rocky summit.
As a young adult I conquered this fear and climbed to the top, joined by a mob of roos sheltering in the bare crater.
Tapoc – which was possibly named from the local Taapuuk Gundidj clan – is a towering island in the sea of stones, trees and bracken which is Mt Napier State Park.
This mess of almost impenetrable bush is a stark contrast to the patchwork of square, grassy, sheep and cattle-filled paddocks that surround it.
To get there you head south from Hamilton towards Macarthur, turn left into Old Murroa Road (there is a sign to the park) and follow the winding bitumen to the park entrance.
From here it is another 4km of bumpy gravel to reach the walk. Look closely and you will see remnants of old lava flows in amongst the big and healthy trees and the lush bracken.
The well-signposted start to the walk is just beyond an old quarry site.
We are walking in November during a wet spring and the grass is high and drying out so snakes – who just love this rocky paradise – will be on the move.
It looks like my timing is perfect – just days after whipper snippers turned the tall spring growth in slashed and smashed piles of thistles and grass at the track edge.
It is a pleasant, easy walk through the big, moss-covered trees which show no signs of any recent fire damage.
A carpet of bracken spreads as far as the eye can see between the blackwoods and gums providing great colours, textures and patterns.
At times the trees thin out and I get a view to the north, before it is all lost to a steamy mist.
Showers turn to fierce wind and rain on the bald summit. With a deep crater either side I bob down and shelter beside the cement block with a plaque.
No magic views or kangaroos today so I retreat to the trees.
Calm is quickly restored, for much nicer downhill ride.
There is a glimpse of Budj Bim’s summit, tall blackwoods and plenty of lichen and mosses on the trees and rocks.
The only eruption is late afternoon sunshine that paints the bush in a new and charming light.
It is an ideal end to the short walk and where I reconnected with an old friend, hung on for dear life and gained a new perspective on this volcanic icon.
52 weeks 52 walks 