Pine Trees - Photo by William Thayer
You would probably feel on top of the world, too, should you choose to sit in Arthur's seat at the state park. But just who is Arthur? He might be the founder, but nevertheless remains a mystery man, like many of these parks that are named after the developers, who tend to be landscape professionals, gardeners, or maybe even sculptors.
The name "Arthur" is in plural form, which means it could be a family name. Whether it's in singular form, plural form or quadruple form, what matters is the scenery at this Mornington Peninsula park, not the name so much.
Let's get back to that on top of the world feeling. Well, you could probably say you felt on top of Victoria while at Arthurs Seat State Park. This whole place is on a raised section of earth that is approximately a quarter of a kilometre high.
When there are no clouds, you can see for miles upon miles. Some key landmarks within view are
Mount Macedon,
Port Phillip Bay, and
The You Yangs, depending on which direction you look.
The City of Melbourne can also be seen, and in all likelihood is the clearest thing around, especially if you happen to be at the park after sunset.
Arthurs Seat State Park appears to target those who are really into bushwalking. There are a number of user friendly paths in the area, including a non-treacherous walkway to Kings Falls Circuit. This particular walk is about one thousand metres in length, so it should be appropriate for the novice bushwalker. More experienced bushwalkers could attempt the path that leads to the Dam, which is more than three kilometres. Simply look for the signs and the accompanying distances. There are much longer tracks than these, but I'd rather not put you off bushwalking.
There has been quite a lot of rainfall in recent months, compared to the dry conditions of many years previous. As a result, you could expect things to look a lot greener and fresher rather than appearing like the most effective of fire accelerants.
Obviously, you want your day to be sunny and clear if you wish to enjoy the benefits of views and to avoid walking around in a muddy environment. There's probably nothing more irritating than the sloshing sound of trekking and hiking in soggy conditions, especially when your socks get wet. Don't underestimate the moisture in grass, no matter how waterproof you think your boots are.
The park itself contains the usual picnic facilities, including electric barbecues, tables, toilets, and of course enough parking spaces for the significant number of visitors. They just keep rocking up and rolling in.
Finally, there's also something for cycling enthusiasts. Arthurs Seat State Park has some bike tracks, especially for those of you who want to pretend you are competing in the Tour de France. There is quite a bit of hilly terrain that's waiting to be ridden. Just don't overdo it. Those super endurance champions are well looked after when off track, so don't feel sorry for them. You don't get those exotic massages. Look after yourself. Please take it easy out there.
