The Gates of Heaven

Easy: 1 hour loop An easy walk through an arboretum established by the early forestry industry and partly follows the Railton-Roland train line which closed in 1957 and had a station at Stoodley. It is also the site of one of the region's first sawmills – built in 1854 on nearby Red Water Creek. The original wooden water trough, from the early 1900s, was a regular stopping place for horses and riders and for traction engines to top up their boilers. Access is via the B14, 5.5 km south of Railton or 5 km east of Sheffield.

Easy when viewing from below or moderate but steep climbs to top: 25 minutes return. Consisting of three tiers with good views of the falls from the cliff top. The walk is unfenced and next to a ravine so is unsuitable for small children. Care is also needed on the final section, at the base of the falls, as it is very slippery when wet. From Sheffield take the B14 towards Railton and turn right onto the C156. Park on Bridle Track Road about 150 metres north of the Lower Beulah turn off. Follow tags, pink then blue, north-west inside bush along the cliff edge.

English World War 1 engineer Norman Sykes bought 15 hectares of land near Railton to get away from people and because he felt nature was good for the soul. While he was an eccentric hermit, he was famous in Railton as he was often seen riding his bicycle to town for supplies. Suddenly, in 1977, he loaded all his belongings into a pram, bequeathed his land to the Kentish Council to keep in trust for all the people of Railton and visitors to enjoy, then moved to Melbourne, never to be seen by Railton residents again. Mr Sykes left his property for nature conservation and so people could enjoy the peace, tranquillity and serenity. On the site, his son, Ian, constructed two fascinating monuments with mathematical equations said to explain the origins of the universe and spirituality, using ancient theories from Pythagoras, Confucius, the Sumerian Oannes, the Indian Kapila, the Egyptian Imhotep, the Chinese Fu Shi, and spiritual leader Buddha. Today Sykes Sanctuary is a spiritual and intriguing site where visitors can quietly sit and listen to birdsong, see wildlife in their natural environs and reflect on life, the Universe and everything.