Ruffy sits on the Southern Strathbogie Plateau in the Victorian Highlands – Northern Fall Bio-region. Geology and soils As part of the Strathbogie Ranges the granite rocks of the Hughes Creek catchment were formed when a mass of molten rock forced its way towards the surface of the earth, was trapped and cooled. This happened over 350 million years ago, in the Upper Devonian period of geological history. The molten rock heated and compressed the existing rocks and they became harder, creating a metamorphic ring. These rocks now form the ranges around the granite tableland. Switzerland Range, Black Range, Waggs Range and Callens Range. The Hughes Creek cuts through these metamorphic rocks near ‘ Kulaba’ in the west of the catchment. Observe the change on the Gobur cutting, Yarck cutting and Ghin Ghin cutting. Tarcombe Valley The tableland was probably once a plain which eroded to expose the granite and give form to the land. A plateau of rolling hills with some steep hills, deep gullies and scarps has resulted. Alluvial plains have formed as broad valleys. Granite tends to crack along the cooling joints and often drainage patterns follow these cracks. Hughes Creek makes a number of abrupt ninety … Continue reading Local Environment