August-November, 2007

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Date: Aug Sep Oct Nov

Wed 15/8

CLUB MEETING

Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road

Sun 19/8

NEWPORT LAKES / RAILWAY MUSEUM

E

Walk area: Williamstown Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
Start at Seaholm (where’s that?) and follow the western shore of Port Phillip Bay, before visiting the Railway Museum ($6.00 entry) for a nostalgic hour. Then onto the Newport Lakes and Newport Station for return by train

Sun 19/8

CASTLEMAINE TO VAUGHAN SPRINGS

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 120 km N Nearest town: Castlemaine
Walk area: Castlemaine Diggings NHP Max walkers 20 Walking distance: 17 km
The walk follows the Castlemaine to Vaughan leg of the Dry Diggings Track. Sections of the walk pass through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Car shuffle required.

Fri - Sun 24-26/8

MYSTERY WEEKEND 20th Anniversary Event

E

Distance/direction from Melbourne: unknown Nearest town: A secret
Walk area: This will be a surprise Max walkers 30 Walking distance: tba
Special Birthday Mystery Weekend. It will be a base camp but you won’t know where until you arrive on Friday night! Instructions on where to go will be given the week prior to the event. This Mystery weekend is designed to be lots of fun with some easy walking, a communal dinner and plenty of birthday celebrations and silliness. You will need to camp so think about hiring or sharing a tent if you don’t have one. We will have a large tent for Saturday dinner and shelter in inclement weather. Dinner will be formal and fun is compulsory. There will be a cost of about $25 to cover hire of marquee, camp fees etc.

Sun 26/8

TRACK MAINTENANCE – THE BEECHES

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Distance/direction from Melbourne: Nearest town: Marysville
Walk area: Yarra Ranges NP Max walkers - Walking distance:
Track clearing on the recently reopened Beeches loop track. The track has been closed for two years with bridges being unsafe. These bridges have now been replaced and we now need to attend to the track. Steve Robertson is the leader for this day. Meeting time was originally at 9.00am at the Bakery at Marysville, but please check this with Steve before the day. All equipment will be supplied and participants are asked to bring wet weather gear just in case. . This is a Bushwalking Victoria TMG (Track Maintenance Group) event. Members of all VicWalk clubs are welcome to attend.

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Wed 12/9

SNOW PACK CARRY THE RAZORBACK - MT FEATHERTOP

MH

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 330 NE Nearest town: Mt Hotham / Harrietville
Walk area: Alpine National Park Max walkers 8 Walking distance: 18 km
Suitable for strong walkers only. Snow shoes/ Crampons required. Descent via Bungalow Spur. Route dependent on weather conditions.

Sun 2/9

DIAMOND CREEK

E

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 25km E Nearest town: Eltham
Walk area: Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
The township and Creek share the same name. This walk will be on paths most of the way – no ups and downs.

Sun 2/9

MONDA TRACK

MH

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 80 km E Nearest town: Healesville
Walk area: Yarra Ranges National Park Max walkers 15 Walking distance: 16 km
This circuit walk starts at Dom Dom Saddle and climbs to Monda Track on the Great Dividing Range. Walk through tall mountain ash forests. Note: there is a significant climb of 650m to reach the top of the divide.

Sun 9/9

MT TORBRECK SNOW WALK

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 140km Nearest town: Marysville
Walk area: Mt Torbreck Max walkers 15 Walking distance: 8km
This is a great opportunity to experience walking and "playing" in the snow. With lost of snow around this year conditions should still be favourable for this walk. Bring warm clothes to walk in as well as a change to travel home in, you will require overpants and a waterproof jacket. Hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses should also be carried. This is not a resort area so carry lunch, a hot drink if you want.

Wed 12/9

ST. KILDA TO SANDRINGHAM

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''Distance/direction from Melbourne: Nearest town:\\ Walk area: Melbourne Suburban Max walkers - Walking distance: 12 km''
Walking mainly on pavement and some sand along coast from St. Kilda to Sandringham. Part of Bayside Heidelberg School of Artists Trail. Daily Met ticket required. Meet at Victoria Park, Kew at 8.45 a.m.

Fri – Sun 14 – 30/9

SPRING 2007 BIBBULMAN TRACK WA. SECTIONS PC

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 3000 km W Nearest town: Albany
Walk area: Coastal and Forest Max walkers 8 Walking distance:
This track runs 800 km or so from Albany to Perth. The aim is to walk 3 different sections of 3-4 days each. The track roughly follows the coast so there are coastal views as well as forest walking. This is the wildflower season. Non-walking drivers also welcome.

Sun 16/9

ARTHURS SEAT

EM

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 70 km S Nearest town: Dromana
Walk area: Arthurs Seat State Park Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
This walk will be through the Arthurs Seat State Park visiting Kings Falls and Seawinds Gardens. Good views of Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. Some steep climbs.

Wed 19/9

CLUB MEETING 20th Anniversary Event

Celebration Evening

Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road. There will be a short meeting followed by a party to celebrate the Club's 20th anniversary. Monica Chapman, co-author of Day Walks Victoria will present a slideshow and David Reid, president of Bushwalking Victoria, will talk about future directions.

Sun 23/9

MURRINDINDI REVISITED 20th Anniversary Event

EM & M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 80 km NE Nearest town: Toolangi
Walk area: Toolangi State Forest Max walkers - Walking distance: 14 km
Murrindindi is the location for the Club’s first day walk in 1987!! All members are encouraged to re-visit that experience on this important commemorative event! Vist the Murrindindi River, Cascades and Wilhelmina Falls and learn about the track maintenance program. There will be a range of walks from EM – M. .

Sun 30/9

DOONGALLA FOREST WALK

EM

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 42 km E Nearest town: Montrose
Walk area: Doongalla Forest Max walkers 15 Walking distance: 12 km
Doongalla Forest takes in the western slopes of the Dandenong Ranges. Tall Mountain Ash, Long Leaved Box and Red Stringybark eucalyptus, tree fern gullies. Pack an extra morning tea snack to enjoy in the beautiful gardens of Doongalla. Panoramic views of Melbourne and beyond. Boots must be worn. Walking pole/s recommended. Some rocky sections and several 50 – 100 m climbs.

Sun 30/9

TRACK MAINTENANCE - CONDONS TRACK

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Distance/direction from Melbourne: Nearest town: Healesville
Walk area: Yarra Ranges NP Max walkers - Walking distance:
This day will be involved with a total sweep of the track with pruning and chain-sawing, but with the main concentration on benching and steps about one third of the way up. Transportation into management vehicle only zones will be organised on the day. Meeting time is 9.00am at Parks Victoria office at Maroondah Reservoir Park. Leader contact is Steve Robertson. This is a Bushwalking Victoria TMG (Track Maintenance Group) event. Members of all VicWalk clubs are welcome to attend.

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Sun 7/10

GARDENS OF THE DANDENONGS

E

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 40km E Nearest town: Kalorama
Walk area: Dandenongs Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
Spring seems a good time to visit these different gardens and/or surrounds. Entry fees apply in some cases.

Sun 7/10

GREAT DIVIDING TRAIL – STAGE 5

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 110 km NW Nearest town: Blackwood
Walk area: Wombat Forest and Lerderderg State Park Max walkers 20 Walking distance: 18 km
Starting from where we finished on Stage 4 (Nolan’s Picnic Ground), continue past Garden of St Erth on to Blackwood and then beyond to O’Briens Crossing Road. Lots of interest and we are well into spring so should be plenty of flowers etc.

Wed 10/10

WOODLANDS PARK – LIVING LEGENDS

E

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 25km NW Nearest town: Oaklands Junction
Walk area: Woodlands Historic Park Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
Walk will start in Woodlands Historic Park for the morning and in the afternoon we will visit Alistair Clark Rose Garden (free) and the Living Legends Home for Retired Racehorses. Tour and afternoon tea will cost $10.00. Meet at Victoria Park, Kew at 8.45 a.m.

Sat – Sun 13 – 14/10

REPEAT OF FIRST CLUB PACK CARRY TO MUSTERING FLAT 20th Anniversary Event

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 180 km E Nearest town: Erica
Walk area: Baw Baw NP Max walkers 14 Walking distance: 22km
The location for this important commemorative pack carry is the alpine snowgum woodlands and herbfields of Baw Baw National Park. We will walk up from the Mt St Gwinear Carpark on to the Baw Baw Plateau, with a short (easy) off track section to Mustering Flat, then up on to Mt St Phillack. We’ll then head down the main alpine track to our camping spot on the plateau. Second day is an easy descent to the Mt Erica Carpark via Mushroom Rocks and a lovely beech forest. We may need to reconsider plans if there is still a lot of late snow.. A car drop is required, and there is an opportunity for walkers to stay at Rawson Village on the Friday night.

Sun 14/10

BRIMBANK PARK CIRCUIT RIDE

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 0km Nearest town: Melbourne
Walk area: Southeastern suburbs Max walkers 15 Riding distance: 55-60km
From Southbank we’ll ride via Docklands and Footscray Rd to the Maribyrnong River and follow this upstream to Brimbank Park. Then we’ll use the Ring Road path to connect to the Moonee Ponds Creek path and ride back along this to return to our starting place. The ride is almost all off-road and there are some unsealed sections so bring a hybrid or mountain bike. There are bail outs for those who want a shorter ride. Meet at Southbank near the footbridge at 9.15am. BYO lunch but we’ll have morning coffee at a cafe along the way.

Wed 17/10

CLUB MEETING

Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road. Ray Kennedy will give a slide show on walking the Larapinta Trail.

Fri 19/10

WALKS FORUM

Walks forum to be held at 7.30pm, at 21 Oliver Street Ashburton. Aim is to discuss training and skills development for walkers and leaders over the next 12 months and build the walks program for the next 2 quarters. This forum is open to all members. Drinks and nibbles supplied

Sun 21/10

FEDERATION DAY WALKS

E-H

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 60km E Nearest town: Healesville
Walk area: Yarra Ranges, Cathedral Range Max walkers - Walking distance: var
A series of day walks ranging from easy to hard grading located in the Yarra Ranges National Park and Cathedral Range State Park. Bookings need to be made early (see article in main part of Vagabond).

Sat 27/10

INDIAN RESTAURANT NIGHT

Sahni’s Indian Restaurant. 611 Glenferrie Rd Hawthorn (just south of Burwood Rd). 6.30pm BYO wine. Cost approx $25 per head.

Sun 28/10

JOHN’S HILL (CLEMATIS)

EM

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 52km E Nearest town: Belgrave
Walk area: Dandenongs foothills Max walkers 20 Walking distance: 12.5 km
A combination of road reserve, gentle forest walking tracks and very quiet country roads. The walk crosses the Puffing Billy Railway line several times. Views of Cardinia and Silvan Reservoirs. Total climbing 335m.

Sun 28/10

WHISKEY CREEK - LERDERDERG RIVER

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 72km NW Nearest town: Bacchus Marsh
Walk area: Kinglake NP Max walkers 12 Walking distance: 10.5km
A short but challenging walk with a number of very steep ascents and descents. Part of the walk follows the Great Dividing Trail. There is a descent of 300m over ½km from Razorback North Tk to the Lerderderg R; a climb of 300m over 2km out of the river, followed by another descent of over 200m over 1km only to climb back up again over 3km. There are 3 river crossing, so expect wet feet.

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Fri-Tues 2-6 Nov

NW VICTORIA - WYPERFELD PC

H

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 450km NW Nearest town: Hopetoun
Walk area: Wyperfeld NP Max walkers Walking distance: Up to 40km
This 4 day PC will be a combination of on track and off-track. With navigation through Mallee scrub a focus of the walk. I am aiming to explore the southern parts of the park with 2 overnight camps amongst the sand dunes and Mallee scrub. A third night at a walk in camp site. Little water is available on the walk so be prepared to carry some extra water. Water drop will be made before starting. The difficulty will be the off track navigation rather than the length of walking. Note meeting place is Wonga Campground at Wyperfeld NP 7 am on 3/11.

Sun 4/11

TANGLEFOOT TRACK

M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 84km north east Nearest town: Healesville
Walk area: Kinglake State Forest Max walkers 24 Walking distance: 16.5km
Circuit walk from Monda Track. We will do the walk in a clockwise direction – Myrtle Gully track, Wirriwilla Rainforest then Tanglefoot Walking Track. Hopefully afternoon tea at CJ Dennis Singing Gardens.

Sun 11/11

MASONS FALLS AREA WALK & PICNIC 20th Anniversary Event

EM- E

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 64km NE Nearest town: Kinglake
Walk area: Kinglake NP Max walkers - Walking distance: km
This is walk/picnic gettogether is an event to suit all club members with an EM and M walk. This is part of the 20th anniversary celebrations. BYO meat and drinks (and crockery, drinkware and cutlery). Communal salads and deserts. EM walk. A 12km circuit, starting and finishing at the Masons Falls picnic area, followed by a BBQ/picnic at Masons Falls from 1.30pm. E walk: A 4km circuit from Masons Falls. Bring a picnic lunch.

Wed. 14/11

ROSSTOWN RAIL TRAIL

E

''Distance/direction from Melbourne: 10km SE Nearest town:\\ Walk area: Oakleigh to Elsternwick Max walkers N/A Walking distance: 8.5km''
The walk goes through parks and streets between Oakleigh and Elsternwick following as closely as possible the route of the old Rosstown Railway. We will start at the Oakleigh station and finish at the Elsternwick station. An optional extra is a walk through the gardens of Ripponlea (entry $7.00 Cons.$5.00,Trust members free). Public transport will be used so an All Day Zone 1 ticket or a Seniors ticket will be required.

Fri – Sun 16–18/11

WILSONS PROM CHALLENGE OR STROLL AROUND TIDAL RIVER

VH OR E, M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 200 km SE Nearest town: Yanakie
Walk area: Wilsons Promontory N P Max walkers 30 Walking distance: 40 km
A weekend to suit all levels of walkers with a variety of walk options. The chance for the slightly crazy amongst us to challenge ourselves and walk the Southern Circuit in one day on Sat- early start from Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove, Waterloo Bay, Oberon Bay to Tidal River. High level of fitness required for this walk – Please email Lynne ASAP if you wish to participate in the "Challenge" walk. Those not doing the challenge can enjoy one of the many walk options from Tidal River. Celebrate the evening with a outdoors picnic / BBQ dinner. Sunday - another opportunity to enjoy a walk from Tidal River. The Lodge accommodation is now fully booked however camping is permitted. It is possible to call the Prom and pre-book your camping space (note non refundable) however the Parks Vic folk advise there should be no problems with capacity at this time of year – approx. cost $21.50 per night per campsite – 3 adults / 1 car – Prom phone number 131963

Wed 21/11

CLUB MEETING

Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road. John Hawker (Horticulturist - Heritage Victoria) will give a presentation on walking on Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia.

Fri-Sun 23-25/11

MCMILLAN’S TRACK – STAGE 5, MT SKENE TO WOODS POINT BC/PC

MH / M

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 200 km Nearest town: Woods Point
Walk area: North East Hill Country Max walkers 12 Walking distance: 30 km
We began our 220 km McMillan’s Track trek just north of Omeo on Cup Weekend in 2005. We have been thwarted by the bushfires in the 2007 summer, so now we will tackle the last 30 kms, which ends in the old gold mining town of Woods Point. Walkers doing the full trip will be dropped up at Mt Skene on Friday night. This walk is graded MH because of the climbing. For the other walkers, in between support duties there is plenty to see at Woods Point.

Sun 25/11

FRENCH ISLAND: THE PINNACLES

EM

Distance/direction from Melbourne: 68km SE Nearest town: Hastings
Walk area: French Island National Park Max walkers 20 Walking distance: 14.5 km
Take the ferry from Stony Point to French Island (cost $20 adult, $14 concession) then a circuit walk along beach, heathland track and quiet road to The Pinnacles lookout over Westernport Bay. Lots of wildflowers, birds, echidnas, koalas, snakes, flies and mosquitoes.

Sun 25/11

TRACK MAINTENANCE – FREEMANS MILL

Walk area: Bunyip SP Max walkers - Walking distance: -
This is a Bushwalking Victoria TMG (Track Maintenance Group) event. Members of all VicWalk clubs are welcome to attend.

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