| Wed 16/5 | CLUB MEETING | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road
| Sun 20/5 | BBQ LUNCH – WINE COLLECTION | - |
20th Anniversary Event
This event is the first activity as part of our Club’s twentieth anniversary celebrations. 11.30 AM start. Location – (see Vagabond). BYO picnic utensils & chairs, meat and drinks and please bring a small salad or desert to share. Wine tasting available at small cost. All welcome. Collect your wine orders at this event or place an order for later collection.
| Sat – Sun 26 – 27/5 | THE FAINTERS PC | MH |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 350 NE Nearest town: Mt Beauty
Walk area: Bogong High Plains Max walkers: 10 Walking distance: 30 km
I’ve attempted the Fainters so many times now I think I’ve lost count, so will you help me make it this time? Too late in the year for summer walking but too early for a winter walk this ought to be a solitary walk. We’ll be starting from Falls Creek and finishing at Bogong Village. Depending on the weather we’ll camp up on Mt Fainter. Be prepared for cold nights and foul weather, or very serene and sunny conditions. Excellent views of Mt Feathertop and Mt Bogong, and a side-trip to Mt Niggerhead. Car shuffle required.
| Sun 27/5 | MT DONNA BUANG | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 70 km E Nearest town: Warburton
Walk area: Yarra Ranges NP Max walkers: - Walking distance: 14 km
This is a delightful scenic walk commencing at the 10 Mile car-park with a 45 min climb to the summit of Mount Donna Buang. This is followed by a 10km downhill walk along the ridge to Mount Boobyalla before descending to the Knobs and on to Acheron Gap. Car shuffle involved. There is an opportunity to walk around the rainforest gallery.
| Sun 27/5 | MERRI CREEK | E |
Walk area: Northcote Max walkers - Walking distance: 10 km
Starting where the Merri Creek flows into the Yarra, we shall follow the course, with a look at CERES. This city farm is devoted to sustainable living, a topical subject.
| Fri – Fri 1 – 22/6 | LARAPINTA TRAIL | MH |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 2255 Km NW Nearest town: Alice Springs NT
Walk area: West MacDonnell Ranges NT Max walkers: 8 Walking distance: 223 Km
Situated in the heart of Central Australia, the Larapinta Trail extends over 223 kilometers along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. See main article in November 2006 Vagabond. The trail is divided into 12 sections (each a 1-2 day walk) of various grades from medium to very hard. Participants can walk the whole trail (20 days) or just certain sections. All walkers on the Trail need to have a good level of fitness, must be well prepared and equipped, prepared to carry reasonable loads and camp out.
| Sun 3/6 | KINGLAKE – ANDREWS HILL EXTENDED | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 50 km E Nearest town: Yarra Glen
Walk area: Kinglake National Park Max walkers: 16 Walking distance: 16 km
A circuit walk through messmate-stringybark forest taking in the highest point in the park – Andrews Hill. Note this is longer than the usual circuit and is partly off-track.
| Sun 3/6 | GEORGE BASS COASTAL WALK | EM |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 123km E Nearest town: San Remo
Walk area: Westernport Max walkers: 25 Walking distance: 14 km
The walk starts from the Punchbowl road and there is a well graded walking track that follows the clifftop eastwood to Kilcunda. As the path sweeps down from the road, a fine view unfolds across farmland and beach from Cape Woolamai in the west to Cape Paterson in the east. We will lunch at the Kilcunda pub.
| Sun 10/6 | MT BUANGOR LOOKOUT CIRCUIT | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 180km NW Nearest town: Beaufort
Walk area: Mt Buangor State Park Max walkers: 12 Walking distance: 10.6 km
A short but challenging walk. 550m of climbing over 8km, followed by a very steep descent over 3km. Interesting open forest with large expanses of granite slbs and cliffs, and plenty of view points. There are cascades and waterfulls towards the end of the walk, but if it hasn’t rained these may be dry. .
| Sun 10/6 | LILYDALE – WARBURTON RAIL TRAIL – BIKE RIDE | EM/M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 35km Nearest town: Lilydale
Ride area: Outer Eastern Suburbs Max riders: 12 Riding distance: 40/50km
The ride begins and ends at Lilydale Station. We will ride out along the very scenic rail trail towards Warburton and turn back at either Woori Yallock or Launching Place depending on the group’s preferences. BYO lunch but we should be able to get a coffee along the way. There is a train that leaves Flinders Street at 9.06am and reaches Lilydale at 10.11am. Catch this or park on the east side of Lilydale Station and meet there at 10.15am.
| Sun 17/6 | JAN JUC TO ANGLESEA | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 110 km SW Nearest town: Anglesea
Walk area: Great Otway National Park Max walkers: 16 Walking distance: 16 km
The walk is a coastal bush walk making up stage 1 of the Surf Coast Walk. Highlights include spectacular scenery, coastal clifftops, Ironbark Basin bushland, Pt Addis Marine National Park lookout and coastal heathlands. Car shuffle required.
| Wed. 20/6 | GALLERY THEN LUNCH AT WM ANGLISS COLLEGE | E |
Instead of a walk this month there will be a social outing commencing with a visit to the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at the Occasions Restaurant, William Angliss College at 12 noon. NOTE - THIS IS THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH. Final numbers to be advised by Monday 4th June. Meet in the foyer of the Ian Potter Gallery 5 minutes before 10 a.m. or at Wm Angliss College, 555 LaTrobe Street 5 minutes before noon.
| Wed 20/6 | CLUB MEETING |
Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road
| Sun 24/6 | MT JERUSALEM – MT EVERARD | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 65 km NE Nearest town: Yarra Glen
Walk area: Kinglake National Park Max walkers: 25 Walking distance: 17 km
The 21,600 hectare Kinglake N.P. takes in the southern slopes and ridges leading off the rich volcanic Kinglake Plateau. Much of this walk follows shallow-soiled ridgetops, whose “dry “ forest contrasts markedly with the tall Mountain Ash “wet” forest near our lunch spot at Jehosaphat Gully picnic ground. Some good views.
| Sun 1/7 | YARRA VALLEY & PLENTY RIVER | E |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 20km E Nearest town: Lower Plenty
Walk area: Yarra and Plenty River paths Walking distance: 12 km
The Yarra paths are in good condition and the Heidelberg School of artists are commemorated along the route. We will make use of the new footbridge over the Plenty River. All on tracks but a steep section at Viewbank. Car shuffle needed.
| Fri – Sun 6 – 8/7 | CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT WILSONS PROM LIGHTHOUSE | MH |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 200 km E Nearest town: Yanakie
Walk area: Wilsons Prom NP Max walkers: 12 Walking distance: 22 km/day
Celebrate Christmas in July in a wild, lonely setting and pretend you’re in Scotland. Where? The historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage at the Prom. Stay Friday night in cabins at Tidal River. Leave early Saturday and walk to the lighthouse. Bring a share of Christmas dinner. Stay at the lighthouse overnight. Return to Tidal River on Sunday. Only 12 beds are available. Return to Tidal River on Sunday. A few places might still be available, so put your name on the reserve list; you never know you might get in. Cost about $140 for the weekend, plus petrol.
| Sun 8/7 | CRESWICK FOREST | EM |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 119km NW Nearest town: Creswick
Walk area: Creswick Forest Max walkers: 24 Walking distance: 13km
The walk begins in the township of Creswick, passes through some old gold mining areas and through some plantings from the late 1800’s. Some viewing points over St George’s Lake.
| Wed. 11/7 | LOCAL TRAILS AND PARKS | E |
Walk area: Kew Walking distance: 12 km
Walk will commence from the meeting place at Victoria Park and proceed along the Outer Circle trail towards Deepdene. Keeping mainly off streets, we will walk through many parks, gardens and reserves including Canterbury Gardens, Maranoa Gardens and Hays Paddock.
| Sat 14/7 | MAP AND COMPASS SKILLS | N/A |
Walk area: Local park Max walkers: 6 Walking distance: N/A
Specially for people contemplating leading walks requiring significant map use. Covers the basics of maps plus compass use. The course is done in Melbourne – so no driving. Notes and maps provided. Will finish about 4PM.
| Sun 15/7 | ROYAL PARK & CITY TRAIL | E |
Walk area: Princess Hill / Parkville Max walkers: - Walking distance: 10 km
Following the Capital City Trail from Rushall Station, we shall come to Royal Park, now changed due to the erection of the Games Village. An all public transport trip so have those Sunday tickets handy. Note 8.45 am start from Kew library.
| Sun 15/7 | MERRI CREEK EXPLORATION | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 30 km N Nearest town: Thomastown
Walk area: Merri Creek Park Max walkers: 12 Walking distance: 18 km
Aim is to explore the Merri Creek north of Mahoneys Rd to Craigieburn visiting the gorges, pools and native grasslands along the way. Walk through new park areas not yet developed containing redgum grassy woodland and lots of wildlife (!?) Mostly off-track, be prepared for rock-hopping, creek crossings and grass seeds (gaiters recommended).
| Wed 18/7 | CLUB MEETING |
Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road
| Sun 22/7 | BIRDS LAND | EM |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 40 km E Nearest town: Tecoma
Walk area: Dandenong foothills Max walkers: 20 Walking distance: 10 km
Starting in Birds Land reserve, the walk passes two lakes and continues along tracks in Lysterfield Park. Pleasant views across the Dandenongs and back to Melbourne. Total climbing 250m.
| Sun 22/7 | CATHEDRAL RANGE – NORTHERN CIRCUIT | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 116km NE Nearest town: Buxton
Walk area: Cathedral Range State Park Max walkers: 15 Walking distance: 16 km
This is a circuit walk in the northern end of the Cathedral Range . Features of this walk include the Cathdral (845m), Ned’s Peak, the Farmyard and both the North and South Jawbones. There are good views accoss the Acheron Valley, the Little River Valley and of the Sugerloaf at the southern end of the ridge. Please note: This walk is mostly Meduim grade but there are a couple of significant climbs of Medium Hard grade.
| Sat 28/7 | ST ANDREWS MARKET / SMITHS GULLY | E |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 50 km NE Nearest town: St Andrews
Walk area: Christmas Hills Max walkers: - Walking distance: 10 km
Walk will commence at St. Andrews Market where we can spend an hour or so browsing and have morning tea before commencing with a short walk along the Heritage Trail to the old Queenstown Cemetery, then along rural roads and tracks to the northern end of One Tree Hill Reserve. About half the distance is steadily uphill. An alternative return route can be taken which will involve a steep uphill-downhill section. Note 8 45 am start at Kew Library.
| Sun 29/7 | PRACTICAL NAVIGATION |
Walk area: TBD Max walkers: 10 Walking distance: N/A
Specially for budding leaders, or those needing refamiliarising with past skills. Prequisite is to be able to read maps and use compass. Will be conducted in a bush setting out of Melbourne. Club experts will tutor groups of 2 to 4 people. Notes and maps provided.
| Sun 29/7 | PAULS RANGE | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 50km NE Nearest town: Yarra Glen
Walk area: State Forest Max walkers: 15 Walking distance: 14 km
Ridgeline walk through stringbark forest, mostly on-track with some off-track walking.
| Sun 5/8 | HASTINGS TO STONY POINT | E |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 70 km SE Nearest town: Hastings
Walk area: Westernport Bay Foreshore Reserve Max walkers: 19 Walking distance: 12 km
A coastal walk along Western Port Bay Foreshore Reserve from Hastings to Stony Point, through the Bittern Coastal Wetlands boardwalk and mangrove areas. Return includes short train trip part of the way. Note: please pre-purchase your Sunday Saver Metcard.
| Wed 8/8 | ANDREW HILL KINGLAKE NATIONAL PARK | EM |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 70km NE Nearest town: Kinglake
Walk area: Kinglake NP Max walkers: - Walking distance: 12 km
This walk takes in the highest point in Kinglake National Park and will involve a steady climb for an hour or so of the walk’s duration of about 4 hours. Hopefully the late winter walk will have hints of spring wildflowers and wattles in bloom.
| Fri–Sun 10–12/8 | REGENT HONEYEATER PROJECT PLANTING WEEKEND |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 200km NE Nearest town: Benalla
Conservation Activity. Join landholders and other volunteers in a nationally significant project to plant wildlife corridors on properties in the Lurg Hills near Benalla. The sponsors provide dinner on Saturday night, followed by a bush dance, and a BBQ lunch on Sunday. We will stay in cabin accommodation in Benalla.
| Sun 12/8 | SOUTHERN SUBURBS CIRCUIT RIDE | EM |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 10km Nearest town: Melbourne
Walk area: Southeastern suburbs Max walkers: 15 Walking distance: 50 km
From Ashburton Station we will ride along the Anniversary Trail to East Malvern then through the Urban Forest and Boyd Park to Hughesdale. From there we will follow the Rosstown Rail Trail to Gardenvale where we will have morning coffee. Then it’s down the Elster Creek and Elwood Canal paths to the Bay and up to Beacon Cove. From there we’ll follow the path to Southbank, then the Yarra and Gardiners Creek trails back to Ashburton. BYO lunch for a picnic along the Yarra.
| Sun 12/8 | WIRILDA TRACK | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 170 ESE Nearest town: Yallourn Nth
Walk area: Forest & River Max walkers: 15 Walking distance: 15 km
A pleasant river walk from Moondarra Reservoir, all on track, finishing at the Wirilda Environmental Park. We cross the river at a ford. Car shuffle involved. Can be long day.
| 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 | 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.
| Fri - Sun 24-26 Aug | MYSTERY WEEKEND | E |
20th Anniversary Event
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 may be a cost of about $25 to cover hire of marquee, camp fees etc (which will hopefully be covered by wine sales).
| Sat 2/9 | CASTLEMAINE TO VAUGHAN SPRINGS | M |
Distance/direction from Melbourne: 120 km N Nearest town: Castlemaine
Walk area: Dry Diggings 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 Regional Park. Car shuffle required.
| Sat–Sun 15–30/9 | 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 | Celebration Evening |
20th Anniversary Event
Phyllis Hore room, adjacent to Kew Library, Cotham Road
| Sun 23/9 | MURRINDINDI REVISITED | M |
20th Anniversary Event
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!! Re-visit that experience on this important commemorative event! Vist the Murrindindi River, Cascades and Whelmina Falls, the red wattle and learn about the track maintenance program.