Contact the Secretary (details below) for more information an any walk or social activity
Grading of Sunday Walks
Most Sunday walks will have two code letters to denote length and terrain, e.g. S/R under 14km. Tough scrambles etc.
* on Sunday walks denotes recommended walks for beginners. Most Wednesday walks are suitable for beginners.
The code letters denote:
S - Up to 12km T - Formed tracks; rail trails; roads; beaches
M - 12 - 17km B - Bush tracks
L - Over 17km O - Off-track
March 2019
Wednesday 27 March 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Pam Chang
Friday 29 March 2019 @ 7:00 pm, restaurant night at Via Fratelli, Traditional Italian cuisine / pizzas
151 Waverley Rd, Malvern East, 3145
Licensed, BYO wine only, corkage $7 per bottle
Book: Julie Bertisen by Tue 26 March 2019
Sunday 31 March 2019 – Moonlight Track, Grading: M / B / R, Approx. Length: 15 kms
The Moonlight Track sounds romantic, but the walk will be in daytime. This walk, in the Mt Worth State Park, near Warragul, provides an opportunity to view forests that once covered Gippsland, and out to sea. Tall wet forests of Mountain Ash, Mountain Grey Gum and Blackwood grow on the hills and slopes. Soft Tree-ferns and Rough Tree-ferns flourish within the sheltered gullies.Includes 310m of climbing.
Trip Fee: $20
Depart: Yarraman RStn @ 8:30 am
Leader: Peter Hughes
April 2019
Wednesday 3 April 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Jim Reynolds
Thursday 4 April 2019, Club night: Hawaii - Volcanos, Waterfalls, Hikes and More, Presentation by Sue Brink
Sunday 7 April 2019 – Christmas Hills, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 12 kms
This walk traverses the Warrandyte - Kinglake Nature Conservation Reserve (previously One Tree Hill Reserve) and includes total climbing of 380 metres. The vegetation consists mainly of box stringybark tree species with manna and swamp gums in the wetter gullies. There are kangaroos, wallabies and abundant birds.
Trip Fee: $3, Depart: Eltham RStn @ 8:30 am, Leader: Graham Johnson
Wednesday 10 April 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Roy Turner
Friday 12 April 2019 @ 12.30 pm, pub lunch@Warramunga Restaurant, Waverley RSL
161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley 3150
Book: Peter Pearce, by Wed 10 April 2019
Sunday 14 April 2019 – George Bass Coastal Walk, Grading: Medium / M / T, Approx. Length: 14 kms
Walk along panoramic cliff- top paths high above the Bass Strait surf and descend to secluded beaches - from Kilcunda to Punchbowl Rd, San Remo. Return the same way, but different perspective. Apparently, the route follows George Bass's coastal discovery voyage over 200 years ago. Can be demanding in sections.
Trip Fee: $17, Depart: Frankston RStn @ 8:15 am, Leader: Gary LaPersonne
Wednesday 17 April 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Jenny Stone
Sunday 21 April 2019 – Happy Easter! (No walk today.)
Wednesday 24 April 2019 - Day Walk, Leader: John Gibbons
Friday 26 April 2019 @ 7:00 pm, Tataki Japanese Restaurant
Traditional Japanese cuisine, 470 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick 3185
Licensed; BYO wine only; corkage $2.50 pp
Book: Kitty Muntz, by Tue 23 April 2019
Saturday 27 April 2019 - Bike Ride on the Djerring Rail Trail
Easy, flat 25 km ride following the newly completed Djerring Rail Trail from Caulfield to Dandenong. This interesting, well-constructed and landscaped path follows the updated, elevated skyrail resulting from the level crossing removal program between Caulfield and Dandenong on the Pakenham/Cranbourne line. Meet at the Restore Café close to Caulfield Station, 18 Derby Road (opposite Zagame’s) for a 10:30 am departure. Pub lunch at Albion-Hotel-Dandenong. Book in with Peter Pearce by Tue 23 April 2019.
Sunday 28 April 2019 – Kallista to Belgrave, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 12 kms
An undulating (that’s leader speak for hills!) walk through the ever-verdant Sherbrooke Forest, from Kallista to Belgrave. Poles and grippy soles advisable. Be at the Belgrave RStn car park at 9.10am, ready to catch the 9:24 am, Route 663, bus. Trip Fee: N/A; Bring Myki. Depart: Belgrave RStn @ 9:10 am.
May 2019
Wednesday 1 May 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Stephen Skaleskog
Thursday 2 May 2019, Club night: Search and Rescue, Presentation by Karl Hradsky
Sunday 5 May 2019 – Mt Towrong, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 14 kms
Our walk commences in the pretty Mt Macedon village with its sublime private gardens. Before long, a rocky steep path winds its way to the summit of Mt Towrong; on a clear day, the valley views are splendid. Our route then becomes more gradual as we head to the tranquil Sanatorium Lake. The stroll along a mixed vegetation eco-trail includes stands of tall eucalypts and moist fern gullies. Grippy boots & poles recommended.
Trip Fee: $10, Depart: MAP @ 8:15 am, Leader: Anita Morkans
Wednesday 8 May 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Shirley Dixon
* Sunday 12 May 2019 – Devilbend, Grading: Easy / M / T, Approx. Length: 13 kms
A circumnavigation of the Devilbend and Bittern Reservoirs, mainly on almost dead flat vehicle trails of differing surfaces. Half of the walk follows the Devilbend Catch Drain, which is quite pretty as catch drains go; the rest is through bush and meadows, with an occasional amble along the shoreline of the Devilbend Reservoir. A 2 km short-cut (with concomitant rest) is available.
Trip Fee: $5, Depart: Frankston RStn @ 9:00 am, Leader: Ben Piper
Wednesday 15 May 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Paul Smith
Friday 17 May 2019 @ 12.30 pm, Pub lunch@Milanos
4 The Esplanade, Brighton 3186
Book: Jill Natoli, by Wed 15 May 2019
Sunday 19 May 2019 – Anglesea Perimeter Track, Grading: Easy / M / T / B, Approx. Length: 12 kms
This walk starts at the Anglesea Bowling Club car park in the centre of the township and takes in the beautiful coastline of a spectacular part of the Surf Coast. We also walk on bush tracks around town and visit Coogoorah Park where there are toilets and picnic facilities. This will be a varied walk exploring the bush as well as some coastal views. Any hills on this easy walk are gently undulating rather than steep, and the tracks are well-formed. The walk will end in the park; from there it is a short stroll into town.
Trip Fee: $20, Depart: MAP @ 8:30 am, Leader: Anthea Rutter
Wednesday 22 May 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Anita Morkans
Sunday 26 May 2019 – Byers Back Track, Grading: Medium / S / B, Approx. Length: 11 kms
Perhaps the most popular walk in the Lerderderg Gorge. It follows one of the longest water races in the park. There are great views into the gorge and plenty of gold diggings, dry stone walls and mines along the way to keep things interesting. There will be a car shuffle to Blackwood. We start at O'Briens Crossing.
Trip Fee: $18, Depart: Essendon RStn @ 8:30 am, Leader: Stephen Skaleskog
Wednesday 29 May 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: David Turner
Friday 31 May 2019 @ 7:00 pm Restaurant night@The Yorkshire Hotel, Classic pub fare
48 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford 3067
Fully licensed (No BYO)
Book: Peter Hughes, by Tue 28 May 2019
June 2019
Sunday 2 June 2019 – Geelong Foreshore, Grading: Easy / M / T, Approx. Length: 13 kms
Departing from Southern Cross RStn and travelling to North Geelong. Join us for a walk along the Geelong foreshore ‘ween Geelong North and the Botanic Gardens. We will take in beautiful views of the bay as well as interesting architecture that has helped shape the beauty of the City of Geelong, and much more. BYO morning tea and lunch and we will have afternoon tea in a local cafe. Don’t forget your Myki Card. Train departure times will be advised closer to the date.
Trip Fee: N/A; Bring Myki, Depart: Southern Cross RStn (Train times to be advised.), Leader: Giselle Randle
Wednesday 5 June 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Martin Vloedmans
Thursday 6 June 2019, Club night: Emergency Apps for Bushwalkers, Presentation by Peter Hughes
Sunday 9 June 2019 – Newbury / Lyonville +, Grading: Easy / M / T, Approx. Length: 15 kms
A gently undulating walk through Stringybark and Manna Gum State Forest and farming hinterland & on through Lyonville to put a toe in the Loddon River headwaters. Some stretches along former logging tramways and an old trestle bridge. Call by the historic Radio Springs Hotel. At days end we’ll tramp the streets of Trentham.
Tri Fee: $18, Depart: Essendon RStn @ 8:30 am, Leader: Evan Gellert
Wednesday 12 June 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Anna Kuyt
Sunday 16 June 2019 – Andrew Hill Circuit, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 13 kms
Andrew Hill is at the north-eastern end of Kinglake National Park, known as the Wombelano Block, and at 625m, is the highest point in this park. Starting at the Gums Camping Area, the moderate walk follows wide tracks through Messmate and Peppermint forest and includes a steady climb up and over the summit. Good boots and poles recommended.
Trip Fee: $8, Depart: Lilydale (Maroondah Hwy) @ 8:30 am, Leader: Clive Edington
Wednesday 19 June 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Pierre Ah-Ching
Sunday 23 June 2019 – Cowbar Ranges, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 12 kms
The Cowbar Ranges, nestled ‘ween Lancefield and Woodend, are mainly granitic and reach a max. height of 760 m. Mostly former logging tracks through State Forest. They offer attractive walking through messmate, gum and wattle scrub. Large granite boulders dot the ridges. Some good views are provided of the surrounding plains.
Trip Fee: $18, Depart: Essendon RStn @ 8:30 am, Leader: Peter Hughes
Wednesday 26 June 2019 – Day Walk, Leader: Robyn Ansell
Friday 28 June 2019 @ 7:00 pm, Restaurant night@After the Tears, Contemporary Polish cuisine
9B Gordon Street, Elsternwick 3185
Fully licensed (No BYO)
Book: Julie Bertisen, by Tue 25 June 2019
Sunday 30 June 2019 – Dandenong Ranges, Grading: Medium / M / B, Approx. Length: 14 – 16 kms
No set route at time of publication, but expect some ups & downs of a medium grade to help keep you warm in a cooler month. Full details closer to time.
Trip Fee: TBA, Depart: TBA, Leader: Stephen Courtney
ADVANCE NOTICE
Lord Howe Island: Sunday 12 May to Friday 17 May 2019
A 5-night base camp on Lord Howe Island, which is characterised by tropical heat, palm trees and volcanic mountains. The island is barely 10 kms long, but has some of the Great Walks of Australia, collectively offering 45 km of world-class hiking. Walks include Mount Gower (8-10 hours), Goat House Cave, Intermediate Hill, Kim’s Lookout, and much more. Booked out; waiting list not feasible due to unavailability of flights (ie currently no seats left for required dates).
Castlemaine: Queens Birthday Weekend June 2019
Again centred from Castlemaine, with 2 new walks and possibly extra ones depending on numbers / interest, and an optional Saturday night pub meal. Again a combined clubs event with limited numbers for each group. Organised accommodation will be at the Castlemaine Cabin & Van Park. Optionally, find your own accommodation. A Jazz Festival is held that weekend, creating a shortage of beds.
Please contact Secretary Peter Hughes, 7 Nicholson St, Essendon 3040, mobile 0417 038 343 for more information on walk start times, meeting points and costs. A complete program will be emailed on request. Or email: enquiries@walkingclubvic.org.au