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Loddon Valley Base Camp
This base camp will now be held in Wedderburn only. A few months ago I tried to make a booking in Boort, but they assured me there would be plenty of availability in June. However, this is not the case anymore! :(
So, cabin, AirBNB or tent accommodation at Wedderburn for four nights (in 19/10, out 23/10) Dinner at the pub two nights, self-cater for the others. Supermarket available.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) Bookings will open at 8.00pm on 1 June.
2) Please DO NOT make any cabin bookings at Wedderburn Caravan Park - liaise with me as I have some cabins booked in my name.
4) Walk details. Day walks around the Wedderburn / Inglewood districts. These will vary from a series of short walks each day or full day walks. Some of the walks I have recced last year, others I have led many years ago, some will be completely exploratory. Walks may include Kooyoora State Park, Mt Korong scenic reserve, Tarnagulla.
4) As at Monday 1 June there are two properties on AirBNB worth considering. I would not recommend the motel, as it is right on the highway.
Base Camp Anglesea
Day 1 - Tuesday 5 May - Ironbark Basin and Anglesea Walks
Meeting place - Ironbark Basin Carpark Point Addis Rd, Anglesea, 10 am
This will comprise two walks. The first will be at Ironbark Basin near Point Addis on the way to Anglesea. This walk is approximately 4km and includes some spectacular views of the cliffs There will about 1km walking beside the road on this walk. The second walk is behind Anglesea on the Yan Wirring Mirr nature walk and Alcoa Boundary Track and Peregrine Track. This walk takes us through a range of vegetation and views across to tthe old Alcoa mine site now being rehabilitated. It is approximately 7km long. Overall the tracks are undulating with one steepish climb but there is a viewing point half way for a worhtwhile rest. Poles could be useful.
Day 2 - Wednesday 6 May - Ironbark Gorge and Currawong Falls Walks
Meeting place - Distillary Creek Picnic Area 9.30am
There are two walks from the picnic area. The first is the Ironbark Gorge walk which takes you up the hill to the top of the gorge through Ironbark forest. It is relatively short at 4.5km but you do climb the hill. The second is the Currawong Falls walk. This walk takes you into the hills behind Aireys Inlet with views down into gorges and if we are lucky some water in the Falls. There is a great range of vegetation as we proceed on the walk. This walk is about 10km. Boots and poles recommended.
Day 3 - Thursday 7 May - Aireys Inlet and Moggs Creek Walks
Meeting place - Urquhart's Bluff car park, 9.30 am
Again two walks, the first will require a car shuffle to Aireys Inlet as we walk from the Urquhart Bluff car park to Aireys Inlet along the surf coast track. This walk gives some great views at times as we are mainly in the vegetation but is a beautiful walk It is about 5.5km We then travel on to Moggs Creek Picnic Area for a Coastal Views walk that takes you up the hills behind the long beach from Aireys to Eastern View. At the top of the hill there is a wonderful view down to the beach and along the coast. We then return down a track to the picnic area. This walk is about 5km Boots and poles recommended
Blue Mountains Base Camp
Blue Mountains Base Camp will be based at Katoomba NSW where we plan to walk daily around the area with the need for some train travel or car shuffles as required.
Walks will be Mon to Friday inclusive.
All walks wil be rated Medium due to the nature of the terrain (lots of steps and uneven terrain).
We are planning to book a room at the Katoomba YHA - Check in 1/11 and Check out 7/11.
Please make your own accomadation arrangements. There is a lot to choose from In Katoomba.
I will inform you of the meeting place for the first day prior to the commencement of the base camp.
Katoomba has a railway station with a direct link to Sydney. You will need to apply for a Seniors Opal card for interstate visitors to get very cheap fares.
Any questions please call me.
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Macalister Springs Pack Base Camp
An opportunity for new pack walkers to try out the gear - or for "old-timers" to see if it still works. The pack carrying component of the trip is not particularly onerous (twice pack carrying for about 6km on reasonably flat terrain). And in between, two days of day-walking in some of Victoria's most magnificent alpine scenery, that you can't see any other way!
Macalister Springs is a popular spot along the Alpine Walking Track, near Mt Howitt. Superb views, great camping, a very scenic hut - even the bogger is magnificent!
The plan is simple - day one is a long drive (6 hours) and a medium walk (2 hours) to get to our camp, where we stay for 3 nights. Day four is the reverse of that trip. In between will be two excellent day-walks along the Alpine Walking Track; to the South (Mt Howitt, Big Hill and Mt Magdala) and to the North (The Crosscut Saw, Mt Buggery, Horrible Gap and possibly Mt Speculation). Both days will be about 12 - 14km and medium/hard.
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Howmans Gap 2026
- 5 nights bottom bunk shared accommodation
- hot & cold breakfast options, sandwich lunch and dinner/dessert daily, that's 15 meals plus daily trail snack and piece of fruit, tea and coffee
- a choice of up to 5 walks per day of all levels
- NYE gala event
- daily happy hours (self catered)
- evening games, movies, jigsaw puzzles
- evening photo show from the days walks
- within 6mths of booking date, 50% refund,
- within 30 days of booking date, zero refund BUT, the cancelling party has the option to find another club member to fill their spot. Club coordinators may be able to assist, but it's ultimately the responsibility of the person cancelling.
Harringtons Track and more
(Note that "cut-off date" is a full month prior to the walk - there's a fair bit of organising (food drops, car-pooling etc) to be done).
Each year the Man From Snowy River Festival, based in Corryong, includes a 4 day horse ride (Riley's Ride) commemorating a local identity from the late 1880's, Jack Riley, said to be one of the inspirations for Banjo Patterson's "Man From Snowy River".
This multi-day pack walk will cover a large part of the route of the ride, from Biggara to Tom Groggin. Then return to Biggara along a different route via Geehi. Given that I have some doubts whether I'll get a quorum, the notes below are minimal - ring or email me if you want more info - Jim
Day 1. Drive to Khancobin, stay at caravan park, plus extra driving for someone to deliver food drops to Geehi and Tom Groggin. Evening meal (last supper?) at the pub
Day 2. Short drive to start of Harrington Track (Bunroy Station), park. Packs on, walk to Surveyors Creek (Jack Riley died here). Camping by river, no facilities.
Day 3. Still on Harrington's Track. Fairly long climb over the the shoulder of Hermit Mountain, then back down on to river flats, through Tom Groggin Station to Tom Groggin Horse Camp. Two nights here, and a food drop has been left. Campsite with some facilities.
Day 4. Day walk (circuit) to Riley's Flat (Jack Riley lived here) and return.
Day 5. Walking along Bicentennial Trail now, to Geehi - overnight at Doctor Forbes Hut. Food drop here also.
Day 6. Steady climb along management 4WD trail to the top of Mt Youngal. Camp on the summit - water from tank.
Day 7. Long descent back down to the Indi (ie Murray) river, some private land to traverse, with permission. Upstream again along the Indi to Hoggs Hut.
Day 8. Short (but challenging) walk back to the vehicles, only a few km. Then homeward bound.
I'm aware the days I've chosen cover Labour Day weekend - perhaps some un-retired members can wangle a few days off?
Tom Groggin Camping Base Camp
Tom Groggin Camping Area in Kosciuszko National Park is a beautiful site for camping, and there are many varied day walks possible in the area. On this trip we travel on the Friday (it's a 6 hour drive from Melbourne) and set up on the Friday afternoon. Three days of day walks will follow - there are many options. Tuesday is pack up and travel home day. On one evening we will have a meal out in nearby Thredbo.
The camping situation at Tom Groggin would suit small tents, large tents, small camper/trailers etc. Large caravans are not recommended on the Alpine Way.
If you really want to walk in the area, but can't stomach camping, Thredbo is 25km away and has abundant pricey accommodation.
I have (I hope) attached a document hereabouts with more info on the camping arrangements at Tom Groggin, and a selection of the day-walks we could choose from. If you're thinking about coming, please read this, particularly re camping fees.
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