Wilson Botanical gardens. A disused quarry site. Not quite the the Canadian Butchart gardens but still a rather attractive local version of it with lily ponds, rose garden,  lookout tower, 3 lakes,  waterfall and turtles, lakeside walks and a panoramic high level circuit walk and a final inducement , an on site coffee hut . Do all or some of the walks  in the park . From Berwick railway station its a 2km walk to the park entrance, 2, 3 or 4km within the park depending on how much you want to cover of the park , and then if you are tired or want to get home early , the bus stop is conveniently located at the park entrance to return to the station.    95% flat walking, comfortable walking shoes , the usual morning tea and lunch and weather appropriate gear . Meet at the Flinders St railway st coffee shop area at 9am for the 9.12 train to Pakenham.

Never mind the winter weather, rug up in your thick jackets, gloves and beanies,, go for a brisk walk to sharpen up the appetitie for a lazy lunch  at the nearby Pascoe Vale hotel. Being a short walk we can have the luxury of a lazy start , meeting at the Pascoe Vale Rly st at 10am, We walk along beside the very pleasant Westbreen Creek, followed by a circumnavigation of the Northern Golf Club grounds and return on the other side of the creek to finish at the hotel.As car parking is very limited near the station , it could be wiser to use the public transport. The Craigieburn train leaves Flinders St at 9.37am, Essendon at 9.55 to arrive at Pascoe Vale at 10am. Standard pub fare , in nice surroundings, with Seniors prices starting from $16.50. Morning coffee can be either at the Golf Club ( use card, no cash ) or if you have your own thermos , at  the nearby picnic shelter  Weather appropriate clothing , comfortable shoes .Back home with plenty of time for the club meeting in the evening.

Tis is the 3rd Qiuz, and is dependant on dry wether, because will need to write down answers on paper.

Maximum of seven teams, and three members per team.

The first challenge for this quiz will be getting to the start.  We’ll meet at Royal Park railway station (Platform 2 on the Upfield Line) at 10:00am and do a partial lap around the residence of some captured creatures.  From there we’ll proceed to a sporting precinct, and if lucky, qualify for selection on an AFL team – or maybe, have lunch.  If you don’t want to continue, then you can stay at the next location for eternity!  At the next stop, you might learn something. Another green space then it’s off to get your ticket to ride.

Lunch spot will be advised, and we'll all have luch together before completing the second part of the quiz.

Contact Col if you want to team up with other members.

Maranoa gardens are 100 year old established gardens focussing on Aust native flowering shrubs and bushes and during the August prewalk already there was plenty of colour appearing.Numerous little paths to explore the bushy areas as well as the pleasant lawns within the gardens. Along with Maranoa is Becketts park , its twin . More bush areas , lawns and with luck the lookout tower might be open. In the vicinity of these two parks are several other parks that we will visit before a km stroll down leafy Mont Albert Rd past the palatial homes of the region as well as several exclusive school complexes before we return to the city. Although we will use the 109 tram we will meet at the usual Flinders St coffee shop area ( for the toilets) at 9.15 before heading out to Collins St.. Guaranteed flat, comfortable walking shoes and if you want to travel really lightly, an economical coffee and a chickenwrap at McDonalds in lieu of the thermos  and lunchbox will make for an easy day exploring the parks and homes of the Balwyn area.If you are feeling energetic there are several options to extend the walk

Three short walks on the eastern section of the Long Forest Conservaton Reserve.  Although short these walks have ups and downs to give your legs some exercise..The tracks are usually flat and even but when you come to the edge of the ridge the track down is rocky rough and sometimes steep.  Poles and boots recommended.  As the total of the three walks is about 7km this is a non qualifiying walk for visitors.  We will meet at the start of the Moonah walk which is on Moonah Dv which is about 5km from where the Long Forest rd starts from the Melton - Bacchus Marsh rd.  Drive along Moonah Dv till it has a right bend and there is a small car park on the left.

Want to avoid the last minute Christmas shopping?

This walk is the "classic" Werribee Gorge circuit. Less than 8km,  but your legs will claim it's longer. Steep ascent; undulating along the ridge above the gorge; steep and rocky descent to the river; pleasant walk beside the stream, with a couple of wire ropes to hang onto here and there.

Meeting place for car-pooling is Airport West Shoppingtown car-park, West of Target. Or meet at the start of the walk, Miekles Point Picnic Area in Werribee Gorge State Park.

Rather than coffee in Bacchus Marsh after the walk, we'll have a short refreshment break at the picnic ground and wish ourselves Merry Christmas. Jim will have his fridge in the car, so a cool drink - Pinot Gris and soft cheese? - is an option? 

A short summer time walk. Lots of shady trees . The walk can shortened to suit the prevailing conditions.  :"Doing the Tan " has long been a tradition of Melbourne. The Tan is a circuit walk ( a run for the fitness enthusiasts ) outside the Botanical gardens .Its to be a leisurely stroll around the 3.8 perimeter, stopping to read about the statues, monuments , time boards, Rotary bells etc. A detour off the Tan through  iron lace decorated terraces of Sth Yarra to Fawkner Park. Two kms of tree lined paths before returning to the Tan .Lunch inside the Gardens before returning to finish the circuit. Return to the station  ( or coffee shop ) throughAlexandra gardens,  bring light shoes, lunch, drink ,UVcream and hat for a pleasant stroll through some of the lovely gardens of the city

Its time for the annual river cruise and pleasant stroll along the banks of the Yarra river to the tiny Herring Island .Its an island a world away from the bustle of the city. There will be ample time for the full exploration of the island , including finding the almost hidden  stone  sculptures as well as checking what is on display in the art gallery. Depending on the weather it is 4.5 km along the banks of the river or if it is hot a 2km walk from Sth Yarra station. This is also an option for the return.Being a short walk we can can have a lazy start of 10.15 at the Flinders St station coffee shops .  The usuals of sun hat , water, morning tea and lunch.Runners will be fine

This is a short walk (to leave time for the "Legends Bar" event later in the day) but is nevertheless in a fascinating area. The Avalon Foreshore Reserve is on the site of an old salt-harvesting facility, now disused and in the (slow and difficult, I'm sure) process of being reclaimed. The walk will cover most of the area, including Point Lilias, and is very open - lots of water surrounding us, and very many birds. Totally flat, and no shade - sunscreen and hat needed. It's not a large area overall, so even though we visit most corners, the total distance is less than 9km. We can have a coffee after the walk in nearby Lara.

The place to meet is at the Avalon Boat Ramp, on Avalon Beach. There's a carpark there, with a toilet. To get to the boat ramp, turn off Geelong Rd at the Lara exit (one exit beyond the Avalon Airport one) and head South along Avalon Foreshore Road until you reach the sea.

Car-pooling available from Airport West if required, 8.45am.

A mix of coastal ti tree tracks, creek side walking and board walks before the gardens loop.  Train  to Seaford, early morning tea beside the creek, then 3km along the ti tree trail before swapping over to walk 2km beside the Kananook Creek and then over to the board walk to passing by the yacht club . Lunch in the pleasant Frankston foreshore park. 6km walkers might like to walk the length of the Frankston Pier before returning to the station while the 9km walkers head off for a circuit of Beauty gardens and the Pentland Botanical gardens and then return to the station with a coffee break ,time permitting.   Flat walking, The usual of  comfortable shoes, morning tea and lunch  and weather appropriate gear .