Walk
White Elephant Gap / Sunday Creek
On the western side of the Mt Disappointment range walkers are greeted with some challenging and picturesque terrain, along with some rather rutted four wheel drive tracks. This walk starts at the Anderson Garden Camping which can be reached via the Hume Highway and turning off at the Clonbinane, Sunday Creek turn off, past Wallan and Wandong.
The walk starts gradual enough along a very rutted 4WD to get you warmed up, before going up, up up to reach the Main Mountain Road, which provides a respite from the up, up up. On reaching Hollowbank Reservoir, the walk then goes down, down, down on Ladder Track (no idea where the name came from) crossing Greenshields Creek and completing the walk with a leisure stroll along Sunday Creek with a side trip to Sunday Creek Resevoir.
The walk is all on track, which can be quite loose underfoot, so poles are highly recommended. This is a rewarding walk particularly for persons who enjoy a good hill (one up and one down)
There should be plenty of parking at the camping ground which is also flush with toilets.
Yarra River Loop via Merri Creek
The Walk: A circular walk we meet at Studley Park boathouse we then walk to the Bushland circuit ( Climate Watch Trail you can download an App. Study in understanding changes in temperature and rainfall affecting seasonal behaviour of Australian animals and plants (https://climatewatch.org.au) then walk to Galeta point and then past the old Johnstone street bridge site continue walking towards Gipps street bridge and passing the Convenant and Childrens Farm , Dights Flour Mill ,Dights Falls , Quarries Park to Heidelberg road and then walk on the other side of Merri Creek , the only remains A pillar -Yarra bend Asylum, pass the site of the Aboriginal school, onto Deep rock the highest free dive, swimming club, pass the golf club and back to the start. Afternoon tea at Studley Park Boathouse.
Yankee Mine Circuit
This circuit walk was featured on the 2023 FedWalks program. It involves a steady climb of about 200 metres. The walk takes in various 4WD tracks and features the original site of the Yankee Mine (though not much to see!). Boots recommended.
PLEASE NOTE: Meeting at the General Store in Blackwood, not the recreation reserve as shown in the Fedwalks book.
Masons Falls and Mt Sugarloaf
The walk starts at the Masons Falls Picnic Area. The Falls are about 500m along the track and then we follow the Running Creek track for a few Kms before a steady climb up to the top of Mt Sugarloaf. From here it is a gradual decline along the ridge back to the park entrance then down to the carpark via the Masons falls again. Although we are following the creek there are several ups and downs before the climb to Mt Sugarloaf.
Jumping Creek Reserve out and back via Yarra River
Starting at Jumping Creek Reserve Picnic Ground this 12 km out and back walk follows some trails close to the Yarra where you hear the soothing sounds of the river. There are some hills on gravelly four wheel tracks interspersed with flatter dirt tracks. Refreshments will be available at a local cafe. Boots and poles are recommended.
Happy Valley and One Tree Hill
This walk explores the Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Reserve. It starts gently along Happy Valley before going up and over One Tree Hill. There is then a loop up into the northern Rifle Range Block of the park before returning to our start point. The walk is all on tracks. Some hilly sections can be slippery with loose gravel, so use of poles should be considered. Highlights, in addidion to the lovely bush we traverse, include views towards Sugarloaf Reservoir and towards hills to the north and passing a working gold mine.
We will meet at the carpark near the southern end of Happy Valley Track in Christmas Hills (Melway 265C12). Turn-off to this track is trom Eltham-Yarra Glen Road. When travelling on this road heading towards Yarra Glen (east), turnoff is to the left 700 m past the signposted access to Sugarloaf Reservoir via Simpson Road. The track entrance is in a cutting and is small and unsigned.
Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale Circuit
The walk will commence at the meeting point, near the Kiosk at Shortlands Bluff, Hesse St,Queenscliff. We will walk along the beach to Pt Lonsdale at low tide. After retracing our steps for part of the walk we will cross over to the Bellarine Rail Trail beside Swann Bay, making our way back to Queenscliff for afternoon tea. Morning tea will be prior to the walk commencing, but dont count on the Kiosk being open. It's a flat walk so poles and boots won't be needed.
Trawool Reservoir from below
Trawool Reservoir was built in the 1890s as a water supply dam for nearby Seymour and the railway (now rail trail) below it. It is no longer used for water supply, but is still a tranquil site perched on the Northern rim of the Tallarook State Forest.
This walk takes the energetic (but shorter) route to reach the reservoir - we start in the Goulburn Valley beside the rail trail, and climb up 300m (in 2km) on a steep 4WD track to reach the plateau. Hard work, but we can allow a hour for that if needed. After morning tea at the reservoir, we follow Falls Creek gradually upward through some beautiful forest, then climb again (not quite so much this time) on a foot track towards Warragul Rocks, where we'll have lunch - sensational views across the valley. After lunch, it's ALL downhill back to the cars. Only 12km, but your legs will swear it's a bit longer!
The walk is nearly all on dirt 4WD tracks. Possibly muddy if it has been wet, although it mostly drains quickly. Poles very useful, boots perhaps also? We need to cross Falls Creek twice, possibly wet feet if it's been very rainy.
Meeting Place 1 (for car pool) is in the Airport West Westfield car-park to the west of Target - near corner Westfield Drive and Sexton Street.
Meeting Place 2 (for the start of the walk) is the car-park at "Trawool Estate" (a large brick building at Trawool, on the left (NE) side of the Goulburn Valley Hwy at Trawool. There is a (rail-trail) toilet nearby.
Kingsville to Williamstown
When we do this walk, Kings Birthday will be only one week away - but the current holder of the title is perhaps not well, and William is next in line! Under the circumstances, a walk from Kingsville to Williamstown is perhaps symbolic?? Hmmm
This walk will follow the various paths along Stony Creek, through Kingsville, along to the Stony Creek Backwash to admire the white mangroves and other flora. After that it's along the coast path into Williamstown. The path along Stony Creek is mostly quite pleasant, and the track along the coast from Spotswood to Williamstown will be familiar to most, but nevertheless is also a pleasant stroll.
This walk is best done making use of our train system, starting at Tottenham Station and heading home from Williamstown Station.
We'll start from near Tottenham Station, but it's a bit of a desert regarding Cafes to meet at. So, meet at "J A McDonald Reserve" - that's a little park one block South of Sunshine Road (and Tottenham Station) - in Aliwal St.
Coffee in Williamstown to conclude the walk.
Tarilta Creek
This walk is in the Upper Loddon State Forest. (General area - between Daylesford and Castlemaine) It's a loop walk, along some quiet 4WD tracks, a little on the Great Divide walking track, and quite a lot off-track - either through open forest or along the valley of Tarilta creek. It's not particularly long or hilly, and in fact is very pleasant, but is rated medium/hard because quite a lot of the walk is off-track. Distance 11.5km.
The meeting point, and start of the walk, is a small car-park where the Dry Diggings Track (part of the Great Divide Trail) crosses Porcupine Ridge Road. (It's about 100m N of the intersection of Loop Track (signposted with green post/sign) with Porcupine Ridge Road. Another marker is that the intersection is 2.2km after Porcupine Ridge Road turns to a dirt road, as you're travelling North. Meet 9.30am at the start point.
If car-pooling, meet at 8am at Airport West (Westfield car-park, to the West of Target).
Coffee after the walk at Glenlyon General Store, provided we can get there in time. Or Daylesford.