This is the first of 8 walks starting from the Dandenong Ranges, meandering through the eastern suburbs; and finishing at St Johns Church in Essendon. Each walk is linked by public transport using Metro trains and buses.

We start opposite the Kalorama General Store and walk through the township then along tracks on the western side of the Dandenong Ranges to Sassafras.   There are at least six steep ascents and some steep descending.   The route includes walking and FWD tracks – which include rolling gravel and maybe some slippery leaves and bark; so, I recommend walking boots, and poles – if you use them. Toilets are available at Finders Street, Sassafras, (no time for a toilet stop at Croydon). Return buses are to two train stations are: 1:35pm, 2:20pm, 2:57pm and 3:28pm to Croydon; or the best option is: 1:38pm, 2:29pm, 3:02pm and 3:35pm to Upper Ferntree Gully.

Map attached.

Register Online, and also Contact Ron by Phone for him to add you to the Walk Sheet.

Walking on tracks rarely used by the general public.   For further details, contact Ron.

Meet by 9.00 am. at Flinders St. Station at the rear of the Info. Centre. We travel to Frankston Station to catch the Stony Point train at 10.37 am.and due to arrive at Hastings at 10.59 am. 

Leaving Hastings Station, we walk north past Hastings Foreshore Reserve and Hastings Park  (toilets ). Leaving Hastings, we continue north along a walking track, parallel to the railway  line, taking us into Tyabb (toilets).. The walking track leaves the railway line here and follows alongside the Frankston - Flinders Road before meeting up with the railway line again at Somerville (toilets), the end of the walk.   

With time to look around Somerville, we catch the 3.50 pm. train back to Frankston, due there at 4.06 pm. Trains to Flinders St. leave Frankston every 10 minutes.

Covid restrictions must be adhered to where applicable, and all walkers must be fully vaccinated.

This walk is a little bit differen tto a bush walk .Where else do you get to walk on the beach with 40% of Vic vegies growing across the road. Even the 439 bus ride is an eye opener to the amount of vegies being produced in the ar. The first section is a 6-7 km walk along the newly widened beach and back on the walking path going via Wyndham Harbour which seems to have modelled itself along the lines of Port Douglas with palm trees, fancy decking etc and judging by the no of locals and boats around , it has become a favourite haunt of the locals . The next part of the day is to pick up bus 439 and call at Werribee Mansion for a quick lunch and hopefully the Vic State Rose garden will reward us with a disply of Spring blooms . The parterre garden is somewhat different at the moment, the main planting being rainbow chard!! Back to the bus stop and return to Werribee rly st, where a 5 min walk will take us over the footbridge and into the newly upgraded ( $13 million). Wyndham Park which the Council have transformed into something rather special' Depending on weather, time and our general inclination the out and back walk to the Harbour can be reduced to one way and meeting the bus at a different venue. Werribee coffee shops seem to close at 3pm so an afternoon drink cannot be guaranteed. Sneakers will be fine . Guaranteed flat..not a hill in sight . This is a Public Transport walk , Meet at the Flinders St coffee shop area at 8.55 for the 9.07 Werribee train

Fryers Ridge is located nearby the small settlement of Taradale, off the Calder Freeway. This is an undulating circuit walk along 4WD tracks. You may have the opportunity to spot the Fryerstown Grevillea, (Grevillea obtecta) that is endemic to the area. Time permitting we will stop in Malmsbury for refreshments after the walk.  Bring boots, plenty of water, lunch and snacks.  The walk commences at 9.30am. 

This walk will start at the Rotary Rotunda just off Ligar Street, Sunbury. From there we will follow a walking track past the skate park to Elizabeth Drive, which we will cross. Shortly afterwards, we leave this track to follow another track that takes us along the Heysen Drive Reserve, which we follow to Reservoir Rd. This leads us to Mount Rd and a path to that winds its way around Mt Holden gradually rising to the summit. While on the top we will partake of the great views of the Macedon Ranges, Melbourne, and other localities while having lunch. After lunch we will return to the cars via the Blind Creek Trail, possibly with a few detours. 

Morning walk in Pyrete Range, Lerderderg State Park, Gisborne

Grade: Medium

Distance: 5 - 6 km circuit walk

Ascent: 150 m (approximately) with steep slopes

Meeting point: Hobbs Road, Dirt Road Carpark (on left), Gisborne. Located 500 m along Hobbs Road from the intersection with Melton Road (C705), Gisborne

Description: The morning walk route is mainly on wide forest trails and is not far from Hobbs Road. The route traverses knolls and along several spurs, and occasionally heads into steep gullies within the Pyrete Range.  Weather permitting, there are several locations from which to view, through openings in the forest, the surrounding peaks of Mount Gisborne, Mount Bullengarook, Little Mount Bullengarook. The ongoing La Nina weather pattern has made watercourses somewhat higher than usual and to avoid wet feet it is likely we will go off track for a short distance and scramble along an embankment.  In all, the walk will be nothing too technical.  The plan is to walk and enjoy the views and slowly traverse the steep slopes and off-track section.

Recommendation: bring hiking boots/shoes and a hiking pole; also a change of footwear/socks for the trip home.

Afternoon walk in Hobbs Reserve, Bullengarook

Grade: Easy-Medium

Distance: 5 - 6 km circuit walk

Ascent: 130 m (approximately) with gentle slopes

Meeting point: Hobbs Reserve main carpark (on left), Hobbs Road, Bullengarook. Located 3.6 km further along Hobbs Road from morning meeting point at Dirt Road Carpark.

Description:

The afternoon walk is along narrow, circuitous trails within Hobbs Road Bushland Reserve and nestled into forest understory.  The terrain is gently undulating from which there is occasional line of sight into steeper sections of the surrounding Pyrete Range and Lerderderg State Park. The walking trails are a shared facility with mountain bike riders and being a weekday we are more likely to have the location largely to ourselves.  At times we will walk over some of the bike trail infrastructure (bridges, ramps, etc) and view quirky trackside signage and installations.  There are significant works underway to rehabilitate the disused quarry/former municipal tip site, and this makes for some interesting and varied scenes along the chosen walk route.

This walk takes in some of the Ballarat to Skipton rail trail, crossing the stunning Nimmons Bridge which spans Woady Yalock creek then pickng up a section of the Rainbow Bird trail.  In addition to the rail trail walking, the walk will meander through farmland and a section of the Jubilee Heritagre area, before heading back to Scarsdale.  A short section will involve walking on a quiet bitumen road.

With lots of recent rain the hills and bushland will be rolling in lush green scenery.

A long but rewarding walk, with gentle hills and easy walking.  Suitable for Bobs and non-Bobs

This is the second of 8 walks linking the Dandenong Ranges to Essendon.   We start by descending about 350 meters for the first 5 kms towards the Dandenong Creek trail. Some of the descent is quite steep and includes loose gravel. There are also two short sharp climbs in this first section of the route. The second section is along the Dandenong Creek trail which is mostly flat. The third section includes ascending some long but moderate hills. We leave the trail at Heathmont and finish at Heathmont station.     The route includes gravel, bitumen, maybe slippery leaves and bark; and concrete surfaces, so I recommend walking boots, and poles – if you use them. Toilets are available at Finders Street, Sassafras, at the lunch stop (no time for a toilet stop at Croydon). Return trains from Heathmont at about 20-minute intervals.

Map attached.

Register Online, and also Contact Ron by Phone for him to add you to the Walk Sheet.

Starting From Mt Macedon village ascending up the Zig Zag track to the summit then descending down tracks to the finish.

For further details, contact Ron.