Essendon Bushwalking Club

Continuing our journey from Geelong to Moonee Ponds, we resume our wanderings around the Werribee area at Werribee Station, and walk through Wyndham Park (toilets) to cross over the Werribee River and follow it South to the Princes Highway, where we leave the river as we cross under the highway and follow the ridge line south alongside the Werribee Open Range Zoo for about 3 km.

The walk enters the Werribee River Park and continues south overlooking Werribee Park Golf Club for about 1.5 km. ,before turning back along a lower track to enter Werribee Park. A short diversion will take us to the Bluestone Ford where we can check out the recently improved fish passage. 
Soon after, we enter the Werribee Park Grounds for lunch and a wander around the Mansion Grounds, including a view over the adjacent Safari Park. 

The walk finishes at the Park, and we catch the 439 bus back to Werribee Station for the train back towards the City and home.

Travel by train to Werribee is preferred as all day parking near the start area is hard to find mid week.

It looks like Werribee Line trains will be back to a normal timetable for the day of the walk. Following is a recommended timetable for getting to the start at Werribee Station via the Werribee Line.

Flinders Strreet Dep.     8.45 am   8.55 am.   9.05 am.

North Melb. Stn.            8.52         9.02          9.12

Footscray Stn.              8.57          9.07          9.17

Newport St.                  9.04          9.14          9.24

Werribee Stn. arr.        9.25 am.   9.35 am.    9.45 am.

As there is no usual meeting place at Flinders Street Station, the followwing recommendations are given.          

Those travelling on the Hurstbridge or Mernda Lines should change to the Werribee train at Flinders St. Station.

Those travelling on the Craigieburn or Upfield Lines should change to the Werribee train at North Melbourne Station.

Those travelling on the Sunbury Line should  change to the Werribee train at Footscray  Station.

If travelling from a Williamstown Station, change to the Werribee train at Newport Station.

Toilets are available at Werribee Station, Wyndham Park and Werribee Park.

The walk starts with a steep climb up Antimony Mine track until we come to the intersection with Chapmans Rd and then we head along Chapmans Rd for some time. There are a few short sharp inclines and declines and one slow steep decline into the various gorges. We then follow some trail bike tracks and wander through some lovely gulleys, before a steady climb to the top of Mt Sugarloaf with views of the city and the You Yangs on the way up to the top. It is then a fairly straightforward walk after the initial decline from the top of Mt Sugarloaf along more bike tracks until we meet up with Chapmans Rd again and make our way back to the cars.

MEETING POINT

Meet at 9:30 am at the end of Antimony Mine Rd in Coimadai.

GETTING THERE

Either travel to the end of Coburns Rd, turn left onto Diggers Rest Coimadai Rd and then right onto Antimony Mine Rd.
OR
Travel along High Street into Anthony's Cutting, turn right onto Long Forest Rd, then right onto Diggers Rest Coimadai Rd and left into Antimony Mine Rd. Drive to the end of Antimony Mine Rd and park along the edge of the road.

FACILITIES

No toilet facilities.

WHAT TO BRING

Morning tea and lunch. Adequate amount of water.

Walking Boots. Walking poles may be useful.

Clothing appropriate for the weather.

North Bay Walk is a casual walk from Anzac Station, around Albert Park Lake, then crossing to Port Phillip Bay. We will head north towards Port Melbourne to catch a tram back to the city.

This walk is on footpath and walking trails. Suitable for walking shoes or sneakers. We will stop  for lunch along the way. - bring you own 

Meeting to be held at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club 

A 15 km bush circuit on good walking tracks, punctuated by a short but steep off track descent. The walk includes part of the historic water race above the Lerderderg River.

Leaving the cars at the junction of O'Briens Rd and Kangaroo track, we walk 500 m down O'Briens Rd to Whisky Track, then follow Whisky Track to Kenworthy Track. After 1.5 km on Kenworthy Track we stop at a small knoll, then descend off track on a very steep spur to Nolan Creek, near its confluence with the Lerderderg River. From there we pick up Nolan Track and ascend to O'Briens Rd, then return to the cars via Ambler Lane Track, the Byers Back Track water race and Kangaroo Track. Total descent and ascent on the circuit is about 350 m.

Boots and walking poles recommended.

Coffee in Blackwood after the walk.

Some medium and some easier walks in Warby Ranges and in the Wangaratta district.

Daily walks 10-15km.  Walk days are Monday 15 to Thursday 18.  Additional short and easier walks on some days depending on demand.

Meeting place is at Apex Park in Clements Street on the entrance road to Painters Island Holiday Park at 8.30am.  There are toilets there.

Suggest travelling to Wangaratta on Sunday 14, and home after the walk on Thursday 18 or on Friday 19.

Suggested accommodation:

Painters Island Caravan Park which is on the edge of Wangaratta CBD. Website www.paintersislandcaravanpark.com.au

Wangaratta Caravan Park: Website https://www.wangarattacaravanpark.com.au/

As well as registering on this system, please also phone Ron to nominate for this event.

This walk takes in the Yaluk Barring park trail.  Access to this trail commences at the Keilor Public Golf Course car park on at the end of Turnley Parkway. The trail consists of a 2km journey through grasslands and shrublands to the rest area, next to the heritage shearing shed, with seating nodes, signage, and a viewing platform over Jacksons Creek along the way. There are many views looking to the valley and rivers.

This is a scenic point-to-point walk through the forested landscapes of the Wombat State Forest, linking the Blackwood  township with Trentham. This walk was planned out with the help and local knowledge of Blackwood resident and celebrity, Sue Donnelly. Thanks Sue! 

We are to meet at the Quarry Street Reserve in Trentham.  A car shuffle will be required where we'll need four (now five) drivers at Trentham to transport the group to the start of the walk at Blackwood.  At the end of the walk, we’ll organise a quick lift back for those drivers to collect their cars.

Starting in Martin Street, Blackwood, the walk begins with the day’s main climb, a steady ascent of over a kilometre that takes us up onto the higher forested plateau. Once this early climb is behind us, the route settles into a more undulating and generally easier profile for the remainder of the walk.

The track winds its way through a mix of tall eucalypt forest and quieter bush tracks.  Around the mid-section, the walk passes in the vicinity of Blue Mountain (870 m), one of the higher mountains in the region, before continuing through gently rolling terrain.

The final stages trend gradually downhill toward Trentham, offering a pleasant run-in to the finish as we pass through the Trentham Public Park.

Overall, a solid medium-grade walk that is well suited to walkers comfortable with distances around 15 km. 

Boots and poles are recommended.  Refreshments will be at a local cafe in Trentham. 

Continuing on our way to Moonee Ponds, this walk leaves the Werribee area and heads towards Hoppers Crossing, via a circuit of the northern Werribee and Hoppers Crossing areas. 
The walk starts at Werribee Station and heads north following the Eastern side of the Werribee River as far as Hogans Road, where we head East into Hoppers Crossing. After a few kilometres, the walk heads South through parkland to cross Heaths Road and into the Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands area.

From there, the walk takes us along Drain Reserve to leave the parkland and a short walk along suburban streets to the finish at Hoppers Crossing Station.

Refeshments will be avaiable at the end of the walk( if required) from Platform 2 of Hoppers Crossing Station!!.

Travel by train to Werribee is preferred as all day parking near the start is hard to find mid week.

Following is a recommeded train timetable for getting to the start at Werribee Station via the Werribee Line.

Flinders St. Stn. dep.     8.45 am.     8.55      9.05

North Melb. Stn.            8.52            9.02       9.12

Footscray Stn.               8.57            9.07       9.17 

Newport Stn.                 9.04             9.14       9.24

Werribee Stn. arr.          9.25             9.35       9.45 

As there is no usual meeting place at Flinders St. Station, the following recommendations are given.

Those travelling on the Hurstbridge or Mernda Lines should change to the Werribee Line at Flinders St. Station.

Those travelling on the Craigieburn or Upfield Lines should change to the Werribee Line at North MelbourneStation.

Those travelling on the Sunbury Line should change to the Werribee Line at Footscray Station.

If travelling from a Williamstown Station, change to the Werribee Line at Newport Station.