Essendon Bushwalking Club

Most people travelling up the Hume Freeway near Broadford will have noticed the forested, distinctly conical hill off to the left of the highway - very different in appearance to the other, more rounded hills in the area. What's going on there? (No, it's not a volcano).

This walk has two sections - we'll meet in Broadford, drive out to Mt Piper (about 5km) for the first part, then return to Broadford for the second.

The conical hill is Mt Piper, and as well as being geologically interesting, is clothed in a varied eucalypt forest and is the habitat of two species of rare butterfly!

This walk will go around the hill and ascend to the top (steep, but an OK track and only 150m vertical ascent). The Mt Piper part of the walk is just under 7km, so after that we will return to Broadford for lunch (BYO or bakery) and then undertake a pleasant walk around the Broadford Town Common (one of only a few official "Town Commons" remaining in Victoria). That part is just over 5km and flat.

(The meeting place for car-pooling is the Airport West Shopping Town car-park to the West of Target. The meeting place in Broadford is at the "Lions Park", on High Street, just before you cross Sunday Creek on the way into town.)

This is a delightful easy walk following an old rail trail from Trentham to Lyonville.  The trail is mostly in tall forest making for a shady walk.  The return walk will divert onto a 4 wheel drive track for part of the walk which will give a different aspect to the walk and make it more interesting.  You will see the impact of the storm in 2021 which flattened large areas of the forest.  The walk may be modified depending on weather conditions and cancelled if a Total Fire ban day or over 30oC forecast.

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

Staying at the caravan park, the cost is $320 for a two bedroom cabin (Maple cabins) for 3 nights - with all linen supplied.  BYO food.  To book your own accommodation, contact for the caravan is: 5963 3247, and tell them you're with the Essendon Bushwalking Club - and mention Ron Bell for the discount..

Walks will be in the Marysville area and the Cathedral Ranges, Australia's biggest ancient feature, and there will also be a walk in the Beech Forest with giant trees in the rain forest and waterfalls.  Will go out one night for a meal.  On Tuesday will meet at the caravan park entrance at 12:00 for lunch from where we'll leave on the first walk.  BYO own lunch everyday.

Meeting Held at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, Mt Alexandra Road, Moonee Ponds

This is an interesting 12 -13 kilometre walk that takes in a small pocket of open forest wedged between Bungal Creek and the twisting Moorabool River East Branch.  The walk starts on some four wheel drive tracks before following some unmarked and unstable  (underfoot ) trails  along some ridge tops where you have some good views of the river and nearby farmlands. 

Boots, and poles are recommended.

Note :  Meeting place for the start of the walk will be near the corner of Fergusons Lane and Egerton-Ballark Road Ballan.  Look for cars parked on side of road. Car pooling is recommended as there are limited spaces available in the side road.

Meeting Held at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, Mt Alexandra Road, Moonee Ponds

Thought it might be time to revisit Lorne. I did the recce walks this week and it was lovely. Here's the plan:

Day 1 (Tuesday) : meet at Torquay for an easy 12 km walk along the waterfront to Bells Beach and return. Subject to tide, likely to include a walk along Jan Juc Beach. After the walk we drive to Lorne

Day 2 (Wednesday) : a very picturesque walk from Teddy's Lookout along St George River through Allanvale, Phantom Falls, Henderson Falls & return. 14km. Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3 (Thursday) :  another scenic walk along the Sheoak River taking in Sheoak Falls, Swallow Cave, Castle Rock, Kalimna Falls & return. 12km. Difficulty: Moderate. After this walk we drive back home or spend another night at your discretion.

More details to follow closer to the time.

Walkers are asked to arrange their own accommodation (there are several caravan parks) and transport. 

exploresurfcoast.com.au

Meeting Held at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, Mt Alexandra Road, Moonee Ponds

This walk starts at the Boar Gully Campground located in the northern part of the Brisbane Ranges National Park.  An interesting walk with varying landscape and terrain.  Boots and poles are recommended. 

Apart from registering here on the online system, please also contact Ron on 0429 384 057 to nominate for the base camp and to organise motel accommodation.