Events

Take Davey Road, Tarradale to the meeting point at the intersection of Fryerstown Road and Sargeants Rd, Taradale. The Davey Road route has less unsealed road and is suitable for a 2WD. From the meeting point we will drive cars to the nearby walk start. No other meeting point is planned by the walk leader.

The walk is to the west of Taradale along the Coliban Channel and also the tracks and roads further west, within Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve (eucalyptus forest with light bushland understory). The planned burn by Parks Victoria has recently been conducted and completed in part of this conservation reserve, evidence of which the walk group will witness from a section of walking route.

The history of the Coliban Water System, from 1851 to the present day, is well documented in the 3 page brochure: “Joseph Brady’s Coliban System of Water Works”. This can be downloaded from
https://coliban.com.au/files/2019-06/CW_JBrady_collated-Web.pdf.  If water has recently been released from nearby Malmsbury reservoir, we can expect a reasonable water level and flow along the channel. The walk beside the channel offers a serene setting, and openings between mainly eucalyptus trees with views to nearby farms and country properties, and private dams and the Taradale basin.

Recommendations: Walking poles might come in handy, as it is likely to be slippery underfoot with damp and/or dewy mornings during winter, or if there has been recent showers or rain (or if this eventuates on the day).  Bring a water resistant and windproof jacket, and if you tend to feel the cold, warm gloves. Remember to carry your lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of drinking water.  You are not permitted to, nor should you, drink water from the Coliban channel.

 

 

 

This is a loop walk in the South Eastern part of Tallarook State forest. We visit Mt Hickey, the highest peak on the Tallarook plateau - it's on the Southern edge of the plateau, with potentially good views to the South, although views often obscured by the forest.

The walk is just over 10km, mainly on 4WD tracks - can be muddy after rain. There is a 200m climb near the start, to Mt Hickey, then descending or undulating.

The meeting point, and start of the walk, is at "Freeman's Camp and Picnic area", in Tallarook State Forest. There is a car-park, tables and a toilet there. Meet at 9.30am.

Getting to Freeman's Camp - take the Hume Freeway; once past the Broadford exit, pay attention - you're looking for "Ennis Road" on the right` (it is a right turn, directly from the right hand lane of the freeway - be ready for it); the turn is just over 5km from the weighbridge you go past just beyond Broadford. Once on Ennis Road, follow it for approximately 12km as it climbs to the plateau (good views, but only the passengers can look!). Ennis Road changes its name to Main Road near the end, but stay on it. After the 12 km, Freeman's Track (signposted) is on the left, and the Camp/Picnic ground is there.

Jim will be leaving Nth Essendon at 8am if anyone wants a lift - contact me ...

We will walk down St Kilda Road, along the Shrine forecourt and onto the Royal Botanic Garden, wandering around the lake and out to Queen Victorian Gardens. Then we cross the Yarra River at Swan Street Bridge, walking through Birunmar and via Flinders Street to the Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens, tracking to Carlton & Exhibition Gradens, through to Lygon Street and onto Princes Park and Royal Park. We finish outside the Royal Children's Hospital where we can catch a tram in which ever direction you wish

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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.

The meeting place 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.

Jim will be leaving North Essendon at 8.00. Contact him if you'd like a lift?

Never mind the winter weather, a brisk walk to sharpen up the appetite and a lazy lunch at the nearby Pascoe Vale Hotel and finishing with a 2km stroll to make the requisite 10km for the day. Being a short walk we can have the luxury of a lazy start , meeting at Pascoe Vale St at 10.20 am, then we walk along beside the very pleasant Westbreen Ck , followed by a circumnavigation of the Northern Golf Club grounds and return on the other side of Westbreen Ck to the Pascoe Vale Hotel for our reward of a hot lunch. If post pranial inertia hasn,t set in , the 2 km stroll along the Moonee Ponds Ck, as mentioned makes up the requisite 10km and will take us to Strathmore Rly Station for the return to home. For public transport walkers, , the Craigieburn train leaves Flinders St at 9.57, Essendon St at 10.13 arriving at Pascoe Vale at 10.18. For drivers, there is railway parking at the front of the hotel as well as the the hotel,s own park and instead of going to the city to return home, take the train from Strathmore back to the cars. Winter woolies, comfortable shoes and your usual morning tea . Standard pub fare with prices ranging from $10 to $14 in pleasant surroundings . The new category of Short Walkers are welcome to cover the Westbreen Ck paths, have a lengthy morning tea break and rejoin the group later.

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

Trawool Reservoir was built in the 1890's as a water storage dam, for the nearby town of Seymour and for the railway in the Goulburn Valley below it. It is no longer used, but remains as a tranquil location perched on the Northern edge of the Tallartook State Forest, a granite plateau area near Tallarook.

This walk starts from Freeman's Camp, a picnic/camping area in the Tallarook State Forest. From there, we head North, initially level/undulating, then descending steeply to the reservoir. Heading back South from the reservoir we initially follow Falls Creek through delightful mixed forest, then climb back up to plateau level, mostly on the aptly named "Steep Track". (Despite that, the walk is generally flatter than my walk "Trawool Reservoir from below" - but it is longer.)

Just over 16km all up, can be muddy. All on (mostly closed) 4WD tracks.

To get to Freeman's Camp. Take Hume Freeway until beyond Broadford, then look for Ennis Road on the right (just over 5km past the weighbridge near Broadford). Follow Ennis Road (changes its name to Main Rd once in the State Forest, but keep following it) for 12km. Freeman's Rd (signposted) is on the left, Freeman's Camp is near the corner. There is a car-park and toilets there.

Coffee in Broadford after the walk?

The Burchill Circuit is a 13 - 14 kilometre trail located near Steiglitz, Victoria ( a small settlement in the Brisbane Ranges) and is rated as mainly medium.   This is an interesting and varied walk that includes several climbs on rocky surfaces and gravel followed by some flat sections of well worn, even tracks.  Poles and  walking boots are recommended.

If leaving from Moonee Ponds or nearby please allow up to 1.5 hours in travelling time. 

 

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

Details to follow