Next Walk -11th April Mount Macedon Leader David Radcliffe.

 Meet at Lanberris parking area at 9:20 for a 9:30 departure.Car Pool $10.

We will drive to McGregor’s Picnic Area near the top of Mt Macedon. The walk is a circuit which includes the Memorial Cross, the Camels Hump Lookout and Major Mitchell Lookout.

The walk is through undulating country, partly on hiking trails and partly on forest roads. There are a couple of uphill sections but they are not too steep. Walking poles could be handy in places but not essential

( The short climb to the Camels Hump is fairly steep but is optional.)

The walk length is 9.8km.

Bring Morning tea and lunch

Toilets are available at the start/finish point and also midway through the walk.

Expected return to Ballarat is mid afternoon.

Note that David is looking for a collaborator to assist him checking out the walk.

Camp Photos

 

Camp Report

 Apollo Bay camp report March 2024

On a lovely warm day ten walkers set out from Ballarat to meet at The Forest General Store for coffee before doing the very dusty drive out to Lake Elizabeth. It was dry and crispy underfoot and not a leech in site on our walk around the lake. The local birds joined us for lunch and despite our wanting and looking, we didn’t see any platypus. 
We called into the West Barwon reservoir for another walk, before continuing down to Apollo Bay and the welcoming Star of the Sea. 
We had a bbq and the usual delicious salads and desserts and then Marlene stepped very competently into Warwick’s shoes and led a fun trivia quiz. 
Wednesday we fitted into three cars and drove to Blanket Bay. From there we did a return walk to Parker’s Inlet, had lunch and explored this amazing area. 
On the way back to Apollo Bay we called into Maits Rest. This is a 1 km circuit walk through remnants of rain forest which dominated this area 100 million years ago when it was part of Gondwana. The area has been protected since the early 1900s and contains towering Mountain Ash and 300 yo Myrtle Beech trees. The Japanese have a term called forest bathing and this area provided just that. A hushed silence fell as we embraced this beautiful micro climate. 
We had a pub meal Wednesday night and Thursday we did the short sharp ascent to Mariner’s Lookout. We had a wander along the jetty, then a good coffee in the Main Street, before heading home “tired but happy”. 
Thank you Marlene for organising such a relaxed and fun camp. 
LT

Skipton Trail Photos

 

Walk Report Skipton Rail Trail

 Walk Report March 14.

 L

On a cool, pleasant autumn morning, 31 walkers congregated at the Skipton Rail Trail on Kopke’s Rd., and the 28 cars parked on the roadside meant our presence was hard to miss.

 

With Barbara in the lead, we set off in a southerly direction towards Haddon, and all enjoyed the flat terrain, allowing relaxed conversation, free from the concentration required for more uneven ground. The surrounding sheep country and general environment was extremely dry with dams and pasture levels very low.

 

We passed the site of the Haddon rail station, with a helpful information plaque, several unique seats sculpted from fallen trees, some new, modern benches and a very practical bicycle repair stop. The station site, a lone piece of discarded rail line and the remains of an old trackside dam and brick overflow, were the only evidence of the busy railway of the past.

 

Upon our return, most settled in at the Sticks Café at Avalon Nursery for a cuppa, a chat and maybe a few additions to some gardens.

 

Thank you to Barbara and Julie for planning the walk, Barbara for leading it and, as Julie was unable to join us, Marlene for stepping in as the Whip.

Helen Mc.

Next Walk Thursday March 28 Eureka Centre - Note the change due to possible train interruptions.

Ballarat East and Woowookarung Regional Park lead by Greg Anderson and Libby Todd 

NOTE MEETING POINT FOR START OF THIS WALK 

Meet at EUREKA CENTRE CARPARK (formerly MADE) at corner of Rodier St and Eureka St for an 8:30 departure. 

A circuit walk walking along Bunny Rail Trail to Victoria St., Fussell St following perimeter of Xavier Golf Course, and Pryor Park., making our way up an incline to Woowookarung Regional Park. On reaching Woowookarung we will walk the new Cherry Ballart /Ferny Loop. 

 CODE B Bring walking poles and morning tea. Scenic bush loop walking on gravel roads with some inclines, some bushwalking, single file. 

10 KLMS approx. with only bush toilets. Own arrangements for lunch.

Return to EUREKA CENTRE (LILYS CAFE) for coffee. 

Camp

 Camp Meeting on Friday March 15th

Please note that a meeting will be held to discuss details for our camp at Apollo Bay on March 19th to 21st.
This will be on Friday March 15th at 4pm in the Pavillion at the Botanical Gardens in Wendouree Parade, not far from “Pipers”, near The Gatekeepers Cottage.

Also if anyone is still interested in coming to camp, there are still vacancies.  If you need to contact me my phone number is    5333 7133.

Marlene Bell

Photos Victoria Park