Bushwalk November 27

Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary via Linton. Note earlier start.

Meet at Llanberris Car Park at 8:20 for an 8:30am departure.

Travel to meet at the Linton Railway Hotel, 73 Sussex St, Linton at about 9:20.
We will be met there by Emily Noble, the Coordinator of  the Sanctuary. Toilets opposite.
Should any travellers intend going independently to Linton, let Chris know on 0437388805.
From there we will convoy 4K to the Sanctuary on the Piggoreet Rd.

Emily will explain the background, management and conservation status of the area before guiding us around the bird paddock trail. There will be plenty of stops on the way including the bird hide. This trail is only about 2k without diversions so the outing will be suitable for any of us happy with a shorter walk.

It’s pretty flat but bring poles if you like. Difficulty rating “A”. Bring a drink.
We will have an early lunch on the verandah of the centre (toilet there too) on our return.
After that a stroll around the centre and we have the option of a stop at the Devil’s Kitchen Geological Reserve which is 4K easterly back towards Ballarat.

Leader Chris Charleson.

 Walk Report November 13

A most interesting walk was enjoyed by 16 people yesterday in Learmonth. The walk took us through varied sites and country, including some historical plaques and buildings on the main street, picturesque lake views and green countryside on the big hill climb. Learmonth was first established in 1837 and was the first shire in Victoria. The lake was named after the Learmonth brothers who squatted in the area in 1838.

The weather was kind to us and the walk was leisurely and easily paced. The challenge of the day was the hill from which we saw gorgeous views across the lake and the surrounding farmlands. It was well worth the effort. A banana break was held at the top before we completed a circuit back to the Main Street and Cafe 321 which did an excellent job of looking after our big group.

Many thanks to Shirley and Mark for scoping out the walk for us and leading on the day. 

Bush Walk - November 13. Learmonth.

Our trip to Learmonth will include a stroll along the main street

with its lovely historical buildings, many with descriptive plaques.

Next, we'll move on to the Lakeside path, where an attractive path

is decorated with quirky sculptures. A long and steep ascent to a fine

panoramic view will be followed by a rural roadway through

sweeping farmlands.

It's around 6km, generally easy and on good pathways. A few parts may 

be a bit boggy after rain. Bring a snack and water. 

We're booked into the delightful Cafe 321 for a cuppa after 11.30.

Travel almost through Learmonth, until you see the pub on your right.

Immediately turn left into Laidlaw St. and drive towards Lake Learmonth.

Pass the sports ground and toilets, turn right and park near the picnic shelter. 

The walk will start from there at 10am. 

Leaders:  Shirley and Mark.  5331 4408 (and 0431 455 603 on the day only). 

Alternatively, if you would like to carpool, meet at Llanberris at 9.20am for a 9.30am departure. Llanberris is the carpark on Eureka St opposite the skatepark.

October 30 Walk - 5th week of the month

Meet at Ballarat Yacht Club for a 9.30am circuit of the lake.

Coffee at The Yacht Club from 10.30am. Table is booked under ‘Helen’. 

Walk Report - October 23 

How lucky we were to wake to a fine day on Thursday last after Wednesday’s weather had been so horrible. Seven of us gathered at Llanberris to drive to Centennial Park at Mt Macedon, where we met up with and welcomed our newest member of the group, Pauline Moody.

Our car shuffle took us to McGregor’s Picnic Area from where we began our descent of the mountain. It was an easy walk, quite steep in places, but mostly smooth underfoot. The highlights of the walk included the beautiful properties and gardens which were in full bloom, many with gorgeous rhododendrons, and the very ornate gates leading into the properties. The views through gaps in the trees were beautiful as were the extraordinarily tall and majestic gums.

We stopped for lunch at a very pleasant park and picnic spot before heading back to the cars and another car shuffle. Coffee was enjoyed in the town before we headed home, feeling very pleased with our day out.

Many thanks to David for his planning and leadership on the day.

Bushwalk October 23

Mount Macedon. (Top to Bottom).

We will drive to Centennial Park at the bottom of the mountain. Here we will organise a car shuffle for the 8 km drive up to McGregor's Picnic Area where the walk begins.

We will descend the mountain via Clyde Track, Alton Road and Governors Drive back to Centennial Park. The route is partly on gravel and bitumen and grass surfaces and does not include any steps or stairs. Poles may be useful, but not essential.

The length of the walk is 8.5 km. 

Code B plus.

Toilets available at each end of the walk and also at the lunch stop.

Meet at Llanberris car park for a 9.30 am departure. Llanberris car park is on Eureka St, opposite the LT Fraser Reserve. Bring morning tea and lunch. Expected return to Ballarat is approx. 4pm.

The walk will be led by David Radcliffe.

 

BENDIGO CAMP REPORT OCT 7-9, 2025
 

Day 1
Das Kaffeehaus in Castlemaine was the meeting place for quite a few of us to have coffee before heading
off to reconvene at the start of our first walk, One Tree Hill. We parked at the bottom of the hill and
walked up to the lookout and picnic area, from where we started the One tree Hill Tower Loop. We had
perfect weather for the walk which took us through varied landscapes, over some rocky tracks which
eventually smoothed out and made the walking easier. Many stops were made to admire and identify the
plentiful wildflowers. We enjoyed lunch along the way and found our way back to the cars after an
enjoyable walk that wasn’t too taxing for any of us. And rest assured, there was more than one tree!
After settling into the caravan park, the full complement of 13 people met for happy hour and a bbq in the
camp kitchen and enjoyed the warmer weather and daylight savings until heading off to our respective
accommodation.
 

Day 2
After an hour’s drive through some lovely country and the historic town of Inglewood, we met up at the
picnic area of Melville Caves in the Kooyoorah State Park. The caves are named after the notorious
bushranger who used the caves as a hideout in the 19th century.We completed, on another fantastic day for walking, the Long Rock Walking Track which took in the Southern and McLeods Lookouts. From the lookouts and other vantage points, we enjoyed beautiful views. We took advantage of one conveniently flat rock, which gave us spectacular views, to have our morning tea.
The walk included quite a bit of up and down, dramatic rock formations, the odd kangaroo and more
wildflowers. The path evened out as we walked down and towards the picnic area again and as the day
was really warming up we were very glad to get back for a well earned rest and lunch.
After lunch we drove to the top where we found a camping ground and access to caves, formed by giant
boulders, that we could enter and explore.
Dinner was at The Old Boundary Hotel, which was very impressive, producing good quality meals in a
very organised fashion.
 

Day 3
A gentle walk to finish the camp was held at the Crusoe Reservoir Loop via No 7 Reservoir. This walk was on made tracks, taking us by the water and across the dam wall, with a little bit of bush land included.
There are interesting historical sites which highlight the amount of work put into early water storage
efforts, particularly in the channels and the No 7 reservoir which was constructed in 1857. We had lunch
back at the very attractive picnic area of No 7, before heading off back home.
Thanks to all who came to the camp and made it such a fun experience. We were lucky with the weather
and everyone enjoyed the walks and the social activities.

Apologies that the photos are not in chronological order!