Activities Program

The main club activities are day walks and take place in a large number of different areas ranging from suburban parks to the nearby mountains. Historic walks around the suburbs of Melbourne are also on offer.
Basecamps, cycling and a range of social events are also offered. Trips within Australia, overseas and locally are also undertaken periodically.

Grading of Walks

It is most important that before you consider going on any walk, particularly those graded medium or more strenuous, you should consider whether you are sufficiently fit and experienced and have the necessary equipment.

Easy  Walking on gently undulating terrain, mostly on formed tracks. Suitable for most people. Walking time 4 to 5 hours, 6 to 12 km.

Easy/Medium  Gently undulating terrain, mostly on formed tracks with some short climbs. Walking time 4 to 5 hours, 10 to 15 km.

Medium   Some of the walk not necessarily on formed tracks, with some sustained climbs (1km or more). Walking time 5 to 6 hours, 10 to 20 km.

Medium/Hard   As for medium but includes rougher terrain, ie. heavy scrub, rock scrambling or longer climbs or descents. Walking time 5 to 6 hours, 10 to 20 km.

Hard   Consistent walking in difficult terrain, rock scrambling, thick scrub, steep ups and downs, creek crossings. Experienced and fit walkers only. Walking time 6 to 10 hours, 10 to 20 km

Activity Booking  - Once you have registered as a visitor or prospective member (which is free) you can use our online booking system to book. Click Membership or Visitors for more information.

These are our upcoming activities:

Our Christmas picnic will be a combination event with a ramble, a bike ride, a short walk and or simply enjoying a picnic.

The walk and bike ride are on the website fo you to book. Bring everything you need to enjoythe picnic: your lunch and drink and if you can a salad or dessert to share. Don't forget your utensils and to wear something festive. See you there 

Activity Date Wednesday 13 Dec 2023
Categories SOCIAL EVENT

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

9.15 for 9.30 start. Easy Ride, route by agreement with participants, but probably about 20k along yarra trail and on to Eltham for morning coffee at coffee shop. Back by about 11.30 in time for lunch with walkers. Bring a plate, either sweet or savoury to share for lunch, your own plates, cutlery, drink and glasses and maybe a chair. 

Activity Date Wednesday 13 Dec 2023
Categories BIKE RIDE, Easy

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

We will meet at 915 for a 9.30 start at the Westerfolds carpark off Porter St MEL 33 E3

This is an easy circuit walk of 8km prior to our Christmas lunch. Darylene will lead us on a River walk.

For the walk bring: water morning tea and poles if you use them.

For the picnic bring: seat plate utensils your own meal and if you are able a salad or dessert to share

Activity Date Wednesday 13 Dec 2023
Categories SHORT WALK, Easy

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

2nd 3-day walk training session at Healesville

Plan is to walk Mt Riddell with loaded pack at reasonable pace - morning tea at the summit and lunch in the bakery around midday.

All capable walkers welcome to participate

 

Activity Date Friday 22 Dec 2023
Categories WALK, Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

This popular base camp offers five night’s accommodation including 3 meals per day in the Howmans Gap YMCA Lodge near Falls Creek. This camp has been running for a number of years. Each day around 4 walks of varying levels from easy to hard will be offered for you to choose between or just take the day off as this is your fun and relaxing time with the chance to make new friends.

This is a Diamond Valley, Koonung, Waverley, Essendon and Bayside Bushwalking venture with combined walks and activities including a New Years Eve celebration.

Accommodation is in bunk rooms and we generally only use bottom bunks. The cost is $500 per person with a $200 deposit due by the end of August to confirm you booking. Instructions will be sent at the start of August to those who register online for the camp. The balance will be due at the end of November and once you have committed to this if you find you cannot come you will need to find a replacement person to cover your cost. Hopefully there will be people still waiting to join the camp.

 

Activity Date Wednesday 27 Dec 2023
Categories BASE CAMP, Medium

Sorry, fully booked

Blue Lotus Gardens

Blue Lotus Gardens,  Spanning over 14 acres in size this tropical themed garden contins more than 40 diferent ponds, lakes and water features which produce the biggest display of lotus and waterlily flowers in the southern hemisphere.  The grounds also contain an amazing array of exotic plans, garden exhibits, fountains, waterfalls, floral sculptures, walks and scenic vistas.  Picnic facilities with numerous shelters are provided throughout the garens.  There is also a Garden Cafe that offers fantastic views of the flowers - and of course a visitor shop.  ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC FOR FLOWER PHOTOS.

The cost is $22 for seniors - there is a group discount for over 15 people of $18.50.  

Once we see who is interested I may be able to obtain a group discount.  

Suggesting we meet at Kangaroo Ground Ness Lane and car pool to the Gardens in Yarra Junction.  The gardens open at 10am - we will walk around the gardens for a couple of hours, BYO lunch - you can buy a coffee or whatever and then travel home.  It will be a morning event as it does get hot in the gardens and we will leave after we've had our lunch.

 

 

Activity Date Wednesday 10 Jan 2024
Categories SOCIAL EVENT

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Start walk at Anakie Gorge Picnic Site - follow Anakie Gorge Walk left to Ted Errey Nature Circuit  and out to Nesons Lookout for morning tea. Continue to Switch Road on to Redsteak Track then Burchell Track picking up Burchell Trail on left out to Anakie Gorge Walk to the dam wall returning on Anakie Gorge Walk back to the cars. Distance 12.12km with 222m ascent.

Car pooling available from KFC Greensorough rear car park- departure time 7.45 cost $19.00.

Activity Date Sunday 14 Jan 2024
Categories WALK, Easy/Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

13.8K walk from Woorich Lookout following Manna Gum Track, Prices Road Track, Chamberlain Track to Eagles Next Road, Hermon Track, big loop back via Mathias Track Golf Course Track to start. There are some hills be warned but the whole track is pretty well shaded so we will start early and finish back at Lookout for lunch around 12.30pm.  It will be a good paced walk as we want to beat the heat if its going to be hot but it is a very pretty walk at the same time the tree ferns are magnificant. Need to allow at least 1hr plus to get there. Car pooling available from Mullum Mullum Reserve cost will be $7. 

Activity Date Wednesday 17 Jan 2024
Categories WALK, Easy/Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Meet at Eltham Lower Park (Mel 21 H10) at 0930 for a 0940 start.  Park near the new facilities block).

The walk begins by following a direct line across to pony club grounds to the footbridge. After crossing the bridge into Candlebark Reserve the walk proceeds towards Petty’s Orchards.  Before reaching the orchard (at the end of the boardwalk) we veer to the right and walk up hill, bearing left onto a path that takes us down to an old dam. We walk along the edge of the dam and head west until we reach a mown track, onto which we turn right and head uphill next to the power lines.  Passing under the power lines we turn left onto a cleared access along a fence on its southern boundary and then take the path off to the right and walk for about 75 m and turn left onto a bike track.  We follow that bike path around a dam that eventually runs parallel (and behind) the houses on Fitsimmons Lane, following it back to the bridge over the Yarra.  We will then turn left and do a short 2. 4km) circuit into Westerfolds Park (toilets).  Then return to Eltham Lower Park. 

Activity Date Wednesday 17 Jan 2024
Categories SHORT WALK, Easy/Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Short walk along bush tracks and dirt roads - some hills but nothing too strenuous.  6km walk.

This is a short walk available BEFORE the lunch at the winery.  If you wish to have lunch at the Winery after the walk please book separately on the Winery Lunch so that it is clear who is walking ONLY and who is LUNCHING.

There will be NO morning tea break.

 

 

Activity Date Friday 19 Jan 2024
Categories SHORT WALK, Easy

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Winery Lunch

Lunch at Nillumbik Estate Winery.  Anti pasta platters and yummy pizzas to share - $30 per person.  Purchase own drinks & tea/coffee etc.  Please advise if you have dietary requirements.  Please advise any cancellations by 16 January - as this price is based on 25 people in the group.

Meet at the Winery. Booking under the name of Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club.

There will also be a short 6km walk before the winery if you are interested. Parking at the St Andrews Pony Club opposite the winery at 10.20AM. 6km leisurely walk through bush track and dirt road.  Book this walk separately.  Walk across the road to the Winery once walk completed.

 

 

 

Activity Date Friday 19 Jan 2024
Categories SOCIAL EVENT

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Wandin North to Launching Place along rail trail. Drive to Launching Place catch the bus to Wandin North walk the historical railway line through the Yarra Valley, bushland, open river flats, farmlands and forests. Grading is medium purely because of length 17K however the trail is formed flat tracks.  Miki card required.  Meet 8.45 to catch 9.00am bus. Can organise car pooling if required would be from Eltham Little Theatre

 

 

 

Activity Date Wednesday 24 Jan 2024
Categories WALK, Easy/Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

A ride from Edithvale to Half Moon Bay at  Black Rock. Good views, no hills and we will ride at a leisurely pace, about 35 km overall. 

Activity Date Wednesday 24 Jan 2024
Categories BIKE RIDE, Easy

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Multi-day walk from View Point car park north of Licola. Includes spectacular ridge line walks along the alpine walking track from Mt Howitt to Mt Speculation. Expected to take 3 days including travel to and from Melbourne and two nights camping on the walk.

Walk is hard grade around 30km in total

Activity Date Tuesday 06 Feb 2024
Categories WALK, Hard

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From the Alfred Nicholas Gardens we will wind our way through mountain ash forest combining a number of tracks and points of interest. We will finish with lunch in the Gardens. Approximately 11 Km

If you prefer to dirive directly to the walk meet us in the Alfred Nicholas Gardens Carpark, Sherbooke Road at  9.15 am . Please inducate this in the comments box when booking in..

Activity Date Wednesday 07 Feb 2024
Categories WALK, Easy/Medium

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login

Tidal River /Wilson's promontory 

Staying in the beautiful Wilson's Promontory National Park at Tidal River, I plan to have 2 medium walks and 2 shorter walks.

We are staying in the Arthur  Lucas Lodge, a 24 bed Lodge-for 3 nights 

A deposit of $200 (paid into my account ) is required to  secure your booking 

This Lodge is large and comfortable but there is no air conditioning 

At present only bottom bunks will be used .The Lodge has 2 bathrooms with extra toilets.

Linen and towels need to be provided 

There is heating but no air conditioning 

This is a self catering camp.There is a full kitchen in the Lodge .There is a barbecue.

There is a small general store which sells common food items.A cafe which sells mainly takeaway.The opening hours can vary.

You cannot buy alcohol at Tidal River.If you would like a drink please bring bring your own.

Please consult Tidal River information centre about swimming conditions.Some of the beaches can be dangerous.

The weather can be unpredictable.It can be cold wet and windy even in summer.It can also be hot.

Snakes ,ticks and other creepy crawlies are common and active at the Prom

Please consult The Tidal River web site, in particular their safety and evacuation information.(in the past the club has been involved in evacuations)
Please contact me if you have any questions 

Pam Davies 

 

Activity Date Monday 19 Feb 2024
Categories BASE CAMP, Medium

Sorry, fully booked

Camping at Tidal River 

Please read the information attached to the Lodge Bookings

Campers must book their own site .

Activity Date Monday 19 Feb 2024
Categories BASE CAMP, Medium

Sorry, fully booked

We will meet at Kangaroo Ground cemetery (Mel 271 8K) at 0930.

We will leave KG cemetery on the grass verge, carefully cross the Eltham-Yarra Glenn Road and walk into the valley on the bridle path, up to Nicholas Lane.  Then we proceed down Nicholas Lane for about 30 m and onto a bridal path which we follow to the Aqueduct (1200m).  We walk along the Aqueduct for about 900m to where it goes under a hill, and we divert to the left (from the aqueduct) on a well-made path and follow it alongside private property until we reach a fence on the crest of the hill.  There we turn left and follow another bridle path downhill and cross a dry water course.  Just before the creek we stopped to take advantage of a couple of logs to sit for morning tea.  About 11 am we resume our way on the bridal path which runs uphill to a private access road.  Another bridle path adjacent this road takes us back to Nicholas Lane.  From there we retrace our steps back to KG cemetery.  This this is a hilly walk but they are neither long nor steep.  We expect to back at the cars around 1215

Bring morning tea.

Activity Date Wednesday 21 Feb 2024
Categories SHORT WALK, Easy/Medium

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Wombelano Falls Kinglake National Park. Travel to Kinglake via St Andrews right to Glenburn Road 10K to Gums Camping Ground. 16.6K  medium with one tough uphill and gentle 1.5K uphill to falls turnoff.

Parking could be an issue dependant on numbers some may need to park out on highway. The walk at times is quite open so could get really hot dependant on weather. Bring plenty of water.

Car pooling available from Eltham North Adventure playground meet time 7.30 to beat possible heat cost $11.00

Activity Date Wednesday 28 Feb 2024
Categories WALK, Medium

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Start at Ridge Road Alice Jeeves Park follow Trig, Kyeema Track all uphill. Option to visit Skyhigh. Visit Kyeema Memorial Cairn and lunch at Doongalla Homestead. Return via Stables, Bills and Camelia Tracks all uphill then finally the dreaded Fireline Track tough uphill back to cars. Either 12K or 15K approx with optional extras. Rated medium bordering hard, poles recommended.

Car pooling available from Mullum Mullum reserve Springvale Road cost $5

Activity Date Wednesday 06 Mar 2024
Categories WALK, Medium/Hard

To book for this activity, register as prospective member or visitor and login