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:

Two day one night pack and carry from Marysville township to overnight at the Anderson Mill camp ground, approximately 16km return. Will require sleeping bag, tent, touch, thermals, 50lt plus pack, and cooking/eating implements. To reduce weight - lunch at Marysville prior to departure and on return. Carry afternoon tea, dinner, (freeze dry or dehydrated) breakfast, morning tea, snacks and 1lt of water. Car pool from Melbourne or can meet in Marysville. Cars parked overnight in Maryville township. Anderson Mill camp ground has drop toilets, creek water, (no tanks) and a picnic table. Boil or sterilize water before consumption. Unfortunately due size of camp ground, hike is limited to six people.
Meet in the carpark at the bottom of the path to the Visitor Centre.
Tour the highlights of the Australian-themed Royal Botanic Gardens, guided by hidden coded clues. The walk will be easy but some collective brainpower will be needed!
Then leave the formal garden grounds for a 4 km tour of adjacent bushland.
Bring a cut lunch and water. 10 km EM.
Activity Date | Wednesday 13 Mar 2024 |
Categories | WALK, Easy/Medium |
This camp will be based in Katoomba staying in the Katoomba Falls Tourist Park with 5 days of walking and a rest day. Walkers will need to organise their own transport to Katoomba. Accommodation can be cabin or camping. Cars will be required to get to and from the walks and for any car shuffles. Walks will be exploratory in that the leader Marg will not have walked them in advance but many will be well marked tourist routes.
More information will be supplied closer to the camp. Feel free to make any enquires.
Activity Properties
Activity Date | Monday 18 Mar 2024 |
Categories | BASE CAMP, Easy/Medium |
We will meet the Reynolds road gate [Mel 22 E9], at 0930 for a 0945 start. This is corner of Reynolds Road and Yarra Braes Road.
We will walk down Reynolds road about 300 m, cross the creek and follow it almost its point of discharge into the Yarra (400m). Then we will follow the ridgeline parallel to the Yarra to the old front garden of Killeavy (1km). We will Leave the home block through a front gate and follow the track to a reserve fence line down the Yarra (500 m). And then walk along the Yarra until we come to a large clearing by the river (500m about 10:20).
From there we will continue along the river bank (heavy going due to heavy growth and a dearth of paths). We will walk as far as we can up to a property fenced down to the riverbank and turn left, then walk 100 m to Laughing Waters Road (1km). We will walk down Laughing Waters Road and turn right onto a river track opposite Ford’s Lane and walk along it until we find nice spot for morning tea about 11:10. We will reach Caitlin’s Retreat and Laughing Waters, (1Km about 11:40). From there we will walk to the top of the first ridge and then take a left to head back to Ford’s Cottage 500m).
From there we will walk back up to Overbank Road (1km) and take the track back past Killeavy and then take a right turn onto an old, overgrown entry road, which we follow downhill to the lower gate. From there we follow our noses uphill under the power lines and back to the cars. Expected finish about 12:45 after 7.3 km.
Bring Morning tea. Lunch is optional due to finish time.
Activity Date | Wednesday 27 Mar 2024 |
Categories | SHORT WALK, Easy/Medium |
Meet on Ridge Road near Arthur’s Creek Road at 09.30 for 10.40 start.(Mel 79 D2.5)
This is a pleasant there and back walk along a quiet gravel road (a few places will be off road) with some panoramic views of rolling hills and Kinglake west, as well as Yan Yean Reservoir. There are a few ups and downs.
About 9 km, 3 hours with morning tea break. Bring water, morning tea, poles if you use them, and good sturdy walking footwear,
Activity Date | Wednesday 10 Apr 2024 |
Categories | SHORT WALK, Easy/Medium |
Grandparent's walks are restricted to members accompanied by grandchildren. When booking in please add a note in the Comments Box advising the name and age of each child accompanying you.
Commencing at the Finns Reserve ( Wombat Bend Playspace ) carpark we will cross the swing bridge to Westerfolds Park and follow the Yarra to the Rapids Obsevation Point. From there we will cut across the park to the Porter Street picnic area for morning tea. We will then follow bush tracks back to Wombat Bend for lunch. Some of the tracks will be rough so good shoes are required. The distance walked will be a little over 6km.
The Finns Reserve ( Wombat Bend ) carpark is at the end of Duncan Street which is accessed via Union Street, Lower Templestowe.
Chris and Heather
Activity Date | Wednesday 10 Apr 2024 |
Categories | SHORT WALK, Easy |

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Description:
15k walk through the beautiful Wright's Forest to Emerald Lake, a loop around the lake, then back to the start via the bush tracks and the trestle bridge.
A few relatively steep, and potentially slippery ups and downs through the forest.
480m overall elevation.
Bring trekking poles, morning tea, lunch, water, and wet weather gear if rain is forecast. Remember that Cockatoo is a couple of degrees cooler than Melbourne usually.
Meet at Cockatoo Tennis club car park at 8.45am for a 9am walk start.
There should be sufficient parking here, but additional parking is available on McBride St.
If wanting to carpool, meet at Mullum Mullum Reserve at 7.30am for an 7.45 am departure to Cockatoo.
Walk start at Cockatoo is Melways reference MEL 311, G6.
There is an opportunity to visit the Nobelius Heritage Museum, if wanting to attend, please bring a gold coin donation.
Activity Date | Wednesday 17 Apr 2024 |
Categories | WALK, Easy/Medium |

THE LUME. Leonardo Da Vinci - dedicated to exploring the life of the greatest creative genius the world has ever known, Leonardo da Vinci - 500 years of Genius opens in March 2024. This ground breaking presentation allows visitors to be immersed in the gradeur and intricacies of the masterpieces providing an intimate encounter with the brilliance of Leonardo's artistry.
Suggesting we make a group booking for the 10AM Session - Concession $39.90. Group Bookings (min 6) $34.90 per person. Spend 1.5 to 2 hours there, perhaps a coffee in the cafe and then BYO lunch in a nearby park and catch the train home.
The Eltham Train leaves at 8.45am and should get us to the city by 9.30am where we will walk to The Lume for the 10AM Session.
The earlier I receive the bookings the easier to make a group booking - late participants are welcome but may have to source their own tickets.
Activity Date | Tuesday 23 Apr 2024 |
Categories | SOCIAL EVENT |
Inverloch base camp - 3 TO 5 MAY 2024
Friday - Inverloch Trails
Saturday - Wonthaggi Trails
Sunday - Wonthaggi Rail Trail
Accommodation Big 4 caravan park Inverloch - further details to follow.
Camp leaders - Julie Gatenby
Carole Maher
Activity Date | Friday 03 May 2024 |
Categories | BASE CAMP, Easy, Easy/Medium |
Meet at the car park near Beasley’s (Mel 34 F3) at 0930.
This walks takes us too Sanctuary Place and then through the Domain Wetlands and up the steep Templestowe Hill climb. Then we proceed down to the Yarra opposite Killeavy (avoiding Kearney Lane), cross under the power lines and follow the river to Tikalara lookout. Returning to Beasley’s via Main Yarra Track, Sanctuary Place and Beasley’s.
Bring Morning tea. Poles if you use them. Opportunity for Coffee/Tea snack at Beasley’s at end of walk.
Activity Date | Wednesday 15 May 2024 |
Categories | SHORT WALK, Easy/Medium |
Test walk description to be added later
Track length: | 17.54 km |
Total ascent: | 45 m |
Total descent: | 53 m |
Activity Date | Wednesday 31 Jul 2024 |
Categories | WALK, Easy/Medium |

BALNARRING BEACH BASECAMP 2024
Friday November 8th 12 noon - Tuesday November 12th 1pm
Walk details to follow. Short easy walks on the Friday and Tuesday, with a longer easy-medium walk on the Sunday, and even longer medium walks on the Saturday and Monday. All on the glorious Mornington Peninsula.
Walks will generally be graded EASY-MEDIUM to MEDIUM.
Activity Date | Friday 08 Nov 2024 |
Categories | BASE CAMP, Easy, Easy/Medium, Medium |