2025
28 September Mount Macedon
We had a great turnout for the 15 km Mt Macedon walk. The weather was good and we had a clear view from the Western Lookout. We started at Days Picnic, walked through the magical forest around Sanatorium Lake, then set off on a loop around the top. It was definitely a magic day on the mountain.
14 September Heathcote to Graytown
We had a beautiful walk in the Heathcote-Grayson National Park. The path was sometimes steep and rocky, but look at the glorious wattle display!
10 August Wombat Dam and Jubilee Lake
We had a perfect winters day for this 13.5 walk near Daylesford. An easy walk through the Wombat Forest with a beautiful spot for lunch. Our two anticipated obstacles – the tight squeeze under the log and the creek crossing – had been ‘fixed’, possibly the day before!
27 July Birdsland Reserve Belgrave
Many thanks to our walk leaders who gave us a fresh angle on the Birdsland Reserve at Belgrave. We walked clockwise following the Indigenous Circuit with panoramic views over Melbourne as the reward for some steep sections. A lovely walk and perfectly timed to dodge the showers!
6 July Two Warrandyte walks
A perfect day and a great location led to a record attendance at Warrandyte. We walked around the goldmining area at Whipstick Gully, and explored Pound Bend. A good combination of vigorous climbing through forest and river views. And of course the shared coffee afterwards!
29 June Mt Evelyn 12 km
Thanks to our leaders for this great day out. We welcomed a number of visitors on our walk today. And everyone coped easily with this vigorous walk up and around Mount Evelyn. A beautiful forest with some challenging ascents and descents. We had the lunch area at Silvan Reservoir almost to ourselves, apart from a group of young Afghani men playing a spirited game of Ludo!
22 June Coliban Channel 13 km
Ramblers struck gold along the Coliban Channel today. Sensational conditions but judging by the size of the mullock heap, someone had cleaned out the gold long before we got there.
1 June Mt Alexander 12 km
A cold but glorious day for our walk around Mt Alexander. This loop walk has such a variety of flora, birds, rocky outcrops and a stunning view at the top. It’s also a treat to include a short section of The Goldfields Track.
18 May Bungal Forest 12 km
As only one of us had been to this area before it was exciting to visit somewhere new. We enjoyed some steep climbs and descents and a leisurely walk through the forest. Only came across a few well-mannered dirt bike riders. Some minor navigation challenges added to an excellent day out in the newly cold weather.
4 May High Lead to Powelltown 14 km
A one-way walk through beautiful rainforest with lots of fungi after the recent rain (and only the occasional leech). Although mostly gentle downhill, the final section from from Reids Mill to Powelltown included a challenging ascent and descent. A very well maintained track made this a satisfying day out.
27 April Kororoit Creek Trail
This 14 km there-and-back walk showed our group the challenges of rehabilitating industrial landscapes while highlighting the many successes of local councils and friends groups. Ramblers did their best to understand the sculptures at the downstream end of the Trail. Always a joy to see a pardalote!
February Falls Creek 4-day camp
Another wonderful bushwalking holiday at Falls Creek. Wide open spaces, huge fat bugs and spiders, and a few flies. Life in the lodge and Diane’s party games. Steve found a wedding ring in the middle of nowhere. We traded stories all day about how it came to be there. We only had one wet day, but that didn’t stop us getting out. Many thanks to Jim for organising yet another memorable Falls Creek event for us.
2024
22 September Two Bays Walk
This section of the Two Bays Track was new for a lot of us. We walked from Rogers Road above Bushranger Bay, past the Cape Schanck lighthouse to Fingal Picnic Ground. We admired the fine olearia lirata bushes, saw one lonely orchid, leptospermum and a rather disturbing amount of arum lilies! This is an easy walk with some steep steps. There are grand views of the coast as you wander.
8 September Balt Camp Walk
Seven of us enjoyed the beauty and history of the Balt Camp Walk. On a typical Blackwood day with misty rain, we experienced a range of vegetation and conditions. The wattle and wildflowers were particularly good in some areas. Here are a few photos from the day. Report and photos from Ken.
18 August O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail 16 km
We had fine conditions for our 16 km walk along O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail – an easy walk on a flat trail. A great chance to look at the local flora, the views over Warburton and beyond, and have a congenial chat as we walked. We ended up at the intriguing Redwood Forest. Thanks to our leaders for a lovely day out!
22 July Labertouche Caves 11 km
Today our leaders took us to Nangara Reserve then on a steady climb to the Labertouche Caves. The walk was mostly on a firetrack, with some detours to see the sculptures in the reserve and to explore the caves area. Really interesting to see the forest understorey regrowth after the 2009 bushfires.
31 June Blackwood Tunnel loop
We had perfect winter conditions for this walk into the Lerderderg State Park and managed to find one small section (near Shaws Lake) that was new to everyone. A mostly easy walk, with a very steep climb down to The Tunnel, followed by a very steep climb up to the lovely Byers Back Track.
2 June Burchell Trail Leg 2
Thanks to Terry and Heather, we enjoyed a rugged and beautiful section of the Burchell Trail in the Brisbane Ranges National Park. This lovely walk involved a drive into Little River Campground, then a walk along the river bed before climbing out.
5 May Burchell Trail Leg 1
We’re doing the Burchell Trail! The first leg from Boar Gully to Little River is only about 10 km with one serious climb. This was a new walk for most of us. We’ve done many walks in the Brisbane Ranges, and this Trail seems to link them all together. Really looking forward to the next two sections.
28 April Spring Gully
We always enjoy a walk around the Goldfields. Thanks to our leaders for a fine day for exploring Spring Gully, near Chewton. The whole area was dug up, sluiced, scoured for the precious metal. There are huge mullock heaps and other signs of the feverish activity that once took over this place. Later, at the Malmsbury Bakery, some of us had some Eccles cakes!
East Falls Track Tallarook Forest 12 km 21 April
Terry and Heather took us on this fabulous walk in the Tallarook State Forest. Included were the magnificent Warragul Rocks and Falls Creek Reservoir. The weather was ideal for us to fully enjoy this beautiful walk. Photos by Ken.
City lanes and arcades Wednesday 10 April
Our Wednesday walks are short and accessible by public transport. Thanks to Maria and Gino for leading this very interesting and informative walk through parts of Melbourne we’d never noticed. Photos by Tony.
2023
Camperdown holiday
Twenty-two Ramblers had a great couple of days exploring the volcanoes and rail trail around Camperdown. Unfortunately the gale-force winds stopped us three quarters of the way up Mount Elephant, but we returned the next day to conquer Mt Noorat!
