Melbourne Bushwalkers

The Lal Lal Forest is a small reserve of natural forest hidden just south of the Midland Highway...an area often overlooked by walkers. It is seeped with lots of evidence of past gold exploration and incorporates the Lal Lal Blast Furnace, established as an iron smelter in 1874. The best views of the Lal Lal Reservoir are from the bus before the walks even start. Both walks will commence by visiting the ruins of the Lal Lal Blast Furnace. The Med walkers will descend to the Moorabool River for an up close and challenging experience. Once returning to the main track both walks will follow the same route visiting Champion Hill with its extensive evidence of local mining and descending again to the Moorabool River. While exploring the Lal Lal Forest we will visit some amazing strands of grass trees. Both walks will continue along 4WD tracks, animal tracks and cross country. The Medium group will explorer further off-track, skirting Mt Doran prior to meeting with the E/M Group and the bus. Both walks will have some challenges…steep ascents…cross country walking…but the rewards of an area not often visited far outweigh the challenges. . DISTANCE(S): 14km and 16km . TOTAL ASCENT(S): 500m and 550m . Melbourne Bushwalkers' Gradings: Easy/Medium and Medium . MORE DETAILS: Day Walks by Bus with Melbourne Bushwalkers: https://mbw.org.au/mbw_activities/walks/MBW_bus_walks.php Additional walk Preview notes: https://mbw.org.au/mbw_activities/2018093001 Registration (membership) on Meetup is not the same as paid-up Membership of MBW. To become a paid-up Member with online booking and other benefits see: https://mbw.org.au/MBW_membership.php What to bring A day pack containing: * Lunch, a morning and afternoon snack. * Full water bottle - we recommend 2 litres, more in warmer weather. * An unlined waterproof jacket or cape, waterproof over-trousers (if your jacket is short). * Whistle, pencil and paper. * Personal and first aid items, including, sun screen, lip screen, toilet paper, identification, club green Health Card, some money etc. Note: The leader always carries a first aid kit. * A change of shoes is required on bus and car trips. Important to know Your RSVP on MeetUp lets us know who may be interested but does not add you to the booking list. To book on this walk you must attend in person at our clubroom on either of the two Wednesday evenings before the walk (located on the corner of William Street and A'Beckett Street; enter from William Street. We are open 7:00pm - 8.30pm). The costs are $25 bus fare plus $10 visitor fee if you are not a paid-up Member of Melbourne Bushwalkers.