Delectable Social Stroll: Full Yarra Bend Circuit 11km - Dights Falls - Easy

🌞 Delectable Summer Social Stroll: Full Yarra Bend Circuit

Saturday 17 January - 11 AM..Arrive at 10.45 AM please

Join us for a long, lazy, laughter‑filled summer social stroll tracing the full Yarra Bend circuit — a gorgeous loop of river bends, bushland, boardwalks, and iconic Melbourne nooks. This is our expanded version of the smaller Yarra Bend walk many of you enjoyed, now stretched into a full, flirty, scenic adventure.

### Before joining this event ensure you read the group rules section at the end ###

We’ll begin at the Abbotsford Convent, (or more specifically st the Collingwood children's farm entrance), wander past Dights Falls, pause for snacks at the Studley Park Boathouse, and follow the river’s contours through some of the most beautiful natural pockets in inner Melbourne. Expect birdsong, breezes, shady gums, and plenty of social mingling along the way.

This walk is exploratory for me as I've not done the full circuit before.

You can choose your own finale:

• 11 km Full Yarra Bend Circuit ending back at the Convent, or
• 14 km Extended Merri Creek Trail Option finishing at Rushall Station for those who want a little extra summer sparkle in their step.

🕙 Timing

• Option A: Arrive from 10:00 a.m. if you’d like breakfast or a pre‑walk coffee at the convent bakery (it gets very busy so allow time for queues).

The Convent Bakery is rumoured to have ice‑cold smoothies worth writing home about, and we’ll swing by at the end for anyone who wants a refreshing treat.

• Meet at 10:45 a.m. at the gates of the Collingwood Children’s Farm (about 50m from the Convent entrance at the end of the road).

- Walk begins at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Prior to the heat of the day.

• Expect 3–4 hours depending on pace, weather, silly jokes, banter, and snack enthusiasm. My priority is having a relaxing time so I'm not too strict on following a strict timetable.

☕ Mid‑Walk Pause
We’ll stop at Studley Park Boathouse for coffee, cold drinks, or a light bite. Bring a little cash or card if you’d like to indulge.

🚶 Route Highlights

• The leafy bends of the Yarra
• Dights Falls lookout
• Riverbank boardwalks and shaded bushland
  Abbotsford Convent
• Studley Park Boathouse
• Optional Merri Creek extension to Rushall Station
• Plenty of photo spots, conversation pockets, and nature‑soaked moments

🚆 Getting There

• Train to Victoria Park Station is the easiest option, followed by a short walk to the Convent.
• Parking at the Convent can be a gamble on weekends — arrive early if you’re trying your luck or choose elsewhere.

🌿 What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water 2 litres
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A light snack if you like
• Curiosity, good humour, and your best summer social energy

Group Rules and Track Etiquette
Fitness Requirements:
This should be an easy walk for most people.

Ensure you can walk between 3 and 4km/hr and 200m vertically in an hour. If you regularly do 10,000 steps in a day, this is good training.

We walk at a relaxed pace but people have time constraints and it's not fair for people in the group to wait around for extended periods for you to catch up. Please go on easier hikes with the group if you are unsure.

People who walk very fast and prefer walking by themselves
This is a group activity and I can't manage the group if it splits up, consider going by yourself or joining a fast walkers group.

If people have time constraints
Best to give yourself some wiggle room or not attend. Things rarely go to time if you're having fun

+++VERY IMPORTANT+++
People who do a No - Show.
This is too common for small group events, especially when we have people in a wait list wanting to come on the event. Remove yourself from the going list 24 hours before the event starts to give people on the waitlist an opportunity. If you are a No Show you wil likelyl be removed and blocked from the group.

If you remove yourself from the event an hour or two before the event you may also be blocked and removed from the group as this gives very little time and opportunity for people on the waitlist to prepare and is inherently unfair to people on the waitlist. Please communicate with me if you do not want to be blocked and removed from the group.

People who turn up without registering
This is a major security concern, DO NOT DO THIS.You will be asked to leave the event unless you have made arrangements with me PRIOR to the event.

People who are late
You will be left behind and or removed and blocked from the group as a No-Show. It is your responsibility to communicate with the organiser if you think you will be late, otherwise you will be blocked and removed from the group. It is up to you to catch up. This may not be possible for some events.