Sunday Bus: Barwon Heads to Queenscliffe - 15km and 18km - 18 Jan
Details
WALK DESCRIPTION:
These two walks could well be full of surprises - like all of our Melbourne Bushies walks can be! Both walks are through geographically and historically significant areas to the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.
Both walks begin along stretches of well-formed tracks with intermittent patches of surf and beach culture. The 18km option - a first time for our club hikers - starts by going to the panoramic views of the Barwon Heads bluff. Maybe from then on expect a fast paced walk.
The 15km walk is an easy one, with a few inclines. This one I think is a chat and walk, catch up with old and new MBW friends. We eventually pass lighthouses that have guided ships through the treacherous Heads for many decades, with both walks finishing at Queenscliff's historic fort that guards the bay's entrance.
Both walks will be on a variety of walking tracks - sand (mostly soft, but some will be firm sand I hope!), some on paved path then finishing off on an enchanting scrub track that leads us to the Queenscliff lighthouse, where both walks end with spectacular views of the bay.
Finally, no promises, but we saw a pod of dolphins off Point Lonsdale on the preview walk. You may wish to bring along a half frozen bottle of your choice to leave on the bus to rehydrate after your walk. A reminder to bring a change of footwear for the trip back, because muddy boots leave marks on the bus that our club pays to have cleaned.
Please note that at this time of year there is always a possibility of encountering snakes, and appropriate leg covering is recommended.
As the weather can be warm at this time of year, please carry at least 2 litres of water.
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DISTANCE(S): 15km and 18km
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TOTAL ASCENT(S): 100m Rise and 200m Rise
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GRADINGS: Easy and Medium
Easy (E): Walking mostly on tracks or in open country, with possibly some stretches of light scrub. Few hills and adequate rest stops. Distances may be up to 15km in flat open terrain but will be shorter if scrub or significant hills are involved.
Medium (M): Consistent walking on tracks or in open bushland, usually with patches of thicker scrub, several moderate climbs, and/or rock hopping. Distances up to about 22kms with reasonable rest stops. A good level of fitness and walking experience is required.
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PLEASE NOTE: Your RSVP on MeetUp lets us know who may be interested but does not add you to the booking list. To register and pay for the walk you must visit our clubrooms (details below).
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HOW TO BOOK AND PAY:
(a) Visit the Melbourne Bushwalkers' clubrooms on either of the two Wednesday evenings before the walk, speak to the leader and, if it is agreed to walk, make a payment to secure your place on the bus.
(b) To cancel a Sunday Walk booking before 4pm on the Thursday before the walk, send a note to sunday@mbw.org.au. A credit will be issued for a future walk.
(c) To cancel a Sunday Walk booking after 4pm on the Thursday before the walk contact the walk leader direct. You should be given the walk leader contact details at the time of booking.
(d) The costs for the walk are $30 bus fare plus $10 visitor fee if you are not a paid-up Member of Melbourne Bushwalkers.
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OUR CLUBROOMS: Our clubrooms are located at The Mission to Seafarers Victoria, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands. We are open Wednesday nights 6:30pm - 8.00pm.
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CONTACT US: To contact us regarding this walk send an email to sunday@mbw.org.au. We do not regularly check the MeetUp site for messages and the above address will get a faster response.
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CAN I MEET AT THE START OF THE WALK? No! Since Sunday Bus walks are generally walks starting and finishing at two widely separated locations we do not accept walkers meeting at the start of the walk. There is no way for them to get back to their transport. We can arrange for a pick-up and drop-off at a designated location along the route closer to Melbourne, however, the full bus fee is still payable since a seat has to be kept free on the bus.
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IMPORTANT TO KNOW: 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
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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 footwear for the trip back.
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DO YOU HAVE COMPREHENSIVE AMBULANCE COVER? The Club strongly recommends that all participants have comprehensive personal ambulance cover.
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MORE DETAILS:
The visit to the clubrooms on a Wednesday before a walk is to cover three things:
(a) Provide background on the club and ensure all walkers are familiar with the safety and courtesy guidelines we adopt;
(b) Meet with the leader of the walk who will be in the clubrooms to discuss any special features of the walk and ensure that adequate gear and fitness requirements are met.
(c) Sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form and pay the visitor fee ($10) and bus fee ($30) to reserve a seat on the bus. No booking is accepted until the payment is received.
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DAY WALKS BY BUS with Melbourne Bushwalkers:
https://mbw.org.au/mbw_activities/walks/MBW_bus_walks.php