Sunday Bus: Coliban Aqueduct and Fryers Ridge - 13km and 16km - 21 Dec

WALK DESCRIPTION:
Set near the Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve these walks are mainly along the Coliban water channel just to the west of the small town of Taradale. First opened in 1851, this water supply system has been delivering water to Castlemaine and Bendigo for more than 175 years and is well documented in the 3-page brochure: Joseph Brady`s Coliban System of Water Works.
Both walks will begin at the end of Tyquins Road, near Tyquins Cottage, Taradale and proceed west up track to the Coliban Aqueduct. The Easy walkers will follow the water channel to the end of the walk where the channel crosses under Wright Street, Elphinstone. The Easy walk will be mostly flat while the Easy/Medium group will have some hills to climb. Both groups will walk the same route as far as Fryerstown Road where the Easy/Medium group will branch off uphill in a south westerly direction, only to rejoin the aqueduct track near Cypress Drive.
The walks beside the channel offer a serene setting, and openings between mainly eucalyptus trees with views to nearby farms and country properties, or private dams or the Taradale basin. The walks are partly shaded by tall trees which will be welcome as the weather could be quite warm in December, so bring plenty of water and sun protection. On the preview the flowers were plentiful, and the birds were in full voice, making for a pleasant environment.
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): 13km and 16km
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TOTAL ASCENT(S): 200m Rise and 300m Rise
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GRADINGS: Easy and Easy/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.

Easy/Medium (E/M): More consistent walking, mostly on tracks or in open country, but with some significant hills, probably some stretches of light scrub. Possibility of some rock hopping. Distances up to 19km but may be much shorter depending on the difficulty of the terrain. Reasonable lunch and rest stops.
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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