Sunday Bus: Red Hill Winery Walk - 13km and 17km - 9 Aug

WALK DESCRIPTION:
Come join 25+ of our members on these walks, which have three things in abundance: lovely landscapes, delightful views, and wine. To avoid complications we have chosen wine venues where no pre-booking fees are required. We can also ask for the bus to swing by to collect any wine purchases, if required, so you don’t have to carry them on the walk.
The Medium walk has more of a bushwalking emphasis. The starting point is Hillview Reserve in Dromana. There is a steep climb from there up to the OT Dam, then a delightful forest walk to Lookout Hill, where we’ll have a great view down to Port Phillip Bay.
This is followed by around 4k of road walking on a decent footpath to our lunch destination at Red Hill South, where walkers will be able to taste local beers and wines at the Red Hill Café and Wine Bar. You can also order lunch here, if you like. Luxury!
We then follow the Red Hill Rail Trail for around 7km through gorgeous countryside containing pine forests and vineyards all the way to Merricks. There are some spectacular views of Westernport Bay along the way.
At the end of our route is Stonier Winery. Unfortunately, we’ve chosen to visit the day they’re holding a Fine Wine festival, but a few of us might be able to sneak inside for a tasting. If not, never fear, the Merricks General Store next door has promised we’ll be able to taste local wines there for a small fee. This is also a great spot to pick up a cup of coffee at the end of the walk.
The Easy walk has more of a wine focus. It starts at Lookout Hill, then follows the same route as the Medium walk, with an additional stop at Eldridge Estate in the morning, and more time to spend tasting wines in general.
Choose your own adventure!
Please carry at least 2 litres of water and bring a change of shoes for the trip back.
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DISTANCE(S): 13km and 17km
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TOTAL ASCENT(S): 164m Rise and 427m 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). Come join our many members who will also do this walk!
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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