Melbourne Adventurers 20s-40s (OZ Adventurers)

If you are on the waitlist, you will be moved to "RSVP" and confirmed going once there are enough drivers.

Clamber over boulders along this challenging track to reach the 840m-high Cathedral Peak. The Cathedral Range is a spectacular ridge of sharply upturned sedimentary rock. A variety of walking tracks ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging offer the opportunity to explore the park’s main features and climb the peaks to enjoy views of the forests and farmland in the valley below. This hike explores the southern circuit of the range taking in Wells Cave, Sugarloaf Peak, The Farmyard and South Jawbone. Commencing at Cooks Mill make your way in a southerly direction along the well formed Tween Spur Road. After a short distance of easy walking you will reach the Messmate Track to your right. The Messmate Track winds its way across several wooded gullies connecting the Sugarloaf Saddle visitor area with Cooks Mill Heritage Site and camping area. It is quite a pleasant section of the hike and you will experience a gradual ascent until you reach Sugarloaf Saddle. From the car park you have two options in order to gain Sugarloaf Peak. You can continue along to Razorback Track which passes through attractive open forest to the start of a rocky ridge.

On reaching Sugarloaf Peak you will be rewarded with amazing 360 degree views of the valley and ranges below. From Sugarloaf Peak, the trail continues north, gradually ascending along the rocky and narrow 'Razorback'. There is a lot of rock hopping, scrambling and abrupt drops along the way. The going is fairly straightforward and the trail easy to follow (just stick to the ridge). Make sure you take the time to stop and appreciate the views as they truly are spectacular. After some distance, the trail becomes easier and the rocky ridge is replaced by open woodland. Soon after this a junction is reached as you arrive at the open grassy flat called The Farmyard. This is a great spot to stop for lunch or for an overnight camp. It is quite sheltered and protected. From the Farmyard there is a 15 minute side trail which takes you to South Jawbone Peak and another opportunity to take in the rewarding views. After returning to the Farmyard turn east to follow the Jawbone Creek Track as it slowly descends Jawbone Saddle to the car park below. This section of the trail follows a series of man-made steps and is quite easy to follow. Poles may be useful in this section to reduce the impacts on your knees. Continue your descent through Jawbone car park as the trail winds its way through open forest back to Little River and your starting point at Cooks Mill.

Total ascent is 971 meters. A good level of fitness is required as the first 2hrs will be all uphill.

Itinerary:
Meet at Ringwood Station Parking at 8:30AM.
Drive 1.5 hours to Cathedral Ranges State Park
Start the hike from Cooks Mill campground (approx. 7hrs return)
Have lunch and take selfies at the top of Cathedral Peak
Head back down to the cars and return to Melbourne early evening

What to bring:
Sufficient water (2 litres min) - MANDATORY
Snacks and lunch - MANDATORY
Sunscreen
Hat, sunglasses and a backpack
Good hiking shoes (no runners)
Walking polies
A first-aid kit
Insect repellent
Rain coat (weather dependent)

Please note If you rock up unprepared with no backpack, water or food, you will not be attending this trip.

Cost
$8.00 by PayPal in advance

Car Pooling
The carpooling will be organised at a later stage.

FAQ
https://www.meetup.com/OZadventurers/pages/22941773/FAQ/ Risks and

Waiver of Liability
https://www.meetup.com/OZadventurers/pages/20945960/Risks_and_Waiver_of_Liability Group You can also join the Facebook group to network and share photos. https://www.facebook.com/groups/OZadventurers https://www.facebook.com/OZadventurers

【Brief】:
Confirm your RSVP by 31-May-26.

10 days road trip from Darwin to Broom.

• This is not a guided tour but a private small group travel for the members of OZ Adventurers meetup group.

Tour Highlight:

Road trip from Darwin to Broom.

Explore Katherine, Kununnura, Kimberley, Bungle Bungle, Fitzroy Crossing and more on the way.

Adventures including spectacular sunrise, sunsets, star gazing, waterfalls, gorge walks, waterholes, short hikes. Local culture, food, attractions and many more.

【Itinerary - Tentative 】

Day1- Arrive Darwin, pickup rental car, checkin, explore local around Darwin.

Day2-3 : JimJim Falls, Gunlom Falls sunrise, Katherine Hot Springs, Nitmiluk Gorge.

Day4-5: Black Rock Falls, Ivanhoe Crossing, Emma Gorge, Lake Argyle, Lake Kununura, Five Rivers Lookout, optional flight tours to Bungle Bungle and Mitchell falls, optional Ord River Cruise.

Day6-7: Bungle Bungle Sunset, Star Gazing, Cathedral Gorge, Mini Palms Walk, Echidna Chasm.

Day8-9: China Walk, Wolfe Creek Crater, Tunnel Creek, Mimbi Caves, Windjana Gorge, Boab Prison Tree, optional Horizontal Falls seaplane tours.

Day10: Explore more local in Broom, return home or head to your next destinations.

【Cost】:
Trip organizing fee $90, to be paid in advance to confirm your spot - Non-refundable in case of cancellation or no show.

Other advance payments (before 45 days of event): Conditional refund (Part or full as per cancellation timing and respective booking rules)

• One seat in a rental car - Approx $100 per person per day
• Shared Accomodation - Approx $100 per person per night. Stay at shared accomodations.

• Balance amount will be calculated and adjusted on final payments after all booking confirmation.

Excludes:

• Airfares
• Private room Accomodations
  -Travel Insurance
  -Fuel
  -Food, Alcohol, Beverages
  -Paid day tours or other activities
  -Anything not stated above
  We will transparently share the expenses of fuel, accommodation (Camping or budget rooms), foods, extra local tours, and other fees on the trip.

Your spot will be confirmed once you made the deposit payment. After confirmation, you will be added to the WhatsApp group chat for detail information and discussion for the trip.

Please reach out to the organiser directly for any questions either on Meetup chat, comment or email at ozadventurers.st@gmail.com

【General OZ Adventurers Notes】:
-This is not a Guided Tour. The organiser is a volunteer from our group and is there to enjoy it as much as anyone else.
-Travel insurance is highly recommended for an overseas trip.

• We expect every member to be respectful and kind towards others, abide to the group ethics and rules when attending all OZ Adventurers events.

【Waiver of Liability】
By attending the OZ Adventurers event, I represent that I am in good physical health and capable of participating in the event. I understand that risks of Injuries and Damages are involved in hiking and other adventure travel, and I appreciate that I may have to exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me. I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY OZ Adventurers, Its organisers, leaders, volunteers, members and attendees from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages.

【Facebook】
OZ Adventurers provide a platform to gather like-minded adventurers in Australia, and explore Australia and the world. You can also visit our Facebook for more events.
https://www.facebook.com/OZadventurers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ozadventurers

[OZ Adventurers Merchandise Store]
For some of your adventure needs, check out our Merchandise store -
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=oz.adventurers&store_cat=0&store_name=ozadventurersstore&_oac=1