Introduction to Walking and Camping Activities

Our Program of Walks and other activities is published quarterly with detailed information about each upcoming event. It is published in the monthly Newsletter and on the Website. A variety of walking trips is available, each graded by experienced club members. The Tips for New Bushwalkers gives some helpful guidance to those who are new to the activity.

Sunday Walks

One of the institutions of The Melbourne Bushwalkers is the Sunday Walk which happens 51 Sundays throughout the year. The destination is generally within 1 - 1.5 hours drive from Melbourne, with a bus or cars departing usually at 8:45am and usually returning by 6.30pm. The Sunday Walk generally splits into two groups:

• An "easy" graded route, catering for beginners and newcomers to the club and those not wanting too strenuous a walk, usually between 12-15 kms. There are breaks for morning tea and lunch and several other rest breaks.
• An "easy/medium" graded route for reasonably fit and more experienced walkers, usually between 15 - 18 kms. There are breaks for morning tea and lunch and other rest breaks as required.

Sometimes, trips may have a harder grading, e.g. "easy" and "medium" or "easy/medium" and "medium". , If in doubt, prospective walkers should discuss with trip leaders the grade and level of fitness required.

If bus transport is used a charge of $25 ( $20 concession ) plus $10 for visitors (temporary members), and a $5 late-payment fee if applicable. If car transport is used a km allowance is paid by each passenger to the driver. The amount for the chosen walk should be shown in the Walk Preview. For details of booking procedures refer to the relevant FAQ item.

To join the bus or carpool, members and visitors (temporary members) meet in Southbank Boulevard on the south side of The National Gallery of Victoria well before 8:45am (unless otherwise indicated in the program and/or preview for specific walks). The bus will leave at 8:45am sharp so allow plenty of time for check-in with the leader and boarding the bus. (Depending on the direction of travel the bus may stop on either side of Southbank Boulevard.)

Weekend Walks

Weekend trips are planned on most weekends of the year. These may be day walks from a base camp or lodge accommodation or pack-carry walks over two or more days. Longer trips are arranged for public holiday weekends, both within Victoria and interstate. Occasionally, small groups arrange trips to New Zealand. Prospective walkers should discuss with the trip leader the level of fitness and other requirements for the trip, if inexperienced with such trips.

• Base Camps

  These can be either walk-in or ex-car style camping. Camping beside the cars means additional comfort and luxuries, in addition to essentials like tent, sleeping mat & bag, food, cooking gear, etc. Walk-in camps usually involve a 5 - 6km walk to the campsite, so normal weekend pack carry gear is required. These are an ideal introduction to pack carry trips.

  All base camps feature day walks, usually with an early start to allow for longer distances.

• Overnight Pack Carry Trips

  Longer walks arranged over two or more days, carrying a pack with tent, sleeping mat & bag, stove, food, water, clothing, etc. Consequently, these walks are more difficult because of the weight of the pack and length or difficulty of each day's walk.

• Bushwalking Victoria Members' Pack Carry Trips

  Packcarryvic is a web-based group created by BWV to encourage Bushwalking Victoria affiliated club members and BWV individual members to take part in overnight hikes. The group and its walks are to be facilitated through the use of a Wiki, which is essentially a web site that is simple to access and maintain using every-day web browsers. The packcarryvic Wiki is a "members only" site so the first thing you need to do is register to become a member using the instructions in the User Instructions documentation (pdf, 12k).

Other Day Walks

• Saturday Walks

  Near Melbourne, usually in the Dandenong Ranges, and typically half-day walks. The programme includes an easy grade walk on the last Saturday of each month, and several Saturday walks of a more difficult standard are arranged throughout the year.

• Saturday Historical Rambles

  In and around Melbourne, looking at sites & routes of historic interest. Typically half-day and easy standard.

• Monday Walks

  The MOFS walks are an easy half-day or day walk usually arranged for the third Monday of most months.

• Wednesday Walks

  An easy or medium day walk usually arranged for the second Wednesday of every months.

• Thursday Walks

  • Designed for those seeking a less demanding walk, the TOFS walk on the first Thursday of the month, usually within 70kms of Melbourne and around 10-11 kms easy walking, in parks or on bush tracks.
  • On the last Thursday of the month there is a social walk for those looking for something more relaxing with time to meet and mix with other members. Usually around 5-6km with a lunch venue at the end. (Social walks are not qualifying walks for club membership.)

Transport

The club organises bus or car transport for Sunday Walks (see above) and private transport (members' own cars) is generally used for most other walks and activities, with car-sharing arrangements organised by individuals or via the trip leader. A contribution to running costs is the accepted levy per passenger. For average cars on good roads the Club recommends that each passenger contribute 10c/km for 2 or 3 occupants (including the driver), reducing to 8c/km for 4 in the car. (The charges are subject to regular review and passengers should confirm the current guideline with the driver.)

Remember

Bushwalking is inherently risky and walkers are responsible for their own safety. Always - "Talk before the Walk" and tell leaders if you have any pre-existing health conditions, special medication requirements or allergies. We want you to have fun and return home safely.

>> See the Walks Program for more details.