Bushwalking and camping is the primary focus of the Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc members, however, with a membership of around 500 the club maintains a much wider range of activities throughout the year. Listed below are the more regular events, however, depending on member interests the club engages in canoeing and kayaking and even historical rambles. A quick scan of the club's history provides a guide to the diversity of our initiatives.
The club room is open to members and visitors every Wednesday evening between 6:30pm - 8:30pm. There are few formal meetings and members come along to network, book for forthcoming trips and share experiences. Wine and chat is provided on the fourth Wednesday of every month and from time to time slide presentations or guest speakers are invited. Two committee members are on duty each week to welcome visitors and prospective new members.
A variety of walking trips is available, each graded by experienced club members. A program of walks is published quarterly with detailed information about each upcoming event. It is published in the monthly Newsletter and on the Website.
Day and weekend trips whenever possible in winter, depending on snow cover. There is also regular week of skiing on the Bogong High Plains using Rover's Lodge as a base.
The club caters for members with an interest in cycling as well as walking. Several day and weekend trips are included as part of the annual program of events, often once a month.
In the summer months when the temperatures are higher it is not unusual to find keen members participating in canoeing or liloing down some of Victoria's gentler waterways.
Training programs are run from time-to-time throughout the year to provide opportunities for members wishing to become trip Leaders to gain the necessary skills as well as catering for members wanting to gain general knowledge by increasing their skill levels.
Many club members have an active interest in their bushland surroundings and its conservation. Bird-watching, tree, shrub and flower identification, geology and natural history are all very much encouraged. Some of our walks are oriented to members with a particular interest in flowers or birds. Protecting our bushland for future bushwalkers is also very important to us, including through involvement in track maintenance and tree planting events.. The club belongs to the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Victorian National Parks Association and The Wilderness Society.
Since 1949 the club has provided support to the Victoria Police Force in search and rescue efforts throughout the State. Any member with the appropriate experience and skills can be nominated as a club nominee.
Social activities are an integral part of club life, whether they are organised to celebrate some special event or simply to extend the shared experiences gained through walking and camping. Wine and chat evenings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month in the clubroom from 7pm to 9pm. These usually include a slide presentation on a recent member trip of interest, usually and international walking adventure, or a guest speaker on a topic of general interest to members.
