Events
If you want to explore some of Victoria's amazing natural landscapes, you've come to the right place. Our outdoor adventure program has something for everyone. Watch the countryside roll by as you cycle our amazing rail trails around Melbourne and way beyond. Pack your tent, pull on sturdy boots and trek Victoria's peaks. We also have awesome ski trips. Jump into a kayak and explore our incredible marine national parks. |
|
Or simply slip into a pair of comfy walking shoes and go for a gentle amble with friends. See you in the great outdoors!
Cost: most events are $5 members or $9 non-members. But see activity for cost.
Membership: We encourage you to join as a member online or call VNPA on 03 9347 5188.
Visitors can participate in up to three trips.
Bookings and more information
For all the details on the events listed, contact the VNPA on vnpa@vnpa.org.au or phone 03 9347 5188.
Get the book! Contact the VNPA for a FREE copy of the activities program.
BUSHWALKING EVENTS FOR MAY 2013
6th May (Mon) MEGA-BUYING NIGHT – THE WILDERNESS SHOP
All welcome to our annual exclusive Mega-Buying Night at The Wilderness Shop. Discounts of 20% off all stock and 5% off sale items. The store will be open to VNPA Members from 6 to 9pm. Drinks and nibbles will be provided as well as a chance to win the door prize of a Wilderness Equipment Ace Ultralight 1 person tent. The Wilderness shop is located at 969 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill.
May 8 (Wed) VNPA SOCIAL NIGHT – TAIWAN
CONTACT: 9347 5188/ vnpa@vnpa.org.au
For an island about half the size of Tasmania and with the population of Australia, Taiwan has a surprising amount of national parks and other protected areas. There are deep gorges and peaks reaching to almost 4000m.
There are extensive forests with many birds, animals and flowers. The lowlands are subtropical but as you ascend the mountains you pass through rainforest, deciduous forest and pine forest before reaching alpine bamboo grasslands that are covered in snow during winter. There are plenty of opportunities for walking in remote areas with the longer walks taking several days to complete.
This talk is an amalgamation of trips to Taiwan by Garry & Wilma van Dijk and Jenny Rolland and Euan Moore. Doors will be open from 7pm at 60 Leicester St, Carlton. The presentation will commence at 8pm. Come and meet new and old friends, optional BYO dinner, and BWAG will provide wine, tea and coffee for a gold coin donation.
EXCURSIONS
May 18 (Sat) EXCURSION BY COACH-MACEDON
GRADE: easy 5km BOOKINGS: Larysa Kucan
Leader: Irina De Loche. A walk at Gisborne and a visit to an organic farm, followed by walks and mushrooming in the Pine forests at Macedon. Limit 57. 65 km NW Melb.
CHANGE OF DATE
The date of this event has changed from May 11-12 to 18-19th
May 18 - 19 (w/e) RIDE: WEDDERBURN AND WYCHITELLA CYCLE TOUR
GRADE: medium 120km LEADER: Euan Moore
We will do two day rides around Wedderburn. This is an old gold mining town with surrounding bushland. Much of the riding will be on unsealed roads. We will stay at the camping ground and have a counter meal at the hotel on Saturday evening. Limit 13. 230 km NW Melb.
ADDITIONS TO PROGRAM
June 8-10, Queen’s Birthday Weekend 2013.
Bushwalking with a purpose in Hattah-Kulkyne NP.
Winter and Queen’s Birthday weekend is the best time to visit Hattah-Kyulkyne NP.
Volunteers are required to help with the rabbit control program in Hattah – Kulkyne NP. The volunteers will carry GPS units and systematically walk the Mournpall block of the national park. A GPS reading will be taken at every rabbit warren found. This will enable the professional rabbit control teams to efficiently target the warrens for destruction.
Camping at lake Mournpall.
Contact: Euan Moore
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
May 4 (Sat) FRENCH ISLAND (EC)
GRADE: medium 20km LEADER: Mark Learmonth
French Island is only 60km in a straight line from the city but it feels a world away, with few cars, no electricity or water, but a charm like no other place in Victoria. This walk is an introduction to the island’s environments, but only covers a tiny part of its large area. We climb the second highest point on the island, and pass by its only shop. This is a public transport walk. Limit 20. 80 km S Melb.
May 4 (Sat) BRIMBANK
GRADE: medium 19km LEADER: Glenn King
465 Bus from Essendon Rail Station to Avondale Heights. Walk to Brimbank Park for lunch then continue along Taylors Creek to Watergardens Rail Station. Limit 16 NW Melb.
May 5 (Sun) MORNINGTON PENINSULA NP
GRADE: easy 10km LEADER: Dale Stephenson
Visit the bushland of the southern Mornington Peninsula. Limit 12. 85 km S Melb.
May 11-12 (w/e) RIDE: WEDDERBURN AND WYCHITELLA CYCLE TOUR
GRADE: medium 120km LEADER: Euan Moore
We will do two day rides around Wedderburn. This is an old gold mining town with surrounding bushland. Much of the riding will be on unsealed roads. We will stay at the camping ground and have a counter meal at the hotel on Saturday evening. Limit 13. 230 km NW Melb.
May 11 (Sat) MT FRANKLIN GORGE (EC)
GRADE: easy medium 12km LEADER: Doug Palmer
An interesting yet lesser-known walk area near the volcanic Mt Franklin. Open woodland and creek bed walking with some off-track. Note that there is an option to base-camp on Saturday night. Limit 12. 120 km NW Melb.
May 11 (Sat) BARWON RIVER
GRADE: medium 17km LEADER: Louise Prendergast
Come and explore the Barwon River from Fyansford including the historic Paper Mill, Buckleys falls, the Bunyip Pool, Queens Park through Balyang sanctuary and the Yolinko Aboriginal gardens. Limit 16. 100 km SW Melb.
May 18 (Sat) TWO BAYS WALKING TRACK
GRADE: hard 28km LEADER: Sue Catterall
Two Bays track starts at Dromana on Port Phillip Bay and travels to Bushrangers Bay and Cape Schanck. It is the longest continuous walking track on the Mornington Peninsula and offers commanding views from Arthurs Seat area so is worth the climb. Through Greens Bush to Bushrangers Bay you will be treated to some of the best coastal scenery near Melbourne. A long hike and a long day, need to be fit. Car shuffle required. Limit 11. 80 km S Melb.
May 19 (Sun) RIDE: MARIBYRNONG RIVER TO BRIMBANK PARK
GRADE: medium 50km LEADER: David Moore
We will meet for coffee around 9am at Southbank and then head off via Docklands to the Maribyrnong River. It is a pretty ride, with great views of the city and nice parks. It's mostly flat but with a couple of steep but short pinches. We will proceed at a steady but sedate pace and have lunch at Brimbank Park before returning to Southbank. Not all of the track is sealed and you will need a mountain bike or hybrid. Limit 12
May 22 (Wed) U35 SOCIAL NIGHT
CONTACT: Saeed Joulaei
Come along to this month’s VNPA U35 social night and meet some new or familiar faces. To find out more about this month’s event, keep posted to the U35 e-group for updates. RSVP essential
May 22 (Wed) DOM DOM SADDLE TO FERNSHAW
GRADE: medium 13km LEADER: Raimonne McCutchan
A day in tall mountain ash, descending from the saddle to Watts River and Fernshaw picnic ground. Limit 15. 95 km NE Melb.
May 23 (Thu) WT&G-ART, GARDENS AND BILLABONGS IN BULLEEN
GRADE: easy 5km LEADER: Eve Recht
Another opportunity to visit Heide Museum of Modern Art, and at the same time join in Australia's Biggest Morning Tea at a local nursery.
We will wander Heide's extensive kitchen and sculpture gardens then set off via Banksia Park to the nursery, which hosts a scrumptious Morning Tea every year, as well as displaying interesting artworks of various sorts. Then we'll stride out beside the Yarra River to walk off the chocolate cake and visit Bolin Bolin billabong, and a few final hidden gems. Limit 16. 15 km NE Melb.
May 23 (Thu) ST KILDA FORSHORE EASY GOING AMBLE
GRADE: easy 5km LEADER: Geoff Durham
A flat five km stroll from the St Kilda Pier to Station Pier, taking in some of the planets of the Solar System, ornamental gardens, interesting areas of natural beach re-vegetation and coffee. Public transport access. Limit 20
May 25 (Sat) MORNINGTON MT MARTHA BUSHLANDS
GRADE: easy 16km LEADER: Elva Clementson
Explore these small areas of bushland, including a community forest. Public transport available. Limit 14. 60 km S Melb.
May 26 (Sun) SANITORIUM LAKE MT MACEDON
GRADE: medium 13km LEADER: Andrew Johnson
Walk from Mt Macedon township to Sanatorium Lake, the site of a sanatorium erected in 1899 for patients suffering tuberculosis. Sight-see lovely gardens and beautiful homesteads on the return. Limit 12. 90 km NE Melb.
