Community
8 November, 2024
Initiative launched to promote bushwalking
CAMPERDOWN Bushwalking Club is inviting residents to take a step outside to mark Try Bushwalking Month, with four walks on offer throughout the month.
November marks a special milestone for Bushwalking Victoria, celebrating 90 years of supporting bushwalkers and encouraging people to explore the natural beauty of the state.
To celebrate, Try Bushwalking Month is inviting Victorians of all levels to join over 60 walking events hosted by bushwalking clubs, including Camperdown Bushwalking Club.
Camperdown Bushwalking Club president Fiona Maskell said the club sought to promote walking, camping and other related outdoor activities in nature.
“Walking with a bushwalking club provides more than just exercise - it’s an opportunity to explore beautiful trails with experienced leaders, ensuring you stay safe and never get lost,” she said.
“Whether you’re a seasoned walker or completely new to bushwalking, Camperdown Bushwalking Club provides a space to learn from experienced hikers and, for those with more experience, to pass on knowledge to others.
“We offer a range of shorter walks to full-day hikes within an hour or two from Camperdown as well as multi-day hikes carrying all camping equipment.
“Trips also include multi-day base camps where we camp or stay in accommodation and complete day hikes.
“The Otways, Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and the Corangamite Shire are some of the areas we walk in.”
Ms Maskell said the club subscribed to minimal impact bushwalking values, encouraging walkers not to litter and keep the environment tidy.
“Sometimes we just enjoy a social meal, a barbecue, or a cuppa together,” she said.
Two walks will be run by the Camperdown Bushwalking Club on Sunday, November 10 (this Sunday), both of which will be held in the Southern Grampians region.
The first walk, which will commence at 9am, is a 6.2km walk out to the Piccaninny near Dunkeld and back while taking in the wildflowers in the area.
The second walk, which also starts at 9am, is deemed more of a challenge due to the expected steep climb and rocky ridgeline.
The five to six hour, 12km walk will take walkers to the peak of the Picaninny before summiting Mt Abrupt in the Grampians region.
The next walk will be held on Sunday, November 17, taking bushwalkers around Derrinallum’s Mt Elephant before summiting the mountain.
The walk is a 10km loop expected to take between two and a half and three hours, and is recommended for those of moderate fitness levels who are looking for a bit of a challenge.
The final walk to be led by the Camperdown Bushwalking Club is a two-part walk into the Otways Forest near Colac to be held on Tuesday, November 19.
The first part of the walk will take bushwalkers 4km along the Old Beechy Line, which is expected to take around one hour.
The second section of the walk will see walkers entering the Melba Gully – this loop walk is expected to take 30 minutes, and both parts of the walk are suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Aspiring walkers are encouraged to arrive at meeting points 10 minutes before the advised walk start time.
For more information visit https://bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/try-bushwalking-month/ or contact Camperdown Bushwalking Club directly at camperdownbushwalkingclub@gmail.com.
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