Cancelled due to the uncertainty caused by lockdown.

 

Trip Overview

One of Victoria’s most beautiful areas is the region around Mansfield. Famous for wine, bushrangers and the high country, it is also home to some of Victoria’s most underrated hiking spots.

For full details of the trip, contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button, below.

 

Accommodation

We are staying at Gough’s Bay on the banks of Lake Eildon. It’s a 30 minute drive to most of the hikes we are planning to do.

Cost is $175 per person for three nights (plus booking fee). There are ten beds, so it appears you will be sharing with others. Although we try to separate bedrooms by gender, this is probably unlikely to be achieved.

 

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

Although this trip is graded as Medium, we intend to move at a pretty decent clip. It’s a hiking trip; not a pleasant stroll, a guided tour or a photography sojourn. Please be honest with yourself about your ability. Trip leaders may decline a booking if they are not confident that you have the requisite fitness. Having said that, it is not a race, and most people will be able to join in.

Your punctuality is not only appreciated, it is expected. I will NOT wait for latecomers. It is our intention to leave for each day at 8.00 am. If you fail to show at 8.00, then I simply assume you have decided to skip the day and the group will move on. We cannot wait!

 

Friday, 24 September 2021 – Mitchells Bridle Trail

1 day/24 kilometres/One Way

Follow the flow of the Jamieson River on this 24-kilometre trek from Granny’s Flat Camping Reserve to Mitchell’s Flat.

This walk will take you past two sites of historical significance – the Quicksilver mercury mine and the remains of the homestead of the Hoskins and Mitchell families at Mitchell’s Flat.

We have a couple of ways to approach this; we can turn it into an ‘out and back’ hike, turning around at a strategic point, starting from either Mitchell’s Flat or Granny’s Flat, or we can turn it into a through hike with cars being left at Mitchell’s Flat and Granny’s Flat. This will depend on road conditions and will involve quite some setting up.

 

Saturday, 25 September 2021 – Howqua River Walk

5 hours/13 kilometres/Medium/One Way

The Howqua River Walk is a one-way 13 km trek through the Howqua River region, involving up to 30 creek crossings.

Again, we have a couple of ways to approach this; we can turn it into an ‘out and back’ hike, turning around at a strategic point, or we can turn it into a through hike with cars being left at Running Creek Camping Reserve and Howqua Hills (at the end of Howqua Track). This will depend on road conditions and will involve quite some setting up.

 

Sunday, 26 September 2021 – Ritchies Hut

Nestled amongst the mountains and on the banks of the Howqua River, Ritchie’s Hut is located in the Alpine National Park and can only be accessed by walking trail.

Follow either the High Track or Low Track along the Howqua River from Eight Mile Flat to Ritchie’s Hut. The low track involves multiple river crossings to travers along the track. Delightful mountain river scenery and fishing with free camping areas riverside. Eight Mile Flat subject to seasonal closures June – November, however walk can be commenced at Seven Mile Campground during seasonal road closures, which adds an extra two kilometres. No mobile service in this area.

 

Should you Participate?

We need to follow all state government guidelines regarding COVID-19, hence if you are required to be in quarantine or isolation, live in a restricted postcode (if and when designated by state government) or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms including the following, you should NOT be doing this walk:

• Fever
• Chills or sweats
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
• Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

If you or anyone in your household feels sick in any way, please cancel. If you become unwell during the walk please notify your Leader immediately.

If you are in a high risk category, including being elderly or having a pre-existing medical condition, you should consider carefully whether you participate as the Club will accept no liability if you choose to participate.

Refer also to the Victoria state government Coronavirus page

 

Social Distancing and Good Hygiene

Before, during and after the walk, please practice social distancing and good hygiene to minimise the risk of infection:   Hygiene and physical distancing

• Carry a mask and wear it when required by the state government.

• • Refer to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-vic-covid-19

• Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and other walkers.
• Do not share food / water / equipment, or shake hands.
• Use tissues and do not dispose of these in the bush. Carry a plastic bag for disposing of tissues.
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
• Wash hands or use hand sanitiser when required.

If you are not able to practice good hygiene your Leader will ask you to leave the walk.

 

Transport

Transport to and from the walk location is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.

If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.

Drivers can choose whether they wish to take passengers or not.

For drivers who agree to accept a passenger, refer to this link for Victorian State Government guidelines for travelling with others:

CovidSafe Travel in Victoria – Travelling with others

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please bring cash for this purpose.

 

Booking

Booking is  required for this walk.

For harder-graded walks, the leader has the right not to accept bookings from anyone they consider is not sufficiently fit or experienced to undertake it, so please provide as much relevant information as you can when booking. Unless the leader knows you well, please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this walk.

This event is aimed at adults, both in terms of the hikes selected, the hostels and the dinner and drinks venues. Over 18s only please.

The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email.  The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.

Trip Fees:
Members:  $175 + Booking fee (nil) =$175.

Non-members: $175 + Booking fee ($10) = $185.

Payment:
All trip fees must be prepaid. Payment by Paypal or card is the quickest method, but if you choose to pay by EFT please follow the instruction to email the Treasurer with your payment details.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
If you have made your payment but need to cancel, we will only provide you with a refund if we can find a replacement for you. However, if you need to cancel because you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, then we will provide you with a full refund (even if a replacement can’t be found).

 

What to Bring

• Hand Sanitiser
• Face Mask

• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer Trip details above).

Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader.  If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.

 

Still have questions?

Check out Joining a walk and your safety

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Check out our Covid-19 status.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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