Trip Overview

The Great South West Walk (GSWW) is a 262km walking trail located in the beautiful south west corner of Victoria, Australia.

This three day walk will be along the Glenelg River Gorge section of the Great South West Walk. I found this section to be one of the highlights when I did the GSWW so I’m keen to walk it again.

The costs for the trip will include our campsites, a shuttle service to/from the walk and car parking where the shuttle service originates.

Camping

We will camp for two nights at two separate campsites along the GSWW.

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

Distance: 51 kms total

Day 1 – Saturday 25th January, 2025

Leave early for the 4.5hr drive to Nelson and use the shuttle to be dropped off at Moleside campground by 1pm as it’s a short walk today.

Moleside – Pritchards- 10.5kms

Pritchards is a public campground with so there will also be 4x4s, RVs, caravans, and other campers. Facilities include toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables, and water requiring treatment.

Day 2 – Sunday 26th January, 2025

Pritchards – Patersons- 21.5kms

Pattersons is a hike in campsite so it’s fairly private. Facilities include a shelter, table, fireplace, toilet, and water requiring treatment.

Day 3 – Monday 27th January, 2025

Pattersons – Nelson- 19kms

Dinner at the Nelson Hotel and drive back to Melbourne or stay an extra night in Nelson (your own arrangement).

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.

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver.

Booking

Booking is required for this walk. 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 one. Refer to Walking Grades which, in conjunction with the walk description, will help you assess whether you have the required walking fitness and experience to do this walk.

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

By booking into this event you acknowledge that you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Trip Price:
Members:  $34 + Booking fee (nil) = $34.
Non-members: $34 + Booking fee ($12) = $46.

Payment:
Members and non-members are required to pre-pay the trip price for this event.
You can pay by Paypal. If you are not a Paypal member, you can use Paypal to pay by credit or debit card.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
We will only be able to provide a refund if we can find a replacement for you.

What to Bring

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

• To help manage the Covid risk, the following may be useful: Hand Sanitiser, Face Mask(s), RAT test(s).

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.

Emergency Club Contact 

The emergency club contact for this walk is Ken.  The leader can provide you with the contact’s phone number, if you wish to pass this on to any friend/family member who may be concerned if you return late.

Safety and Ambulance Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. If conditions are hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. If any doubts at all, check your emails the night before and the morning of the event. For more details refer to: Joining a walk and your safety

If you are Covid-19 positive, have any Covid-19 symptoms or are a contact of someone with Covid-19, please follow the instructions in the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Still have questions?

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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Facebook: @YHABushwalkingClubVictoria
Instagram: @YHABushwalkingClub.

Members who wish to submit photos for social media or Yeti should refer to Member Resources.