Walk Description

Distance: 18.8 km, Elevation Gain: 699m

Hemphill Track, Sanatorium Lake, Camels Hump, Mount Macedon Loop is a loop trail located near Mount Macedon. The walk will be done anti-clockwise, which means the walk ends with the descent down Mt Macedeon (this can be hard on the knees for some).

We will start at Mt Macedon Hotel, initially following a gravel road and then follow the trail up out of the valley. The trail is rocky in places with stairs to aid your ascent. The walk up Mt. Towrong is a rocky trail, prepare for some steep and rocky sections. This is quite an open forested section of the trail which exposes some amazing views of Macedon and the West.

Initially descending form Mount Towrong, the trail then ascends steadily along open fire trails to Sanitorium Lake. The lake was created in the 1800’s in order to supply water to the nearby Tuberculosis Sanatorium, but now supplies water to local wildlife such as flame robins, swamp wallabies and white faced herons. We will then follow the well formed trail through dense forest until reaching Camels Hump. The views from Camels Hump are well worth the climb. From the summit, we will walk down to McGregors Picnic Ground, follow the western face of the mount to the Memorial Cross, and finally head back down Mt Macedon.

 

Transport

Transport to and from the walk location is by car or by public transport. 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. You will be able to travel to the meeting point by train and bus, so you can travel there and home by public transport if car-pooling isn’t available for you.

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

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.

Booking Fee:
Members: free.     Non-members: $7.

Payment:
To avoid handling cash, non-members are required to pre-pay their booking fee.
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.
There will be no refunds, so please do not book unless you are fully committed to walking.

 

What to bring

• Day pack
• Sufficient water (2 litres, more on hot summer days)
• Lunch and snacks
• Hat, sun screen
• Suitable outdoor clothing (no jeans/sneakers!)
• Rainwear & warm jacket
• Proper walking shoes/boots
• Hand Sanitiser
• Face Mask (if required)

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

 

COVID-19 Requirements

We need to follow all state government requirements regarding COVID-19 as explained here:   Coronavirus Victoria: How we live

• You should not be attending this walk if you are Covid-19 positive and/or are required to be in quarantine or isolation.
• If you have any Covid-19 symptoms, you should get tested and follow the instructions in the Coronavirus Victoria website.
• If you are a Household Contact (Close Contact) or a Social or Workplace Contact, you must follow the instructions in the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Check out our Covid-19 status.

 

Safety and Ambulance Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. For more details refer to Joining a walk and your safety

 

Still have questions?

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Day walks and social activities.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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