YHA Australia and YHA Bushwalking Victoria are celebrating 80 years of activity.  Join us for a morning tea at Pound Bend Reserve, followed by the choice of two walks:

Option 1 is a short walk around Pound Bend Reserve with our friends from YHA Australia, including a visit to the site of the first YHA hostel, finishing at 12noon.

Option 2 involves car-pooling to Warrandyte State Park for the Mt Lofty Circuit, finishing mid-afternoon.

Distance: 3.5km or 6km

Meeting Point:

You have the choice of meeting at:

a) Flagstaff Train Station, corner of La Trobe and William Streets, CBD, at 8.45am.  We will arrange car pooling to Warrandyte, leaving at 9am sharp (we won’t wait for latecomers). Drivers are appreciated so that all walkers can get a lift to Warrandyte. There is some free all-day parking in the area around Flagstaff Station for those whose cars we don’t need, but please check parking signs.

b) Pound Bend Reserve, Warrandyte. Meet in the picnic area at 9.45am.  By car, you can enter the reserve via Pound Road or Everard Drive. As you enter the reserve, take the road on the left down to the car park and picnic area.

Morning Tea (10am to 11am):

Morning tea will be held in the picnic area at Pound Bend Reserve and is provided by YHA Australia.

Walks:

After morning tea, you will have the choice of two walks:

Option 1 – Pound Bend River Walk and Loop (3.5km, Very Easy, Leader: Doug M)

We will be joined by our friends from YHA Australia for this short walk from 11am to 12noon.

Starting at the picnic area, the trail follows the river upstream, then up to the site of the first youth hostel in Australia, near the nursery and rangers office. Destroyed by fire many years ago, there is a memorial plaque at the hostel site. We then follow the Tank Track along the top ridge back to the historic Pound Bend Tunnel and picnic area.

Option 2 – Warrandyte State Park – Mt Lofty Circuit (6km, Easy, Leader: Ken S)

The proposed walk is only 6.1 kilometres, all on track. It includes a sharp climb of about 150 metres near the start of the walk, where climbs should be, spectacular views of the Yarra River Gorge and surrounding mountain ranges from the Mt Lofty ridge, then peace and tranquility and lots of bird life, as the track meanders back through the bush beside the river to the car park.

This walk is undoubtedly the best in Warrandyte State Park, and features some of the best views that Melbourne’s inner north-east has to offer.  For those interested, Kellybrook Winery is about a kilometre from Witton’s Reserve and is well worth a visit at the end of the walk.

Getting there: Car Pooling from Pound Bend Reserve to Witton’s Reserve, about 8 kilometres from Warrandyte.
Exit Pound Bend Reserve, follow Everard Drive and turn left at Yarra St.
After the town of Warrandyte, follow Warrandyte – Ringwood Road to Jumping Creek Road. Turn left at the roundabout into Jumping Creek Road and continue to Homestead Road.
Turn left into Homestead Road, then continue straight ahead into Reserve Road, when Lower Homestead Road diverges off to the right.
Park in Witton’s Reserve Car Park.  The walk starts from here.

Booking:

Unlike nearly all Sunday walks, booking is  required for our 80th Birthday Celebrations, for catering purposes.   The Leader will confirm your booking via email.  Numbers are limited, so get in early!

What to bring:

• Day pack (optional for walk 1)
• Sufficient water (1 litre)
• Lunch and snacks (optional for walk 1)
• Hat, sun screen
• Suitable outdoor clothing (no jeans/sneakers!)
• Rainwear & warm jacket
• Proper walking shoes/boots

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.

Booking Fee: Members (free), Non-members ($7)

Please pay the leader CASH at the start of the walk, NO credit cards.

For those who car-pool from Flagstaff Station, passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please bring CASH for this purpose.

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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