Trip Overview

Warburton is relatively close to Melbourne – if you live in the north eastern suburbs. For the rest of us, it is a rather steady drive to get there. So why not make a weekend of it in this beautiful part of Victoria?

We’ve planned day walks for Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st and, if you are able to take the day off on Monday 22nd, you can stay for the day walk on Monday.

Accommodation

This trip is a little different to most YHA Bushwalking trips, in that you need to book and pay for your own accommodation. You can book accommodation wherever you like.  Two suggestions close to the centre of town are Warburton Motel and Warburton Lodge.

You can choose whether to stay in Warburton on the Friday night, or drive from home to the walk on Saturday morning and just book accommodation for the Saturday night (and Sunday night if you wish to stay for the Monday walk).

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

Saturday, 20 July 2024: Mount Donna Buang Summit

13 kilometres // 6 hours // Med-Hard // trailhiking.com.au

Toughen up princess! One of the hardest day hikes in Victoria is on the mat today with an ascent of over 1000 metres. This hike will be replaced with something else in the area if it is overly wet.

Sunday, 21 July 2024: The O’Shannassy Aqueduct to Californian Redwood Forest Trail

18 kilometres // 6 hours // Medium // trailnavigator.com.au

The O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail follows the access track to the aqueduct that supplied water to Metropolitan Melbourne for 82 years before it was decommissioned in 1996. It essentially mirrors the path of the Warburton to Lilydale Rail Trail, but is set further back into the mountain and is a lot more scenic. The entire walk is 34 km; we’re only doing a part of it!

Monday, 22 July 2024: Backstairs Track/Little Joe Loop/Tramway

12 kilometres // 4 hours // Medium // trailhiking.com.au

Mount Little Joe is quite steep, but the Backstairs Track is very pretty. This is a circuit walk, commencing in the main street of Warburton.

Backup Hike: Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Walk, or other parts of the O’Shannassy Aquaduct.

Transport

Transport to and from Warburton is by car or 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. Alternatively, Warburton is relatively well served by bus. Please make your own enquiries if this appeals.

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.

Booking Fee:
Members: free.     Non-members: $10.

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

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.

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.

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

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.