The Melbourne Young Hikers invites you to join them on Views, Ooohs, and Kangaroos in Woodlands Historic Park- Grade 3 (Easy/Medium). This walk is part of the Try Bushwalking Month, celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Bushwalking Victoria, the peak body representing 60+ bushwalking clubs across Victoria.

Explore Woodlands Historic Park, a neat little package of gnarly gum trees, abundant wildlife, historic landmarks and fascinating lookouts. Walking around the bushland setting, you’ll think you’ve left the city far behind – until the illusion is shattered by the roar of planes from the neighbouring Tullamarine Airport.

DISTANCE: 13km circuit, taking up to 5 hours.

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR? This walk is an excellent introduction to hiking, and will be of particular interest if you love birds and wildlife, or have a passion for planes, horses or history. For more experienced bushwalkers, this is a good chance to have a relaxed walk and chat with likeminded and similarly-aged group members and find out more about what we offer.

CHILDREN AND PETS: This walk is for adults 18 years and over, and due to the nature of the walk, we ask you to leave dogs and other pets at home. Please contact the club directly to inquire about service animals, and any family or pet friendly walks.

AWT GRADE: Grade 3 (Easy/Medium). Suitable for most fitness levels (though see Pace below). There are inclines, but they’re relatively gentle, and the tracks range from well-worn gravel to barely-there. AWT Grade information.

PACE: Moderate, so some fitness is recommended - but you’ll have enough breath to chat and we don’t leave anyone behind. There’ll be plenty of opportunities for breaks and stops when we see anything interesting. We’ll have a leisurely morning tea/early lunch and an opportunity for later lunch/afternoon tea.

TOTAL ASCENT: Approx. 76m

WALK DESCRIPTION: Starting at the bridge across Moonee Ponds Creek, we’ll follow Homestead Track towards a Sugar Gum plantation. Look out for kangaroos and mud as we pass through the plantation on a relatively flat track. Soon after, we'll encounter the major incline of our day as we head up Gellibrand Hill to our morning tea/early lunch spot. Spend some time on our break to explore attractions at the top of the hill. If the Back Paddock is open, we’ll follow its meandering path back downhill (if not, we can re-trace our earlier steps). We’ll then traverse the woodlands and grasslands of the park to arrive at Woodlands Homestead, where we can stop for a coffee or some snacks and another break. Our final downhill stretch takes us past retired racehorses and the twisted river gums of Moonee Ponds Creek before we arrive back at our cars.

MEETING POINT: At the information hut at the Somerton Road Car Park (near the bridge).

DIRECTIONS: To get to Somerton Road, follow the M2 Tullamarine Freeway to Melbourne Airport. Do not exit at the Airport - instead, keep right and follow the M2 around the back until you reach the roundabout. Take the third exit (right) and head down Oaklands Rd, then at the next roundabout, turn right onto Somerton Rd. The carpark is signposted and will be on your right. If you pass the football oval then you’ve gone too far.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oHH9y74JLj8WkTLm6

PHONE SIGNAL: Constant

TOILETS: At the start and end of the walk, and at our afternoon tea spot.

WHAT TO BRING

Mandatory:

Emergency contact form with medical info (from welcome pack)
1.5L water
Daypack to hold everything
Rain jacket
Hiking shoes or runners or trainers
Personal first aid kit

Recommended:

Lunch and snacks
Camera (optional)
Sun hat/glasses/sunscreen/bug spray

LEADER: Erin Leeder – contact via email (melbourneyounghikers@gmail.com). Co-leader TBA.

EXTRA INFORMATION: The leader will be in touch via email and/or text message (we are millennials/Gen Z after all!) to check in before the day.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK: When registering for this event, we ask that you view and agree to our Acknowledgement of Risk.

ABOUT OUR CLUB: Melbourne Young Hikers is a diverse group of young people (aged 18 – late 30s) who are passionate about the outdoors, adventure, and protecting Victoria’s incredible natural environment. Despite the name, we don’t stick to city limits – our regular day walks and social events take us all over Victoria, and we run occasional overnight hikes and weekend trips too. All levels of experience are welcome.

PRIVACY:

Your privacy is important to us. Bushwalking Victoria and its member clubs are committed to safeguarding your personal information and ensuring that your privacy is protected. The personal data we collect from you is used solely for the purpose of facilitating your participation and communicating important details about the event.

Please note that your contact information will be shared with Activity Leaders for the purpose of organising activities. Your information will not be shared with any external parties without your consent, except where required by law, but may be used for follow-up contact regarding your participation in this event.

You can view the BWV Privacy Policy on our website.

Inclusion in Photographs

We encourage participants to take photographs during activities, which may be shared publicly through various channels such as newspapers, magazines, websites and social media. If you do not wish to be included in any photographs, it is your responsibility to inform the photographer and take reasonable steps to avoid being captured in the images.