Creswick hike for gay, bi, trans and queer men - hosted by OUT in Nature

Gay, bi, trans and queer men's July Hike: Creswick

We're heading back to Creswick in July!

This hike is a 8.0km loop trail generally considered a moderately challenging route. It takes roughly 2 hours to complete but we'll stop halfway for a break and to share some snacks.

It is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

The trail features a lovely mix of urban streets, plantation forests and natural trails. The varied environments keep it interesting, with a special elm forest in the middle. The trail finishes up with a nice stroll along the creek in town.

Good news - dogs are welcome as long as they are friendly with other dogs and on a lead!

Details and ticket info are below.

Where: Creswick (exact meeting point given the night before)

When: Saturday July 19, 10am (meet from 9:50am, set off at 10am)

Bring: Weather appropriate clothing, hiking boots with good grip (no thongs or casual shoes!), backpack, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a personal first aid kit if you have one, some easy food to share with the group, and a sense of adventure and a good, positive, friendly attitude.

We expect that the hike will be completed around 12:30pm as we usually stop for breaks, snacks, photos and chats. For those interested, we may go for a coffee after.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Men who are gay, bi, trans, and/or queer. You do not have to be local to Ballarat - guys from anywhere are welcome and we regularly have guys join us from Geelong and Melbourne. You can come alone, with a partner, or with friends (as long as you all have tickets). 

Shy guys and guys that are not out are very welcome - and don’t worry, only people who actively consent to photos being taken are ever photographed.

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR A TICKET

Tickets are FREE but we have tickets so we control numbers and provide any last minute updates about route/wet weather contingencies. 

Only those that register for tickets will be provided with our exact hike meeting point - it will be emailed to you after tickets close at 6pm the day before.

We hope you can make it! If not, we’ll keep you in the loop on future hikes.

Thanks,

OUT in Nature

Find our answers to FAQ on our group here. If you have any other questions, let us know!

**Note: this is an event only for people that identify as men. 

Why is This a Men’s Only Event?

This event is designed exclusively for men in response to requests for men-only gatherings. Men are not well represented in local LGBTIQA+ event stats and so we hope these events can provide a space where men can meet and bond, serving as an entry point for broader LGBTIQA+ community involvement. 

It's also important for men to have opportunities to connect with one another and build a sense of community. 

Research shows that strong community connections can significantly improve physical and mental health. Hiking, as a central activity, offers a healthy alternative to social activities that often revolve around alcohol. It also provides a welcoming and non-threatening environment for men to converse and be physically active together which will strengthen positive health outcomes.

Thank you for your support.