Dandenongs - Olinda Valley and Waterfalls - Grade 4 (Medium/Hard)

The Waverley Bushwalking Club invites you to join them on the Dandenongs - Olinda Valley and Waterfalls walk.  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. 

Starting and finishing with spectacular views over the Yarra Ranges, this is a gorgeous, challenging, shaded walk amongst towering trees and fern-filled gullies. Morning tea near the pretty Olinda Falls. The varied terrain and abundant wildlife add to this trail’s magic.

DISTANCE:  This is a 18 km loop walk and will take approximately five hours to complete with breaks.

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR? This is a long walk with a mix of wide and narrow tracks and includes several challenging climbs consequently it is best suited to experienced, fit walkers used to a bit of a work out.

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 4 (Medium/Hard):  We classify this walk as Medium/Hard grade. Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.  AWT Grade information. 

PACE: The pace will be fairly brisk but slower on the climbs with regular rests and time to catch your breath and enjoy the Aussie bush.      

TOTAL ASCENT: The walk is hilly – the total ascent gain is 870 metres.

WALK DESCRIPTION: 

The walk starts from Woolrich Lookout and descends then rises along various tracks. We go past the Olinda Falls, which is more a cascade of water, then on to the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground for lunch before the climb back up to Woolrich Lookout.

MEETING POINT: WBC has a car meeting point in Glen Waverley at Capital Reserve (83–95 capital Avenue, Glen Waverley) we then carpool to the start of the walk. It is possible to meet us at Woolrich Lookout if pre-arranged with the leader. We meet at 7:45 am at Capital Reserve.

DIRECTIONS: These will be provided to drivers at Capital Reserve. The drive is on main roads and local sealed roads in Olinda. 

GOOGLE MAP: Here is the Google Maps link for reserve: https://www.google.com/maps/se...

CARPOOLING: This is done at Capital Reserve, however visitors cars are typically not used so you would need to join another car in the pool. There will be a $5 charge per carpool passenger which is reimbursed to the driver for petrol and other car costs.  Please bring $5 in cash if you would like to participate.

PHONE SIGNAL: There should be good phone coverage on this walk.

TOILETS: At Woolrich Lookout at the start and end of the walk. Otherwise it will be trees and bushes.

WHAT TO BRING

Mandatory:

• Emergency contact form with medical info.  Download this form here, or get one from the leader on the day.
• 1.5L water
• Backpack
• Rain jacket 
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Personal first aid kit (your health is your responsibility)
  
• Sun hat/sunscreen
• Lunch
• Morning tea snacks

Recommended:

• Hiking poles
• Bug spray
• Camera/phone

LEADER: Conny Buchwald - 0458975822.  The leader usually sends an email update a few days before walk to confirm weather details and any special requirements.

EXTRA INFORMATION: Please contact the leader directly if you have any queries.  

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

ABOUT OUR CLUB: We have approximately 250 members drawn generally from the wider Glen Waverley area and we offer a wide variety of events – day walks, base camps, pack carries, cycling and social events. With our medium size, we aim to be friendly and inclusive with an ability to offer events across a mix of grades and across the weekdays and weekends. We are keen to introduce you to the joys of bushwalking.  Visit our website.

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.