The Friends of the Great South West Walk (FGSWW) invites you to join them to discover Tombstones, Koalas and Wildflowers on a walk finishing with a Private Garden Picnic at Twilight. 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.

This walk will take us through the old North Portland Cemetery where the tombstones transport us back through Portland’s history. We walk under koalas as we make our way to the ‘Nun’s Forest’. This Portland Loretto Reserve has its own history and as we walk amongst the beautiful trees, the Friends will fill us in on it. We finish up in a beautiful country garden at the Caledonian Inn.

DISTANCE: 7 km

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR? Everyone! An easy walk for anyone who would like to walk with like minded people, who enjoy exploring and being in outdoors in the natural environment. This short 7 km walk is a great way to start your adventures off the pavement, with the company of experienced local bushwalkers.

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 2 (Easy): An easy walk, that is on a mown path, there are some downhill steps and some road walking. AWT Grade information.

PACE: The pace tends to be medium, with brief stops to catch your breath or enjoy a view, an animal or bird. The group will reform at each intersection, and there will be someone staying at the back of the group.

TOTAL ASCENT: One gentle climb, and one decent of steps.

WALK DESCRIPTION:

Starting at the North Portland Cemetery, walking under the shade of sheoaks, along the clifftop, then descending the Bob Earl Steps to Dutton Way, following the coast beside the road, before heading inland. We walk up a gentle hill to the Loretto Reserve, a preserved bit of natural bushland. Then we walk down the Caledonian Hill Road, before heading through farmland to finish up at the old Caledonian Inn for a BYO picnic dinner.

MEETING POINT: Portland Visitor Information Centre carpark at 3pm. Keep an eye out for Julie one of our longest & most experienced serving members, who still organizes walks, she will have a walking frame with her!

DIRECTIONS: The Portland North Cemetery is located on the corner of the Henty Highway and Cavendish Street. Opposite the Shell service station. Google map:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BskkNR...

CARPOOLING/PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Carpooling is available, please speak to the walk contact/leader.

PHONE SIGNAL: There will be phone reception for the whole walk.

TOILETS: There will be toilets at the Information Centre at the beginning, at the Henty Bay Caravan Park, which we pass, and also at the Caledonian Inn.

WHAT TO BRING

Mandatory:

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

Recommended:

Picnic dinner if joining us at the end..
Hiking poles
Bug spray

LEADER: Walk contact is Julie, please phone on 03 5523 2131 or 0407 052 914.

EXTRA INFORMATION: Please contact Julie for any questions. As this is the last Saturday walk for the year, we will be having a BYO picnic dinner at the Caledonian Inn, which is a wonderful old building in a beautiful private country garden.

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

ABOUT OUR CLUB: The Friends of the Great South West Walk is a volunteer group that manages and maintains the Great South West Walk, alongside Parks Vic. The Friends lead monthly walks, on a Saturday and a Monday. Walking with the Friends is a great way to tap into the knowledge of the area’s history, flora and fauna and meet a friendly bunch of people. The Friends also have many volunteers working on the maintenance of the Great South West Walk and its promotion. The club is always welcoming new Friends or volunteers.. 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.