Westerfolds local bush walk with wildlife - Grade 2 (Easy)

The Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club invites you to join them on a Westerfolds local bush walk with wildlife.  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 local walk follows the Yarra river with views of bush and hopefully kangaroos and maybe a platypus.

DISTANCE:  9 km round trip walk that will take about 3 hours.

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR?  This walk is suitable for everyone who is comfortable walking the distance on dirt tracks.  Very limited hills with just one short awkward bit.

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):  No bushwalking experience required.  A hardened or compacted surface which may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps.  Walks up to 10 km. Note that some of the tracks are dirt and may be slippery if wet.  AWT Grade information. 

PACE: This will be a steady walking pace allowing for variances in walker's speed.       

TOTAL ASCENT:  35m - one hill at the start and one short, small climb up and over some tree roots.

WALK DESCRIPTION: 

This short walk will pass kangaroos, walk beside the Yarra river and if you are lucky, we may see platypus as we cross a swing bridge.  Commencing at the Porter Street entrance we climb the only hill and then wend through Westerfolds park and on down to Wombat Bend for morning tea.  Returning via a different track. 

MEETING POINT:  Porter Street car park Westerfolds Park. Google map. 

DIRECTIONS:  Enter the park via the entrance off Porter Street near the corner of Anderson Street. This is not accessible from the Fitzsimons Lane entrance to the park.  

CARPOOLING/PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  Drive yourself to the commencement or you can get the 905 bus to Anderson St and walk 5 mins to the meeting point.

PHONE SIGNAL:  No problem with phone access.

TOILETS:  At the start and end of the walk and at the morning tea stop.

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 or good walking shoes eg runners
• Personal first aid kit (your health is your responsibility)
  
• Sun hat/sunscreen

Recommended:

• Morning tea and lunch if you wish to picnic at the end of the walk
• Hiking poles if you are worried about slipping

LEADER:  Darylene Bell from Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club.  The leader will call you before the walk to answer any questions and supply their contact details.

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

ABOUT OUR CLUB:  Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club is based in Eltham, Victoria and is affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria.  The Club offers a variety of walks catering for all levels of fitness and ability ranging from short walks (6-10 km) to hard walks (20 km or more).

Day walks are offered on Wednesdays and Sundays and take place in different areas ranging from suburban parks to the nearby mountains.  Historic walks around the suburbs of Melbourne are also on offer.

Basecamps, cycling and a range of social events are also offered.  Trips within Australia, overseas and locally are also undertaken periodically.  The annual membership fee is $36 per member.   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.