The Ben Cruachan Walking Club invites you to join them to Experience Latrobe Valley’s best kept secret – the Wirilda Walking Track through the Tyers Gorge. 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.

There is much to experience on the Wirilda Walking Track as it winds its way through the Tyers Gorge. Nature lovers will enjoy the bird song, varied vegetation, wildflowers and the chance to spot a platypus. The conglomerate rock formations tower high above the river. Inspect remnants of an early water supply wooden pipeline and enjoy the serenity of the bush as we take a leisurely stroll along the track.

DISTANCE: 10km return walk that will take 4-5hrs

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR? This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness and agility but does not require previous bushwalking experience. This walk is for anyone who wants a bushwalking experience along a bush track in the company of experienced walkers. It is an opportunity to walk with a club and meet some Ben Cruachan Walking Club members.

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 3 (Medium): The walk is on a formed track with some short steep sections and steps. The track is narrow in places with steep drops off the side. There are a few short rocky sections. AWT Grade information.

PACE: As there is so much to observe the pace will be steady with frequent stops. Participants may wish to not walk the whole distance and turn around before the river crossing.

TOTAL ASCENT: Approximate 150 metres over the 10km walk.

WALK DESCRIPTION:

The walk starts from the Wirilda Environment Park at the Gippsland Water Pumping Station and follows up the Tyers River through the Tyers Gorge. There are some good views of the river. We will look out for signs of platypus. In places the track sidles on steep hill sides, crosses gullies on timbered log bridges and climbs over low ridges. As we follow the track, we will observe remnants of the pipeline that was built in the early 1900s to supply water to Traralgon from a weir further up the river. We will pause for a break at a seat from which we look up to Petersons Lookout perched on conglomerate rocks high above the river. After 5 km the track crosses the Tyers River on a pipe bridge and continues for a further 8km to the Moondarra Dam. We will not cross the river. After inspecting the pipe bridge we will turn around and retrace our steps. We will find a place on some rocks by the river for our lunch break.

MEETING POINT: Meet at 9:30am for a 10am start. Meet at the Wirilda Environmental Park BBQ Shelter (google map).

DIRECTIONS: To get there, head north along Clarkes Road immediately west of where the Tyers River crosses the Moe-Glengarry Road. Take the next road to the right (around 500 metres) and follow it down to the river (another 600 metres). Turn right just before the river to the BBQ shelter. After turning off from the Moe-Glengarry Road the roads are unsealed but suitable for 2WD vehicles with care.

CARPOOLING: Carpooling is encouraged. If you wish to carpool or are prepared to provide transport to the walk please contact the Walk Leader.

PHONE SIGNAL: There are places on the walk where there is no phone signal.

TOILETS: There are toilets near the BBQ Shelter where the walk starts and finishes. There are no toilets along the walk.

WHAT TO BRING

Mandatory:

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

Recommended:

Hiking poles are recommended
Bug spray

LEADER: Joe van Beek, phone: 0411749799 email: joevanbeek@bigpond.com. The walk leader will be in touch prior to the walk with an update on weather and track condition.

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: Ben Cruachan Walking Club in Gippsland is a friendly club that welcomes visitors and new members. It has members aged from children to 80+. They are from Lakes Entrance to Trafalgar and Heyfield to Yarram. Each year there is a program of about 50 graded walks of various types mainly in Gippsland to meet the needs and capabilities of most people.
The club was instrumental in developing the McMillan Walking Track which runs 220 kilometres from Omeo to Woods Point following the original path of Angus McMillan. The full length of the track is walked every 2 years or so. 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.