Two night hikes near melbourne for a group of teens

[Ih3arth3aters]

Hi

As part of my adventurer badge for scouts I have to complete a 2 night hike with a patrol of 4-8 teens these people will be fit and we will be self sufficient for the period of time any places that are good (they have to be 30 km or greater if possible varying terrain.)

Plz reply

[MickyB]

Welcome to the forum Ih3arth3aters. How far from Melbourne are you prepared to travel?

[madmacca]

Cathedral Ranges?

[Moondog55]

Brisbane Ranges although you do have to be careful to avoid old mine shafts in places

[Ih3arth3aters]

Bout an hour and a half
I've already done some of the hikes up in the cathedral ranges
Hasn't the Brisbane ranges been affected by the bushfires

[MickyB]

An hour an half away from Melbourne doesn't leave you with many options.

Have you looked at Lerderderg State Park?? There are a couple of 20km+ tracks.

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks ... state-park or try searching for other posts about Lerderderg on this site for more info.

[Earwig]

Alpine National Park, maybe Eight Mile - Bluff - Mt Lovick - Helicopter Spur - Pikes - Ritchies. You could throw in Mt Howitt - Howitt Spur to make it a bit longer if you needed to.

Check the thread on Helicopter Spur before trying this route though.

Last edited by Earwig on Tue 08 Apr, 2014 11:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Prom, the SE circuit : sealers'/Refuge/ Waterloo.

[PTC]

I am unable to find my info book at the moment. Though i think Lerderderg is on the restricted hiking list.

A good area is from Mt Bawbaw to Wallhalla. I am not sure if down at Wilsons prom will count. I know if my venturers tried it use it as a badge it would be knocked back. Southern part that is. Northern is a great hiking area. Though not suggested for scouts.

[Snowzone]

I am unable to find my info book at the moment. Though i think Lerderderg is on the restricted hiking list.

I am presuming you mean restricted to scouts but still interested in why that is? It would suit the purpose of being able to put together a longer hike.

[PTC]

I am unable to find my info book at the moment. Though i think Lerderderg is on the restricted hiking list.

I am presuming you mean restricted to scouts but still interested in why that is? It would suit the purpose of being able to put together a longer hike.

I have found my info book and here is what it says.

"There are several areas in Victoria in which camping and hiking can be hazardous or restricted. And for which special rules apply. These include:
Water catchment areas. Due to access Restrictions
Alpine Areas, Including Tali Karng
Lerderderg Gorge, after heavy raid - danger from riding water in narrow gorge terrain
Grampians Nation park, due to terrain and water availability.

Before hiking or camping in these areas especially, leaders must check out the local regulations and restrictions which apply."

[Snowzone]

I am unable to find my info book at the moment. Though i think Lerderderg is on the restricted hiking list.

I am presuming you mean restricted to scouts but still interested in why that is? It would suit the purpose of being able to put together a longer hike.

I have found my info book and here is what it says.

"There are several areas in Victoria in which camping and hiking can be hazardous or restricted. And for which special rules apply. These include:
Water catchment areas. Due to access Restrictions
Alpine Areas, Including Tali Karng
Lerderderg Gorge, after heavy raid - danger from riding water in narrow gorge terrain
Grampians Nation park, due to terrain and water availability.

Before hiking or camping in these areas especially, leaders must check out the local regulations and restrictions which apply."

So you would check the weather forecast before embarking on a walk in the Lerderderg. You should be doing that regardless of where you walk anyway as there are many areas that can become unsafe after heavy rain. The Brisbane Ranges has the Burchell Trail through it that is longer than 30km, although it too has gorges so may fall into the same category as the Lerderderg???

[redbruce]

Brisbane Ranges although you do have to be careful to avoid old mine shafts in places

+1 for Brisbane Ranges. Can be cold this time of year but commonly relatively dry.

Even though my Scout troop are in Eastern suburbs, we are starting to do more 'cord hike in the "Ranges".

Another great two nighter for Scouts, or anyone really (but can be difficult logistically and is 3.5hrs from Melbourne)) is Falls Creek to Hotham, or vice versa.

Cathedrals are good and close to Melbourne, Wilson Prom good (but 3.5hrs away), Mt Disappointment, Kurth Kiln, Powell town, Yarra valley, gee, many options.

So you would check the weather forecast before embarking on a walk in the Lerderderg. You should be doing that regardless of where you walk anyway as there are many areas that can become unsafe after heavy rain.

Indeed. The difference is in the risk management options. Irrespective of the cause of an increase in water level, escape up steep sided gorge is difficult (unacceptably so for other peoples kids), so an unacceptable risk for Scout management to accept.

[wobbly]

Check out the great dividing trail, - you could do a few sections of that. Just watch out for the odd mountain bike.
Otherwise Beerimpo Walk- if your range will stretch to Mt Cole

[north-north-west]

The GST would be a goer. Start at Morwell, good variety of terrain and track standard.