2.5 day walk in Vic

[stepbystep]

Hey all,
I'll be in Victoria in mid December, staying in Meredith. I'm looking for a 2.5 day circuit walk. Basically I need to be able to walk out and then drive to Melbs to get on the Spirit the evening of the final day, so 3-4 hrs walking maximum. The first 2 days can be solid 8hr walking days.
I'm hopeful for something close-ish to Meredith. I was thinking the Grampians but the final day is a bit long to walk, then drive to the ferry.
Suggestions very welcome, thanks in advance...

[GregR]

Burchell Trail perhaps. Brisbane Ranges-can't get much closer!

[peregrinator]

Burchell Trail perhaps. Brisbane Ranges-can't get much closer!

That was my first thought too. But the 2006 bushfire was savage in the southern half. I haven't seen how that's recovered recently. Anyone able to comment?

With a bit of looping around in the northern half you can do a one-day walk, then do one-and-a-half in Lerderderg. Grampians might involve too much time driving.

[Strider]

I didn't see it before the fire but recovery in the southern Brisbane Ranges seem to have been quite good. Obviously a lot of blackened trunks and stumps, but the area is very green with new growth (10 years worth, I guess).


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[stepbystep]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm not worried about driving a bit, just didn't want to cross the state. Really want it to be one walk over two nights.

More suggestions welcome please, a note on why that suggestion is a good one also appreciated.

[GregR]

I guess it depends on your "interests" when it comes to bushwalking!

I suggested that walk because it was close to your base, the right length and has a few different points of interest ( gold mines/ gorges/ghost town) that may suit you And give you ample time to get back to the ferry!!

Certainly other areas may hold more interest depending on what floats your boat.

Pm me if you wanna discuss

Greg R

[GregR]

By the way the " fire issue" is not an issue at all.

I have had several walks and camps in the area over the last 5 years and not a problem.

[MickyB]

I'm not worried about driving a bit, just didn't want to cross the state. Really want it to be one walk over two nights.

If you are happy to drive approx 1.5 hours from Meredith you could head down to the Otways. Lots of tracks you could link up to form a 2.5 day walk. It would then be about a 2 hour drive back to Station Pier for the Spirit (Depending on what part of the Otways you're driving from).

[stepbystep]

I'm not worried about driving a bit, just didn't want to cross the state. Really want it to be one walk over two nights.

If you are happy to drive approx 1.5 hours from Meredith you could head down to the Otways. Lots of tracks you could link up to form a 2.5 day walk. It would then be about a 2 hour drive back to Station Pier for the Spirit (Depending on what part of the Otways you're driving from).

That's a good idea, any favourite tracks in there?

[MickyB]

I'm not worried about driving a bit, just didn't want to cross the state. Really want it to be one walk over two nights.

If you are happy to drive approx 1.5 hours from Meredith you could head down to the Otways. Lots of tracks you could link up to form a 2.5 day walk. It would then be about a 2 hour drive back to Station Pier for the Spirit (Depending on what part of the Otways you're driving from).

That's a good idea, any favourite tracks in there?

SBS- PM sent

[Snowzone]

Burchell Trail perhaps. Brisbane Ranges-can't get much closer!

That was my first thought too. But the 2006 bushfire was savage in the southern half. I haven't seen how that's recovered recently. Anyone able to comment?

With a bit of looping around in the northern half you can do a one-day walk, then do one-and-a-half in Lerderderg. Grampians might involve too much time driving.

The fire damage is no longer an issue in the Brisbane Ranges, the recovery was slow to start with but has come along well since. My first thought was this area also but The Burchell trail is a through walk not a circuit. I would be more inclined to suggest linking up a few tracks in the Lerderderg area. This would certainly be more solid walking for the two full days.
Re the Grampian's, Halls Gap to the Spirit of Tas driving would be approx 3 hours.

[Snowzone]

Step by Step, I am local to Ballarat and depending on your dates I would be more than happy to help you out with a car shuffle. Feel free to pm me.

[peregrinator]

Just thinking about weather in December. Mean maximum temperature in the Meredith area Dec 2015 was 28C. There was a week's worth of mid 30s and throw in a few days of total fire bans. Which is why MickyB's suggestion of the Otways might appeal rather than dry inland areas like the Brisbane Ranges and Lerderderg.

Thanks to all for the encouraging news about the forest regrowth.

[MickyB]

Just thinking about weather in December. Mean maximum temperature in the Meredith area Dec 2015 was 28C. There was a week's worth of mid 30s and throw in a few days of total fire bans. Which is why MickyB's suggestion of the Otways might appeal rather than dry inland areas like the Brisbane Ranges and Lerderderg.

There were bushfires in the Otways last December. Above average rainfall is expected for Spring so hopefully that reduces the chance of fires everywhere in the state.

[Drummo62]

I hiked the Burchell Trail last May and the track is in pretty good condition and has recovered a lot from the fires. still plenty of evidence of them though. Reasonably comfortable 2 day walk (about 5.5 hours on day 1 and 5 hours on day 2) if you bush camp at about halfway rather than the designated camp sites. Track is very well marked. As mentioned earlier it is a through hike although we did it without a car shuffle. I left my partner and packs at Boar Gully, drove to Fridays and then jogged back to Boar Gully (about 17km)

[peregrinator]

I hiked the Burchell Trail last May and the track is in pretty good condition and has recovered a lot from the fires. still plenty of evidence of them though. Reasonably comfortable 2 day walk (about 5.5 hours on day 1 and 5 hours on day 2) if you bush camp at about halfway rather than the designated camp sites. Track is very well marked. As mentioned earlier it is a through hike although we did it without a car shuffle. I left my partner and packs at Boar Gully, drove to Fridays and then jogged back to Boar Gully (about 17km)

Yes, lots of nice spots to camp without having to pay the exorbitant fee. An out-and-back is possible, though some of the same ground would be covered.

[trickos]

If you are interested in the Grampians, I did the Major Mitchell Plateau over 2 days earlier in the year.
Park your car at Sheep Hills - walk to and overnight on the Plateau itself at 1st Wannon - descend the plateau to Jimmy's Creek.
To connect the 2, I stashed a pushbike in the bushes and rode back to the car along the road. 12 km's on bike.
A full 2 days - The plateau is sensational.

[stepbystep]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. Keep it going. I have until December to decide

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The SE circuit at the Prom. You can knock it over in two days and one night camping at Refuge cove. That means you are walking up to 18 kms per day. Water is easy to find and campsites have pit loos. The scenery at the SE of Wilson's Prom. N.P. is superb. The trip down there from Melb. takes about 3 and half hours by private motor vehicle.

[stepbystep]

The SE circuit at the Prom. You can knock it over in two days and one night camping at Refuge cove. That means you are walking up to 18 kms per day. Water is easy to find and campsites have pit loos. The scenery at the SE of Wilson's Prom. N.P. is superb. The trip down there from Melb. takes about 3 and half hours by private motor vehicle.

Thanks p_c_v

Initially I'd ruled out the Prom despite wanting to walk the area for years as it's so far from where I will be, but a friend has offered me use of their shack at Venus Bay, so now it's in the mix !!

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I also like the (Sheepyard flat) /8 Mile flat/ 8 Mile spur/ Rocky ridge/ Refrigerator gap/ The Bluff/ The Bluff Hut/ 16 mile jeep road/ Ritchie's hut /8 Mile flat trek. It takes two days and one night . You will need to be walking at just after dawn on day one from 8 Mile flat and be prepared for steep ascents and descents, bad mountain weather and slippery rock scrambling up a steep escarpment.
The starting point at 8 Mile flat is about 3 and half hours away from Melb. by private motor vehicle.

[Wim]

Burchell trail, fits all your criteria. Old Mill campsite has no water (on 14-8-16) the tank has a leak. Many options to return via gravel roads if time becomes an issue.
Lots of up and down, 1000m positive total, some really nice bits.

Wilson Prom is much nicer if you have not done it before, stunning sights, december is crowded. It's a circuit.