Sunday Bus: Anakie Gorge - Steiglitz - 14km/16.8km - 18 Oct

WALK DESCRIPTION: Come join 25+ of our members on these walks in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, recognised as the state's richest wildflower habitat. The unusual geology of the park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from the region. This is a walk through an unusual geological area of low wooded hills deeply serrated by numerous narrow gullies and steep rocky ridges. The area is also of historical significance with gold being discovered here in 1851. We will pass numerous old mine shafts, mullock heaps and other relics along the way. Then there is the Southern Hemisphere\`s first concrete dam. It was built across Rocky Creek in 1871 to serve Geelong after an earlier earth dam collapsed and is an amazing structure that looms up before you like a mysterious cathedral. The walk is mostly on undulating tracks with a few short hills and an interesting off track section along a dry creek bed. It finishes on the outskirts of the remains of the once bustling gold mining town of Steiglitz. The longer walk follows the same route as the shorter walk, but includes an extra 2.5km via Wadawurrong Walk loop involving a short steep hill over rough terrain. However, the views afforded when returning to Stoney Creek Picnic Area via 4WD Switch Road ensure that the effort is well rewarded. Please carry at least 2 litres of water and bring a change of shoes for the trip back. . DISTANCE(S): 14km and 16.8km . TOTAL ASCENT(S): 364m Rise and 489m Rise . GRADINGS: Easy/Medium and Medium Easy/Medium (E/M): More consistent walking, mostly on tracks or in open country, but with some significant hills, probably some stretches of light scrub. Possibility of some rock hopping. Distances up to 19km but may be much shorter depending on the difficulty of the terrain. Reasonable lunch and rest stops.

Medium (M): Consistent walking on tracks or in open bushland, usually with patches of thicker scrub, several moderate climbs, and/or rock hopping. Distances up to about 22kms with reasonable rest stops. A good level of fitness and walking experience is required. . PLEASE NOTE: Your RSVP on MeetUp lets us know who may be interested but does not add you to the booking list. To register and pay for the walk you must visit our clubrooms (details below). Come join our many members who will also do this walk! . HOW TO BOOK AND PAY: (a) Visit the Melbourne Bushwalkers' clubrooms on either of the two Wednesday evenings before the walk, speak to the leader and, if it is agreed to walk, make a payment to secure your place on the bus. (b) To cancel a Sunday Walk booking before 4pm on the Thursday before the walk, send a note to sunday@mbw.org.au. A credit will be issued for a future walk. (c) To cancel a Sunday Walk booking after 4pm on the Thursday before the walk contact the walk leader direct. You should be given the walk leader contact details at the time of booking. (d) The costs for the walk are $30 bus fare plus $10 visitor fee if you are not a paid-up Member of Melbourne Bushwalkers. . OUR CLUBROOMS: Our clubrooms are located at The Mission to Seafarers Victoria, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands. We are open Wednesday nights 6:30pm - 8.00pm. . CONTACT US: To contact us regarding this walk send an email to sunday@mbw.org.au. We do not regularly check the MeetUp site for messages and the above address will get a faster response. . CAN I MEET AT THE START OF THE WALK? No! Since Sunday Bus walks are generally walks starting and finishing at two widely separated locations we do not accept walkers meeting at the start of the walk. There is no way for them to get back to their transport. We can arrange for a pick-up and drop-off at a designated location along the route closer to Melbourne, however, the full bus fee is still payable since a seat has to be kept free on the bus. . IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Registration (membership) on Meetup is not the same as paid-up Membership of MBW. To become a paid-up Member with online booking and other benefits see:…