Strzelecki Bushwalking Club - March 2024

The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club is already in full swing for 2024. We have run a selection of activities in January and February. Over the holiday season we have welcomed several new members, and our committee is extremely committed to providing the best experience for all members and visitors.

Our annual catch-up BBQ in the park was held on Wednesday February 14, in McGregor Park, Trafalgar. This was a wonderful opportunity to re-engage with the club after the holiday season and a great chance for people who were interested to find out more about what we do.

The Australian Alps Walking Track is a 650 km trail which starts at Walhalla and finishes at Canberra.

This trail was conceived in the 1970’s to link several National Parks including the Baw Baw, Alpine, Kosciuszko and Namadgi. The track generally follows ridges and plains through some of the highest country in Australia. It is mostly very far from any town or settlement. You can join the track at many places between Walhalla and Canberra. Most walkers take between six to seven weeks to complete the whole trail, but many people choose to complete shorter sections.

Here in Gippsland, we are fortunate to have access to several sections of the Australian Alps Walking Track on our doorstep. The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club has several leaders who have extensive knowledge of these local walks.

On Saturday February 17, Wendy led a group of eleven walkers over a section of the AAWT beginning at Stronach’s Camp through to headwaters of the Thompson River and back around to Frangipani Saddle. Along the way walkers were treated to several sightings of lyrebirds and other native animals. This is a very peaceful way to spend a Saturday walking amongst the many species of eucalyptus trees and tree ferns.

The SBWC regularly conducts bushwalks for various levels of ability, bike rides and kayaking events. The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club is very inclusive and has approximately 150 members.

Does this sound like the type of Club you are interested in? If so, visitors are welcome to attend our monthly meetings held at the Trafalgar Scout Hall on the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7.00 p.m.

Our annual Club membership fee is $45 per adult and visitors pay a small fee of $5 per walk. Our Club has a library of bushwalking literature available to lend to members, and a store of hiking equipment is available for members to borrow. This can assist people in the short term as they build up their own equipment.

Bushwalking is a great way to keep your body fit and active and going with a group of other like-minded people provides great conversation and social interaction. I honestly believe it could the “fountain of youth”!

 Further information is available on the website at sbwc.org.au, on our Facebook page or by contacting publicity@sbwc.org.au