Adventure
Available at: Leisurelink   Splashdown   Waterworld   Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre  

Add some adventure to your life!

Experience the wonders of the bush while improving your fitness.

Adventure is Swim Sport & Leisure's Bushwalking Program. Get back to nature, exercise through picturesque scenery, learn new skills and meet people with similar interests.
 
Adventure has two programs to choose from:
 
Female adventure hiker in the Aussie bushAdditional Information:







Hiking

Generally held every 4 to 6 weeks on Saturdays at a variety of locations including the Otways, Mt Macedon, Lorne, Brisbane Ranges, Werribee Gorge, Daylesford and the You Yangs.

Generally transport is provided. Most of the hikes will suit those at intermediate and above levels to advanced. However there are two main levels:

  • General

    The main requirement is that participants are physically fit to complete the distance for a particular hike and there are no medical issues arising from the medical declaration.
     
    If in doubt, please contact the hiking leader, Joe Ma, for more information. For this level, the group pace will go as fast as the slowest person. A typical hike might be 12-14km over 4.5 hours duration.
     
    Enrolment is open to all as long as the fitness and medical issues have been satisfied, unless enrolment is closed early due to large numbers.
     

  • Advanced Levels

    Most of these hikes take about 7 hours in duration and approximately 18-22 kilometers in duration, with some hikes going longer.
     
    Enrolment to advanced level hikes is restricted to past participants that have satisfied the fitness requirements for these more demanding hikes as well as the same criteria as the general level hikes.

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Navigation

These sessions are aimed at teaching map and compass reading with the goal to enable participants to complete a navigation event such as a rogaine or orienteering. Normal sessions will seem like a general / beginner level hike in terms of pace and distance.


What you need to know or bring...

  • Your own nibbles and/or lunch
  • At least 2 litres of water and more if you drink a lot.  There are minimal drinkable water points along the trail.  A bladder with a tube is strongly recommended.
  • Hiking shoes are ideal; gym shoes with good grip or support/trail shoes will suffice.
  • Carry your food and water in a small day pack.
  • Windproof/water proof jacket and/or pants are recommended.
  • Hiking/trekking poles, gaters and/or long pants are also highly recommended.
  • Equipment can be purchased from a number of outlets including:
    • Anaconda
    • Snowgum
    • Mountain Design
    • Rays
    • Any sport/outdoor retailer
  • Participants may choose to share a coffee afterwards in what is now considered an important tradition!

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Next Adventure Activity...

Hike Number 1 - You Yangs

Type: Hike - General
Where:   Start: You Yangs
What Time: Saturday 12 May 2012 - 8:30am sharp start.  Please be there at 8:15am so we can start on time.
Return Time: Return time is dependent on whether you undertake one or both loops.
Walk Details: Total distance: There are 2 loops all starting and finishing at the turntable car park. We all do loop 1 together and those that want to continue will do loop 2.
Loop 1 – 8 km easy, approx 1.5-2 hours.
Loop 2 – 5 km medium to fast pace, more difficult terrain, for advanced levels only. Approx 1 hour. Those wishing to be graded for an advanced hike such as Mt Macedon have the opportunity on this hike.
Enrolment Form: Please contact Joe Ma, the hiking leader to be added to the mailing list.  
Enrolment Deadline: Bookings need to be finalised by the deadline - 8pm Wednesday 2 May 2012.
Contact the hiking leader by email if wanting to enrol after the deadline. 

*The hike leader reserves the right to exclude people from the hike if there is any concern
about safety or is not convinced that the hike will be suitable.


Hike Number 2 - Mount Macedon

Type: Hike - General
Where: Start: Meet at the old Leisurelink in Reynolds Road, Belmont.
What Time: Saturday 19 May 2012 - 6:25am sharp or at Waterworld at 6:45am sharp.  It is advised to be at your pick up location at least 15 minutes early. 

To be fair to the group and to maintain the schedule, the bus will not wait for those that are late for the morning pick up.
Return Time: It is estimated that the bus will return to Waterworld by 5:30pm and old Leisurelink at 5:45pm. However this is only an estimate, and might be earlier or later, so please factor this into your Saturday night plans. Many factors will affect the return time, including walking speed and rests.
Walk Details: Total distance: 17km (approx 6 hours)

The group will start 2km from the base of the first hill. This hill is very steep with a total elevation of 400m change over 1.8km. (You must be approved for this level to apply for this walk). The last 1km of the hike is again fairly steep and trekking poles are advised. The rest of the hike is undulating and comfortable.

This horseshoe traverse of the Macedon Ranges takes in the summit of Camel’s Hump (1008m) which is perhaps one of Melbourne’s most breath taking viewpoints. Walkers will have good views of nearby hanging rock while enjoying the lunch stop at Camel’s Hump. The forests are varied and contain a wide variety of trees including tall mountain ash, dense fern groves and even some snow gums. Birdlife is prolific and it would be probable to see a stray swamp wallaby or two along the trail. Even though there is a road nearby for most of the walk, there is a feeling of being away in the bush and away from civilization for most of the walk.
Enrolment Form: Please contact Joe Ma, the hiking leader to be added to the mailing list.
Enrolment Deadline: Bookings need to be finalised by the deadline - 8pm Wednesday 9 May 2012.
Contact the hiking leader by email if wanting to enrol after the deadline.

*The hike leader reserves the right to exclude people from the hike if there is any concern about safety or is not convinced that the hike will be suitable.

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Timetable Information

Next adventure hike:
  1. 12 May 2012 - You Yangs (general level)
  2. 19 May 2012 - Mount Macedon (advanced level) 


Pricing Information

Generally the prices are:

$50 – SSL members, COGG employees, past participants, concession.
 
$60 – all others.


12 May 2012 - You Yangs hike

Cost is free!  Transport is not provided.