Easter High Country Walk, VIC

FELLOW WALKERS:
Enjoy the company of like-minded single walkers. We have nominated an age range of 40 to 59 years as generally this trip mostly appeals to this age group. However, if you are outside the age range, fit and enjoying walking you are welcome to join the group.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Friday 22^nd April | Good Friday

• Melbourne to Falls Creek
• Introductory walk

We collect you from your central Melbourne hotels at 8:00am. We can arrange pre and post tour accommodation at the Hotel Ibis.

We break the drive to Falls Creek stopping at a local winery for lunch (own expense) and a spot of wine tasting before heading up the mountain to Falls Creek, where we unload and settle into our lodge accommodation. Once settled, we depart on a short walking tour direct from our lodge to stretch our legs and start to get a feel for the high plains.

Returning to our lodge we enjoy pre-dinner drinks before settling into an enjoyable two-course dinner in friendly company. After a short briefing about tomorrow's walking, we settle in for a relaxing evening in anticipation of our walking to come.

DAY 2: Saturday 23^rd April | St George's Day

• Northern Bogong High Plains Circuit
• Distance: 22km
• Grade: Medium

A classic introduction to the Bogong High Plains. Today's walk sees us traverse stunning snow plains of button grass and snow gum. We follow historic snow pole lines and make detours to explore some historic huts of the high plains.

From Rocky Valley dam we make a gradual climb of Heathy Spur, following its narrow winding walking trail as it twists its way through the heath and snow gum before emerging on the pole line over Mount Nelse. We make a detour to Edmonson's Hut before rejoining the trail for an [optional] ascent of Mount Nelse. We continue to Warby corner for views to the north towards Mount Bogong and east towards Spion Kopje before returning to Heathy Spur via a detour to Johnson's Hut.

DAY 3: Sunday 24^th April | Easter Sunday

• Southern Bogong High Plains circuit
• Distance: 18.6 - 21.6 (with optional Mt Cope detour)
• Grade: Medium

Today we explore much of the southern portion of the high country - Victoria's Bogong High Plains. Heading out from Pretty Valley Pondage we walk over to the western edge of the high plains before following the pole line south and making an exciting descent to the west to Weston's Hut. This hut was burnt down in 2007 and a replacement is only now just being finished. It should be brand new and waiting for us when we pass through this April. This aspect provides exceptional views towards the stunning Razorback ridgeline and beautiful Mt Feathertop, Victoria's second highest peak.

Returning to Pole 333 we make a short detour to scramble up the small but remote and worthwhile peak of Mt Jim (below). Continuing along the pole line via Mount Bundara we have the option of a s.9km detour to climb Mount Cope before returning tour waiting bus at Pretty Valley.

Monday 25^th April | Easter Monday & Anzac Day

• Aqueducts and historic huts circuit
• Distance: 18.5 km
• Grade: Medium

Today's walk consists of two separate loop walks and the walking is considerably easier than in the past two days. Walking beside the aqueducts you will be surprised how quickly we eat up the miles as we make our way out to Fitzgerald's and Kelly's huts via Marm Point and Holland's Knob.

Our second loop walk begins near Cope Hut and we make our way north east for about 2.0 km to Wallace Hut, the oldest and most photographed old cattlemen's hut in the high plains. From here we head down past Wilkinson Lodge hut site and follow the Langford West Aqueduct Trail south west past the Bogong Rover Scout chalet.

Our final leg follows the snow pole lines back up to historic Cope Hut, once famous the "Hilton" of the Bogong High Plains. After collecting our luggage and a quick change, we board our bus for the return journey to Melbourne (estimated arrival time to Melbourne is 8PM).

MEALS
This is a sample menu for summer dining at the mountain lodge.

Breakfast
Buffet: Toast, condiments, cereals, yoghurt, fruit, juices, milk and tea and coffee
Cooked selection: Eggs - poached, fried or scrambled; bacon; sausage; tomato; mushrooms; french toast; baked beans and porridge

Lunch
All lunches include fruit juice, piece of fruit, dried fruit and nuts, baked treat (eg. cake, muffin)

Multi-grain rolls with filling of choice: Ham, Salami, Smoked Turkey, Tuna, Egg, Cheese, Cumber, Red onion, Lettuce, Avocado       Carrot, Mayonnaise, Seeded mustard, Cranberry sauce, Tomato (wrapped separately)

DINNER

DAY 1
Entree-Thai beef salad or Roasted vegetable tart
Main-Grilled salmon served with mango salsa, sweet potato mash and greens with hazelnuts OR Pumpkin, semi dried tomato and basil risotto served with rocket and pinenut salad
Dessert - Fruit platter or Sticky date pudding

DAY 2
Entree-Potato and leek soup or Calamari romana
Main-Moroccan spiced chicken with honey, rosewater and prunes served with cous cous OR Roasted asparagus, cherry tomato and garlic fettuccini with lemon, seeded mustard and olive oil dressing
Dessert-Passionfruit tart or Chocolate brownie

DAY 3
Entree-Caesar salad or Minestrone soup
Main-Chorizo and seafood paella OR Roasted vegetable frittata with basil pesto
Dessert-Meringue with berries in citrus liquor or Crème brulee