Hiking! Tell me more about it please

[2BlueBirds]

My son and I love walking. We also love scenery.
I would love to get him into hiking with me.

Please tell me more about it!
- what gear we need
- best (beginner) walks around Melbourne
- how many hours you walk for
- what about toilet facilities?
- who do you walk with?

Many thanks!

[Mod-Wise Enough]

How old is your son?

[2BlueBirds]

How old is your son?

He’s 8yrs old but can walk for ages!
Unlike his brother.

[Hollywood]

My dad used to take us bushwalking as kids. When we were 6-8 he took us to Mt Baw Baw sometimes. It’s a pretty easy walk from memory.
Have you considered joining a bushwalking club? My dad used to be in the Melbourne Bushwalkers Club and I know it’s not the only one. Can be good to have company and they can give advice on equipment etc.

[Mod-Wise Enough]

I know a few who have walked up the youyangs, I think it’s not easy though. Probably medium. I live nearby and have never done it .

The Lerdergerg gorge has a nice walking track, in summer I think you can swim at Graham’s dam or the watering hole just past it. Also never done it but it’s on my to do list, easier than youyangs.

Would probably avoid Werribee gorge as it seems easy to get lost and fall in there. I know an adult who thought he was doing short walk but got lost and ended up on long one.

Anakie gorge also is a nice walk, no water or anything but stepping stones over dry creek bed makes it fun. Not hard. Fairy park nearby if you wanted to make a day of it.

[PipersMummy]

I know a few who have walked up the youyangs, I think it’s not easy though. Probably medium. I live nearby and have never done it .

The Lerdergerg gorge has a nice walking track, in summer I think you can swim at Graham’s dam or the watering hole just past it. Also never done it but it’s on my to do list, easier than youyangs.

Would probably avoid Werribee gorge as it seems easy to get lost and fall in there. I know an adult who thought he was doing short walk but got lost and ended up on long one.

Anakie gorge also is a nice walk, no water or anything but stepping stones over dry creek bed makes it fun. Not hard. Fairy park nearby if you wanted to make a day of it.

That happened to us at Werribee gorge, dragged my poor children on a huge (for them) Hike because we went the wrong way. My poor toddler at the time screamed for most of it. I recently did a small walk/hike at mt Macedon and that was lovely.

[Hollywood]

I just looked at the website for mbw . org . au (Melbourne Bushwalkers) and they do day walks by bus if you’re interested. All walks are within a couple of hours of Melbourne. They’re actually a great group and my dad still has friends from his days there. He is 65 now and still goes hiking but just with friends now (or whatever woman he’s dating at the time).

[whiteroses]

There are some great family-friendly walks and nature trails in the Warrandyte area. Our sons love them. Also the Dandenongs.

Try googling children's bush walks and Melbourne or something along those lines, because someone has actually written a downloadable book of child-friendly walks within 30 minutes of the CBD. Might be worth looking at.

[2BlueBirds]

Thank you all so much! Some wonderful ideas.