Easy overnight hike in Victoria

[kyubi]

I'm taking my girlfriend on her first overnight hike since she was in high school this weekend. She's not super fit at the moment so I'm trying to pick an overnighter that is either relatively easy or is doable with some effort and has rewarding views or something along those lines. Any suggestions?

[trickos]

There's a heap of excellent walking tracks around the back of Lorne that can be linked for a good overnighter. Given the amount of rain we've had the myriad of waterfalls (i.e. upper and lower Kalimna falls) would be flowing quite nicely. Chicks dig that sort of stuff

[ryantmalone]

Wilsons Prom - Little Waterloo Bay. Can walk in from Tidal River with no real climbing in or out, or from Telegraph with a bit of a slog back to the car.

Really pretty beach, and only a few hours to walk in as well.

[kyubi]

Thanks Ryan, I was considering wilsons prom but hadnt thought of starting from tidal river.. definitely a contender. Trying to find a decent map of that area in Lorne too, thanks trickos (those waterfalls look great!).

[David M]

I am in a similiar situation to OP. I was considering the Fairhaven campsite at French Island. It has a toilet and water and is a 6 km flat walk each way. You can get there from Melbourne by public transport if necessary. Get the train to Frankston then change for the diesel train to Stony Point. A ferry to French Island meets the train and you walk from the jetty to the campsite.

[trickos]

Link for an excellent map by Spatial Vision of Lorne walking tracks, campsites etc.
https://svmaps.com.au/index.php?option= ... egory_id=6

[paidal_chalne_vala]

rocky valley dam to edmondson's hut, Bogong high plains.

[icefest]

rocky valley dam to edmondson's hut, Bogong high plains.

This, but a return trip from pretty valley to the Fainters.

PROS
-Grassy camp for lunch.
-Morning views at camp (http://puu.sh/4yZEV.jpg)
-Views while walking
-Large trail
-Easy water access
-Bail out option - Pretty valley hut
-Easy walk - short distance

CONS
-You need decent weather - have backup
-long drive (leave Friday night, camp at stockyards)
-You might have to take her there again

Extra pro, views like this:

[ryantmalone]

rocky valley dam to edmondson's hut, Bogong high plains.

This, but a return trip from pretty valley to the Fainters.

PROS
-Grassy camp for lunch.
-Morning views at camp (http://puu.sh/4yZEV.jpg)
-Views while walking
-Large trail
-Easy water access
-Bail out option - Pretty valley hut
-Easy walk - short distance

CONS
-You need decent weather - have backup
-long drive (leave Friday night, camp at stockyards)
-You might have to take her there again

Extra pro, views like this:

The Fainters are a very special place, especially if you're up to challenging your navigational abilities by walking over the Niggerheads/Jaithmathangs.

If you've got great weather, a camp just below the summit of South Fainter is simply out of this world.

Otherwise, a camp at Tawonga Huts, with a day trip to Mt Niggerhead/Jaithmathang, and/or Mt Fainter is not to be missed.

[icefest]

The Fainters are a very special place, especially if you're up to challenging your navigational abilities by walking over the Niggerheads/Jaithmathangs.

Emphasis added.

This makes the trip a lot harder. With large amounts of fog it can be easy to get lost. It is also much slower than the fire trail.

It's a great walk, with some parts of it turning into a bit of a "track' in the roughest sense of the word, but (and I'm sorry for repeating), consider if this is appropriate for someone who has not been hiking for a long time.

I'm happy to PM the co-ords of the summit camp if you want.

[ryantmalone]

Agreed, navigation over the Niggerheads/Jaithmathangs could be a tad difficult in low visibility.

As far as the summit would be fine, as the track from Tawonga Huts to the summit was very well but and easy to follow last summer, however from the summit to Little Plain could be troublesome in low visibility.

As for the time taken, last summer, there was a lot of downed timber over the fire track, and it was a downright slog. The going from the summit to Little Plain is very easy going, with minimal scrub. Worst that I encountered was knee deep, and there was almost always a pad through it.

[Earwig]

I wandered over the Jaithmathangs a couple of years ago. Great walk. The navigation between Little Plain and the summit isn't too difficult. Weather was kind though and I have done a fair bit of off-track navigation and so was comfortable doing it. The key I think is to know how to read a map - take a GPS - but know how to read a map.

Some pics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJygpmiYQnI

My blog of the walk http://ian-folly.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/jaithmathangs.html

[paidal_chalne_vala]

MacAlister springs car park to Mac. springs themselves and the Gantner hut in the Howitt high plains.It is 5 kms each way , relatively flat as walks go and the camping around the hut area is good.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

How is the water supply at Tawonga huts?. I think I will do an overnight walk up there from Cope hut car park. That seems to follow the AAWT most of the way. It is about 10 kms one way .

[north-north-west]

Plenty. The creek runs very close by and is permanent.

[sebastien]

Otway NP

Walk from Point Lewis to Apollo Bay.

Good camps, easy walk ( one good climb), beautiful sceneries, ending in a town.