South Gippsland

Attendees for day walks: Ken Moulton, Michelle Carr, Jane St Clair, Mandy Pearson, Michele Prentice, Graham Talmage, accompanied by through-hikers Pamela Dale and Wes Holloway and Patsy and John Scales (day 3 onwards).

Attendees for the completion of through-hike: Pamela Dale and Wes Holloway, John and Patsy Scales

GPT Day Walks: Objective to complete 3 central sections of the GPT with daypacks

For these 3 day walks, a group of 6 courageous trekkers based themselves at two AirB&B's in Halls Gap. On the first evening prior to the walk days, two of the ‘through’ walkers from our club, Wes and Pam (they had started at Mount Zero 4 days previously) joined the others for dinner. Mandy and Jane had prepared a delicious meal of lamb and chicken with all the trimmings. This was washed down with wine supplied by the rest of the group.

Day 1 Day walk - Friday, 22 March, Halls Gap to Mt Rosea Car park via The Pinnacle and Bugiga Hike-in campground - Grade 4, - Hard 9km 5 hours

The path starts off on the southern side of the dry Stony Creek along gravel paths then boulders along the edge of the creek before climbing the steep staircase near Venus Baths. Crossing Stony Creek, for the last time, our group made its way uphill into the Grand Canyon. However, we had missed a closed sign, and the steel staircase had been dismantled pending repair. Wes took the lead, free climbing out of the canyon. By this time we had gained an additional 6 walkers who had blindly followed our group. So we felt obligated to ensure all 14 of us made it safely out of the canyon. Then climbing over exposed volcanic rock slabs to the Cool Chamber, Silent Street and joining the hordes on the Pinnacle. Leaving the crowds (who would be returning to Halls Gap) the group continued over the open rocky slope and into the forest. Just after Sundial car park junction, Ken who was map reading at the time, had a senior moment and sent Wes and Pam down the wrong track to the campsite. Having completed an extra kilometre Wes and Pam realised something was wrong and returned to the correct path. Meanwhile with no mobile signal, the rest of the group, having now reached the campsite, backtracked looking for them. It was 45 minutes before we found each other and Ken certainly learnt a valuable lesson.

Day 2 Day walk - Saturday, 23 March, Mt Rosea car park to Borough Huts - Grade 4 Hard 14.5km 6 hours

The walk commences climbing through tall forest of Mountain Grey and Messmate Stringybark on an easy grade track. Then through boulders to the top of the Mt Rosea ridgeline, along the cliff edge climbing over and under large boulders and up onto the summit of Mt Rosea.  Continued across open, rocky volcanic slabs onto a long descent with a series of steep and winding steps through Messmates and brown Stringy Bark with many trail switchbacks. Finally the group separated, with Wes and Pam heading to Barri Yalug hike-in campground and the rest into Borough Huts carpark. This time everyone followed the correct paths. 

Day 3 Day walk - Sunday, 24 March -  Barri Yalug to Mt William car park - Grade 4 ??? Very, Very Hard 14km 9 hours

This is rated as a Grade 4 hard walk, but is more like a grade 4 (5) climb. At the end of the day our intrepid walkers reclassified it as grade 5+ very, very hard.  Now joined by John and Patsy for the big day, with a descent to cross Barney Creek at 320m in the morning and numerous climbs, to eventually reach Redman Bluff at 1017m in the afternoon.  The start is deceptive. A  gentle 500m climb along, over and under historic water fluming. Then climbing, stumbling continuously over large rocks, up around and over five of the seven dials, before descending into a saddle and climbing back out to the Redman Bluff at all times clambering over rocks which are too large or evenly spaced to rock hop, climbing through heathy forest to the Duwul campsite. There Wes and Pam set up camp whilst the rest walked (or crawled) for another half hour to the Mt William car park. Today was a hard long slog.

Completion of through-hike:

Day 1 - Sunday,  24 March, Barri Yalug to Mt William

What a day. Grade 5 walk. 13.4 kms. 990 mtrs up 400 mtrs down - The Seven Dials!

Completed the walk in 9 hours. We had great weather with mild temperatures, but everyone said it was the hardest walk ever. Up and down and mostly rocky tracks, no reprieve. We did this as a car shuffle so we were back at Lakeside for the night. On this day the day-walkers joined us.

Day 2 - Monday, 25 March,  Mt William to Durd Durd

And then there were four! Pam, Wes, Patsy and John. 13.9 kms in 9.5 hours, it was classified as very hard grade 5. Weather very good again. We have had lots of expanded metal boardwalks which gave us reprieve at some stage. The views back to Halls Gap were impressive. The camp was an open camp and it had road access which meant full water tanks. We carried each 3.5 litres of water as Parks Victoria could not guarantee water at this site. The evening was very mild which was a godsend as this camp is quite high up and exposed.

Total kilometers so far (TSF) 27.3 kms

Day 3 - Tuesday, 26 March - Durd Durd to Yarram

Woke up to fog with mist in the air. Made everything a little damp. The walk to Jimmy Creek Road was mostly downhill, however, from there it was all uphill. The approach to Yarram camp was over scree - unmarked and a bit scary. We scrambled along wondering whether we even should be here - as grandparents should we be in our armchairs - no, no, no - after the scramble we were delighted by the view of the camp. The climb down to the camp was very rocky - who was the sadist who built this track. Yarram camp was beautiful - great views and had a shelter.

12.6 kms in 7:50 hours and it was hard grade 5 walk. 

TSF 39.9 kms

Day 4 - Wednesday,  27 March - Yarram to Wannon

A more pleasant walk today, great views and hard, grade 4. A few step ups and rocky downs. We had the car parked at Yarram Gap road with our food drop and fresh clothes.  We had to pick up Pam and Wes's food drop a few kilometers away, we enjoyed the drive and sitting in soft seats in the car. Wannon camp is an open camp, serviced and very pleasant in dry weather. No shelter for when it is wet and windy. In bed very early for an early start and long day 5.

Today 11.4 kms in 5 hours and 20 minutes, the fastest we have walked thus far. 

TSF 51.3 kms. 

Day 5 - Thursday, 28 March - Wannon to Djardji-djawara

Today was the longest walk of 16.3 kms which was nominated as a 5.5 hour grade 4 walk. We hit the track by 8:00 which started off flat until Griffin Trailhead. Thereafter, it was undulating with one big up (500 mtrs). The views and terrain was beautiful. Completed 16.5 kms in 7 hours at 2.4 kms/hour which was our fastest time. A nice shelter with lots of camp sites, but all were down from the shelter, so we pitched our tents on the two verandahs attached to the shelter. We were the only people in the camp.

TSF 67.8 kms 

Day 6 - Friday, 29 March -  Djardji-djawara to Mud Dadjug

8.5 kms completed in 6 hours. 

Although this is the shortest day, it was tough because we had to conquer Signal Peak and Mount Abrupt. Total climb for the day was 603 mtrs with a descent of 503 mtrs. Because Mud Dadjug camp is at 500 mtrs elevation, we had a great view of the sunset, but the next morning we had the most spectacular sunrise you could imagine, truly fire in the sky. As it was Good Friday, more people camped at Mud Dadjug.

TSF 76.3 kms

Day 7 - Saturday, 30 March - Mud Dadjug to Dunkeld

Left Mud Dadjug at 8:00 to get an early start into Dunkeld. A most spectacular sunrise (as noted above) and a very warm day ahead. 

14.6 kms and still a grade 4-5 walk which took us 7 3/4 hours to complete. The last 2.5 kms into Dunkeld was along a flat gravel path and very boring and tiresome. It was Patsy's least favourite section. Wes drove us back to Yarram Gap road to pick up our car, then we finally got to our accommodation, The Old Bakery Dunkeld, which was lovely. After a shower and rest, it was off to the Royal Mail for a celebration drink and dinner with Pam and Wes. 

Pam and Wes did the complete Grampians Peak Trail and by the time Dunkeld was in sight, they completely aced it. They well and truly got stronger by the day - a job well done!

This trail certainly is a challenge, steps, screes, rocky trails, you name it, it's there, but you are rewarded by beautiful views and the quietness of nature.

Total 91 kms hiked. 

Written by: Ken Moulton (Day Walks) Patsy Scales (Through-hike)

"It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

Sir Edmund Hillary