U3A Ballarat Hikers

 U3A Hike No 342 Hike Report By Monica McCormack On the sort of bad-hair day that sets every hiker’s - and firefighter’s - nerves on edge, the plan to walk through the local Glen Park State Forest, was abandoned. Last minute messaging and phone calls from Andrew re-directed our excursion to Victoria Park in central Ballarat for a two-stage walk: the first, around Lake Wendouree, the second around Victoria Park itself. This trusty stand-by option during extreme fire danger days, proved once again to allow a walk-and-talk session for the 13 plus one (Colin joined us for morning tea after locating us on his bike) participants. For several newcomers to the hiking group it also allowed a snapshot view of Ballarat’s green and wetland scene, together with location highlights, that might otherwise be overlooked when concentrating on driving and traffic lights. The first leg involved the familiar circuit walk for native Ballarat-ians around Lake Wendouree, its grey waters whipped up by high...

 U3A Hike No 341 Hike Report by Greg Anderson On a warm morning nineteen keen hikers met at Valley Drive Canadian and by 7:50 we were walking in a southerly direction along the Canadian Creek, then crossed Geelong Road and made our way over the hill to the Yarrowee River Trail and then walked in a northerly direction to Ballarat City. We then followed the Canadian Creek Trail back to our starting point in Valley Drive. We were all done by 11am.  LEADER:  Andrew Parker NAVIGATOR:  Kim Radenic WHIP:  Mark Hawley   DISTANCE 11.7km   DIFFICULTY easy flat walk on made paths  Along the way Andrew filled us in on history and points of interest.  Morning tea break was under shady trees at White Flat Oval. We had lunch/cuppa under Andrews welcome shady veranda.  Thank you to all contributors for another great hike of FUN FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP  Photos By Andrew Parker LINKS INTERACTIVE MAP DOWNLOAD A GPX ROUTE FILE FOR GARMIN ETC. ...