Date/Time
Date(s) - 16 Nov 2019 until 17 Nov 2019

Category(ies)

• Bushwalking

• Grade 4 Medium-Hard
• Leader: Deb
• Phone: 0410047884 before 8pm
• Mick
• 0437101009
• Participant numbers:Up to 10
• Final booking date: Friday 8th November 2019

The Buffalo Plateau Circuit is a 2 day, approximately 34km walk, that starts and finishes at Echo Point car park.

Day 1 (19.4km): Starting at Echo Point car park today we will follow a variety of tracks to our overnight camp at Rocky Creek Campsite, located in the far west of the plateau. On the way, we will pass and stop for the great views of nearby peaks, the plateau and the Buffalo River, at The Monolith, Mt Dunn, Og Gog Magog, Eagle Point and Mollisons Galleries.

Please note that the section between Mollison Galleries and Rocky Creek may be overgrown, as it is not often used. There are limited markings and may be dense scrub and blackberries as we attempt to stay on the faint track.

Day 2 (14.4km): Leaving Rocky Creek Campsite we will head towards Wild Dog Plains and Macs Point, with great views over The Great Dividing Range. Following The Long Plain we will cross Split Rocks, the Giants Causeway, Stanley and Drillhole Rocks. After a short distance on the Mt Buffalo Road, we turn onto the Lakeside Walk, which follows the northern side of Lake Catani. Crossing the bridge below the dam wall, the track eventually drops into the Haunted Gorge before climbing up to Billisons Lookout. From here it’s only about 300m back to the cars.

I will pre book the Rocky Creek campsites with Parks Vic, so there will be a small fee for the sites, which will be split between the group.

Grading of Bushwalking Trips

Grade 1
(Easy) Opportunity for large number of participants, including those with reduced ability to walk/cycle on well- marked and evenly formed tracks. Formed tracks may have a few steps. Should not be steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km.
Grade 2
(Easy-Medium) Easy activity, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk/cycle easily in natural environments on well-marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km.
Grade 3
(Medium) Medium activity with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk/cycle on defined and distinct tracks with some steep sections requiring a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for fit beginners. Distance should not exceed about 20km.
Grade 4
(Medium-Hard) Steeper, rougher terrain and may have off-track sections (no more than one quarter of the walk) or a longer distance track walk. Opportunity to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments mostly along defined and distinct tracks. Tracks can be steep. There may be short sections of rock scrambling involved. Leaders should have map reading abilities and/or ability to use a compass. Distance depending on circumstances. Not suitable for most beginners.
Grade 5
(Hard) Off-track or difficult terrain. Opportunity for walkers with advanced outdoor knowledge and skills to find their own way along often indistinct tracks or off track in remote locations. May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and river crossings involved. Distance should not exceed 30km, but may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners.
Grade 6
(Very Hard) Strenuous off-track walk or very long distance. Opportunity for highly experienced walkers to exploratory remote and challenging natural areas without reliance on managed tracks. Terrain may be steep, uneven and no track. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance covered is unlimited, but may be short and difficult. Only for experienced walkers and not suitable for beginners.

Exploratory Is unknown to the Leader and while every effort has been made to grade the activity appropriately, there may be some unexpected aspects which may increase the difficulty of the walk.

Carpooling

Car pooling arrangements vary depending which state the activity is in.  Check you state restrictions that vary from time to time.  

Each person needs to feel that they are not at risk or presenting a risk to others because of their individual circumstances.  For this reason the decision to car pool, according to the guidelines, must be a personal one and individuals are welcome to make their own travel arrangements.