Short overnight hike suitable for a 7yo?

[magichat]

Hi, long time listener first time caller.

My 7yo daughter has expressed interest in coming along for an overnight hike this school holiday, which is about the coolest thing I can imagine. She's never been before - so I'd like something not too rugged or long to test the waters with her. She's an experienced camper but hasnt hiked before i was thinking something we could walk in an hour so so (she could handle way more but I want to make it an easy fun experience for her before unleashing the full reality lol)

We live in the Eltham area so preferable something not a million miles from home in case we have to bail (and also becasue I'll have to go to work the next day too!)

I'm drawing a blank tbh.. most walks in books etc arent to campsites and while I did think about just meandering upstream along the yarra for a while I'm not sure that is the coolest thing to do.

Any ideas gratefully accepted..

[north-north-west]

The best I can think of offhand (and I automatically think of the Vic Alps, 'cause that's my personal hunting ground) is into Gantners from the Howitt carpark. Only thing is you'd have to wait until the road's open, which won't be until Cup weekend.

[jford]

I took my six year old to the Farmyard in the Cathedrals a few years ago. He had a great time. We walked from Ned's Gully up Mt Cathedral and then along to the Farmyard. You could park at Jawbones Carpark for a considerably shorter walk and less climbing, or at Cooks Mill for something in between. The Farmyard is a great campsite and feels more remote than it really is.

J.

[Tortoise]

The best I can think of offhand (and I automatically think of the Vic Alps, 'cause that's my personal hunting ground) is into Gantners from the Howitt carpark. Only thing is you'd have to wait until the road's open, which won't be until Cup weekend.

+1 I know it's further than you mentioned, both to drive and to walk - but it's a lovely easy walk to such an AWESOME place!

I took lots of first timers there - mainly adults, including those who said they hated bushwalking. When i asked more about it, they had had a bad experience with poor leaders (my judgment) when they were young. Too far, too fast, ill-equipped, no fun along the way etc
But Howitt changed their minds

[magichat]

I took my six year old to the Farmyard in the Cathedrals a few years ago. He had a great time. We walked from Ned's Gully up Mt Cathedral and then along to the Farmyard. You could park at Jawbones Carpark for a considerably shorter walk and less climbing, or at Cooks Mill for something in between. The Farmyard is a great campsite and feels more remote than it really is.

J.

Thanks for the ideas guys, this might be the go first up. I had thought of the Cathederals being a little challenging for her but she should be up for this - a bit of an adventure without killing her (in her mind anyway..) getting there and I can get back for work around lunchtime. As Tortoise said if I make it all too epic it will overload her, but if I do it right first time she'll never stop bugging me to go again (and her younger sister will automatically want in).

Looks like we've got our follow up expedition too, I can take her up to Howitt in November!

[jjay]

+1 for cathedral ranges. I took my 4 year old and 6 year old (at the time) up there. We went from jawbones carpark up to the farmyard. Very short walk of just over a km but steep up hill. From there we made camp went for a walk up to the north jawbones peak and messed around in camp. All enjoyed . The issue isn't really how far they can walk, but how far can you walk with ALL the gear

I was also keen on having an easy bailout if at 4am the littleist decided that sleeping in a tent outdoors was not possible

[Explorer_Sam]

I would recommend the Beeripmo Walk at Mount Cole, I did it as an introduction to overnight walking when I was 10. There are a few steep sections but most of it is not too hard. It's about 21 km and lots of people choose to do it as a daywalk, but that of course would be too much for a seven year old.

[Explorer_Sam]

Oh, I might add that it got me hooked on overnight bushwalking. It's a magnificent walk, just beautiful. After that walk, bushwalking pretty much became the most important thing in my life! I highly reccomend it for a beginner.

[oyster_07]

Try Werribee Gorge. You will be able to find a few small spots to camp, but your 7 year old will live the adventure I'd scrambling over rocks.

[magichat]

I would recommend the Beeripmo Walk at Mount Cole, I did it as an introduction to overnight walking when I was 10. There are a few steep sections but most of it is not too hard. It's about 21 km and lots of people choose to do it as a daywalk, but that of course would be too much for a seven year old.

beeripmo was my first ever solo hike, agree it is a lovely walk. I remember walking through the fern forests on day two and thinking "bugger me this is great". Definitely on the shortlist of walks to take her on soon.

[JamesMc]

Baw Baw Plateau. No big hills, nice place, you can camp pretty much anywhere if she gets tired.

JamesMc

[andrewa]

That was about he age I took daughters 1-4 walking. Dependent on season, we've one the Howqua, 8 mile flat to wherever, along the river; from Bluff Hut onto the Bluff; from Howitt Rd to Gantners, and out onto Howitt; out along the Razorack towards Feathertop; from Hotham to Mt Loch.

I've normally tried to incorporate either some river interest, or scenic interest to try to keep them stimulated. Not sure whether it's worked yet!

A

[sim1oz]

Beeripmo is a fabulous starter for overnight walks but your daughter needs to be ready to walk at least 10km each day and be happy to walk up and down inclines. Closer to home I'd try Lerderderg or Werribee. Park at O'Bryan's Crossing in Lerderderg and walk along part of the East Walk. You'll come across plenty of places to camp in clearings near the river. You don't need to go far before you feel like you are away from it all. Just stop as soon as your daughter has had enough. There were a few fire rings alongside the track, which I'm not a big fan off, but it might be lots of fun for a 7yo starting out. Don't forget to take some marshmallows to roast!

[magichat]

We piked out last weekend (weather) but the grand adventure is back on this weekend. She is so excited she is fit to burst, it's awesome...

We'll head up to the farmyard in the cathedrals park.

[madmacca]

Starlings Gap and Ada Tree in the Yarra State forest is a good one - just out of Warburton, so within easy reach of Melbourne. Camping also possible at Federal Mill.

Doesn't have the view (too much mountain ash forest), but an easy walk along an old tramway, interesting old logging remnants and old tramway bridges. And the Ada Tree itself is #$%^ing huge.

[Skender]

Hey there - have you done the walk yet?

Count me in as another vote for Lerderderg Gorge. Some people have suggested camping at Werribee Gorge also but camping is not allowed anywhere in the Werribee Gorge State Park area. But there are a few great day walks there.

[magichat]

Oops yes went the weekend before last, remiss of me not to report back.

Farmyard at cathedrals was a huge success, I really can't think of how it could have gone better. Had great wow factor (seeing the ridge from the road was great, she was blown away that we would be sleeping up there). Walk was the right length and challenge and little things like being able to spot the car from halfway up the climb added to the sense of achievement. We had the place to ourselves and all in all it was a fantastic success. Topped off from my perspective by the massive cooked breakfast at buxton on the way home.
She has her confidence up and is basically up for anything now..
It was fantastic watching her adapt and deal with the little challenges that came up and seeing her take responsibility and express some leadership.

Lots of great suggestions in here, we've been researching a few expeditions and will be back out ASAP trying them out.

[Skender]

Glad to hear it went so well... and yes I agree, watching your kids adapt to their environment is brilliant, but I get even more of a kick out of watching their reaction to nature's beauty. Hearing my 11yo son say something like, "dad - being out here is a million times better than being at home on the computer" is pretty special - other parents out there will relate to this.

The only thing I'd add to my vote FOR Lerderderg/Werribee Gorges is that they can get pretty *&%$#! hot/dry in summer so might be best to avoid it then if you're taking kids with you.

[north-north-west]

Ahhh, another bushwalker in the making. Good to know the breed won't die out yet.

[sim1oz]

Last year we took our 13yo son bushwalking over Melbourne Cup weekend so he got to miss school on the Monday. At the time, he rated it as way better than school (not hard ) and more fun than a whole list of other things that he loves. We gave him an altimeter/compass watch and a set of walking poles which entertained him plenty. He loved racing ahead then sitting/lying down to watch things and wait until we caught up. It had a bigger impact than I realised because a few days ago he reminded me that Cup weekend is coming up soon and he wanted to know what we are doing this year. That made me feel pretty good, especially now that he is into the whole peer group thing - he actually wants to spend time with his parents walking and climbing.

Magichat, I've been wanting to take the kids to Cathedral so good to know your 7yo loved it. I'll have to see if there is still room to book a campsite. Does anyone know if Cathedral is crazy busy Cup weekend?

Lerderderg is fine in summer as long as it is not too hot. We were there in January and had a great time base camping at O'Briens Crossing and doing days walks. Make some back-up plans if the forecast is stinking hot weather because both Lerderderg and Werribee are *&%$#! (as per previous post) when hot. With all the rain we have been having, I wouldn't think water would be a major issue there this coming summer.