Well-drained overnight hike?

[nezumi]

I'm looking to take Mstr 8 out for our second overnight hike this Friday/Saturday - but I'm not sure on the options given the recent weather.

From what I can see it looks like it will be relatively dry/warm over those days, but ideally I'd avoid waterlogged/boggy tracks too.

On the list from previous suggestions have been:

• Keppel Hut from Lake Mountain
• Mushroom Rocks from Baw Baw
• Brisbane Ranges loop around Steiglitz
• Murrundindi Reserve

Preferences are for a loop walk with some form of loo at camp. Having a shelter for cooking and a water source is a welcome bonus.

We could potentially do a point-to-point, but that may require some co-ordination for a drop off and pick-up.

[Lophophaps]

There's not much lead-time. The alpine regions tend to be wetter and with worse weather than elsewhere. West and north-west should be a bit drier and have better weather. It sounds like you do not want to travel too far. Look for Parks Victoria parks that suit you.

[nezumi]

There's not much lead-time. The alpine regions tend to be wetter and with worse weather than elsewhere. West and north-west should be a bit drier and have better weather. It sounds like you do not want to travel too far. Look for Parks Victoria parks that suit you.

Yeah, that's fair - I'm looking more for a marked walk than an explore at this point. We're based north of the CBD, and have done Beeripmo without a problem.

I also considered Cathedral Ranges Northern Circuit, camping at The Farmyard.

[Baeng72]

Near Melbourne, I can think of Big Pat's creek to Starlings Gap, fairly easy uphill walk, toilets at both sites. Park at Big Pats near Warburton. Downside is a bit wet and leechy. You would need to take water or collect it as there's none at Starlings Gap (there was a soak/creek a few hundred meters either side of Starlings that would be wet).
https://www.exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/ ... to-history
The Prom might be a possibility. You can do a loop from Tidal River to Oberon Bay, back via Telegraph Saddle if bus is running. Or out and back from Telegraph Saddle to Oberon bay or Little Waterloo bay. Toilets at both campsites, and water tank at Oberon and piped water at Little Waterloo. You'd need to book prom, so might be booked out already.
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... ight-hikes
A slightly different option is Murundindi Scenic Reserve. You camp at any of the many spots along the river, and walk the tracks, along the river or up to Wilhelmina falls, but these are not walks to a campsite.
https://www.exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/ ... ic-reserve
Otherwise, I think there's a loop at Lorne called the Lorne Waterfalls something...but it'd probably be wet and leechy.
https://www.trailhiking.com.au/hikes/lo ... s-circuit/

[peregrinator]

I'm looking to take Mstr 8 out for our second overnight hike this Friday/Saturday - but I'm not sure on the options given the recent weather.

From what I can see it looks like it will be relatively dry/warm over those days, but ideally I'd avoid waterlogged/boggy tracks too.

On the list from previous suggestions have been:

• Keppel Hut from Lake Mountain
• Mushroom Rocks from Baw Baw
• Brisbane Ranges loop around Steiglitz
• Murrundindi Reserve

Preferences are for a loop walk with some form of loo at camp. Having a shelter for cooking and a water source is a welcome bonus.

We could potentially do a point-to-point, but that may require some co-ordination for a drop off and pick-up.

Based on recent as well as long-term weather, Brisbane Ranges would be the driest of your four areas. There is a toilet at Old Mill Camp on a circuit walk around Steiglitz. I don't know about water as I rely on carrying my own, but there is a small creek at that camping site. No shelter that I can recall—I have only walked through there, not camped.

[Lophophaps]

I also considered Cathedral Ranges Northern Circuit, camping at The Farmyard.

Water may be a long way down and some tracks are very steep, especially coming from the road due east.

[ChrisJHC]

I know it’s a bit late, but the Goldfields Track would be fairly dry.
Plus, depending on where you walk, drinking water is readily available.

Maybe one to consider for the future?

[nezumi]

I know it’s a bit late, but the Goldfields Track would be fairly dry.
Plus, depending on where you walk, drinking water is readily available.

Maybe one to consider for the future?

For sure - I need to take a look at the Dry Diggings and other parts of the Goldfields track to see where I can break it down for future efforts. Part of the struggle is knowing how far he would manage each day (whether physically or mentally) and that most walk metrics are aimed at adults. Using walk "grades" under the conventional system really doesn't work for us, I need more of a breakdown of how technical a trail is as well as the length etc, not just a consolidated number. E.g. the Cathedrals Southern Loop appears to be nice and short, but the amount of rock scrambling involved (including the reach needed) puts it off the cards for us.

[Lophophaps]

Another aspect is technical difficulty. The Cathedral requires a good deal of semi-exposed and potentially risky scrambling on the east side near Wells Cave and going north from the summit. Wells Cave is tight and can be dirty after rain. There may be false leads near here. Even the track approaching the summit from the west and south has awkward slopes. Melville Caves may be an option. Have a look at the Parks Victoria website and see what is within range.