These are co-operative, self-help walking groups, with a member teaming up with other like minded members to offer to lead a walk of their choice. This is the best way to ensure our walking group remains a viable activity, and also provides a far wider range of options. The conveners are ready to suggest and help to plan walks with members. Thank you to all our leaders for this programme.
Please read these notes
FITNESS
Participants need the fitness necessary to make the distance specified for each walk at a pace to keep up with the group.
BOOKINGS
It is necessary to book with the leader of each walk.
MEETING POINTS/TIME
l0.15am for 10.30am start (unless indicated otherwise).
TRANSPORT
Members needing assistance with transport, please the walk leader.
NAME BADGES
Wear name badges on all walks, with emergency details completed.
GEAR
Wear strong walking shoes or boots and carry warm/waterproof clothing or sun protection as appropriate & also bring your Seniors card.
LUNCH
Bring your own cut lunch, drink, water bottle to carry.
CANCELLATION
Walks are automatically cancelled when (i) Melbourne forecast is 30 degrees or over; (ii) Total fire ban is declared and (iii) CFA Fire Danger Rating is Severe or above – as per the ABC Weather Report @ 7.25 pm on the day prior to the walk.
Forms to download
Walks Booking Sheet
To be completed by walk leaders for each walk. Download here
Incident Report Form
To be completed and submitted to the Secretary for any injury or similar occurrence. Download here
Medical Information Form
To be completed and carried in your U3A name badge holder or First Aid Kit in backpack at all times. Not for collection by U3A Hawthorn. Download here
Walking Trip Information
Shorter Walks on Wednesday (6-8km)
Convener: Linda Baynham – with her very able assistant convener, Nigel Flannigan.
Walks are organised for the second Wednesday of the month. Please register with the walk leader no later than the day before the walk.
We meet at 10:15AM for a 10:30AM start.
Walks will be cancelled if the Bureau of Meterology website indicates adverse weather conditions by the evening before, e.g., a maximum temperature of at least 30C. Also, walks may be cancelled at the leader’s discretion, due to other conditions. Please monitor your email address, as provided to u3a, or contact the convener or walk leader, if clarification is required.
At the conclusion of each walk, we like to stop and share lunch or coffee at a cafe, or possibly at a picnic spot. You are invited to bring your own lunch, and a picnic seat, etc. You should (obviously) wear/bring appropriate clothing for the weather, carry a water supply, suncreen etc. Please wear appropriate walking footwear!
March 11 2026
POUND BEND, WARRANDYTE STATE PARK
Our first walk, is at Pound Bend, Warrandyte, by the Yarra River. It is an easy 4km walk, but there’s an option of adding another shorter walk.
Meet at the Pound Bend car park at 10.15am for a 10.30am start of the walk. Here there are picnic tables and toilets.
Getting there: Drive along Heidelberg Warrandyte Rd., which continues as Yarra St. going right through Warrandyte. Before you get to the township turn left into Everard Dr., and then further along turn left through the yellow gate to Pound Bend car park. Bring your own lunch and water.
Contact Franz to attend the walk or ask for more details.
Leader: Franz Hanke
April 8 2026
TBA
Leader:
May 13 2026
TBA
Leader: TBA
June 10 2026
TBA
Leader: TBA
July 8 2026
TBA
Leader: Alison Talbot
August 12 2026
Blackburn Creeklands Reserve and Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
Meeting time: 10.15am for 10.30am walk off
Meeting place: Cnr Kalang St and Banksia St, Blackburn (Mel.47H12)
There are toilets available at corner of Kalang St. and Banksia St.
Leader: Franz Hanke
Correspondence/ Registration for this walk to Nigel Flannigan (not Linda or Franz)
The walk is along both sides of Gardiners Creek, in Creeklands Reserve, and Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. By name and reality it is a nature reserve/ sanctuary and the beautiful wattle flowers should be in full bloom. Not to be missed!
It is 5km long on trails that are a low level of difficulty (largely flat terrain).Bring your own water and snacks for the trail.
Wear your U3A Name Tag for identification!
September 9 2026
TBA
Leader: TBA
October 14 2026
TBA
Leader: TBA
November 11 2026
TBA
Leader: TBA
December 9 2026
TBA
Christmas walk and lunch
Leader: TBA
Metro Walks (Third Tuesday of the month)
Convener: Lorraine Doyle
We meet for each walk at 9.50AM for a 10:00AM start. Most walks are finished by 12.30 pm
Walks will be cancelled if, on the 7PM news the night before, the forecast maximum temperature is 30 degrees C or more. Cancellation may also occur at the leader’s discretion, if strong winds or heavy rain are forecast.
Bring your own water supply, your name badge/lanyard and wear appropriate footwear (not sandals).
Bookings: Participants for each walk must register with the walk leader not later than the day before the walk. Members are expected to participate in all the walks, except where extended leave of absence is due to illness, overseas travel or other personal reasons. If there is a waiting list for this group, you may forfeit your place if you are absent for more than 2 walks without notifying the conveners.
Only members of U3A Hawthorn who are enrolled in this course may attend the walks.
Meeting Points/Time: 9.50am for a 10.00am start (unless indicated otherwise)) at the designated meeting place on the program.
Transport: Members needing assistance with transport should contact the walk leader.
Name Badges: Wear U3A name badges on all walks together and carry a current Medical Information form in case of an Emergency.
MARCH 17 2026
Ashwood to Burwood
Beginning at the car park opposite the Harlequin Rugby club off Power Avenue, Ashwood where we follow the Gardiners Creek Trail to Highbury Road, Burwood where we have a coffee stop at Bells and Whistles café before returning to the car park in Ashwood.
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway : Map 60 G12
Distance: Approx 5.5 km
APRIL 21 2026
Studley Park Boathouse to Dights Falls
Meet in the car park of the Studley Park Boathouse where we take the track across the bridge and follow the trail along the Yarra River to Dights Falls with viewing platforms both sides of the Falls. We return the same way and stop at a popular swimming area before making our way back to the Studley Park Boathouse café
Distance: 5 km return
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway: Map 44 H4
MAY 19 2026
HEDGELEY DENE, GLEN IRIS
Meeting at Estella Street parking for Eric Raven Reserve and take the track towards the freeway. We take the subway under the freeway through Hedgeley Dene to the lake. From there we take in the local streets and onto cnr of Wattletree Road and Burke Road for coffee before returning the way we came.
Leader : Lorraine Doyle
Melway: Map 59 K8
Distance: approx. 6 km
JUNE 23 2026
Hay’s Paddock, Kew East via outer circle
Meeting at the car park for Hay’s Paddock off Leason St, Kew East walking to Whitehorse Rd Deepdene where we stop for coffee at Snow Pony café before returning a similar path back to where we began
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway : Map 45 J1
Distance: 5 km
JULY 21
BRIGHTON to ELWOOD CANAL
Our walk begins in Brighton, follows the beach path to the Elwood canal, and then into the residential area for our morning coffee at Elwood Patisserie and back through the suburb to our finishing point where the walk began.
Brandon CLOSE Brighton (on the left, at the end of North Road)
There is plenty of parking there and usually some in that part of North Road too on weekdays.
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway ref: Map 67 K 10
Distance: Approximately 6 km
AUGUST 18
BURWOOD GARDINERS CREEK RESERVE
Meeting at Judith Street, Burwood we cross Burwood Highway to join the path along Gardiners Creek and through the Bushland alongside Deakin University. We will stop for coffee at the end of our walk here at Café Corner
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway ref: Map 61 A5, 6
Distance: Approximately 6 km
SEPTEMBER 15
MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS
Meeting opposite Flinders Street Station and from there we will walk along the north side of the Yarra, cross the Morell Bridge and into the Botanic Gardens. Head to the new Arid Garden and Guilfoyle’s volcano, through the Forest walk and Fern Gully to the Tea rooms/kiosk. Our return walk is on the northern side of the Ornamental Lake via Long Island, returning to Flinders St on the Southern side of the river.
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Melway ref: Map 2F G5
Distance: Approximately 5.8 km
OCTOBER 20
Port Melbourne to St Kilda Pier
We are meeting at Southern Cross station just inside the entrance near the cnr of Collins and Spencer Street where we will catch the light rail Tram 109 that will take us to Port Melbourne. The walk stretches from Station Pier in Port Melbourne along the beach trail to St Kilda Pier with coffee at Sandbar Café, West Beach Café or the Beachcomber café.
Afterwards we will catch the light rail back to the city Tram 96
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Map Reference: 2J A6
Distance: approx 5km
NOVEMBER 17
ALBERT PARK LAKE
The walk is a circuit of Albert Park Lake including diversions at the southern end. We will catch the light rail Tram 109 from Spencer
Leader: Lorraine Doyle
Map Reference: Map 57 J4/5
Distance: approx 6.5km
Details TBA
Moderate Walking Group
Convener: Nigel Flannigan
The Moderate Walking Group is a co-operative, self-help group with members offering to lead a walk of their choice. This is the best way to involve everybody and provide a far wider range of options. The co-ordinators are ready to suggest and help to plan walks with members. Thank you to all our leaders for this programme.
Fitness: Participants need the fitness necessary to make the distance specified for each walk at a pace to keep up with the group.
Bookings: It is necessary to book with the leader of each walk.
Meeting Points/Time: 10.15am for 10.30am start (unless indicated otherwise)) at the designated meeting place on the program.
Transport: Members needing assistance with transport should contact the walk leader. Car- pooling is strongly recommended for long distances.
Name Badges: Wear U3A name badges on all walks with emergency details completed and carry a current Medical Information form in case of an Emergency.
Gear: Wear strong walking shoes/boots, take sticks /poles for rough slippery terrain and carry warm/waterproof clothing or sun protection as appropriate. Bring your Seniors card, a personal First-Aid Kit, whistle and a compass.
Lunch: Bring your own lunch, drink, water bottle in your day pack.
Cancellation: Walks are automatically cancelled when (i) Melbourne forecast is 30 degrees or over; (ii) Total fire ban is declared and (iii) CFA Fire Danger Rating is Severe or above – as per the ABC Weather Report @ 7.25 pm on the day prior to the walk. Walks can also be cancelled at the discretion of the walk leader and/or Convener/s.
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2026
Warrandyte State Park
Walk along the Yarra River in part of the Warrandyte State Park, North Warrandyte.
Leader: Franz Hanke
THURSDAY 26 March 2026
Mortimer Circuit, Bunyip State Park
Meet at Mortimer Picnic Ground, Bunyip State Park, past Gembrook.
Meeting time: 10.15am
Melways: 14 R12
Distance: 9km
Suggested route is via Gembrook, either initially along the M1 Monash Freeway and then Wellington Road to Emerald, or alternatively along the Burwood Highway to Emerald. From Gembrook, drive straight on along Beenak East Road and the Gembrook-Tominbuk Road for about 5 km into Bunyip State Park, and Mortimer Picnic Ground is on the left. This road is all bitumen and the total distance from Glen Iris is about 60 kms and should take about an hour and a quarter. Please try to arrive by 10.15 am for a prompt start to walk at 10.30 am.
Mortimer Picnic Ground is a very picturesque location, shaded by tall eucalyptus trees, with a toilet and picnic tables. The walk is a circuit of about 9 km, all through native forest, partly on narrow walking tracks and partly on wider trails. We will walk anticlockwise, initially along a narrow track undulating above Diamond Creek, then gently uphill to Fern Tree Gully for lunch, before descending on trails back down to the car park.
Leader: Alan McCann
THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2026
Port Phillip Bay walk from Brighton Beach to Port Melbourne
This is a 12km flat, paved walk along Port Phillip Bay, via Elwood and St. Kilda.
Take the 9.40am Sandringham Line train from Richmond, platform 2, to be at 10.01am at Brighton Beach Station, where we will all meet for the 10.30am start of the walk. The walk will be via Elwood, St. Kilda to Port Melbourne, from where we will take the No. 109 tram back to the city.
Please bring your lunch and water. Public transport is free throughout April.
Bad weather cancelation will be at 7.00am on the day of the walk.
Leader: Franz Hanke
THURSDAY 28 MAY 2026
Williams Landing to Altona
The walk will be from the Williams Landing Railway Station along Skeleton Creek, Altona Meadows and Altona Esplanade to the Altona Railway Station (for return travel to the Central City at approximately 2pm). The walk is approximately 11km along a hard flat path the full way. You are responsible for your own packed lunch and water for the walk.
The official meeting place for the walk is Williams Landing Railway Station (on Werribee Line) at 10.15am: for 10.30am walk off. A formal roll call for the walk will be made at this location so registration is required to Nigel (not Franz).
Correspondence/ Registration for this walk to Nigel Flannigan (preferably by Wednesday 27 May)
There will be an informal gathering at Flinders Street Station, Platform 8, to catch the Werribee Line train at 9.35am. This train will arrive at Williams Landing Train Station at 10.06 to start the walk. There will be no formal roll call for the walk at this location nor registration required but please wear your U3A name tag to assist in picking out U3A walk participants! On the day please let Franz or Nigel know of any lateness, change or the likes to your plans.
Bad weather cancellation will be made by Franz at 7.00am on Thursday 28 May so keep checking your in-boxes.
Leader: Franz Hanke