Mt Buffalo Weekend Walking - accommodation at Porepunkah

*** Bookings will open for this event on Monday 2 December and an email will be sent to all members as soon as that happens. ***

Mt Buffalo National Park offers spectacular scenery, moderately challenging walks through varying terrain, and rich diversity of flora and fauna, as well as unique geological formations. This Nomads walking and social weekend in group accommodation in Victoria's North-East has been held annually since February 2016, and David R. will again head up the walk leaders' team. Bookings are limited and it always books out, so book now to ensure you don't miss out!

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Arriving Thursday for those joining the Friday and weekend walks, or arriving Friday for those doing the weekend walks only.

• FRIDAY: For those arriving Thursday night and wishing to do the optional Friday walk. It will be a relatively hard walk on Mt Buffalo, in an area to be decided depending on weather and park conditions. Alternatively, you can have a restful day at Restaway or visit local wineries, the brewery or the Bright region.
• SATURDAY: On Saturday there will be a day walk on Mt Buffalo and the communal BBQ dinner at Restaway on Saturday evening.
• SUNDAY: We plan to offer two morning options, one on the mountain finishing at the lake, and the other in the Ovens Valley and or Bright area. Both options will allow returning home on Sunday afternoon.

 

SAFETY POINTS:

• APPAREL: Walkers must carry enough clothing and gear for all weather eventualities irrespective of the starting weather and forecast, as mountain weather can change very rapidly; you should wear comfortable walking boots or shoes and carry a minimum of a sun hat, a warm hat and a rain and wind proof jacket. Please be aware that in 2025 as the event is several weeks later than in previous years, we must expect shorter days and lower temperatures at the ends of the day, and walkers on the mountain must be even more prepared than usual for adverse conditions. 
• BRIEFING: Attendance at the daily briefing is a requirement and a prerequisite for participation on that day.
• FUEL: Please note that there is no fuel available on the mountain; anyone driving up must have adequate supply from the valley.

 

ACCOMMODATION: The weekend will follow the popular formula of previous years based on accommodation at Restaway Holiday Units in Porepunkah. Accommodation is in shared holiday units, with each unit having two bedrooms (generally one with a queen bed, the other with 2 single beds), a living area, a bathroom and a kitchenette. 

The booking for this event is for Friday and Saturday nights, and Thursday is an optional extra. The maximum number of people for the walks is 30. Depending on room options selected, Restaway accommodates about 24 people, so there is limited capacity for up to six off-site campers (e.g. local caravan park of your choice). Confirmed bookings will be on a first booked basis, booking will be closed when capacity is reached, and a wait list will be available. Cancellations will be offered in the order of wait-listed bookings.

We expect to book out all of Restaway again, so we will have exclusive use of the swimming pool, large garden and BBQ area, within walking distance of Porepunkah village.

Some may want to extend their stay at Restaway, arriving early or staying beyond Sunday. If you remain in your weekend unit (with no room service) for the duration, the owners are offering a "special whole-unit rate". Please email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au for questions on accommodation, meals or booking, or if you wish to extend your stay.

 

FOOD & MEALS: Porepunkah village has only a pub, daytime cafe and service station, and no food store, so it is essential to bring all your food and drink needs with you. Bring your own breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks for all days. During the walks it is essential you carry your own lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water; no food is available on the mountain.

• Dinner Thursday and Friday night: Either bring your own dinner and eat in (BBQ available on-site, and each unit has a basic kitchenette), or eat out at the local hotel. A group booking will be made for 7pm on Friday night at the Porepunkah Pub for those who select that option when getting tickets to the event.
• Dinner Saturday night: Your payment includes the famous Nomads communal BBQ dinner (including meat or vegetarian option, plus dessert) on Saturday night, but BYO drinks. Those staying at Restaway are asked to bring pre-dinner nibbles or a small salad.  
• Sunday: participants may need to carry lunch.

 

BOOKING: To join this weekend you need to book and pay ASAP by clicking Get Tickets. Note:

• This is a popular event; in every previous year the event has been fully booked.
• A booking can only be made through the Nomads website, and needs to include full payment; if you find it is fully booked, please take out a free WAITING LIST ticket and you will be contacted (in the order of ticketing) if there is a cancellation.
• Maximum walking group size is 30, limited to ensure a quality environmental experience as well as individual and group safety.
• The event is a mixed social and bushwalking event, based on accommodation at Restaway and walks on Mt Buffalo. 
• Visitors: This event is not open to Visitors. 
• Roles: The roles are being split again this year. David is organising leadership of the walks and the Saturday BBQ, while Alan is taking care of all administrative matters and enquiries.

Booking Guide: Bookings are taken in the order of registration. To book, click on Get Tickets. The Ticket includes participation in the walks, the cost of accommodation and Saturday night's BBQ dinner. Cancellations within a month of the event will only receive a refund if somebody else is able to take their place. 

• NIGHTS? Firstly, decide if you will be arriving on Thursday or Friday.
• SHARED? Secondly, choose if you want 'Shared bedroom' accommodation, in which you will share the room with one other person (separate beds, or, share a queen bed with your partner or friend), OR, want a 'Solo room' which gives you a room for your use only.
• GET TICKETS: Buy the ticket(s) you want. You will be asked to specify a number of preferences when booking:
  * Bed Partner: if you are sharing your bed please name your bed partner.  
  * Non-bed partner: If you already know the person you wish to share your room (but not your bed) with, please list them. If you elected to share a room but haven't specified a room-mate, we will allocate a room-mate for you. 
• IMPORTANT: A separate ticket needs to be purchased for your bed or room partner (on which they name you as their bed or room partner).
  * Do you need transport to the event? If you need, or can provide, transport, please indicate your suburb also.
  * Friday Dining Preference: Choose either the Porepunkah Pub group booking or else Own arrangements. 
  * Saturday Dietary Preference: for Saturday night: vegetarian, meat or other? (for 'other', please email the leader with your needs)
  * Saturday Meal Contribution?: indicate the type of salad or pre-dinner nibble you have in mind to bring. (Only one contribution per couple; off-site participants are not expected to bring any contributions).

Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Walks: www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park 
• Accommodation: www.restawayholidayunits.com.au.

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrival time is from 3pm onwards on either the Thursday or Friday at Restaway Holiday Units, 6852 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah. Car pooling arrangements from Restaway to Mt Buffalo will be organised each day at the compulsory pre-walk briefings held at Restaway prior to leaving for each day's walk.

MAP REFERENCE: Meeting point at Restaway Holiday Units: Melway map X922 grid F9 | Google map www.google.com.au/maps/place/Porepunkah+VIC+3740.

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 320 km, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes driving time, via Hume Hwy, Snow Road, Myrtleford to Porepunkah.

TRANSPORT: Car sharing or public transport is preferred - we'll try to avoid single-occupant car trips. There is a V/Line bus stop in Porepunkah, with connections to Wangaratta Station.

FOOD: See above. Bring your own food for breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks for all days, there is no food store in Porepunkah, only a pub and service station. During the walks you must carry your own lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. 

LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
NOTE: David R (LeaderDavidR@nomads.org.au) will be organising the walks and the Saturday evening meal, but please contact Alan D with any enquiries about administration of the event or requests for information.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

Image: by Alwin L — Nomads at Mt Buffalo in February 2024. 

 

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