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Melbourne
Area Training Grounds
Some ideas for you about training
yourself into shape!
1.
1000 steps.
This climb (over
about 850 steps) is a very popular training track located in
the Dandenong Ranges National Park near Upper Ferntree
Gully. Melways map reference 74 H4. This track has also been
dedicated to the Kokoda Track and thus has a number of brass
plaques along the way, detailing events. This is also a good
track to start carrying a pack on. A return trip up and down
the stairs, or down the dirt road, should take less than 1/2
and hour. A build up to a sequence of 3 or 4 or circuits is
recommended, with a steady increase in pack weight to 15kg.
Even though you won't carry this much on the track, if you
have a porter, the extra muscle toning makes the real track
much easier.
2.
Sassafras and Olinda. Once the muscles for
climbing up and down are being mastered, then some distance
walking can be included. It is a very pleasant walk up the
1000 steps and then continuing along One Tree Hill Road into
Sassafras (Melways 66 F9) for coffee and/or a bit further
into Olinda (Melways 66 J7) for breakfast. Return by the
reverse route.
3.
Mount Evelyn. Another pleasant walk with more ups
and downs and more distance, is to again climb the 1000
steps and follow the bush tracks through the Dandenong's to
Mt Evelyn Reserve (Melways 120 B3). Take a map, so you don't
get lost, (or follow the Oxfam map for this stage of their
100 km walk). The distance is about 22km and it will take
about 5 to 6 hours. So you need to have a car at your
destination, rather than try and walk home again.
4.
Mount Donna Buang. Now that your muscles are
taking all this training in you stride, you should try, at
least once, Mount Donna Buang (1250m). Leave from Warburton
Melways 289 K4. You can park at the bottom of Martyr Road
and head north. A 'great' up hill to start. The start of the
track is at the end of the climb up the road; don't follow
the road around to the right. The first half of the climb is
through bush steady and steep, slippery if wet, similar to
the conditions on the Kokoda Track. The second half of the
climb is over much flatter countryside. There are no
facilities at the top, so bring your food and coffee. Don't
forget, then can be snow at the top in winter, so be
prepared, as necessary. About 13km round trip, say 3 1/2 to
4 hours. A good place to learn to use your sticks.
5.
Mt. St Leonard Track. Another good mountain track.
A bit longer, 22km round trip. Leave from Donnelly's Weir,
at Healesville, Melways 270 G9. A long steady walk up and
down to the transmission tower at the top. The walking track
does become separate from the road as you climb up.
6.
Condons Track. Another good mountain track. A bit
shorter and steeper, 14km round trip. Also leaves from
Donnelly’s Weir, at Healesville, but to the right after
fording the creek. Melways 270 G 9. A long steady climb to
the top. (You can walk around and back down the Mt. St
Leonard track if you are really looking for a major workout.
7.
Glasgow Road. For a sharp, short, steep workout,
the Glasgow Road track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park
is recommended. Melways 66 C1. If you can master this track
easily, then you should be prepared for all the steep
inclines on the Kokoda Track. It is slippery if wet, so you
may wish to practice using your sticks. As a reward, take
the Ridge Road around to Kalorama for a coffee before
returning. Remember going down is often harder than going
up. Do a second circuit, if you want a greater workout.
8.
Waverley Road Hill, Jell's Park. For a midweek
workout, under street lights, try half a dozen circuits up
and down the Waverley Road Hill. Melways 71 J6. Warm up by
walking through the park for a couple of km and up the track
at the side of Caulfield Grammar School campus to Sunnybrook
Drive.
On all walks, take water and energy bars. You won't know you
are dehydrated until it is too late. So drink before you
start and keep drinking as you go. A little electrolyte,
such as Powerade, is a useful additive to your water.
Increase to load in your pack to tone your muscles and carry
sun protection/wet weather gear as appropriate.
Look after your feet.
Don't get cold.
If you would like more assistance in preparing for your
adventure call Wild Spirit
Adventures and we would be very pleased to assist you in
your preparations.
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