MELBOURNE WEST - S&S - Newport Lakes Conservation Area - Walk & Picnic

Please note change of start time to 10am

Come and join us for a lovely stroll around hidden gem that is Newport Lakes followed by a picnic (or a tour of the local native plant nursery). Spot lots of birds from superb fairy wrens, all kinds of parrots, purple swamphens to tawny frogmouths and very occasional pelican. Marvel at this reclaimed bluestone quarry that has become a sanctuary for native wildlife. There's a public park next to the car park (where we start and finish) with picnic benches and shade.

BYO Lunch just for yourself, no need to share. If it rains we'll leave off the picnic and go round the native plants nursery instead. Use "Newport Lakes Native Plant Nursery" in Google to find the shared carpark

Escaping Your Comfort Zone is Body Positive Adventures for women and non-binary crew.  The outdoors don't care about your size, your speed or your fitness, and neither do we!  100% body positive, no focus on weightloss. Just having fun in the outdoors, cause we can! 

This is 100% achievable for anyone without mobility issues, and we will take it slowly, with plenty of breather stops.

Hike Leader: Clare MacDonald, wearing EYCZ merch. 0406 59 65 65

Important COVID Information - 

• Due to Victorian government health directives on community sport and recreation, all participants be fully vaccinated, or have a valid exemption.
• All participants are required to carry a a mask.  
• Carpooling is accepted, but please be respectful of other passengers. Masks may be required where requested by the driver.  
• Please review the latest COVID information that applies to this hike

Hike Rating: Slow & Steady (refer to Hike Ratings for details)

• This hike is on wide, well-formed, gravel paths mix of flat, and some undulations.
• The path has some short hills and an optional stepping stone path across the lakes
• We will walk for 1.5-2hrs in total, with tons of drink and breather stops.
• This hike is beginner friendly, for those without specific mobility concerns, and always paced at the slowest in the group, to ensure no one is left behind.

If you are wondering if you're fit enough for this hike, the answer is YES! We all need to start somewhere and this is a great place to start - this is an excellent hike for beginners. Please contact me if you have any specific questions or concerns!

Kids:  This event is fine for kids if they can walk for this amount of time with little complaint 

Dogs: This hike is not appropriate for dogs.

Accessibility: This hike is not suitable for wheelchairs

What to bring

• Properly fitting mask
• Hand sanitiser
• Water - at least 600ml. More if its hot.
• Wear comfortable exercise clothing, and layers are great as you can add and remove as you get hot or cold. Any comfortable shoes with laces will be fine.
• Bring a light, waterproof raincoat if you have one and rain is forecast.
• First aid kit, including any medications you might need, such as asthma puffers and antihistamines. Your health is your responsibility. Please alert the leader to the location of your medication (if you are carrying any).
• Emergency Contact/Medical Details form  Please print out and fill in a copy of this form before your attend any EYCZ event, and leave it in your pack.  If you can't access a printer, please simply write the details on a plain piece of paper, and put it in a ziplock bag in the top of your pack.  Any medications you are carrying should be stored in the same section of your pack.

Other key information:

• Toilets - at the start finish
• Parking in the carpark off lakes Drive

I look forward to seeing you join us!

Cheers

Clare MacDonald