Cobungra ditch, grade 3, 12.5km day walk

Everyone participating in a MVB event must be a member. New members can join as a Guest at no cost for their first one-day event.

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Meet at 197 Great Alpine road, Harrietville at 09:00AM (public toilets near ice-cream shop.)  Car pooling encouraged, to be organised prior to event.

GRADE 3

Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience recommended. The track may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps.

12,5km one way track with a car shuffle. Optional overnight camp afterwards at JB Plain Hut dinner plains, this is accessible by vehicle and suitable for car camping / beginners. Please join the seperate event if you are planning to camp also.

The Cobungra Ditch Walk follows the historic Cobungra Ditch, a 30 km water race constructed in the late 1800s to supply water for gold mining operations in the region. Much of the original ditch is retained by dry-stone walls with this well-maintained trail through Hotham’s lower ranges highlighting its preserved sections and the engineering ingenuity of the miners who built it.

The trail meanders through snow gum forests and gullies, offering spectacular views of the Cobungra River valley. The track is mostly flat, making it an accessible option for hikers with moderate fitness levels. However, ascents and descents are required to access the main Cobungra Ditch Walking Track from either end. Along the way, interpretive signs provide insight into the ditch’s construction and its role in the area’s rich mining history.

Bushwalk - Alpine Day hike - What to bring

• Activities in the Alps require additional safety equipment because the weather can change quickly from benign to dangerous
• Up-to-date ICE (In Case of Emergency) form 
• Water - 2 litres recommended - exercise in the Alps uses prodigious amounts of fluid
• Sunscreen
• Gloves and hat
• Sufficient food, bearing in mind the distance and duration of the event (snacks for morning and afternoon tea and lunch)
• Suitable clothing and footwear. Jeans, denim and cotton pants are not suitable for alpine areas and can be unsafe, particularly if they become wet. Cotton absorbs water, dries slowly and can contribute to rapid heat loss in cold, windy or wet conditions. Choose quick-drying or wool/synthetic outdoor clothing instead.
• Wet weather waterproofs, jacket and pants
• Thermal top and bottoms
• Walking poles
• Gaiters
• Basic first aid kit, including your specific medication, eg asthma inhaler
• Torch or headlamp for contingencies
• Whistle
• Poo pot, wag bag or poo tube to (remove poo), toilet paper, trowel and sanitiser 
• A set of dry clothing in a separate bag to be left in the car to change into if you get wet
• Space Blanket
• Balacava (optional)