27/10/2026. Bethunes Gully. Grade 2. Hikers. Leaders: Barbara Shackell & Dave Roberts.
The Hikers met at Memorial Park carpark at 8.45, got themselves organised into four cars, and after listening to TWO “words for the day” were well prepared to depart by 8.55.
Fortunately, a community spirited member reminded us that departure is advertised for 9am, and we held our horses for a few more minutes.
Having had a fortuitous run through the roadworks traffic lights along Norwood St 14 of us regrouped at Bethunes Gully Track carpark, recruited a willing Dave R as Tail-End Charlie (as our rostered TEC had experienced difficulty returning home after winning 3rd place in the 70s+ Cross-fit Masters League in Australia – congratulations Avis) and were pretty quickly walking back down the way we’d come to first tackle the Spooky Track at Forrester Park.
We were still navigating this Cluny St section when a carload of members arrived, not having experienced the same luck as us with the traffic lights! Note to self, when you count cars at the Stadium, count them again on arrival at the track start!
Eighteen of us eventually headed up the mountain bike track that is “Spooky”, to cross the football field at the top, and gain a view of the dog park and the bike track circuit, before following the ambulance access way down to the facilities below, where we had morning tea.
We rejoined the track and followed around the outside of the Park eventually arriving back at Cluny St. From here, Dave took over the lead and navigated us safely up the “In Out” Track to where it met the Bethunes Gully track proper, and we continued up (and up and up and up) to the point at which the “no entry, closed for maintenance” sign greeted us. We took the little side track on the right, to a picnic seat and grassed lookout and enjoyed lunch in sun or shade, as we preferred.
Lunch was over before 1pm and we headed back down the track to the cars. Fourteen enjoyed post-lunch / afternoon tea and a look around the Blacks Road Grocers. A novel café!
Thanks to John for helping out with the recce; to Dave for stepping up and ably leading … “tail-end” still requires a bit of practice 😊. I noted, and appreciated, those who left the track for a wee bit but left their pack on the track as a marker! Good on you.
Total distance covered 7.6 km, and there was some discussion about whether the Grade should be 2 or 2.5 (mainly based on the ‘up and up and up’).
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.