Club Aims
The main purpose of the club is:
- To promote interest in and to encourage bushwalking and related outdoor activities
Secondary purposes are:
- To promote interest in and to encourage the conservation of the natural environment
- To promote good fellowship among those interested in bushwalking and related activities
Day walks
Day walks are offered on Tuesdays (easier walks), Thursdays and on either Saturday or Sunday. These vary from easy to medium or difficult. Walk gradings are explained on the 'Program' page. See Walk Grading.
We have a wide range of excellent day-walking areas near Geelong, from the Otway Ranges to coastal walks, the Werribee, Anakie and Lerderderg Gorges, Brisbane Ranges, the Ballarat, Daylesford and Creswick areas, walks through forests, along rail trails, rivers and coastline, up ancient volcanoes and more.
Base Camps
On base camps walkers remain at one campsite or other type of accommodation, and walk out each day.
Recent trips have been to the Glenelg River, Nelson; Heathcote-Graytown National Park; Croajingolong Coastal Walk; Cathedral Ranges; Lamington National Park, Queensland; Wilson’s Promontory; Castlemaine; Hepburn Springs; Deep Creek (SA).
Extended walks
These are pack carrying walks usually lasting for several days, and often of a high level of difficulty, though introductory extended walks are sometimes offered. Extended ski touring trips, camping on the snow for up to one week are also occasionally on the program.
Recent trips have been to the 3 Capes Walk in Tasmania, several areas in the Grampians, Beeripmo Circuit near Beaufort; The Picton Circuit, SW Tasmania; from Mallacoota to Cape Howe and the Nadgee Nature Reserve in NSW; Great Ocean Walk; Coast to Coast in WA; Larapinta Track and more.
Overseas
Our members often get together for walks overseas. Destinations have recently included: New Zealand, England, Swiss Alps, Camino Trail in Spain and Portugal, and Nepal.
Visitors are encouraged to take part in three activities before applying to join the club as a Full Member.
The 6-month program is under the Program tab. Contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to enquire about coming on a walk as a visitor. You should do a medium or easy grade activity before attempting anything more difficult.
Our fees cover the cost of the monthly newsletter, our affiliation with Bushwalking Victoria and our Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance while on club activities.
Members have access to a variety of outdoor equipment and are eligible for discounts at selected retail outlets.
Monthly club meetings on the second Wednesday of the month are suspended at present due to COVID restrictions.
The 4th Edition of the Geelong Bushwalking Club's "Walking The Otways" edited by John Chapman offers 43 walks from Anglesea to Apollo Bay and north to Gellibrand and Forrest. The walks vary from easy to quite demanding, and cover areas of magnificent forest, unique heathland, beautiful coastal views and many of the hidden Otways’ waterfalls.
Click here to send a message to the coordinator to purchase a copy at member rates:
It is also available from information centres along the Surf Coast, hiking shops in Melbourne, or from the editor at: www.john.chapman.name/pub.html
Information about errors or significant changes should be sent to Walking the Otways Co-ordinator, email contact above. Updates are posted below. Most changes will result from notes made by leaders of Club walks along these tracks, but input from non-members will also be appreciated. Only major changes that affect trip planning or navigation will be included here.
These are the latest updates to the book:
Club History
Geelong Bushwalking Club was formed in 1973 by a group of people wanting to share their liking for the outdoors with others. For the first walk 6 people met under a special old pine tree at Steiglitz, a tree pointed out to members every time we pass that way!
While essentially a walking club, we have over the years explored many other areas, such as canoeing and cross-country skiing.
Since the initial 6 people in 1973 the Club has grown to over 200 members of widely varying ages, interests and experience.
Since those early days we have joined Bushwalking Victoria, provided volunteers for Bushwalking Victoria Search and Rescue squad and volunteered with Parks Victoria to develop and maintain walking tracks. We fund-raise for Relay for Life (support for cancer research).
Booklets celebrating our 10th, 20th and 30th anniversaries are listed here:
10th anniversary: 
GBC_10th_Anniversary_Edition.pdf22.83 MB
20th anniversary: GBC_20th_Anniversary_Edition.pdf
30th anniversary: GBC-30th-Anniversary-Edition.pdf
We support our leaders to take the St John First Aid course and regular refreshers.
For extended walks we have use of Club owned MT410G Personal Locator Beacons.
All walkers carry their own First Aid kit and an Emergency Form in case of accidents
The current version of the GBC Risk Management Plan can be found under Club Procedures and Policies (below)
Club policies and procedures
GBC_Risk_Management_Plan_19_20.pdf
GBC_Child_Safe_Code_of_Conduct.pdf
GBC_COVID-19_Vaccination_Policy.docx
New "Rules Changes of Club" for AI Reform Act 2012"including Appendix 1 Rule Changes of Club
including Appendix 1 Rule Changes of Club
