Doggy Bushwalks

[silentchild]

I know this topic has been done to death.

This weekend is supposed to be nice and sunny and I have been playing with the idea of going on a nice bush walk with my Aussie.

From perusing old topics on here as well as the internet, I've sort of narrowed it down to two places : Wright Forest in Emerald and Wilson Botanic Gardens in Berwick.

Has anyone been to either of these places and can tell me what they're like? How busy are these places normally on a Saturday? I'll be alone with my dog and have no sense of direction, so is it easy to get lost in Wright Forest? Is Wright Forest also a hard walk?

Also, both these places are on leash only but I couldn't find anywhere bush-like to take her that is off leash and also quiet so I won't have to worry about other strange off leash dogs ambushing us. If you happen to know of any secluded off leash great walking areas south east of Melbourne please do share!

If anyone also happens to know of any other great dog walking places either off or on-leash, around inner SE Melbourne please also let me know. Those two I mentioned are a bit far still but I couldn't find any other suitable places that were closer, within 45 minutes of the inner city.

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

[kiesha09]

I can't be much help in terms of places and don't want to be a worrying wilma but my only suggestion would be to stick to on leash places. Snakes are coming out now and a bushwalk is a prime activity to run into one. You wouldn't want your aussie running after it and getting bitten.

We generally only bushwalk in winter when snakes are much less active for this very reason.

[persephone]

Oops .. nowhere near the SE ... sorry.

Edited October 11, 2013 by persephone

[Staff'n'Toller]

Wright forest might be quite hilly - have you looked at a topographic map? That will tell you.

Also are you on the telstra network? Other networks may be limited coverage i.e. I'm sure there IS coverage but it might only be 1 or 2 bars of signal in some places.

You may run into off lead dogs so perhaps take an umbrella or something? Best to perhaps draw out a walking route and take the Parks Vic map so you know which track you're on. :)

[BC Crazy]

I wouldn't risk a bush walk unless it was winter time in coastal northen NSW. Between the snakes & ticks just not worth the risk IMHO.

In Vic I have heard there can be a pretty bad snake issue. I would be very wary about any off lead activity in bushland anywhere really .

Edited October 14, 2013 by BC Crazy