Category: Dookie Rail Trail

"Braving frosty weather we headed out on the Dookie Rail Trail"

25/7/2021

On July 7th, 14 walkers braved the frosty weather and headed out on the Dookie Rail Trail. Commencing at the CWA Gardens in the centre of town, we followed the well signposted trail in a loop around former settlements and rolling hills. It was hard to imagine that the quiet paddocks surrounding us had once been dotted with thriving villages, including Cashel, once thought to rival Benalla in potential.

A highlight of the walk was the visit to the beautiful, privately owned Chateau at the heart of the old wine growing district. All up, it was an enjoyable 9 kms and we were happy to sit down to our picnic lunch at Dookie!

Our thanks to Helen for her detailed organisation, and to Brian for an informative and interesting commentary on local history.

Glen and Julie

Check out previous post for more photos!

First photos from the Dookie mystery walk!

16/7/2021

"Wednesday's U3A Easy Walks tackled a 9km walk along the Dookie Rail Trail, detouring to explore the grounds of The stately Chateau and then returning via a gravel road passing the grand old Catholic Church. Lunch was enjoyed in the Dookie Park. Thanks Helen and Glenys for organising this outing."

From Bev Thornell's post on U3A's Facebook Page, July 11 2021. Thanks, Bev.

Easy Walks' mid July walk along the Dookie Rail Trail

16/7/2020

‘A day out of the box’ greeted 13 walkers who travelled to the township of Dookie on July 15th to walk the 4 km rail trail walk from the township towards Katandra. The beautiful sunny day highlighted the healthy crops, the pretty township and it’s historic church on the hill.

Two separate groups followed the trail with its explanatory sign boards.

The first group completed 3.5 kms of the trail, then returned via Saddleback Road which allowed closer viewing of St Mary’s Church on the hill behind the town.

Photographs: Andi Stevenson, Wendy Sturgess

The second group (or 'Gentle Amblers') completed a shorter stage of the trail, then returned back the way they had come.

Each group then had a leisurely lunch in the large picnic area in the centre of the town. This park features a tall clock with interesting history and one of Shepparton’s Mooving Art cows. Nearby is the Remembrance Day tree.

Dookie sits nicely between Mt Saddleback and Mt Major both of which provide more walking trails. Some people visited the nearby shop and the metal works business before everyone headed home after a very pleasant and enjoyable day.”

Wendy Sturgess

Photographs: Meg Dillon, Fujii Kyohei, Andi Stevenson, Wendy Sturgess, Marg Walshe

"It is wonderful to have so many people contributing to these walks by taking photos, offering to take small groups and assisting in so many ways ... a team effort." Marg Walshe

Go to Mid-Week Walks

About Easy Walks

Easy Walks are aimed at maintaining fitness by introducing people to bushwalking and giving previous bushwalkers the opportunity to continue bushwalking on shorter, easier and well defined tracks. Walks will
be approximately 5 - 7 kms without a lot of climbing, usually within an hour’s drive of Benalla. Participants will require sturdy shoes & be able to carry a backpack containing snack, lunch, adequate water, water-proof jacket, and personal items. Members are asked to notify walk leaders of
attendance at least 3 days prior to the walk to enable carpooling,travel costs, and other arrangements.

Meeting times

1st Wednesday - 9:00/10:00 start - All Day - from March
Easy Walks are held on the first Wednesday of the month recommenc-ing in March 2021 and leave from the carpark behind the Seniors Complex (U3A), Fawckner Drive, Benalla. Meeting times are usually around 9-10am depending on the season and weather conditions or as deter-mined by the walk leader. Check the monthly U3A Newsletter and confirm any details with the walk leader.

Convenors and contact details

Julie McNeill 0407 832 031 and Glen Chessells 0437 201 077

Thank you so much to retiring group leaders Wendy Sturgess and Margaret Walshe for convening Easy Walks for the past two years!