Yeeting Yea Yarck (Great Victorian Rail Trail)

---  Update

The intended place that we were about to stay - Molesworth Caravan Park, is closed due to flooding damage from Lake Eildon. Therefore, I will modify the schedule a bit: Instead of going Yea-Molesworth-Yarck, we will go Merton-Yarck-Molesworth. In details:

• We will come down at Merton on day 1, and walk to Yarck. Day 1 lunch is to be self-prepared.
• We will have dinner at Yarck (probably a pub meal at the Yarck Hotel), and camp on a ground behind the hotel (Free camping, YAY!). This place has a public toilet, just no showers.
• On day 2 we will walk from Yarck to Molesworth (So the other way around as per initial plan). We will catch the coach from Molesworth. Day 2 lunch is self-prepared as well. Breakfast can probably be bought in Yarck before heading off.

The good:

• We are walking much more downhill (less uphill) on day 1.
• Camping is now free, only cost of public transport (estimated $20pp)
• A new sculpture on the road
• We can start off a bit later (20 minutes maybe) on day 2

The bad:

• No tunnel (it's likely flooded as well) :(
• 3km extra of walking distance on day 1 (but remember, we now go more downhill)

--- Original Description

In the Tuesday and Wednesday of week 2, we (Khoi and Jak) plan to organize a little 2-day trip. It's going to be a super chill walk along part of Great Victorian Rail Trail - going from Yea and ending at Yarck. And we are going by public transport once again.

Here is how it's going to look like: 29km of walk (15km day 1, 14km day 2)

Elevation should be chill, with only a significant slope (150m of elevation in 5km) at the Cheviot Tunnel

Intended schedule:

Day 1 (15km):

• 8:00am: Meet at Southern Cross - Coach Bay 60
• 8:30am: Coach (to Mansfield) will depart
• 10:50am: Arriving at Yea. Have lunch in town (tbd)
• 12pm: Start walking the trail. Stopping by at Cheviot Tunnel
• 5pm: Reaching Molesworth Caravan Park. This will be where we set up tents and spend the night (have dinner together, play some board/card games maybe). Note: bring your own dinner and breakfast!

Day 2 (14km):

• 7am: wake up, clean up.
• 7:30am: continue the walk.
• 12pm: Arriving at Yarck, have lunch at the bakery.
• 1:50pm: Coach departs to Ringwood station, arriving at 3:35pm. From here we catch the train back to city or your home. ETA to City is 4:30pm.

Cost: 

• Transport is expected to be around $30 per person ($20 bus ticket and $10 myki money - will confirm after booking tickets)
• Campsite is expected to be $12.5 per person (will confirm after booking)

Difficulty: Beginner - Just a long casual stroll for 2 days!

Highlights:

The Cheviot Tunnel looks picturesque:

Soul Train sculpture that looks like Thomas the Tank Engine:

What to bring:

• 2-3L of water
• Self-prepared dinner, breakfast, snacks (optional)
• Proper gear for weather (will confirm when the day is closer)
• Tents, sleeping bags, mattress etc.
• Good vibes

Weather forecast: To be updated

More details will be updated here if needed.