A Walk Back in Time

Glenbrook and District Historical Society Inc. have recently released their 2023 History Walks Program.

The walks are lead by Doug Knowles and John Dikeman and take place on Saturdays throughout the year. Each walk is graded, giving participants information to suit their abilities. E is ‘EASY gradients’ that have a firm underfoot, M is ‘MEDIUM’ that have short steep sections and some rough sections, whilst H is ‘HARD’ that is steep and rough with a distance of 4 to 5 kilometres.

“Everybody is given a program, which shows the degree of easiness and approximate duration. We meet at a convenient start point where there is a brief introduction and any safety information. Points of interest are explained briefly and often a map or information sheet is handed out. Most of our walks return to the start point by a circuitous route” explained Doug Knowles of Glenbrook and District Historical Society Inc. to the Emu and Leonay Gazette.

Doug enjoys the experiences he has on the local walks.

“It’s a good opportunity to have a chat and explain local items of interest from an engineering, surveying or industrial archaeological viewpoint” he stated.

The upcoming walks this month (April) include Glenbrook Lagoon Precinct on Saturday April 1st at 1:30pm. It was an early campsite and railway dam construction in 1867, for water supply to the first Glenbrook Railway Station. The duration is 1 ½ hours and it is graded E. The Decent to the West – Mount York is on Saturday 22nd April at 9:00am. There are three short return walks on the three most historic roads to the west: Cox’s Pass in 1815, Lawson’s Road in 1822 and Berghofer’s Pass in 1909. The duration is 4 hours and it’s graded M. The final for April is Duck Hole, Glenbrook Creek on Saturday 29th April at 1:30pm. It was an old roadway construction and pump site for railway water supply to Glenbrook Station. The duration is 2 ½ hours and is graded H. This walk will need a minimum of 5 bookings to proceed.

“We live right beside these features. So many walkers tell us that it’s good to know their original purposes” Doug concluded.

The cost to participate in the walks is $10 (cash only). Accompanied children under 16 years are free. Bookings are essential. Phone Doug on 0414 154695 for details on meeting places. Good walking shoes are needed. Please bring a hat and drinking water. No dogs are allowed. Excessive wind or rain could cause cancellation due to hazardous conditions.

Search Glenbrook and District Historical Society Inc. on Facebook to view the 2023 History Walks Program.