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X-WR-CALNAME:The Groundswell Collective
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Groundswell Collective
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261016T130000
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UID:6858-1792155600-1792404000@thegroundswell.org.au
SUMMARY:Walking Weekend - Blue Mountains
DESCRIPTION:Walking Weekend – Blue Mountains  \nReady to explore more of our world?  \nCome and explore World Heritage-listed bushland with views so spectacular they inspire silent awe. We’ll walk through blooming springtime native flowers and spot waratahs in the wild. You’ll retire each night to a cosy character-filled Federation era home for delicious meals and good conversation.   \nAs part of a small group of walkers\, you’ll see some jaw-dropping sights and feel the sense of wonder that comes from spending time on ancient land.   \nThe Walking Weekend is for those who need to recharge\, remember the important things in life\, and enjoy this beautiful world we live in.   \nHere are all the details:  \nFriday 16 – Monday 19 October 2026  \n  \nItinerary (subject to change)  \nFriday 16 October  \n1pm – Meet at Blackheath to walk the Grand Canyon Track (6.5km) \n4:30pm – Settle in to Mary Villa and enjoy some appetisers \n6pm – Dinner and dessert  \nPost-dinner briefing about tomorrow’s walking options \nSaturday 17 October  \nMake your own breakfast with the wide range of ingredients provided  \nPack lunch\, snacks and water  \n8:30am – Depart for the Grand Clifftop Walk from Wentworth Falls to Leura (13km)  \nOption to add on the Fern Bower to Furber Steps walk (5.5km) \nRelax at the accommodation in the afternoon or\, if time allows\, enjoy an optional activity  \nLate afternoon appetisers   \n6:30pm – Dinner and dessert  \nSunday 18 October  \nMake your own breakfast with the wide range of ingredients provided  \nPack lunch\, snacks and water  \n8:30am – Depart for the remainder of the Grand Clifftop Walk from Leura to Scenic World\, Katoomba (6km) \nRelax at the accommodation or enjoy an optional activity \n6pm – group dinner at Katoomba RSL Club \nMonday 19 October \nMake your own breakfast with the wide range of ingredients provided  \nPack up and depart by 10am \n  \nWhat’s Included  \n3 nights’ accommodation at Mary Villa in Katoomba  \nGuided walks over 3 days   \n2 delicious dinners followed by mouthwatering desserts  \nA variety of provisions so you can make your breakfast each morning  \nSnacks to stock your backpack for walks   \nA smorgasbord of lunch supplies to make your own picnic for the trail  \nAppetisers to enjoy each evening   \nCoffee\, tea\, herbal tea plus milk and sugar  \nBed linen and towels  \nA donation to The Groundswell Collective for projects to protect and restore the world we love  \nTraining suggestions to maximise your enjoyment of the weekend  \nMonthly training walks to meet the group and add to your fitness \nA WhatsApp group chat to discuss training walks\, the Walking Weekend\, transportation and more \n  \nWhat’s Not Included  \nTransportation to and from the Blue Mountains (see FAQs)   \nSunday night dinner \nBeverages other than coffee\, tea\, herbal tea   \nOptional activities (see FAQs) \nTravel insurance  \n  \nPricing  \nMary Villa in Katoomba is comprised of six comfortable bedrooms\, each with its own ensuite bathroom.  Choose your preferred bedding combination from the options below. You’re welcome to come alone or bring a friend or partner.  \nBedroom 1: Queen bed with ensuite – BOOKED \nBedroom 2: Single bed in a twin share room with ensuite = $750 per person (if you’re sharing this room with someone you know\, specify their name on the booking form and have them specify your name) \nBedroom 3: Single bed in a triple share room with ensuite = $650 per person (if you’re sharing this room with someone you know\, specify their name on the booking form and have them specify your name) \nBedroom 4: Queen bed with ensuite sharing with someone you know = $750 per person (please specify their name on the booking form and have them specify your name) \nBedroom 5: Single bed with ensuite – BOOKED \nBedroom 6: Single bed in a triple share room with ensuite = $650 per person (if you’re sharing this room with someone you know\, specify their name on the booking form and have them specify your name) \nDeposit = $200 per person  \nBalance due 6 weeks prior to departure = Friday 4 September  \nPayments are made via bank transfer. You are welcome to pay by instalments up to the balance due date with a minimum of $50 per payment.  \nReady to book? Please complete the booking form and we’ll be in touch. \n  \nWhat to Bring  \nWalking boots/shoes or joggers – waterproof if possible  \nA backup pair of walking boots/shoes or joggers   \nBackpack  \nBottles or bladder to carry at least 1.25 litres of water  \nRaincoat   \nSunscreen  \nInsect repellent  \nHand sanitiser \nHat and layers of warm clothing to walk in (minimum four sets)  \nSwimmers and a towel in case you want to take a dip beneath a waterfall \nContainers to pack your lunch and snacks plus cutlery to eat with  \nAll the typical items you’d bring for a weekend away: toiletries\, pyjamas\, phone charger\, something to read\, maybe your favourite pillow and anything else you need to be comfortable  \nOptional – walking poles if you use them  \nNote: bed linen and bath towel are provided   \n  \n FAQs  \nDo I need special walking skills?  \nAll of the walks we have planned are rated easy to moderate*\, meaning they’re suitable for an average person with average fitness. Of course\, some training before the Walking Weekend will make it more enjoyable for you and your muscles. A suggested training plan will be provided after you’ve booked.   \n*This excludes the optional Fern Bower to Furber Steps walk on Saturday afternoon which is more difficult and has many\, many stairs.  \nWe will cover a variety of terrain including boardwalk\, sand\, gravel paths\, and rocky narrow trails. Uphill and downhill on both stairs and trail\, both wet and dry underfoot: we’ll experience it all. You will be able to move at your own pace during the walks and we’ll take regular breaks.   \nIf you have health concerns or would like more specific information\, please read about the walks (see Itinerary for links) and then contact Katie on katie@thegroundswell.org.au   \nDo I need special walking equipment?  \nSee the list of What to Bring and remember to borrow or buy second hand if you need something you don’t already own (Facebook Marketplace has oodles of walking shoes/boots).   \nCan I arrive late?  \nThe Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular walks in the Blue Mountains but if you’re happy to miss that then you’re welcome to arrive in time for dinner.  \nHow do I get to the Blue Mountains?  \nWe’d like to make this weekend as sustainable as possible so a good option is to carpool with other walkers. Train to Katoomba or Blackheath is also an option. We’ll have a discussion in the group chat prior to the Walking Weekend so you can make travel arrangements.   \nCan you cater for my dietary requirements?  \nSure can. We’ll ask you about food and any other special needs during the booking process.   \nWhat are the optional activities? \nThe Blue Mountains has oodles of things to do besides walking if you want to do more. You might find others but here are a few activities to get you thinking: \n\ngo op shopping in Katoomba\nvisit Aqua Ignis Bathhouse\ntry the scones at Megalong Valley Tea Rooms\nexperience Scenic World\nsee the world’s largest private collection of teawares at Bygone Beauties\n\nWhat kind of projects will be supported by the donation portion of my fee?  \nThe Groundswell Collective loves bringing people together to create a better planet. Our projects include:  \n\nplanting tiny forests to rapidly regenerate landscapes that have been cleared for development or farming. These compact ecosystems provide food and habitat for biodiversity\, cool urban areas and help communities take practical climate action.  \n\n\nfacilitating workshops to help children connect with nature and foster a lifelong love of caring for our world \n\n\ngrowing food for people and pollinators in our community garden \n\nWhat if the weather isn’t great?   \nWe won’t let a little rain put us off but in the event of extreme weather conditions (eg. a flooding event or dangerous storms) then we may need to postpone the Walking Weekend in the name of health and safety. Obviously\, we won’t be able to make this decision until shortly before the event. You would be given the option of transferring to a new date or receiving a full refund.   \nHow do I book?   \nPlease complete the booking form and we will respond within 24 hours. Once we offer you a place\, you will have 24 hours to pay your $200 deposit via bank transfer. The balance of your payment will be due 6 weeks prior to the Walking Weekend (Friday 4 September). You are welcome to pay by instalments up to that date with a minimum of $50 per payment.   \nAre there any refunds?  \nThere are no refunds if you cancel your place at the Walking Weekend. If\, after booking\, you become injured or unwell in a way that prevents you from attending and you can provide a medical certificate to that effect\, you will be able to transfer the money you’ve paid to an alternative Walking Weekend.  \nIf the event is cancelled by The Groundswell Collective due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances\, you will be given the choice of transferring to another event date or receiving a refund.   \nYou might like to consider if travel insurance is right for you.   \nStill have questions?  \nContact Katie on katie@thegroundswell.org.au  \n  \nAbout Us  \nThe Walking Weekend will be led by Katie from The Groundswell Collective\, who believes now is the time to get out and explore the places we’ve always wanted to see. Walking through the bush allows us to be face to face with world we love and reap the benefits of being in nature.   \nKatie has been bushwalking for years\, escaping outdoors whenever she needs to make sense of the world or remember why she wants to protect it. Katie holds a current First Aid certificate and will carry a First Aid Kit on each walk.   \nThe Walking Weekend will be supported by Libby\, a long-term supporter of The Groundswell Collective and one of our most dedicated volunteers. Libby will help with the logistics of the weekend including transport and delicious food.   \n  \n 
URL:https://thegroundswell.org.au/event/walking-weekend-blue-mountains/
LOCATION:Blue Mountains
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ORGANIZER;CN="The Groundswell Collective - Katie":MAILTO:katie@thegroundswell.org.au
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