A trip to the Grampians

Date: 22-23 October 2011

There is a wonderful adventure being planned for Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23 October. We will be exploring a little further beyond Melbourne to discuss what impact our commitment to Christ does and/or should have on our interaction with our natural environment. We're specifically meeting around Hall's Gap near the Grampians National Park so that we can get Out There and get a real understanding of the flora and fauna that we talk about protecting, using and experiencing in a Christ-like way.
 

The weekend (22 & 23 October) will unfold as follows:

Sat 11am - meet at the Heatherlie Quarry parking lot ready for a gentle and flat stroll with a packed lunch(see details below). Margot Sietsma will talk us through the history of the place and hopefully there will be wildflowers).

Sat 13:30-15:00 - Swing past accommodation for refreshing shower/change of clothes or just a small nap.

Sat 15:30-16:30 - Tea, Coffee and Prayers at Pomonal Church

16:30-17:30 - Margot Sietsma talks on "Preserving Threatened Species"

17:30-18:30 - Richard Gijsbers talks on "The Different Christian Positions on the Environment: Who is Right?"

Sat 19:00-21:00 - Dinner at Barney's Bar & Bistro in Pomonal (please make sure to have some cash)

Sat night - various accommodations around Pomonal and Hall's Gap
(See accommodation options (b) below)

Sun 10:00-11:30 - Church Service at Pomonal Church

11:30- - Tea and light lunch with Pomonal Church Community

After Lunch - Walk at Lake Fyans (hopefully with Orchids for
viewing)
 

NOTE: ISCAST Victoria won't charge anything for this event, but neither will we provide meals, accommodation or transport.
 

RSVP: Please let Christina Smith (by email or 0423 307 573) know if you will join us on this weekend away on or before Thursday 13 October.
 

Maps:

• Hall's Gap to Melbourne 
• Heatherlie Quarry from Halls Gap: Turning off from Delleys Bridge onto Hall's Gap-Mount Zero road (gravel) you will drive 14.7km on Hall's Gap-Mount Zero road and then find the parking lot at the entrance to the Heatherlie Quarry walk on the left.

Accommodation Options:

• The ISCAST Vic Hannah family have a house nearby that will sleep ~ 10: First in best dressed, some already booked. Contact Murray Hannah at by email for availability and rates.
• Gary and Trish also have six villas on a host farm behind the pub, 3 star. Phone 5356 6300 or email.
• Also in Pomonal but much more upmarket is Welch's on Wildflower B&B. Phone 5356 6311 or email.
• Hostel type: Tim's place Eco hostel is very popular. Phone 5356 4288 or email or visit www.timsplace.com.au.
• Hostel type: YHA Eco hostel Phone 5356 4544 or email or www.yha.com.au.
• Simple, older but undergoing refurbishment and owned by church members Clarrie and Mary Bouchier are Kingsway Holiday flats. Phone 5356 4202 or email or visit www.kingswayholidayflats.com.au
• Bigger and newer with spas etc. (about 8 units, ranging from a studio to super deluxe set in a garden) are Boronia peak villas . Phone 5356 4500 or email or visit www.boroniapeakvillas.com.au
• Very similar are: D'Altons resort, www.daltonsresort.com.au and Halls Haven www.hallshaven.com.au
• There are also quite a few stand alone homes. My neighbour's Tim & Kathy McDonald have the Manna House. Contact by email.
• There is also , Pinnacle Lodge