Howmans 2026 Annual Base Camp

This popular and unique base camp offers five night’s accommodation including 3 meals per day at the YMCA Lodge near Falls Creek.  A variety of walks ranging from easy to hard are offered daily so there’s something to suit everyone. It's a fun and relaxing time with 60+ bushwalkers where you’re guaranteed to meet new people and broaden your bushwalking experiences and networks - last year we had 94 walkers from 9 clubs.

There will be people attending from the Diamond Valley, Koonung, Waverley, Essendon, Bayside and Eltham & Environs bushwalking clubs, enjoying combined walks and activities, daily happy hours and a fancy dress (optional) New Year’s Eve celebration.

Pricing $596 per person but depending on numbers achieved the price may reduce.  A deposit payment of $250 will be requested in August with final payment due the first week of December.

NOTE: if bookings are full, I strongly encourage you to wait list, as cancellations due to illness or injury do happen.

Travel:

1. Howmans Gap YMCA Camp, Bogong High Plains Road,10 kms Northwest of Falls Creek.
2. Arriving from 2pm onwards on 27 December 2026, and departing by 10am on 1 January 2027.
3. Approx 4 hours 45 minutes’ drive from Melbourne. Its recommended members refuel at Mt Beauty or Bright prior to arrival so you have plenty of fuel for driving to walks, there is no service station on the mountain.

Catering:

1. Breakfast and dinner each day.
2. Ingredients provided daily for self-made lunch and morning tea.
3. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, no seafood, gluten free etc) can be catered for.
4. All day tea and coffee available in the dining hall.

Walking:

1. Several walks are offered each day, ranging from easy to hard, led by volunteer leaders from each club.
2. Popular walks are repeated at least once during the 4 days so everyone gets a chance to go.
3. Carpooling is required for most walks and if you are a passenger you'll pay $2 to the driver.
4. There's a walking track called PackHorse that leads from Howmans Gap to Falls Creek for a really nice casual walk.

Entertainment:

1. There's a games room, a common room for relaxing, with free-to-air TV, and a limited library of books and videos.
2. There will be a large “community” jigsaw puzzle for members to complete.
3. On New Year's Eve a special event is hosted with a fancy dress theme (TBA), activities and dancing till midnight for those who want boogie into 2027.

BYO:

1. Bring your bedding i.e. doona, sheets or sleeping bag plus pillow, bath mat and towel.
2. There are facilities for movie nights so if you have a favourite DVD or some music you'd like to share, bring them along.
3. Alcohol and nibbles for the daily happy hour
4. A comfy camp chair to use at happy hour