Welcome to Ben Cruachan Walking Club

Visitors are always welcome on our walks regardless of experience.  Please go to our Upcoming Walks and contact the walk leader to register your interest in any walk that appeals to you.

Based in Gippsland, we are Victoria’s oldest regional bushwalking club and in June 2025 we celebrated our 60^th Birthday with a walk to the summit of Ben Cruachan in the hills northwest of Maffra.  A book which documents the club’s proud history was launched at a celebratory dinner attended by members past and present.  If you are interested in what is a fascinating read, please contact the Secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details on how you can purchase a copy.

The club was formed on 27 June 1965 by a small group of field naturalists and bushwalkers on the summit of the 836 metre Ben Cruachan.  The founding members fostered enjoyment of bushwalking and respect for our natural environment with an emphasis on inclusiveness.  These fundamental values are integral to the Ben Cruachan Walking Club today with around 140 members ranging in age from under 10 to more than 80 years.

Our Walks Program aims to cater for our diverse membership with day walks, car camps, overnight hikes and longer distance multi day walks.  The walks are graded from easy rambles through to hard challenging walks which will test our fittest and most experienced walkers.  We have many experienced walk leaders whose priority is to ensure that all participants enjoy the day in the bush. The Upcoming Walks page on this website has our current walks program.

 The Club has had a long association with McMillans Walking Track which runs 220 kms from Omeo to Woods Point, following much of the original tracks established by Angus McMillan in 1864.  Through the drive and enthusiasm of Life Member the late John Smith OAM, the Club was instrumental in developing McMillans Walking Track. In more recent times, Life Member Joe van Beek has pursued the ongoing maintenance of the Track with gusto and has led several end-to-end walks of the Track.  Please follow the link above for more information.

Ben Cruachan Walking Club Club Objectives and Organization