Great Otway National Park: Melbourne Social Hike
[👉🏻 GET YOUR TICKET (CLICK HERE) 👈🏻](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1982317958376?aff=oddtdtcreator)
**🗓️ Date:** Sunday, 21 June 2026
📍 **Location:** Bells Beach (Approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD on Sundays)
**🚙 Need a lift?** [Tap here to see the carpool drivers and organise your ride.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oxWyXQ7dsrO2VOfM9KDkSkFCgB_B2DrC91aEHAK5bao/edit?gid=0#gid=0 "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oxWyXQ7dsrO2VOfM9KDkSkFCgB_B2DrC91aEHAK5bao/edit?gid=0#gid=0")
📏 **Hike Distance:** Around 15 km total.
🔗 **Trail Map:** [Bells Beach](https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/australia/victoria/point-addis-via-bells-beach?sh=gu0gil&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality "https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/australia/victoria/point-addis-via-bells-beach?sh=gu0gil&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality")
🕙 **Start Time:** 10:15 AM. Please arrive 15 minutes early at the hike/parking location (shared via a private Instagram group chat). This gives time for a quick check-in, icebreaker and if available, a toilet break before we kick off at 10:30 AM.
🕔 **End Time:** 4:00 PM.
🚶♂️ **Pace/Difficulty:** Friendly and social / Medium.
⌛️ **Average Hike Duration:** 4–6 hours, depending on the group’s pace + including breaks to admire nature and a lunch break along the trail.
👉Please ensure you follow us on IG group chat, please follow us on Instagram [@SocialHikesAU](https://www.instagram.com/socialhikesau/ "https://www.instagram.com/socialhikesau/") before booking, as Instagram does not allow us to add non-followers to group chats.
💬 **Community Chat Access:** After purchasing your ticket, you'll be added to a private Instagram group chat.
Ensure to fill out the form after purchasing your ticket, or else extra admin charges will apply.
**Please note:** Start / Assembly location on Eventbrite may not be accurate (due to their software mapping limitation) - exact location to be shared on IG group chat.
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*Looking to meet new people, explore nature, and have a good laugh along the way?*
This is your perfect Sunday plan! 🎉
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Melbourne Social Hike. A welcoming day out where the focus is all about fun, friendships and fresh air. Whether you come solo or bring a mate, you’ll leave with new connections and memories!
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**🚙 Carpooling Makes It Happen**
At Social Hikes Australia, carpooling is a big part of what makes our hikes possible. Every extra seat means another person gets to join. Fewer cars, easier logistics, and a more social, fun start to the day.
Carpooling is also a great way to meet people before the hike even begins, share a few laughs, get to know each other, and arrive together. It’s simple, social, and one of the best parts of the experience 🌿
💡 Carpool tickets are offered at a discounted price to encourage drivers to offer seats and make the hikes accessible for everyone.
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👉 **For Drivers**
If you’ve got spare seats, offering a lift makes a big difference. It helps others join, reduces parking stress and makes the ride more enjoyable from the start.
👉 **For Passengers**
Passengers are to contact drivers directly using the details provided in the carpool sheet (linked at the top of the description). The sheet shows information from carpooler tickets (Drivers Offering Seats).
✨ **Best practice:** Try to organise your ride before purchasing a ticket to avoid last-minute stress.
**Please note:** Drivers and passengers should stick to the arrangements they make. We do not recommend swapping drivers or cars after you’ve agreed on a ride. If you do decide to change, please make sure all parties are clearly informed and agree to avoid confusion.
If a driver forgets, gets mixed up, or doesn’t pick you up, Social Hikes Australia (and your driver) are **not liable** for any inconvenience caused. For this reason, it is best to keep things simple with the driver you first arranged with.
⚠️ **Important Notes**
* Please stick with the carpool arrangement you agree on.
* Avoid swapping drivers unless everyone is clearly informed and agrees.
* Petrol, parking, and other costs are not included in the ticket price. These should be agreed upon directly between the driver and passengers.
* Social Hikes Australia is not responsible for any issues with private carpool arrangements.
📍 **Pick-Up Info**
Drivers will share their preferred pick-up locations, such as major CBD train stations like Parliament, Richmond, South Yarra, Southern Cross, or North Melbourne.
For this hike, **the nearest station to the trail is** [Waurn Ponds](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dn7e4WuXs5bSUSCA6 "https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dn7e4WuXs5bSUSCA6"), though drivers choose whichever spot is most convenient for them. Passengers can then join from those locations.
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**🤩 Why Join?**
🌟 Make new friends in a relaxed, casual way.
🌟Enjoy nature and fresh air while meeting like-minded people your age
🌟Friendly vibes full of laughs, chats and good times guaranteed
🌟You never know. Today’s hiking buddy could be tomorrow’s uni mate, housemate, or travel buddy!
🌟Your safety is our priority. Equipped with a first aid kit on hand.
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🎟️ **Tickets:**
**All tickets are $20 per person.**
This helps cover:
* Public liability insurance
* A $2.40 contribution per ticket directly to Parks Victoria
* Experienced guides with a tour operator license who know the trails well
* First aid kit and safety equipment for the group
🚗 **Carpoolers Discount**
If you’re driving and offer seats to passengers, your ticket is only **$5** 🙌.
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**🥾 What to Bring:**
👟 Comfy hiking shoes
💧 2–3L of water
🥪 Snacks/lunch
☀️ Sun protection (hat, sunnies, sunscreen)
🦟 Bug spray (always a good idea)
🎒 Optional: hiking poles, wet weather gear/raincoat
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📌 **How It Works:**
After purchasing your ticket, you’ll receive a link to our private Instagram group chat.
All final details will be shared there: Hike route, meet-up location and any last-minute updates.
Friendly pace, friendly faces! This hike is intentionally slow–medium so everyone can enjoy and chat along the way.
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**Why Join Us?**
🌱 Make new friends in a relaxed, casual way.
🌱 Enjoy nature while meeting people your age.
🌱 No pressure, just good vibes and real connections.
🌱 You never know. Today’s hiking buddy could be tomorrow’s uni mate, flatmate, or travel buddy!
🌱 Your safety is our priority. Equipped with a first aid kit on hand.
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**⚠️ Important:**
Must be 18+ years old to attend.
Hike at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety and belongings.
Respectful, kind behaviour is a must. We are a positive and welcoming community.
Zero tolerance for any unwelcome behaviour. We’re here to have fun, together!
For this hike, we recommend that all participants download the AllTrails app before the event. This will help you:
* View the trail map in advance
* Track your progress during the hike
* Stay on course in case you get separated from the group
Having AllTrails ensures everyone can enjoy the hike safely and confidently.
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**📜 Liability & Waiver**
By joining this hike, you acknowledge that participation is voluntary and at your own risk.
Social Hikes Australia is not liable for accidents, injuries, illnesses, theft, or transport-related issues.
🚑 If you have previous injuries, medical conditions, or health concerns, discuss with the organiser before purchasing your ticket.
Transport/carpooling is a community initiative only, not a service.
👉 Please make sure to read our [Terms & Conditions (click here)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tUzOL94hk5Uk5c7FOjiPRHXZz--5H9p5/view?usp=share_link "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tUzOL94hk5Uk5c7FOjiPRHXZz--5H9p5/view?usp=share_link") before purchasing your ticket.
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**Refund Policy:**
Tickets are non-refundable unless the hike is cancelled or rescheduled.
Tickets cannot be transferred to another hike unless agreed with the organisers.
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**🌧 Rain Policy**
If the forecast shows over 15 mm in 6 hours or 20+ mm during the day, we may postpone or adjust the hike to keep things safe and enjoyable. Slippery trails, flooding, and poor visibility are no fun or safe.
We’ll also reschedule for thunderstorms or if trails are still soaked from heavy rain the days before.
Light rain (under 5 mm/hour) is usually fine. We’ll check each hike case-by-case. Safety first 🌿
If it changes and gets heavier, we’ll reschedule for the following Sunday, 28 June 2026, instead.
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**🌿 About Social Hikes Australia:**
Social Hikes Australia was founded in 2023 with a simple mission: to bring people together through the beauty of nature.
Since then, we’ve completed over 45 incredible hikes across Victoria. From coastal trails to mountain summits, we have explored the diverse landscapes Victoria has to offer, fostering connection, adventure, and a deep appreciation for the wild. 🥾🌿
We're excited to announce that fortnightly hikes have officially become part of our schedule! 🚀 Every two weeks, we'll be exploring new locations, creating more opportunities for you to connect, adventure, and be part of a growing, supportive community.
Whether you're an experienced hiker or just getting into the outdoors, Social Hikes Australia is a place where everyone is welcome. Come for the adventure, stay for the friendships. 🤝✨
👉 Follow us on Instagram for updates and upcoming hikes: [@SocialHikesAU](https://www.instagram.com/socialhikesau/ "https://www.instagram.com/socialhikesau/")
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**💸 Where Your Contribution Goes:**
Advertising and outreach – helping us bring in new people to every event.
$2.40 per person – paid directly to Parks Victoria as part of the per-day use fee.
Public liability insurance – so we’re covered for safety and compliance.
First aid kit supplies – keeping our hikes safe and prepared.
Tour Operator Licence.
Every ticket makes it possible to cover the essentials and keep creating safe, social, and welcoming outdoor adventures. 🌿
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**📞 Organiser Contact:**
We highly encourage you to text our organiser team before purchasing your ticket if you have any concerns about transport:
Jacob 📱 [0404 870 123]() l Sebas 📱 [0435 993 237]()
🥳 Ready to make friends, explore Melbourne’s beautiful nature, and have a blast?
Spots are limited, so grab your ticket now and let's hike, laugh and connect! 🌿🎉
location_onMelbourne CBD, Melbourne
