Lake/Daylesford / Tipperary Springs Longer walk 16km

Bush, Walk, Yoga

On Sunday be delighted at the scenic views over the picturesque Sailors Creek on a 16km circuit walk under magnificent gums and enjoy lunch at Splinters Cafe on the edge of Daylesford Lake. The walk follows the Goldfield Dry Diggings Track (formerly known as the Great Dividing Trail) within Hepburn Regional Park and takes in Lake Dayelsford. Whilst walking imagine a bygone era as you pass old water races cut by miners’ last century and their abandoned goldfields. Marvel at the deciduous trees that blaze with colour in autumn and the indigenous paper daisies that dot the landscape in the spring and autumn. Taste the nutrient rich bubbly mineral water at Tipperary Springs and step across Sailors Creek using the large stepping stones at Bryces Flat.

Daily yoga practices will incorporate asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), yoga nidra (relaxation), karma yoga (mindfulness and awareness), meditation, nada yoga (sound therapy), and forest bathing (awareness in/of nature).

Accommodation is at the authentic Rocklyn Yoga Ashram located at 393 Dean Barkstead Road, Rocklyn, in the heart of Wombat State Forest, only 20 mins drive from Daylesford and 11/2 hr from Melbourne CBD. Please be prepared to drive yourself from the Ashram to the start of the walk, a distance of approximately 11km.

Cost is inclusive of all meals, accommodation, yoga classes including yoga nidra, guided bushwalks, and music (live relaxing piano or sound bowls or didgeridoo), and fire ceremony. Cost from $580 shared room. Optional 30 minute massage $75

Program

Arrive and register on Friday anytime between 3pm and 5pm. Meet and greet each other at 5.30pm before a nutritious dinner at 6pm. After dinner totally relax and let go listening to some live piano then being guided through a Yoga Nidra (lying down guided relaxation) that is more efficient and effective as a psychic and physiological rest and rejuvenation than conventional sleep.

On Saturday morning after a restful sleep connect mind, body and breath in a gentle yoga class starting at 7am.

At 8am enjoy a nutritious breakfast, and from 8.30 to 9 participate in 30 mins of Karma Yoga with head, heart and hands.

At 10am we head off on a slower paced forest walk where we bathe in nature and walk mindfully taking time to listen to the sounds of the forest, feel the temperature of the air on our skins, and smell the scent of the gum trees. We return by 11.30 for some morning tea, Yoga Nidra at 12, and a nourishing lunch at 12.30pm.

After lunch rest in the peace and tranquility of the Ashram environment surrounded by nature and enjoy some afternoon tea at 2pm prior to departing on another walk where we venture through a cutting on the long gone Creswick to Daylesford disused railway line where the walls rise imposingly to well over 20m as the cutting curves 1km through 500 million year old bedrock.

We get back in plenty of time for a rest and at 5.30pm we join the healing fire ceremony (Havan) with Ashram residents. The Havan is performed for peace, prosperity, health and happiness for all people and the environment. After another healthy dinner at 6.30pm find your balance and harmony whilst listening to live sound bowls, didgeridoo or piano.

On Sunday waken to a new day with a calming yoga class at 7am followed by breakfast at 8am and 30 minutes of Karma Yoga between 8.30am and 9am.

Its then time to pack up and drive to the walk start at Twin Bridges, located just 11kms from the Ashram. At 10am we step out on a 16km circuit walk  around Sailors Creek and Lake Dayelsford. Along the way we stop and enjoy lunch at Splinters Cafe (coffee, pastry, fresh wrap/baguette and a sweet) beside the still waters of Lake Daylesford. We should be back at your car before 3pm so you have plenty of time to get to your next destination.

Please note the above program may vary subject to the daily weather forecast.