Oxfam Trailwalker Australia

On the day

Photo: Morris McLennan/OxfamAUS

Checkpoint provisions and services

The main functions of the checkpoints are to record the progress of teams; to provide a safe location for participants to rest; to distribute basic food and water provisions; to provide essential first aid and medical support; and to act as a base for communications and emergency services if required.

All checkpoints will have the following:

Water and hydration: drinking water is available at all sites and hot water at some. Electrolyte sports drink will also be available.

Toilets: toilet facilities are provided at all checkpoints, mostly portaloos.

First aid: first aid services are provided at every checkpoint.

Food and drink: the food provided at the checkpoints is very basic and intended to supplement the provisions supplied by support crews. Food provisions at the checkpoints are for Trailwalkers only. Some checkpoints will have vendors selling hot drinks, plus other drinks and food, so support crews can enjoy a quality fair trade coffee while they wait.

Podiatrists, physiotherapists and myo/massage therapists

Some checkpoints will also have volunteer massage, physiotherapy or podiatry support available at selected times. We are very lucky to have these volunteers at the event. They will be lending their expertise to help the Trailwalkers make it to the finish line and will be in high demand, so please remember that they will be very busy and you may have to wait for treatment.

Checkpoint Details

Checkpoint 1

This checkpoint has no support crew access. Most teams decide to head straight through to Checkpoint 2 and only stop for a few minutes before heading off up hill through the beautiful Churchill National Park. It is very likely that teams may have a few extra furry hopping companions during this section of the trail.

What’s at the checkpoint

• Checkpoint 1 has no support crew access so we have provided enough cups for all the teams who pass through
• Oxfam will provide very basic food supplies such as chocolate or Carmans bars

Checkpoint 2

This is the first stop that support crews have access to and is likely to be quite busy. Most teams don’t tend to take a very long rest at the first checkpoint and save themselves for the second. If you are sitting by the lake you will be able to watch the teams on their way into the checkpoint and give them the encouragement and support they need.

What’s at the checkpoint

• There is a large amount of parking at Lysterfield Lake and plenty of space to relax and enjoy your afternoon.  However, please follow the instructions of the parking marshals at all times
• The car park will be labelled A-E so remember to let your team know which one you will be in
• The park has a cafe called Trailmix next to the lake.

Checkpoint 3

By this point your team will have walked 37.6km so are likely to be feeling a little sore and will really their support crews to be on the ball. This checkpoint is based at Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve and has no access for support crew vehicles. All support crews are bussed in from Ferntree Gully picnic ground car park (also known as 1000 steps car park) detailed in the support crew handbook. Any teams who attempt to access the checkpoint or surrounding roads will be turned away and will risk disqualification.

What’s at the checkpoint

• While you’re waiting for the bus, recharge and grab a coffee from Dight’s Fall Alfresco Fairtrade Mobile Coffee at the Ferntree Gully picnic ground car park.
• The local cafe and restaurant Grants on Sherbrooke is located en route to Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve and has a wide range of menu options ranging from simple cafe style fare including coffee, tea, cakes and sweets to more substantial lunch and dinner items.

Checkpoint 4

This is the first checkpoint with camping space for teams so make sure you have made arrangements in advance. It’s worth organising a strategy amongst your team and support crew but be prepared to adapt to the team’s needs. Many people are surprised by how good they feel and “push on through” to Checkpoint 5. Most teams have their support crews put up tents before they arrive and it’s well worth practising just in case it’s raining.

What’s at the checkpoint

• There is space for parking at Checkpoint 4 but please follow the signs and listen to the parking marshals as this will help avoid congestion
• Car parking is spread across a number of locations labelled A-D so remember to let your team know which one you will be in
• Olinda Senior Footy Club will be providing a BBQ from 5pm to 11pm on Friday night
• Olinda Golf Club will be providing Fair Trade tea and coffee as well as food for support crews from 9am on Friday
• Olinda Senior Football Club will also be providing a BBQ

Checkpoint 5

This is probably the busiest checkpoint of the whole trail. Based in a pony club at Graham Colling Reserve, this checkpoint is over the half way point so many teams choose to take their “big rest” here. Access to the checkpoint is not restricted but the roads in go through residential areas. Given that the event happens on a weekend most people will be at home so please bear this in mind when driving in the area.

What’s at the checkpoint

• There is a lot of space available for camping at Checkpoint 5 so it’s worth organising a strategy amongst you. Be prepared however to adapt to the team’s needs
• The 1^st Heatherdale Scouts have kindly offered to provide food in the form of a BBQ from 10am Friday to 8pm Friday
• Silva Coffee will be providing hot drinks and cakes from 11am Friday to 11am Saturday
• 1^st Heatherdale Scouts will be providing a BBQ, egg and bacon rolls, sandwiches and wraps  
• There is space for parking at Checkpoint 5 but please follow the signs and listen to the parking marshals as this will help avoid congestion

Checkpoint 6

This checkpoint is based in Woori Yallock primary school and is the last checkpoint with sleeping facilities. This comes in the form of the school library so tents aren’t needed. This does of course mean that space is limited.

What’s at the checkpoint

• There is space for parking at Checkpoint 6 but please follow the signs and listen to the parking marshals as this will help avoid congestion
• Food will be provided in the form of a BBQ that is kindly provided and staffed by the friends of the school

Checkpoint 7

Considered the most picturesque checkpoint of them all, this used to be a “rest stop” but we have bumped it up to a full blown checkpoint for this year.

What’s at the checkpoint

• Like last year there is no support crew access so we have provided cups for the walkers to re-hydrate
• Oxfam will provide very basic food supplies such as chocolate or Carmans bars

Checkpoint 8

The last checkpoint! Make sure your team are ready for the final push up and over Mount Little Jo and down to the finish. By this point your team will have travelled 93km. Checkpoint 8 is based in Warburton Golf Club.

What’s at the checkpoint

• There is space for parking at Checkpoint 8 but please follow the signs and listen to the parking marshals as this will help avoid congestion
• Food is provided by Warburton Golf Club and can be ordered from the club menu

Finish

100km completed! We try to make the finish as fun and welcoming as possible for the teams, so we encourage support crews, friends and family to come along and wave as many as you can over the line.

 What’s at the Finish

• There is space for parking at the finish but please follow the signs and listen to the parking marshals as this will help avoid congestion.
• There will be a band, face painters, ice cream and entertainment for the kids
• Food will be provided by Wild Thyme Cafe and Millwarra Primary School
• For something exotic there will be a chai tea tent providing all kinds of tea, coffee and hot drinks
• If you fancy a cold drink then why not blend it yourself in the Bike n Blend tent. Peddle powered smoothie makers will be on site to create your own culinary master pieces