Push yourself with an extraordinary challenge this March at the last ever Oxfam Trailwalker in Australia.

Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne is our final walk and is being held on 1-3 March 2024.

100km walkers begin their adventure on Friday 1 March.

55km and 33km walkers being their adventure on Saturday 2 March.

You’ll set off for the final epic adventure at Silvan Reservoir Park. Make one last charge up Mount Dandenong, then feel every one of the iconic 1000 Steps. You’ll cross the finish line to end all finish lines at Lysterfield Park.

A number of factors have combined to make it difficult for us to continue running Trailwalker. Since the pandemic, the number of community fundraising events has increased. At the same time, consumer interest in those events has reduced. We’ve also seen lower fundraising due to the cost-of-living crisis. This has resulted in the difficult decision to wrap up Trailwalker after the Melbourne event in March.

Join the adventure of a lifetime. For the very last time.

REGISTER NOW

You can contact us HERE

There is a challenge for everyone at Oxfam Trailwalker. Participants can choose their own adventure by taking their pick of a 33km, 55km or 100km distance.

Your teams’ start wave will be allocated 4-6 weeks out from the event weekend. Typically start waves begin from 7am and are held in 30-minute intervals.

Please refer to the key dates section on our website HERE for more updates.

Teams will be required to complete their challenge within the following times:

• 100km – 40 hours – NEW requirement for 2023
• 55km – 18 hours
• 33km – 12 hours

The Melbourne Trailwalker 2024 Maps will be available week commencing 8 January 2024.
The 2023 training Mapbooks are now available to download online as a guide to help support your training.
While our team is working hard to finalise the 2024 maps, we suggest using these training books, along with the AllTrails maps, to familiarise yourself with the terrain. Please head to our trail webpage HERE

All participants must be eighteen (18) years or older by the Thursday before the event weekend. Oxfam Trailwalker will not accept registrations from people under the age of eighteen (18).

All volunteers must be sixteen (16) years or older by the Thursday before the event weekend. Volunteers aged sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years of age must always be accompanied by a Guardian during their chosen volunteer shift.

The final adventure awaits. Sign up for below and join an adventure that will go down in history.

Follow the prompts to get your team registered today.

REGISTER NOW

Team sizes are more flexible than ever before. For safety reasons, each team will need at least three people, but you can now grow your team to include six team members!

Only Team Leaders can invite members to join their team. Team Leaders are also able to invite their teammates at the point of registration or via your dashboard.

If you are the Team Leader, simply go to your dashboard and look for ‘MY TEAM’. Here you will find options to invite team members via email or by copying a link to send to your new team members.

If you need a hand with this process, please contact us via email at trailwalker@oxfam.org.au or give us a call on 1300 369 606.

We can assist you with this request. Please get in touch with us via email at trailwalker@oxfam.org.au

Any individual or team looking to connect with fellow walkers or find new team or team members can join one of our dedicated Facebook Groups:

Sydney Facebook Group

Melbourne Facebook Group

We suggest putting up a post with a brief introduction, whilst being specific about the distance you are hoping walk, as well as the time frame you will be aiming to completing that distance.

We find a lot of participants connect this way, and they also meet and train together before the event.

Yes, we’re proud to ask each Trailwalker participant to raise $500 to walk on event weekend. Each dollar raised will go towards tackling the inequalities that keep vulnerable people living in poverty and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

The minimum fundraising amount of $500 per team member must be raised by the Friday 23 February. We’ll be on hand to support you with fundraising tips, tricks and tools to help you smash your goal.

Please refer to our key dates HERE

And our Fundraising Resources HERE

We know asking friends, family and colleagues for a donation can feel daunting, especially with the current financial climate. We want to reassure you that from the moment you register for Oxfam Trailwalker you are fully supported by our team.

You will receive a comprehensive online Fundraising Guide jam-packed with tips and tricks to maximise your fundraising efforts.

You'll also have access to our dedicated team, who are full of fundraising knowledge and can help you develop a fundraising plan suited to you. We have no doubt you'll be able to reach and surpass your fundraising goal.

The adventure you are undertaking is one of the toughest endurance events in Australia. Don't forget to let your supporters know this. It'll be tough, it’ll be unforgettable and the money you raise with your team will help eliminate poverty by tackling inequality.

Firstly, congratulations and thank you! What an incredible effort. You will receive your exclusive merchandise rewards in your event packs prior to the event weekend. Please refer to the key dates on our website HERE which outlines fundraising merchandise deadlines and postage dates.

We can’t wait to see you wearing your new gear.

Your incredible fundraising efforts goes towards supporting 85 countries helping over 19 million people — empowering communities to lift themselves out of poverty.

For every $1 donated:

• 73 cents is spent tackling poverty by directly supporting Oxfam’s development and humanitarian programs around the world
• 19 cents is invested to generate future income
• 8 cents is spent on essential administration.

Absolutely we can. Workplace Matched Giving is a fantastic way to boost your fundraising. Please get in touch with our friendly team and we’ll be able to answer all your questions.

trailwalker@oxfam.org.au

1300 369 606

Many employers have a match funding program, where they’ll match dollar for dollar the amount raised by you or your team. Even if your employer doesn’t have such a program, they might still be willing to make a donation — all you have to do is ask! You can read more about it HERE

Oxfam Australia has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient. This means all donations above $2 are tax deductible.

All online donations made to your profile will instantly receive an electronic tax receipt. Please note, that registration fees are not tax deductible. .

All online donations will instantly receive an electronic tax receipt. If you receive an offline donation of S2 or more, and the donor would like a receipt, we recommend that you make the donation online on their behalf, inputting their name and email address in the donation form. Alternatively, they can call 1300 369 606. We no longer issue paper donation receipt books.

Oxfam Trailwalker is more than your average walk in the park! It is a long, tough, endurance event and you will be in open bushland for many hours. However, with proper training and preparation, just about anyone can complete the distance.

We want you to feel as prepared as possible. Please check out our 33km, 55km and 100km Training and Preparation Guides HERE. Our guides are full of essential information to get you started on your Oxfam Trailwalker training journey.

It's important that all Oxfam Trailwalker participants read the Event Rules prior to the Event. You can read them HERE.

Organising all of your gear for a big endurance event can seem like an overwhelming task. But don't worry, we have you sorted. Head to our Gear page HERE and download our Gear Tips and Gear Checklist.

We highly recommend visiting our National Partner and Gear Expert, Paddy Pallin for all your gear needs and questions.

Each team must carry:

• Two mobile phones, preferably on two different networks
• At least one first aid kit
• A thermal blanket for each team member
• Hydration (ensure you have water bladders or reusable bottles – we are a disposable cup/bottle free event)
• Food

• A head torch per team member (with spare batteries)
• Walking poles
• Portable phone power bank

Yes! If you are participating in the 100km or 55km events, you are required to have a minimum of two people join you as support crew for event weekend.

They’ll become a crucial part of your overall team, providing you with meals, supplies, rest and encouragement to get you to the finish line.

If you are participating in the 33km event it is not mandatory for you to have Support Crew. This is due to the distance, timing allowed for the event, and limited Checkpoint locations you’ll pass on the trail. Of course, if you’d like to have friends or family take on this role you are welcome to recruit Support Crew to help you as you take on your challenge.

For all distances Support Crew are limited to 1 vehicle per Checkpoint, and parking passes for Support Crew vehicles will be issued to the team leader closer to the event.

Check out our comprehensive Support Crew Guide HERE for more information.

At Oxfam Australia the safety of our Oxfam Trailwalker participants, volunteers, support crew and staff is incredibly important to us. We will continue to follow state recommendations to ensure our event continues to operate in a Covid-safe manner. If anything changes, we will notify participants and volunteers via our website, email and social media.

Please don’t attend Oxfam Trailwalker if you are awaiting a COVID-19 test result or have received a positive COVID-
19 test result or have been directed by a health professional to self-isolate.

We ask that all participants practise good hygiene, including washing your hands and/or using hand sanitizer regularly, and sneezing/coughing into your elbow.

• Staggered start times to restrict the amount of people on site.
• All registrations and event pack delivery will be done pre-event to avoid congestion on event day.
• Additional cleaning and sanitation will take place in high touch point areas such as bathrooms, drink stations, food service areas. There will also be designated cleaners throughout the event.
• Hand sanitiser stations will be prominent and available for all participants, staff, support crew and volunteers to use.
• Face masks and gloves will be made available. Event organisers will continue to follow public health directions in relation to wearing of face masks and social distancing.
• All support crews must register online prior to the event and there will be a maximum of 1 support crew vehicle per checkpoint permitted per team.
• To further minimise the need to gather in groups, all event briefings will be conducted online for participants and volunteers.

Currently, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of entry to Oxfam Trailwalker events.

To ensure Oxfam Trailwalker events are undertaken in a COVID-safe way that protects the health and safety of all staff, volunteers and participants, we will continue to closely monitor all State and Federal Government guidelines and regulations regarding all aspects of COVID-safety, including vaccination passports.

Changes to the Oxfam Trailwalker COVID-19 vaccination policy may be made without prior notice, should any new requirements be introduced by State and Federal Government. The Trailwalker team will communicate any changes to participants and volunteers and update the FAQs as required.

For more information, refer to:

• Federal Government Website
• VIC Website

We understand that registering for Oxfam Trailwalker is a significant commitment. The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable in the event of voluntary cancellation by teams or individual participants for any reason.

If you, or a team member is:
• Feeling unwell, experiencing or showing symptoms of cold, influenza or COVID-19
• Awaiting results of a COVID-19 test
• Directed by a health professional or legally required to self-isolate

At the time of an Oxfam Trailwalker event, you will not be allowed to participate and are required to notify the Oxfam Trailwalker team immediately.

A full refund of registration fees is available to individuals who are unable to participate because of COVID-19 providing you or your team member is supported by a medical certificate.

A full refund of registration fees will be available to individuals who are unable to participate in Trailwalker due to government restrictions relating to COVID-19.

If Oxfam Australia or government directives require a reduction in the number of Trailwalker participants for safety reasons, including COVID-19 restrictions, participants will be able to receive a full refund of their registration. Refunds will be processed in reverse order based on the date of each team’s entry into the Trailwalker event.

A full refund of registration fees will be available to individuals who are unable to travel and participate in a Trailwalker event as a result of border restrictions relating to COVID-19.

Participating teams have the option of requesting a 50% refund of their registration fees if a Trailwalker event is deemed too dangerous to proceed as scheduled. Oxfam Australia reserves the right to delay, reschedule or change the trail at short notice in order to ensure participant safety.

Melbourne is a wonderful city offering a wide range of accommodation both in the CBD and closer to the trail. If you’re flying in from out of state, we recommend hiring a car to get your team and support crew to the start line. If you plan on taking public transport during your time in Melbourne, we suggest downloading the PTV app (public transport Victoria) which will help you to see public transport options near you.

In the CBD, you can choose from a variety of options such as hotels, Airbnb's and self-catering apartments. If you’d like to stay closer to the trail, we recommend looking for accommodation near either of the two `start lines, the finish line, or if you're a true outdoor enthusiast, you can camp in Lilydale camping site which is conveniently located near the 55km and 33km start line.

Major suburbs and towns near the 100km start line include Gembrook, Cockatoo, Emerald, and Belgrave, where you can find plenty of self-catering accommodation. You can drive from these suburbs to the airport in under an hour and a half, or to the airport in under two hours.

Gembrook is served by the 695 bus route, although if you wish to go to the CBD, you will likely have to take two buses as there is no direct service. Check out the PTV app to explore your options.

Major suburbs and towns near the 55km and 33km start line include Silvan and Mt Evelyn. where you can find plenty of self-catering accommodation. You can drive from these suburbs to the CBD in under an hour, or to the airport in under an hour and a half.

Silvan, Lilydale, and Mt Evelyn are served by the 663 bus route, but again, are not served by a direct to CBD route, so you may need to take two buses. Check out the PTV app to explore your options.

Major suburbs and towns near the finish line include Lysterfield and Narre Warren. where you can find plenty of self-catering accommodation. You can drive from these suburbs to the CBD in under an hour, or to the airport in under an hour and a half.

Narre Warren and Lysterfield are served by a number of bus routes such as the 828 and 893. These areas are not served by a direct to CBD bus route, so you may need to take two buses. Check out the PTV app to explore your options.