Hey epyic crew
Our pups are fastidious time keepers. Ten minutes past their chow time and they’ll be protesting their starvation to the authorities. Over winter, we’ve been giving them dinner around sunset, that’s how we realised we’re getting more daylight. As of today, sunset is 33 minutes later than it was on the winter solstice (and the pups have issued us with their final warning).
You can feel it across the outdoor adventure community too, the anticipation that builds with the light and the warmth. The wattle turning gold, the mornings are brighter, and plans are hatching.
This week's lineup chases that light from one end of the day to the other. Hitting the trail at dawn in the Otways, long winter views over the western plains, soft light under the mountain ash, and the city sparkling after the sun goes down.
Winter's not quite done but the light is coming back. Go get some.
See you out there
Stella & Chris
ADVENTURES THIS WEEK 🔥
🥾 Group Hike: You Yangs | Another Way Adventure Club
They're the twin peaks you've clocked from the M1 a hundred times on the way down the coast. So when did you last explore them? This Saturday, Pete leads the group on a loop of Wurdi Youang, taking in Big Rock and Flinders Peak, where the low winter sun stretches the view all the way across the plains to the bay. Around 8 to 10km of undulating trail, great chats, and a buzz from being out in nature with good people.
It finishes the AWAC way: (BYO) lunch and coffee, shared amongst the trees with people who became friends on the trail.
📅 Sat 15 Aug, 10am to 2pm 📍 You Yangs
🎟️ Book your spot now
🛶 Birrarung (Yarra River) Cleanup | Up The Creek
70% of Melbourne's drinking water starts in Birrarung. In 2017 the river was recognised as a single living entity, from Mt Baw Baw to the bay. This is our chance to give a couple of hours back to the river that sustains us. Grab a paddle, hop on a raft (all gear provided) and help clear the stretch at Fairfield, with a well-earned lunch together on the bank afterwards. It's Guling, orchid season on the Wurundjeri calendar, when the light starts returning to the river.
Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. What's good for the Yarra is good for all.
📅 Sat 15 Aug, 11am to 1pm 📍 Fairfield
🎟️ Book your spot now
🌃 Melbourne After Dark City Lights Walk | 7 Days of Fun
The best view of Melbourne's skyline isn't from a rooftop bar. It's from the steps of the Shrine, right as the city switches on. This easy 4km Friday-nighter follows the Yarra from Federation Wharf, crosses Princes Bridge and climbs to that view, then wanders back through Kings Domain to Southbank's buskers and lights.
It ends where good Friday walks should: at the pub with a parma as you share laughs with new friends.
📅 Fri 14 Aug, 7 to 10pm 📍 Riverland Bar Steps, CBD
🎟️ Book your spot now
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Nature Trax
Simon spent 20 years in outdoor recreation, education and mental health, leading over 100 programs across Victoria. In 2021, he completed a PhD on what he kept seeing out there: time in nature does things for the mind that not much else can. Nature Trax is that research made walkable.
He’ll take you on guided walks through the High Country's finest, from Mt Buffalo's granite lookouts to the Bogong High Plains, in small groups with transport included and rest breaks built in, because there's no rush out here.
Find Nature Trax on epyic.com (more walks being planned)
Stride or Ride
Stride or Ride is the Mornington Peninsula's annual coastal event with purpose, raising funds for The Portsea Camp.
The camp began with a simple idea: every child deserves the chance to experience joy, connection and the freedom of the outdoors. And for 80 years, The Portsea Camp has been making that possible through camp placements for socially and economically disadvantaged children across Victoria.
The annual Stride or Ride includes walking (6-20km) and riding (65-100km) options along our most picturesque coastal routes. This year it’ll be running on Sunday, 15 November.
To kick off the 2026 challenge, there’ll be a launch event this Friday at Itali.co Sorrento. Say hello to Italian canapés, a glass of vino on arrival, and two-time Olympian Katie Mactier sharing her story.
MORE ADVENTURES THIS WEEK 🔥
🏃🏽 Wonderfalls Trail Running Festival | TrailsPlus
You'll splash through the Cumberland River before the sun is properly up, and the Otways will spend the rest of the day showing off. Waterfalls in full winter flow, rugged coastal bushland, and singletrack climbing high above Lorne on the Great Ocean Road. This is wild, memorable trail running through some of the most scenic terrain in Victoria.
Distances from 6km to 75km. Pick your level of sensible.
📅 Sat 15 Aug, staggered starts from 5am 📍 Cumberland River, near Lorne
🎟️ Book your spot now
🌿 Forest Therapy | Forest Therapy Victoria
Under Sherbrooke's mountain ash, the light arrives filtered, soft and in no hurry. For three hours, neither are you. This is a guided forest therapy walk, where the pace slows, the noise drops, and your shoulders relax. No fitness required, no goal to hit, just tall trees, birdsong and exactly where you’re meant to be.
The slowest adventure this week, and the one that may stay with you the longest.
📅 Sat 15 Aug, 9:30am to 12:30pm 📍 Grant's Picnic Ground, Sherbrooke
🎟️ Book your spot now
🏞️ Masons Falls Short(ish) Hike | Take Shape Adventures
Not everyone’s a fan of winter, we get it. But if there’s a(nother) plus for winter, it’s that waterfalls are majestic this time of the year. This Sunday morning, the TSA team takes you on a guided walk through Kinglake National Park to the falls and home in time for a lazy afternoon.
Keen for a bigger Sunday? Join the Mount Macedon day hike and feel the walk in your legs for the coming week.
📅 Sun 16 Aug, 9am to 1pm 📍 Kinglake West
🎟️ Book your spot now
Disclaimer: We do our best to curate accurate and helpful information but we can't guarantee there won’t be errors. Event details can change so please confirm directly with the organiser. All bookings are with the organiser and participation is at your own risk. We accept no liability for any issues arising from booking and attending any of these activities.