Gay, bi, trans and queer men's June Hike: Two Creeks Ballarat
June is Pride Month, some come join us for a hike with a difference!
The Two Creeks Trail is a bit of a different one for us. It’s a 13.7km circuit urban hike that runs along the Yarrawee River and Canadian Creek along bush tracks but also some street sections. We will pass creeks and lakes, open grasslands, and dense forest and head into the Ballarat CBD before looping back.
We may even stop into a cafe for some takeaway coffees along the route. In fact, Tiny Pride has generously offered to purchase us some drinks for us in honour of it being Pride Month if we do.
The hike is rated as a moderate hike. There’s one steep section but other than that it is relatively flat and easy to manage. It’s just under 14km in total and will take roughly 3 hours (but we’ll add in extra to stop and eat/chat halfway).
Good news - dogs are welcome as long as they are friendly with other dogs and on a lead!
Details and ticket info are below.
Where: Two Creeks Circuit Trail, Ballarat
When: Sunday June 15, 11am (meet from 10:50am, set off at 11am)
Bring: Weather appropriate clothing, hiking boots with good grip (no thongs or casual shoes!), backpack, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a personal first aid kit if you have one, some easy food to share with the group, and a sense of adventure and a good, positive, friendly attitude.
We expect that the hike will be completed around 2:30pm as we usually stop for breaks, snacks, photos and chats.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Men who are gay, bi, trans, and/or queer. You do not have to be local to Ballarat - guys from anywhere are welcome and we regularly have guys join us from Geelong and Melbourne. You can come alone, with a partner, or with friends (as long as you all have tickets).
Shy guys and guys that are not out are very welcome - and don’t worry, only people who actively consent to photos being taken are ever photographed.
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR A TICKET
Tickets are FREE but we have tickets so we control numbers and provide any last minute updates about route/wet weather contingencies.
Only those that register for tickets will be provided with our exact hike meeting point which will be emailed to you after tickets close at 6pm the day before.
We hope you can make it! If not, we’ll keep you in the loop on future hikes.
Thanks,
OUT in Nature
Find our answers to FAQ on our group here. If you have any other questions, let us know!
**Note: this is an event only for people that identify as men.
Why is This a Men’s Only Event?
This event is designed exclusively for men in response to requests for men-only gatherings. Men are not well represented in local LGBTIQA+ event stats and so we hope these events can provide a space where men can meet and bond, serving as an entry point for broader LGBTIQA+ community involvement.
It's also important for men to have opportunities to connect with one another and build a sense of community.
Research shows that strong community connections can significantly improve physical and mental health. Hiking, as a central activity, offers a healthy alternative to social activities that often revolve around alcohol. It also provides a welcoming and non-threatening environment for men to converse and be physically active together which will strengthen positive health outcomes.
Thank you for your support.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Ballarat, Health & Wellness events in Ballarat.
