Hike report - Geelong’s Mountain to Mouth 2018

By Penny Stevenson

Penny reflects on her journey from the 2018 Mountain to Mouth - Geelong's multi-award winning extreme arts walk - an 80km biennial journey of discovery over two days...

Most events are about the distance and this is no exception! However in this event there is no time keeping, no records to be set or broken just amazing land to be traversed.

Along the path there are art installations to consider or reflect upon or just laugh at (Oompaloompas with squeaky rubber chickens spring to mind)...

You were encouraged to be aware of your environment with sensory activities provided along the way.

The route was largely flat and on made tracks, gravel, concrete or bitumen. I did it without a guide using my cane and walking pole and following walkers. There were some sections where the path was so good and empty I didn’t even need my cane.

There were shuttle buses to transport people between stages so you could pick and choose which stages you did.

It was pet dog friendly but because I was doing the whole distance I chose not to bring my guide dog.

The artworks were mostly pretty tactile although some audio description of the ceremonies would make the experience better.

I am looking forward to 2020 for the next one!

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Discover Geelong, our land and our waterways,  walk with us, follow the ceremonial sculptural ‘Canoe’ and enjoy the amazing ephemeral artworks at Walking Circles along the 80km contemporary songline route.

M~M begins at the You Yangs mountain range, crosses Geelong’s industrial heartland at nightfall and arrives in the city centre to collide with Geelong After Dark, a night of extreme and unexpected arts.
In the tradition of Wadawurrung traditional owners, M~M creates a contemporary songline across the Geelong and Queenscliffe regions. Artworks installed in Walking Circle landmarks feature at the 12 Songline Stations along the way.

M~M offers walkers the opportunity to register for the experience of their choice - the distance, the challenge, the terrain. M~M offers experiences that are free to all -  ceremonies marking significant points along the walk.

visit https://www.mountaintomouth.com.au for more informail

Pictured below: Penny and her walking buddies walk over the famous Seachange bridge into Barwon Heads as the sun sets in the distance.