The Tour of the Dandenongs organising team have been out touring these surrounds and have just about completed finding an interesting and – in places – testing route.

The information for participants is now available.

In true Shortest Day Team style an interesting tour is now on paper.

Interesting Places, Interesting Roads, Interesting Directions ….

… now just waiting for Interested People!

The brief plan is …

The start is at Bruce Wilsons Calypso Campers in Ringwood; Book In from 8.30 for a 9.30 start.

Section One is from Ringwood to Melba Park, Lilydale and is laid out as a Novice style Introductory Tour of approx 40 kms.  Here you have a  45 min Coffee stop which includes plotting and thinking time for Section 2.

Ken Cusack will be on hand; as he has with just about ever motoring activity I have organised since 1977, to compile a record of your participation for all to see!

Section Two; Lilydale to Seville Centenary Gardens. 55 kms of old style HRA Touring Assembly route and navigation. Starting with a run straight over the top of the Dandenongs to Kalorama – just for the view  – then down again wandering through Mt Evelyn to the Wandin(s) locale before finding Seville.

The Centenary Gardens are right next to the famous Seville Bakery and a 20 min refreshment has been allowed before you turn South for Section Three.

This section is set out as a Driving Tour of eastern side of the Ranges – giving the driver a stress free run and the crew the chance to watch the scenery of Yellingbo, Macclesfield, Emerald, Menzies Creek, Selby to Belgrave.  A bit like a old fashioned Sunday drive around the Dandenongs and you might even see – and even stop for – Puffing Billy along the way. Just the thing for our Train Spotting members to enjoy on a Sunday morning! There will be a few easy Via points along the 50 kms to find just to keep the crew awake.

From the Belgrave we pick up the Melbourne suburban rail network for the 30 km run back to Bruce Wilsons establishment in Ringwood.  Upwey, Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Bayswater and East Ringwood areas are visited, with the sands of time – read Melbourne development – meaning  Mr Broadbent will let you down here or there.

First car is back at Ringwood at around 2.30 where Tom and Carol Latta will book you in – and offer you the opportunity to accept the challenge of Toms Experts Lap – a 20 km jaunt around Tom’s backyard.  With your new found, or re-antiquated navigating skills it will be a breeze!

Ken Cusack will once again pull out the Texta and big sheet of paper to display the record of your day whilst you enjoy the best of catering that our Club BBQ legend Frase has prepared for you.

See you on the 1st of July.

The HRA Shortest Day Team
Simon Brown, Mike Novak, Peter Fraser, Ken Cusack, Tom & Carol Latta and Marg Davington.