Overview
Although 'art' and 'extreme trek' don't often go together, Mountain to Mouth is revising that for you this weekend. Unfolding its 80-kilometre self over two days, it'll be an extreme arts walk for those brave enough to partake the full distance.
Mountain to Mouth (M~M) is a biennial event that takes walkers on a hefty 80-kilometre journey of discovery from Geelong to Queenscliff, creating a songline across the regions it travels, echoing the Wadawurrung traditional landowners.
Starting at Big Rock at the You Yangs mountain range, you'll walk to Geelong and, come nightfall, M~M will arrive in the city centre to coincide with Geelong After Dark. Then, at dawn the next day, the walk will continue along Bellarine farmland before finishing up at Barwon Heads. There will be artworks installed at the 12 stations along the way, and different ceremonies will punctuate the journey from beginning to end, along with a ceremonial sculptural 'canoe' journeying along with walkers.
You don't have to commit to the whole 80 kilometres, either. You're able to jump in and out of the walk as you please — you can buy a 'visa' to walk one stage of the journey, a pass for one day or a pass for the whole two days. You can also book a bus to take you from Geelong to the starting point, or from the end point back to town.
It's a choose your own adventure-type event, but the celebration of art and land will be standard for everyone involved.