The VMTC was formed in 1948 with 31 members. This number has steadily increased over the years to the current membership close to 200. About half this number is considered active which means that the member must have done at least 4 trips and at least 6 days of approved activity in the current club year. Only active members can vote at general and annual general meetings, which ensures that club policies and rules are decided by regular participating members only.
During the fifties and sixties the club conducted many remote trips to the Victorian Alps, some of 15 or more days duration. Food was often taken in by cattlemen to prearranged meeting spots. South west Tasmania was also explored in those days with trips to Lake Pedder, Federation Peak, and the rugged west coast. Extremely thick scrub and poor maps made these trips very adventurous. Light aircraft were used to gain access to the areas by landing on the sandy beaches of Lake Pedder. They were also used to drop food into remote locations.
As civilisation expanded and access roads spread, it was much easier to get to trail heads in less time so consequently more weekend trips were undertaken all over Victoria. Day walks could also be conducted further from the city.
It is an unwritten policy that the weekends include an overnight trip, and a day walk as well, so as to cater for all levels of interest of the club members. Usually extended walks are conducted at easter, long weekends and Christmas holidays.
The club is very active in snow trips, and during the winter ski trips occupy most of the weekend events. Once the snow fields were opened up in the sixties and access roads improved snow activities to remote areas became a favourite pastime in this winter period. The ski touring trips began in the seventies when equipment improved and transport to the snowline starting points could be readily organised.
The club was involved in the setting up of the police search and rescue squad back in 1955 and even the first club newsletter in 1949 mentioned search and rescue activities it had undertaken. Since then the club has maintained a very active involvement in the Federation of Victorian Bushwalking Clubs (VicWalk) search and rescue group who help the police search and rescue squad when emergencies arise.
The club has also maintained an active social side and regular events are presented in the clubrooms. These events could be in the form of a slide night, conservation talk, navigation and safety discussion, or is maybe just a restaurant night. Food has always been an interesting topic right from the early days when Farax (easy food) and tin food were used. The clubrooms are open every Thursday night and usually forthcoming trips are discussed and explained as well as any other subject which is of interest to people. Over the years many slide shows and talks have been conducted explaining and showing how things have been carried out in the past. Historic slide nights are one of the clubs most popular social events.