Category: Articles

Bushwalking is a wonderful way to connect with nature, enjoy fresh air, and get some exercise. However, uneven terrain, unpredictable weather, natural obstacles and loss of concentration can pose risks of slips, trips, and falls. Here are our ten top tips to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable walk.

1. Wear Appropriate Footwear
Invest in high-quality hiking boots or shoes that provide good ankle support and have a non-slip sole. Proper footwear can significantly reduce the risk of slipping on wet or uneven surfaces and provide better traction and stability.

2. Check the Weather Forecast
Before heading out, always check the weather forecast. Wet and rainy conditions can make some trails slippery and more challenging to navigate. And don’t forget if you are wearing a hood on your raincoat, you can lose some of your peripheral vision.  If the weather looks unfavorable, consider rescheduling your walk for a safer day.

3. Stay on Marked Tracks
Stick to marked and maintained tracks. Venturing off the beaten path increases your risk of encountering loose rocks, uneven ground, ankle breaking holes and other hazards. Track markers are there for a reason-they guide you along the safest and most manageable route.

4. Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are not just for older walkers, those with injuries or nordic walkers, they can provide additional stability and support for everyone, especially on steep or uneven terrain. They help distribute your weight more evenly, reduce strain on your knees, and can catch you if you stumble.

5. Pack Light and Right
Carry only the essentials to avoid being weighed down by a heavy backpack. A lighter load makes it easier to maintain your balance. Ensure your pack is properly fitted and secured to prevent it from shifting and throwing you off balance.

6. Watch Your Step
Pay close attention to where you’re walking. Avoid distractions such as using your phone or taking in the scenery while moving. Scan the ground ahead for obstacles like roots, rocks, and holes, and plan your steps accordingly.

7. Maintain a Steady Pace
Avoid rushing, especially on tricky sections of the trail. Maintain a steady, controlled pace and take shorter steps on uneven ground. If you need to pick up speed, do so only on stable terrain.

8. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Stay alert to your surroundings and potential hazards. Listen for the sounds of wildlife or other bushwalkers, and be mindful of changing conditions underfoot, such as wet leaves, loose gravel, or mud.  And watch out for wet tree roots!

9. Take Regular Breaks
Fatigue can impair your judgment and coordination. Take regular breaks to rest, hydrate, and refuel with snacks. Keeping your energy levels up will help you stay alert and focused on the trail.

10. Hike with a Buddy
Whenever possible, bushwalk with a friend or in a group. Having someone with you can be invaluable in case of an emergency, and companions can help each other navigate tricky sections of the trail safely.

Happy trails!

If you’re new to bushwalking with a group, or simply appreciate the reminder, here’s a list of ‘Ten Commandments’ that we all should follow:

1. DON’T BE LATE Make sure you turn up at the appointed meeting place on time so that the others aren’t waiting A late start can mean a late finish which is no fun if you forgot to pack your head torch and have to stumble around in the dark on the way back to the cars.
2. BE READY TO GO Just because you arrived well before the appointed time, doesn’t mean you should then proceed to hold everyone up while you eat breakfast, change your clothes or Facebook all your friends to let them know you are about to embark on the adventure of a
3. DOUBLE CHECK YOU HAVE EVERYTHING You don’t want to have to admit to the Leader when you stop for lunch that you left yours sitting on the bench at home, or that you forgot your water bottle; or be asking to borrow someone’s tea bag, or their toilet paper, or if anyone has a spare pair of gloves or a rain jacket, or …
4. MAKE SURE YOU’RE UP TO IT Don’t kid yourself (and the Leader) that sure, you can manage a five-day pack walk in the mountains, after all you have been walking around the block every night after Check the walk grading, look at a topographical map of where the walk is being held (that’s the map with all the little lines on it), and if you’re not sure ask. Don’t ruin everyone else’s trip just because you have a big ego.
5. LEAVE A MARKER When nature calls and you have to duck into the bushes for a quick whizz, let someone know and make sure you leave your pack on the track so that when the Leader sends out a search party because you’ve slipped on a rock and are now lying unconscious in the undergrowth they’ll know where to start
6. RIGHT OF WAY Don’t forget that the walkers grunting and gasping up the mountainside have the right of way over the walkers cheerfully strolling down the mountain. It’s always polite to step off the track to let the poor buggers get by if there isn’t a lot of room. (You might even offer them a hand up).
7. INTERSECTIONS These can cause a lot of confusion and heartache, especially if you head off in the wrong direction. If you get there before everyone else because all those evening walks around the block have made you super-fit and you’re out to prove that you can manage even if you are carrying a 30kg pack, STOP! The accepted code of conduct is to WAIT until everyone in the group has arrived (including the Leader) before
8. FIVE MINUTES ‘TIL BLAST OFF! According to some, the most important aspect of bushwalking etiquette is the five-minute warning. You’ve stopped somewhere on the track for morning tea and you’re wondering… Do I have time to set up the stove and boil the billy for a cuppa, can I unroll my mat and have a little lie down and catch up on my emails, is there enough time to walk up to that ridge behind us and take a few panoramic photos? A good Leader will establish the length of the break and provide a five-minute warning before the walk is due to
9. SILENCE IS GOLDEN Sometimes it’s rather nice to walk without a constant chatter happening around Sometimes we like to appreciate the silence of wild places; to listen to the lyrebirds showing off their repertoire of bird calls; to hear the wind rustling through the leaves of the mountain ash; to hear the soft patter of rain on our jacket hood. So don’t forget to take a deep breath and let the stillness embrace you, rather than filling every second with your scintillating insights.
10. APPLAUD THE LEADER At the end of the walk it’s quite alright to give the Leader a standing ovation, a slap on the back, a warm handshake or help them unload their pack; better still shout them a coffee and cake on the way home to show your gratitude for organising the whole experience and getting you and your 30 kg pack home safe and sound.

By Eileen Clark, Border Bushwalking Club

I am new to bushwalking in the Baw Baw National Park but loving it.  After four BTAC/Friends of Baw Baw track maintenance events on the AAWT over the last two years, I decided to do a trial run of 6 days and 5 nights from Walhalla to Stronachs (Food drop) and back to Baw Baw for pickup carrying my pack instead of a brushcutter or hedgetrimmer, which had become my norm.  The weather was glorious late autumn, with only a little rain on one night, though the nights were long and cold.  The tracks are so easy to walk along given all the work done by the volunteer groups.  I had been warned about the leeches coming out of O’Sheas Mill camp, and managed to remove most of them, but a few got me good, one behind my ear and one on my upper thigh. I had a Garmin Inreach for keeping in contact with family and in case of any emergencies.  I didn’t see anyone else on the track, from Sun afternoon (day walkers at Mushroom rocks) to my exit at Baw Baw on Thursday afternoon.

I had one incident that those who have done track maintenance near Whitelaw Hut Ruins around April this year can relate to:  At Whitelaw’s there is a number of nice flat spots to pitch your tent around the ruins, with easy access to Mount Whitelaw Creek, which we put in in April. This is a beautiful stream for water.  So, I chose the nicest one and setup there.

The night was windy but not overly so, around about midnight I awoke to a horrible CRACK of a tree breaking and thought that is …. close, no time to do anything other than let out a guttural scream and think that if this falls on me I am a goner.  I reached for my headlamp that I keep in a small pocket on the roof of the tent, but couldn’t find it.  With a bit more searching I realised that the side of the tent had collapsed.  Not wanting to get out of the tent to investigate, I thought that it could wait till the morning.  Rising the next morning I surveyed the destruction.  While I was about 15m from the trees, thanks to the domino effect, I had a very lucky escape.   I assume one tree fell and took the other with it, as they are very close together up there.  The top skinny part got the tent, ripped a hole in the fly, severely bent a pole and sheared off one of the metallic triangular pole joiners.  I don’t think the size of the tree was big enough to be life threatening but in the middle of the night it was a very scary experience.

The moral of this tale is to carefully chose your camp site taking into account the possible risks.  Which I did do. How many people, as part of their risk assessment, consider the domino effect of one tree onto another?

Mike Grimes

As clubs gear up for their annual AGM, the perennial challenge of recruiting new committee members looms large. In this spirit, Eileen Clark from the Border Bushwalking Club has crafted a refreshingly lighthearted article, shedding light on the responsibilities and joys of serving on the committee. It’s a piece clubs may find valuable to share with their members as they navigate the recruitment process and inspire fresh faces to step up to the plate.

Who does what on the Committee?

The following descriptions are more or less true and may help you decide whether to nominate yourself or someone else for a Committee position at the AGM.

President (Ian)

Leads the Club with a firm but kind hand, making sure we don’t get lost along the tangled pathways of rules and regulations. The President usually chairs meetings, sees that our Club remains inclusive, welcoming and friendly, and ensures we meet the objectives of the constitution. He is pro-active when it comes to issues affecting the Club and encourages members to lead activities in a safe, competent and friendly manner. To do all this, you need the wisdom of Solomon and a strong sense of humour.

Vice-President (Alwyn)

This is the easiest job on the Committee provided the President never takes a holiday, sick leave or other period of absence. Since this is unlikely, it is helpful if the VP has a crystal ball to ensure that they will be present when the President is absent. In our Club, there is no expectation that the VP will automatically be promoted to President at some time.

Secretary (Dick)

The Time Lord of the Committee who turns hours into minutes when recording decisions made at Committee meetings. The Secretary also attends to correspondence and enquiries and maintains contact with Committee members. Key attributes include the ability to find pearls of wisdom among the dross of animated discussion at meetings, and a good sense of dates so that meeting notices are sent out in timely fashion.

Treasurer (Geraldine)

If you can count up to 20 without taking your socks off, this is the job for you. The Treasurer maintains our accounts, authorises payments and prepares financial reports for meetings with details of cheques and balances, incomings and outgoings. This requires a neat and logical mind and the ability to navigate a spreadsheet without using GPS.

Membership Secretary (Sandi)

This is the Keeper of the Records, charged with ensuring that members’ details remain SECURED, PROTECTED and kept PRIVATE. The Membership Secretary processes new membership applications, sends out welcome letters and checks that forms are correctly filled in. While once this involved a mountain of paper and the destruction of several forests, now it is all done on computer and so the ability to use same is an essential attribute.

Activities Co-ordinator (Bernadette)

Keeps us on our toes, saddles, skis, canoes and anything else. The Activities Co-ordinator oversees the program and liaises with leaders to ensure that planned activities are run safely. This is done by checking and approving planned activities before they appear on the Club’s website. The AC regularly reviews Club protocols and policies related to activities to ensure we are following best practice and encourages new leaders by arranging mentors. To do all this, you need a good knowledge of the places we visit, the aforementioned wisdom of Solomon and an operational crystal ball.

Equipment Officer (Wendy)

Do you know the differences between a tent, a teepee and a Trangia? Then think about becoming Equipment Officer. The Club has a selection of equipment for hire and the Equipment Officer ensures this is in good condition and also makes recommendations for replacements or new items.

Social Convenor (Ira)

Many members reckon this is the most important job of all. The Social Convenor ensures we have venues for meetings and appropriate refreshments to enhance our sociability. This requires the organisational skills of a Field-Marshal and the uncanny ability to know how many sausages to order for the Christmas Party when you have no idea how many people are coming. Another responsibility is ensuring the President always has a packet of Tim Tams that never runs out.

Newsletter Editor (Eileen)

If you’ve read this far you’ll have a good idea of what the newsletter editor does. Eleven times a year I must compile a stunning publication packed with news, information and trip reports. You be the judge! The editor has the choice of being on the Committee or sitting outside it and getting the required information in other ways.

Website Manager (Suzanne)

Is responsible for all the back office stuff needed to maintain the Club’s website and, from this month, our Facebook page. It is a highly skilled position and hence is chosen by selection rather than election. The website manager also has the choice of being on the Committee or sitting outside it.

General member(s) (Tim)

This is the member without portfolio, or the odd job man who does a bit of everything as the need arises. Drawing on his vast experience of this and other Committees, Tim has put together some thoughts about what makes a good Committee member:

• Some experience in working with or in groups of people is useful. Committee work is often about cooperation and compromise, and of course conflict resolution!
• It’s not necessary for all BBC Committee members to be expert bushwalkers, but the ability to listen to and take on board opinions of those that are is important.
• Obviously, a keen interest in seeing the Club prosper is important, ie be a keen Club member.
• Committee members should also be capable of creative thinking. Leading a club through difficult times sometimes requires ‘different’ approaches
• People with wide and varied connections within the local community are very useful people to have on committees as often potential roadblocks can be overcome, doors opened, etc.
• Some experience in applying for and managing grants may be useful, depending on our financial position going forward

Point Hicks in the Croajingolong National Park is named after Lieutenant Zachary Hicks, the naval officer on James Cook’s Endeavour who first sighted the southeast tip of the Australian continent just after daybreak on April 19, 1770.

Cook sailed towards the landmass for two hours and described it in his journal before turning northeast. “What we have seen of this land appears rather low and not very hilly, the face of the country green and woody, but the sea-shore is all a white sand” — an accurate description of Point Hicks and the coastal park to this day. Smoke from several fires was observed — probably from managed burns and Gunaikurnai campfires. Cook took the fires to mean that the land was inhabited, but no one came out of the bush to greet the visitors.

Moving forward a couple of centuries — to Grand Final weekend September 2023 — and smoke was seen again in east Gippsland, this time from out-of-control bushfires. Bayside Bushwalking Club member Mike Grant was packing for a weekend of volunteer track clearing in Croajingolong on Grand Final Thursday when the Parks Victoria ranger in charge rang him to advise that the trip should be cancelled due to the fire risk.  As Mike said later, while Captain Cook had the Pacific Ocean as an escape route, there is only one road out of Wingan Inlet, which would be a problem in a bushfire.

Mike has organised the Grand Final long weekend track clearing project at Croajingolong for the past five years. In 2022, 14 volunteers took part. The 2023 event has been rescheduled for the Anzac Day weekend of April 25 to April 28 next year —254 years after Captain Cook.

The Croajingolong track clearing event is one of twelve in an annual program organised by Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC), a group of environmental volunteers organised by Bushwalking Victoria, the peak body for bushwalking clubs in Victoria.

Mike says it’s a sociable weekend of camping and track clearing with opportunities for walking and enjoying the sandy coast. The weekend starts on Thursday with the 450 km drive. The group sets up camp at Wingan Inlet or Point Hicks campground ahead of a 9am Friday briefing with Nick Wilkins, the Parks Victoria ranger based at Cann River.

On Friday and Saturday, the group clear tracks radiating out of the camp site. Equipment, including chain saws, brush cutters and hand tools, is supplied from a trailer maintained by BTAC.

On Saturday night Parks Victoria hosts a barbeque for the workers at the camp site. The 6.5-hour drive back to Melbourne takes up most of Sunday.

Track clearing is a niche bushwalking activity. Some track clearing takes place in remote and difficult country — like the Victorian Alps — and volunteers need to be strong and fit to carry chain saws, brush cutters and fuel into remote areas as well as, on some occasions, their own tent, sleeping bag and food.

Mike’s project at Croajingolong is not arduous and most competent bushwalkers would manage.  “We use the opportunity to get into the bush at Croajingalong and help keep important parts of the park open for bushwalkers. If the tracks grow over, they’re impassable and can be lost for all time.”

Mike said there was a wide role for volunteers in track clearing, working together with Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

BTAC takes on some very remote and difficult track clearing projects including McMillans Walking Track, the Australian Alps Walking Track, Mt Howitt Spur Track and Eagles Peaks Track in the Alpine National Park.

There’s a cohort in bushwalking who are up for hard walks and hard work. However, there are less demanding events such as reinstating the track to Mt Thorn.

“In the remote areas we may have to carry in the equipment and fuel as well as our camping gear, so that’s for stronger bushwalkers. But other tracks — McMillan’s for example — we can usually get the equipment trailer to the camp site, or we can carry equipment and volunteers’ packs in 4WD vehicles.”

Volunteers have been fewer since the COVID shutdown, but numbers have improved, and younger volunteers are participating. A survey last year by DEECA showed young people were open to the idea of working to improve the environment but were not prepared to commit to membership of an established group.

Parks Victoria and Bushwalking Victoria are conscious of this and are always looking for ways to promote event-based, short-term opportunities for people with a range of abilities. For example, at the BTAC event at Ropers Hut in the Alpine National Park maintenance work was undertaken on the hut by volunteers not wanting to participate in the more demanding track clearing activities.

To sign up for Mike’s weekend next year and for the full program of track clearing opportunities and information on how to get involved,  go to https://bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/btac/.

You can find BTAC on Facebook here

Article supplied by Martin Curtis (Bayside Bushwalking Club – October/November 2023)

Did you know you can become a Bushwalking Victoria Individual Member for just $20 a year? 

Through individual membership you can have a direct impact on safe and responsible recreational bushwalking, volunteer search and rescue efforts, and the conservation of our amazing bushwalking tracks across Victoria.

Why Support Bushwalking Victoria?

• Promoting Safe Bushwalking: We advocate for safe and responsible outdoor activities, ensuring the well-being of individuals and the community.
• Volunteer Bush Search and Rescue: For over seven decades, BSAR’s community of 250+ experienced bushwalkers has been a reliable support system for those lost in Victoria’s bush and snow fields. Your membership helps us to respond promptly to calls from Victoria Police, providing necessary training, equipment, and resources. Your support maintains a crucial lifeline for land-based searches in Victoria, providing aid to those in distress.
• Volunteer Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation: Your support helps safeguard the integrity and accessibility of walking tracks, enriching the recreational bushwalking experience for all.  From clearing fallen trees to identifying noxious weeds, our volunteers work diligently to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Your support directly contributes to executing vital projects and ensuring a sustainable future for our natural spaces.

Benefits to You:

• Becoming an Individual member of Bushwalking Victoria gives you eligibility to apply to volunteer with Bushwalking Tracks & Conservation (BTAC) and Bush Search & Rescue (BSAR), and participate in other selected Bushwalking Victoria member activities and training.
• As a member you will also get great discounts from our extensive list of Outdoor Retailers, including Bogong Equipment, Ajays, Paddy Pallin, Discovery Parks, EMC, Fjallraven, Woodslane, Smitten and Maps, Books and Travel Guides.

Prefer to support Bushwalking Victoria in other ways?

Spread the Word: Share our mission with fellow bushwalking lovers to amplify our impact.  You can find us on Facebook:  

• Bushwalking Victoria
• Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC)
• Bush Search and Rescue Victoria (BSAR)

Join Us as a volunteer: Become an active member with BSAR, BTAC, or become a Bushwalking Victoria Board member or supporter, participating in initiatives that promote responsible bushwalking and environmental conservation.

Become a member of an affiliated Bushwalking Club:  Browse our directory to find a club in your local area that offers the activities that meet your interests then click the link to their website for more information. There are clubs of all sizes with many offering walks across Victoria, interstate and even overseas. Most clubs welcome people new to bushwalking and you are certain to find experienced members willing to pass on their knowledge to beginners. Some of our clubs conduct training specifically for people new to bushwalking.  Club membership is not expensive with most annual membership fees ranging from $35-$60.

Your Support Matters

Supporting Bushwalking Victoria is a commitment to elevating nature, ensuring safety, and enhancing recreational experiences. Join us in preserving the beauty of our natural landscapes and fostering a culture of responsible outdoor exploration. Let’s make a meaningful impact on the community and the environment together.

Become an Individual Member

As our springtime adventures ramp up, if you haven’t already, its time to check your smartphone apps.  Are they up to date?  Are your maps still available offline?  Has your phone put them to sleep?  There is nothing worse than needing one of your offline maps, or other emergency app quickly, only to find the app needs updating and you don’t have the time, or even the phone reception to do it.

Start with your Vic Emergency App (for warnings and alerts), your BOM Weather App (for weather forecasts) and your Emergency Plus App (for finding your coordinates to advise emergency services if required).  Check out the Bushwalking Manual HERE (scroll to the section on Emergencies) for helpful apps, and other websites to obtain emergency information.