With the warmer weather on the way (here’s hoping), we will be spending more time in the outdoors being active.
Hiking is a great way to get out in nature and explore the world around you, but it’s important to remember that your feet are your foundation.
To find out more, follow this link
Here’s another really useful tip for your navigation ‘tool box’.
Imagine: you’re navigating cross-country, using map and compass, to the track where you parked your car. But upon reaching the track, the car’s not in sight. Which way should you turn – left or right? This dilemma is easily avoided by deliberately setting a bearing that will under-shoot or over-shoot your car’s position. If you aim off to the right, you’ll turn left when you reach the track; if you aim off to the left, you’ll turn right at the track. Done! This technique works equally well if you’re aiming for a point on any linear feature such as a river or coastline.
Take a look at the Bushwalking Manual for diagrams and other handy navigation techniques.
Wyperfeld NP is one of Victoria’s vast Mallee parks and is well-suited for autumn, winter and spring base camps. It offers walks, camping (basic facilities), a Visitor Information Centre, spring wildflowers, varied landscapes and plant communities, wildlife and birds – including Malleefowl. Clubs wishing to explore more of Victoria’s Mallee and Murray-Sunset NP sometimes organize “progressive camps” incorporating Wyperfeld, Pink Lakes and Hattah-Kulkyne NP. This article offers useful information for planning and enjoying a Wyperfeld base camp.
Showcase your club’s favourite base camp location!
Base camps are a fantastic way to attract and engage new members. They also encourage walkers to enjoy a wider range of tracks. We’d love to harness your knowledge, and strengthen our club network, by sharing your favourite Victorian base camp location with other readers.
Tell us all about it: when to visit, walks and maps, facilities & accommodation, complementary activities…whatever makes it special! Email your article (in Word format, with accompanying photos in JPG or PNG format) to admin@bushwalkingvictoria.org.au with ‘Brilliant Base Camp’ in the subject line. We look forward to receiving YOUR base camp inspiration!
A new coastal trail will enable walkers to experience a 90-kilometre walk which traverses breathtaking and culturally significant Gadubanud Country between Fairhaven and Grey River. The trail – the Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail – will provide a 7-day, 6-night hike, as well as day walks and shorter walks. When complete, it will link the Surf Coast Walk and Great Ocean Walk, resulting in uninterrupted track stretching from Torquay to the Twelve Apostles.
The Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail Master Plan was released recently, and the Engage Victoria site has been updated with next steps, the project video and the Master Plan. The plan was shaped by over 12 months of community and stakeholder consultation. Over 3,000 responses were received, focussing on design principles and trail alignment; environmental excellence; suspension bridges; lookouts; accessibility; camping and car parks.
The trail’s guiding principles ensure that the trail respects and promotes the rich cultural heritage and natural values of the area; existing tracks will be utilised where possible. In places, the preferred trail alignment has moved further inland, incorporating more of the Great Otway National Park. This short video explains how the Master Plan was developed. Significant funding has been invested by the Victorian Government; construction is expected to begin next year.
There are still places available for the Federation Walks event in north-east Victoria on the first weekend in October. So grab a friend or three, check out the walks program and book – the broad range of activities offers something for everyone!
Accommodation options vary from free camping to boutique choices: do it your way. All the walks and cycle tours allow you to explore the rich diversity of the area: lookouts & landscapes; wildflowers & woodlands; snow gums & snowgrass plains; creeks & caves; waterfalls & wildlife…
This map provides a great overview of the walk locations. At only $30 per person for two days’ activities, FedWalks is great value for money. To see what’s available click on the ‘Book Now’ button on the Fedwalks website. Don’t miss out!
Image: Cecily Fletcher. Warby Walkers, Mount Buffalo
We’re happy to share the first in our Brilliant Base Camps series. The Grampians is one of Victoria’s favourite national parks, famous for wonderful walks, amazing views, Aboriginal cultural heritage and stunning wildflowers. The region offers a wide range of accommodation and other recreational activities such as photography, canoeing and kayaking. Given its popularity, you’re more likely to have the tracks to yourself if you choose to walk mid-week. Here are our notes and suggestions for planning Grampians base camps.
Now…over to you!
What’s your favourite Victorian base camp location? To share it with other readers, email a prepared article (in Word format, with accompanying photos in JPG or PNG format) to admin@bushwalkingvictoria.org.au with ‘Brilliant Base Camp’ in the subject line. Authors and clubs will be acknowledged. You might like to include these details: why the location is special; best seasons to visit; suggested walks (including family-friendly walks); facilities; camping and accommodation choices; options for other outdoor recreation; a list of maps and resources.
Large or small, well-known or practically unknown, we look forward to receiving YOUR base camp ideas.
Image: Warrnambool Bushwalkers. Best view spot in Tower Hill
The first meeting of the new Bushwalking Victoria board of management was held recently and we were pleased to welcome two new members, Jenny Hosking and Karlene Tomlin, to the team.
Members of the new board are:
| President | Mike Grant | Bayside Bushwalking Club |
| Vice President | Robyn Shingles | Strzelecki Bushwalking Club |
| Secretary | Jenny Hosking | Melbourne Walking Club |
| Treasurer | Cheng Khoo | Melbourne University Alumni Bushwalkers |
| General Board | Robert Bicknell | Individual Supporter Member |
| Michael Burke | Individual Supporter Member | |
| Simon Mullumby | Individual Supporter Member | |
| Karlene Tomlin | Koonung Bushwalking Club |
We also welcomed the new Convener of our Bush Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) committee, with Joe van Beek from the Ben Cruachan Walking Club taking over from Peter Maffei, who has stepped down from the BTAC Committee after 10 years of service.
Two board positions remain vacant and we are particularly keen to recruit potential future office bearers to those positions to assist in succession planning at BWV. We are also seeking a new Convener of our Safety Committee with Bob Peterson retiring from the role.
If you are interested in becoming part of our team now or in the near future, you are encouraged to get in touch to express your interest.
We have now launched our new website which we hope you find bright and engaging. If you haven’t visited in a while, please check it out and let us know what you think.
Following heavy rainfall and flooding in East Gippsland and severe weather in other areas, several National, State and Coastal Parks sustained significant damage. Some parks, facilities and tracks are partially or fully closed.
This includes areas of Croajingolong NP, Cape Conran Coastal Park, Mitchell River NP and Snowy River NP. Parks Victoria staff continue to assess and repair sites so that they can be safely opened to the public.
Don’t waste your trip: check the Parks Victoria website before you head off for a walk, exploration or school holiday camping trip.
The alpine environment is perfect for adventurous and exciting winter activities, including bushwalking. Here are three websites designed to help you to stay informed, prepared and safe.
Image: Border BC
The Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA) has launched its revamped SnowSafe website to help you be aware of the dangers of the alpine environment. Make sure YOU can enjoy this wonderful part of our country in safety and comfort.