BWV Board members and committee conveners got together earlier this month at the beautiful Baw Baw Village to kick off the strategy planning for 2024-2028.
Travelling from all over VIctoria, participants stretched their legs after the long drive with a walk, one group heading out for the Baw Baw Summit Loop, and the other across the plateau to Mt Saint Gwinear, before settling in to review the current strategy and look forward to the coming 4 years.
According to an ABC article earlier this month Squeaky Beach, near Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory was the first ever Victorian beach to claim the title of Australia’s best beach of the year.
Squeaky Beach came up trumps after investigation of 12,000 beaches around the mainland and surrounding islands conducted by Tourism Australia.
This is very timely as we are celebrating the much anticipated 90th anniversary of bushwalking clubs in Victoria at Fed Walks 24 at Tidal River on 11-13 October 2024.
Around a three-hour drive from Melbourne this coastal beauty is a source of pride enjoyed by locals as well as being discovered by international travellers.
You will be able to experience first-hand the pristine beaches, spectacular granite mountains and cliffs and wildlife including kangaroos, emus and wombats and a stunning variety of birdlife. Wilsons Promontory is a bushwalkers paradise.
As part of the package, we are offering 20 unique walks ranging from easy to medium to hard – available over two days – with different styes of accommodation ranging from camping to glamping plus dinner and entertainment on the Saturday evening.
Get your walking buddies planning to attend this unique weekend experience. Bookings for members open Monday 3 June 2024. More info on the Fed Walks website.
From a distance, the white flush looks almost like a line of snow, freshly settled on the mountain slopes. But the white haze that covers these slopes is not snow, it’s dead trees. Dead snow gums, to be precise, Eucalyptus pauciflora.
Experts say snow gums have not evolved to cope with more frequent and more intense bushfires, caused by the global climate crisis. This has resulted in the nature of Australia’s high mountain landscapes changing, and the ecological collapse of snow gum woodlands. And the abrupt decline or change of this ecosystem is happening before our eyes. Read More
The Conservation Regulator oversees the regulation of wildlife, forests and public land in Victoria. With summer finally here, they are keen to help everyone stay safe in the bush with some great tips on summer camping.
With hotter and drier conditions predicted this summer, a high fire risk, and more visitors anticipated in our forests and beaches, we want all Victorians to be campfire safe and to look out for others when visiting the great outdoors – wildlife included!
If you’re setting up camp in the bush over the next few months, it’s important to brush up on campfire rules before leaving home to avoid risking communities and the environment. Prepare before lighting your campfire by making sure you:
Campers are responsible for keeping their campfires safe, including never leaving it unwatched or unattended, and if you leave the campsite even if only for a short while, put out your campfire. If it’s cool to touch, it’s safe to leave.
And whether you’re heading out for a long trip or just for the day, make sure you follow all public land rules to prevent environmental harm and wildlife crime:
Authorised Officers are patrolling in forests and along the coast to ensure everyone knows and follows camping, campfire, and outdoor recreation rules to prevent environmental harm and wildlife crime.
You can report any illegal behaviour on public land to 136 186 and any wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Bushfires should be reported to 000. For more information about rules in state forests, visit their website.
You can read and subscribe to the Conservation Regulator newsletter for all the latest news, including information on reporting offences, and an update on the outcome of legal cases.
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)
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.
Spread the Word: Share our mission with fellow bushwalking lovers to amplify our impact. You can find us on Facebook:
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.
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.
According to a survey from the team behind the AllTrails App, just one in three Australians know how to deal with getting lost, while two in three Australians entirely reconsider going on trail walks due to safety concerns.
According to the survey, only 38% of respondents felt confident with basic first aid when hiking. Only 6% felt confident in dealing with a bite from a snake or spider and 43% of those surveyed did not feel confident in knowing what to do if they encountered a dangerous animal.
It goes on to say "Since 2017, Victoria SES and Parks Victoria have performed 30 separate search and rescue operations at Werribee Gorge state park, nearby Lerderderg state park and the Brisbane Ranges national park alone, according to Parks Victoria."
So what can you do to walk more safely, and with more confidence?
Check out some of the great resources we have published for getting started bushwalking, and staying safe in the bush.
Always carry a first aid kit. Even if you are not "going far" its very good advice to have it in your pack at all times. Check out the list of basics for a good walking first aid kit.
Obviously, being first aid trained is the best way to know how to manage first aid, but did you know there are smartphone apps that allow you to look up almost any first aid scenario, and give you step by step instructions for providing first aid? Here's some of the best:
The best way to learn to walk safely is to learn from those with more experience on the trail. There are 60 bushwalking clubs across Victoria who can help you with just that, by walking with a group with many years of knowledge. Many clubs offer "Try Bushwalks" where you can go along to a couple of club walks, and see if the group is for you. Sharing bushwalks with others will build your confidence, and show you some amazing locations with some great people. Find a club here.
We live in Victoria. They say if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Its not unheard of for beautiful sunny days to quickly turn into a very wet electrical storm, even flooding or a bushfire. So it's important to be prepared for this. The Bushwalking Victoria Walk Safely guide covers all this and more.
Don't forget to download the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather app, and the Vic Emergency app (set up an alert area for your walk location), to keep up to date with weather, and emergencies in your area.
It’s easy to think it’s only a short walk, and the sun is out, I don’t need a jumper. Always pack for the scenario where you need to sit still for multiple hours, waiting for help. Make sure you always have a waterproof/windproof jacket and a mid layer (fleece or puffer). It’s always a good habit to carry a space blanket, or even better, a space bag to put your whole body in to keep warm, they take up little space, and should be in your first aid kit. Always take more water than you think you will need.
Not all parts of our wilderness has mobile coverage, so it’s important that you have a way to contact emergency services if you need to. Read about using mobile phones, PLB’s and satellite tracking devices in the Bushwalking Victoria Bushwalking Manual:
Using your mobile phone to contact emergency services
Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’S)
Satellite Tracking Devices with SOS (eg. Garmin inReach, Zoleo)
It's important that you let someone trustworthy know where you are going, where you are parking, and when you expect to be home.
Do your research on what to expect on the trail, any closures, and read about the experiences of others - and do it using different sources, not just one review from Pete who said "its easy, my 2 year old did it in gum boots". AllTrails and Trailhiking Australia are great resources, as are Parks Victoria, and Google reviews.
And please, PLEASE do not blindly follow the directions from Tiktok or Instagram!
Sometimes taking in so much information can feel overwhelming, but its a great investment in your own safety and confidence to be informed, and your future self with thank you when you get to that beautiful waterfall, or breathtaking ridgeline.
Stay safe, and Happy Bushwalking!
by Richelle Olsen, Executive Officer, Bushwalking Victoria
Have you ever considered a career helping others experience the great outdoors? The Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership is on the Free TAFE list in Victoria, and eligibility has been updated to include those who already hold a VET qualification or degree. This course is offered at Box Hill Institute (Box Hill and Lilydale), GoTafe Benalla, Holmesglen Institute Glen Waverley, Wodonga Institute of TAFE and Outer Eastern Training Institute. More Details here.
Discover Hotham’s diverse and extensive trail network and take part in free guided walks this season led by their experienced and knowledgeable Hotham guides. Family-friendly and full of interesting facts and stunning views, these walks are a great way to spend a couple of hours in an amazing environment high above the clouds. Get more information and dates here.
Walk with a Bushwalking Club! Bushwalking Clubs have policies, processes and practices to ensure enjoyable and safe trips for their members. These typically include:
Training is provided by most clubs in skills such as navigation, leadership and first aid.