Survey shows many Australians are scared to go on bushwalks. Here’s how you can walk safely with confidence.

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?

Get Informed

Check out some of the great resources we have published for getting started bushwalking, and staying safe in the bush.

First Aid

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:

St John's First Aid App

Red Cross First Aid App

Learn from those with more experience

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.

Check the weather and emergency warnings

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.

Be prepared with clothing and water

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.

Phones in an emergency

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)

Tell someone your plans

It's important that you let someone trustworthy know where you are going, where you are parking, and when you expect to be home.

Research your walk