If you enjoy the great outdoors, then Bushwalking is one of the best ways to experience and appreciate what nature has to offer. Bushwalking offers numerous benefits, including physical challenges, skills development and the opportunity to meet new people.

We offer a full program of bushwalking activities throughout the year, ranging from our local easy evening walks, to longer backpacking trips, with many options in between.

The club suits all levels of bushwalking and hiking experience. Activities are graded according to difficulty and are led by committed and experienced volunteer leaders.

DAY WALKS

Easy – are amongst our most popular walks and can range from an after work stroll to a full day in the mountains.

Medium – generally longer and may involve travelling by car up to 1 – 2 hours into the surrounding areas and Alps.  We are spoilt for choices in this area with the Alpine National Park almost in our backyard.

Hard – for those seeing adventure and who are physically fit enough to meet the challenge; often required to cover longer and/or more difficult routes and terrain.

OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING

These walks allow participants to enjoy all that a day walk offers, plus the ability to venture further and camp overnight, experiencing a night(s) in the bush. It involves carrying all your gear (tent, bedding, stoves, food and essential clothing) in a larger and heavier backpack

EXTENDED BACKPACKING

As for Overnighters, but these walks range from several days to weeks allowing participants to travel in to and experience remote natural environments for longer periods. Packs will be a lot heavier.

Key points to consider;

Ambulance cover

It is strongly recommended that all participants have ambulance cover for their own wellbeing.

Route Changes

Walk Leaders reserve the right to change the walk route on the day depending on prevailing conditions and altered circumstances.

Fitness

Members and visitors must check with the Leader that their fitness and experience suit the walk. A Leader can refuse permission for any person to take part in his/her activity.

Bookings

You are generally required to book in with the Leader by the Wednesday preceding the walk for day activities, and for overnight walks at least 7 days prior to the trip.

You must call the Leader to book in for an activity (not email or sms) unless the Leader has advised you otherwise. This is so the Leader can get an idea of your suitability for the activity – that is, your health/fitness and that you have an appropriate level of experience for that activity. They will also be able to advise you of any key risks, or gear requirements. Our Leaders don’t want to grill you, but we need to ensure everyone is able to safely participate without putting you or others at risk.

It is also a courtesy to respect the days/times the leader may have listed that they would prefer to take bookings e.g. they might prefer to take phone calls for bookings after 7pm the Monday-to-Wednesday preceding the activity.

Grading of Bushwalking Trips

Grade 1
(Easy) Opportunity for large number of participants, including those with reduced ability to walk/cycle on well- marked and evenly formed tracks. Formed tracks may have a few steps. Should not be steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km.
Grade 2
(Easy-Medium) Easy activity, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk/cycle easily in natural environments on well-marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km.
Grade 3
(Medium) Medium activity with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk/cycle on defined and distinct tracks with some steep sections requiring a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for fit beginners. Distance should not exceed about 20km.
Grade 4
(Medium-Hard) Steeper, rougher terrain and may have off-track sections (no more than one quarter of the walk) or a longer distance track walk. Opportunity to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments mostly along defined and distinct tracks. Tracks can be steep. There may be short sections of rock scrambling involved. Leaders should have map reading abilities and/or ability to use a compass. Distance depending on circumstances. Not suitable for most beginners.
Grade 5
(Hard) Off-track or difficult terrain. Opportunity for walkers with advanced outdoor knowledge and skills to find their own way along often indistinct tracks or off track in remote locations. May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and river crossings involved. Distance should not exceed 30km, but may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners.
Grade 6
(Very Hard) Strenuous off-track walk or very long distance. Opportunity for highly experienced walkers to exploratory remote and challenging natural areas without reliance on managed tracks. Terrain may be steep, uneven and no track. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance covered is unlimited, but may be short and difficult. Only for experienced walkers and not suitable for beginners.
Exploratory Is unknown to the Leader and while every effort has been made to grade the activity appropriately, there may be some unexpected aspects which may increase the difficulty of the walk.