Bushwalking Australia
Australian bushwalking is in general the most fun thing in the world to do out in the Australian wild country. As this is a totally biased statement I guess I should retract that statement officially as it is only my opinion. Bushwalking is any amount of walking that endures trudging along the bush on a beaten path, or if you’re like myself, lost in the middle of nowhere but with the most beautiful scenery you would ever hope to see if you weren’t so busy running from the wildlife.
There are several groups and clubs that meet to go on various bushwalks around Australia and venture off to different areas of interest such as Uluru and the Blue Mountains, however, most of these clubs journey through easy or medium grades of bushwalking since they have varied level of bushwalkers. If you really love to go exploring however, then grab some buddies and stock up on some supplies and venture off into the unknown wonders of the mountains and the deep trenches of the Lucky Country.
Before you go anywhere, however there are some things you need to take into consideration. First of all, if you’re coming into Australia from another country, make sure you have everything that will allow you enough time to explore the wonderful sights, such as your passport, exchanged money, a visitor’s visa, preferably a guide, and some good ol fashioned common sense. You don’t want to be out in the Northern Territory, a few hundred kilometers from nowhere, and wonder why your canteen is empty.
Another thing you’ll need is a place to go bushwalking. There are several places in Australia and Tasmania to go bushwalking so take the time to access which walk is right for you.
Places to Bushwalk
Queensland
- Daintree National Park
- Brisbane Forest Park
- Lamington National Park
- Mount Barney National Park
- Bellenden Ker National Park
- Eungella National Park
- Grey Peaks National Park
- Hichinbrook National Park
- Expedition National Park
- Fraser Island (Great Sandy) National Park
Northern Territory
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
- West McDonnell National Park
- Nitmiluk (Katherine George) National Park
Western Australia
- Fitzgerald River National Park
- Stirling Range National Park
South Australia
- Heysen Trail
- Larapina Trail
- Hornsnall Gully Conservation Park
- Flinder’s Range National Park
- Gammon Ranges National Park
- Coorong National Park
- Mount Remarkable National Park
- Scorpion Springs Conservation Park
- Telowie George Conservation Park
- Bundaleer Forest
New South Wales
- Warrumbungle National Park
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Berowra Valley Regional Park
- Brisbane Water National Park
- Dharug National Park
- Heathcote National Park
- Kanangra Boyd National Park
- Ku-ring-gai National Park
- Lane Cove National Park
- Nattai National Park
- Royal National Park
- Wollemi National Park
- Great North Walk
- Heaton Gap to Paxton
- Barrington Tops National Park
- Boonoo Boonoo National Park
- Border Ranges National Park
- Lord Howe Island World Heritage Area
- Mount Warning National Park
- Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
- Budawang National Park
- Bungonia State Recreation Area
- Kosciusko National Park
- Macquarie Pass National Park
- Morton National Park
- Mt Alexander Reserve
ACT
- Canberra Nature Park
- Namadgi National Park
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Victoria
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Kinglake National Park
- Hepburn Regional Park
- Lake Eildon National Park
- Mornington Penniula National Park
- Phillip Island Nature Park
- Alpine National Park
- Barmah State Forest
- Beechworth Historic Park
- Cathedral Range State Park
- Mount Buffalo National Park
- Yarra Ranges National Park
- Hattah – Kulkyne National Park
- Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve
- Murray- Sunset National Park
- Wyperfield National Park
- Baw Baw National Park
- Cape Conran Coastal Park
- Croajingolong National Park
- Wilsons Pomontory National Park
- Angahook-Lorne State Park
- Grampians National Park
- Lower Glenglag National Park
- Otway National Park
- Port Campbell National Park
Tasmania
- Douglas-Aspley National Park
- Mount William National Park
- Strzelecki National Park
- Alum Cliffs
- Liffey Falls
- Lobster Falls
- Mathina Falls
- Meander Falls
- Mt Arthur
- Mt Barrow
- Quanby Bluff
- Cradle Mtn – Lake St. Clair National Park
- Ben Lomond National Park
- Freycinet National Park
- Hastings Caves State Reserve
- Risdon Brook Reservoir Reserve
- Wellington Park
- Vanishing Falls
- Montezuma Falls
- Franklin- Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
- Hartz Mountains National Park
- Maria Island National Park
- Mount Field National Park
- South West National Park
- Port Davey Track
- South Coast Track
Next you’ll need some gear to take with you on the walk. Keep in mind the time of year you come and where you go will vastly affect the way you should pack for your trip. The seasons in Australia are different than those in the Northern Hemisphere and the further south you go the colder it gets.
Things You Need
Dressing
- Rainwear
- Comfortable Clothing
- Comfortable and Appropriate Footwear
Carrying Materials
- Rucksacks (It is very important to choose the right rucksack that will be both convenient to carry your materials and will not be to much weight for you to handle. Take into consideration the environment of the walk and how long it will be as a 30 kilo sack will not be needed for a 2 hour hike.)
Sleeping
- Tent or Shelter
- Sleeping Bag
- Groundsheet
- Sleeping-Mats (This is not necessary but really helps you out on those hard uncomfortable surfaces. It is really up to you.)
Eating
- Stoves
- Fuel (Gas, Shellite, or Methylated Spirits are favorites for their inexpensive and light weight.)
- Cooking/Eating and Drinking Equipment
- Food (You should bring a fresh fruit and bread where applicable. However, it takes up loads of space and weighs a ton as you hike up those mountains. Long lasting staples and dehydrated foods should be included but not totally dependent in your food supply.)
- Water Filter (TAKE ONE, TAKE ONE, TAKE ONE, TAKE ONE)
Finding Your Way
- Guides
- Maps
- Compass
- GPS
- EPIRBs (Electronic Poition-Inidcation Radio Beacon)
- Telephones (Satellite phones would be your best bet)
- Altimeters, Barometers, Pedometers
- Torches (Flashlight for you yanks)
- Trekking Poles
All these things in Finding Your Way are optional however I would recommend a few directional devices to help find your way so you don’t end up trying to remember 8th grade Astronomy in the middle of a rainforest. Also, select what you will need in common sense. If you’re going on an overnight hike you shouldn’t need a gas stove.
Creepy Crawly Biting Things And Icky Things You Can Catch
There are several things that can bite you in the bush but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. Be aware of what they are, what they look like, and leave them alone. Just because they look cute and fuzzy doesn’t mean they’re not going to bite the crap out of you. I mean, haven’t any you seen Star Trek? All those poor red shirts…
- Fire Ants
- Giardia Lambia and Cyptosporidium (Whoza whatzit? It’s a really bad disease that you get from contaminated water. BRING A WATER FILTER)
- Ross River Fever
- Diarrhea
- Hypothermia
- Hyperthermia
- The Bluebottle (Mean jellyfish that looks blue)
- Leeches
- Funnel-web Spiders
- Trapdoor Spiders
- Red Back Spiders
- White tailed Spiders
- Mouse Spiders
- Wolf Spiders
- Black House Spiders
- Huntsman Spiders (Really more of a danger to your pets since they rarely bite humans)
- Sac Spiders
- Orb-Weaving Spiders
- All the venomous snakes you can think of (Aussie snakes are awfully shy so leave them alone and they simply won’t come near you.)
- Ticks
There are so many places to go and so many places to see and so many critters to avoid. Bushwalking is loads of fun and can always offer that photo album that drives your friends mad with jealousy. Don’t make stupid mistakes and always remember to keep your gear clean for customs. If you don’t wash it, you loose it.
Sources include www.bushwalking.org.au, www.npws.nsw.gov.au, www.atn.com.au/parks/parks.htm.