Welcome to Walks Australia

Walks Australia is a new website which provides information about great places to walk in South Eastern Australia. There are walks for everyone - walking in city centres, towns, national parks and state forests, and walks in our local parks. There are day walks, overnight walks and long distance walks. New walks are added frequently.

This is not a commercial site and does not sell anything, nor does it accept endorsements or advertisements.

The information has been gathered over many years of walking and comes from first hand experience of actually 'walking the track'. It aims to cater for the local, tourist, (both Australian and overseas), as well as the more serious overnight walker.

The walks are divided into different states, then different regions within each state. Each walk's location has an 'About' which gives general information about the area and how to get there, 'Aboriginal Connections' and 'Other Activities' if relevant. There are detailed track notes in the 'Bushwalking' section which also includes a 'Hazards' section which is relevant to that specific area.

The 'Contacts and References' section usually gives phone numbers of the relevant authority which looks after the area, so you can gather the most up to date information as well as other references that have been found to be useful.

The information presented on Walks Australia has been offered in good faith. Information and conditions at each individual location written about will change, due to, but not inclusive of, things such as facilities being improved/altered, weather effecting modifications in the physical environment or indeed new legislation impacting on the status of some areas. Therefore Walks Australia can not be held liable for your decision to visit or to walk in an area listed. Walking is sometimes dangerous and accidents can occur, no matter how well you are prepared. Before accessing the Walks List, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer (once per visit to the site). You may also sign in using the Walks List link on the menu to the left.

Also on the Walks Australia site are helpful hints on why walking is important, links to organisations that you can join so that you can walk with others and be safe, and basic equipment to get you started.

Contact

Finally feedback on this site or up to date information from any walks completed is very much welcome and appreciated. Email us at editor@WalksAustralia.com

Why walk?

Walking is one of the most basic human instincts we can do. From the time we are about 9 months old we are struggling to get up from all fours onto two. Somewhere along the way we get busy with families and work and lose the time we should make for getting out and walking.

Walking is a relatively inexpensive sport/activity to participate in. It keeps the cardiovascular system and joints in good working order and helps to keep us fit including maintaining a healthy body weight.

Walking can be a social experience, helping to bond with your family members, catching up with the gossip with friends, or talking to other owners as you walk your dog. On overnight or extended walks, camaraderie and a real bond is often forged when people have to work as a team and rely on each other - a kind of extended family.

Getting closer to nature, breathing fresh air and having space to think are often good for the soul and release stresses from everyday busy lives. Often animals and plants are encountered only when we walk, very rarely from a fast moving car or a stationary office.

On longer day or extended walks , walking can teach us to be self-reliant, can offer personal challenges which we can rise to and meet, and provide us with a sense of adventure and increased self confidence.

Walking in special areas can provide us with important cultural and spiritual links to our past and future, and for a growing number us gives us a sense of place, identity and a connection to the land.

So, get out there, place one foot in front of the other and see if you can discover for yourself a reason for walking. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you learn!

Join a walking club

Joining a club offers the opportunity of walking with like minded people who can offer experience, knowledge and friendship. Bushwalking Australia is the peak body representing walkers throughout Australia and is a good place to start for information. Their home page URL is below:

http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/

Bushwalking Australia also has a detailed listing of affiliated clubs throughout Australia:

http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/html/clubs.html

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Getting started

Getting out of bed and into the walking mood is the first requirement. Getting fit is important, but remember that you should consult your doctor to get the all clear, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Walking in the bush requires good leg strength and it is often the calf and quadricep groups of muscles which get the biggest workout. Walking on uneven ground also requires good balance.

If you are contemplating an overnight walk with a pack, it's a good idea to practise walking with a weighted pack before you go - 10 kg is a good start. This allows your back and arms to get used to the weight and to check for pack adjustments if anything is rubbing the wrong way. Always make sure that a pack suits your height and gender. Biggest is not always best! Some of the commercial outdoor shops can help you out, or seek advice from a more experienced walker in your club. In my experience you can't get away with much under 15 kg for an 7 day walk. A weekend walk should see you carry about 10 - 12 kg. (depending on water availability).

Day Walks

Below is a list of suggested basic equipment to take on a daywalk. This will vary of course depending on the time of the year and whether you are carrying extra gear for your family.

• daypack	• snacks and lunch
• wear a hat, long sleeved shirt, pants/shorts	• basic first aid kit
• appropriate footwear with good tread - thongs and ladies' heeled shoes are not appropriate and can be dangerous	• at least 1 litre of water, 2 litres in summer per person • map and compass (if applicable)
• wind/rain jacket for adverse conditions	• sun screen and sunglasses

Overnight/Extended Walks

Below is a list of suggested basic equipment to take on an overnight or extended walk.. This will vary of course depending on the time of the year. For walking in winter or in higher altitudes, you may have to include items such as beanie and gloves and extra layers of thermal clothing.

• large pack, minimum 65L • heavy duty plastic lining	• lightweight tent • cup/plate/cutlery/water container
• sleeping back to suit the minimum temperature	• billy and pan
• lightweight air mattress	• food for the required number of days
• comfortable strong but quick drying clothes to walk in - top and bottom (woolblend/polypropylene)	• first aid kit including compression bandage, antiseptic, steri-strips or similar for deep cuts, blister blocks, tweezers
• complete change of clothes	• stove, fuel container, matches
• thermal jacket to keep warm at night	• head torch for night-time use
• waterproof jacket/pants	• toilet paper and small lightweight trowel
• 2 pairs of socks (woolblend often the best)	• small scourer for cleaning
• well broken in walking shoes/boots with good foot support and sole tread • hat and sunscreen	• map and compass or GPS navigator, EPIRB emergency beacon (clubs may have items that you can hire)
	• personal toiletries and medication

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For comments and feedback about the site contact the webmaster@walksaustralia.com