Walkers joining our groups need to be appropriately equipped. Prime consideration is your safety, comfort and weather protection. Your safety and the safety of the walking group can be jeopardised by those walkers wearing inappropriate footwear or clothing. Evacuation of a sick or injured walker from an inaccessible area can take many hours.
A Walk Leader may not accept people for a walk who are not appropriately dressed or prepared for the local conditions.
What to Wear
For Trail Starter and Trail Rambler walks:
- Good walking shoes, or boots with grip soles. Thongs, sandals, elastic sided boots and smooth-soled sneakers are not appropriate for bushwalking.
- Socks suitable to the footwear.
- Wet weather gear. A three quarter length waterproof rain jacket is ideal (showerproof spray jackets and quilted parkas are not waterproof and may lead to hypothermia). In summer a poncho style waterproof may be sufficient.
- A warm jumper or jacket of wool or polyester. Cotton shirts and windcheaters have minimal insulation when wet and retain water.
- Shorts, loose comfortable wool or synthetic pants (jeans are not recommended as they become cold when wet and dry slowly).
- Shade hat and sunscreen in sunny weather. Warm hat/beanie in cooler weather.
For Trail Walker and End-to-End walks, in addition to the above list, depending on walk location and the weather, please also consider:
- Thermal underwear
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Gaiters
Twilight walks are of shorter duration and generally in more accessible areas. The above recommendations should be modified to suit the walk and weather conditions. If unsure, please check with the walk leader.
What to Bring
For Trail Starter and Trail Rambler walks:
- Personal medication requirements, basic first aid and emergency kit
- UV sunblock
- Insect repellent
- Torch
- Lunch and snacks (include some for emergency)
- Plastic bag for rubbish
- Water in secure container; minimum 1 litre, and two litre if temperature will be over 25°C (even more if temperature is forecast to be higher)
- Gear should be carried in a day pack. One with a supporting waist band is recommended.
For Trail Walker and End-to-End walks, in addition to the above list, depending on walk location and the weather, please also consider:
- Whistle
- Wide elastic bandage and triangular bandage with safety pins
Twilight walks are of shorter duration and generally in more accessible areas. The above recommendations should be modified to suit the walk and weather conditions. If unsure, please check with the walk leader.