Tassie’s hardcore hikes The Tablelands Bushwalking Club Great Walks Enews 25 July 2016 P O Box 1020 Tolga 4882 Renowned for its fantastic and unique bushwalking opportunities, Tasmania is a mecca www.tablelandsbushwalking.org for people interested in exploring the wilderness on their own two feet. From mountainous peaks, [email protected] ancient rainforests, white, sandy beaches and buttongrass plains, there’s no shortage of treks President: Sally McPhee - 4096 6026 that explore Tasmania’s stunning imagery. Vice President: Patricia Veivers - 4095 4642 However, if you like your treks a little more challenging, with a chance to get out of your Vice President: Tony Sanders – 0438 505 394 comfort zone and really test yourself, we’ve narrowed down Tasmania’s most hardcore hikes. Treasurer: Christine Chambers – 0407 344 456 While they may not require an Olympian level of Secretary: Travis Teske - 4056 1761 fitness, you will need to train for these treks – however the rewards of incomparable scenery and Activity Officers: the satisfaction that comes from a great day on the Philip Murray – 0456 995 458 trail are priceless! Marilyn Czarnecki – 0409 066 076 Are you up for the challenge? Health & Safety Officer: Morris Mitchell – 4092 2773 The South Coast Track is undoubtedly one of last great wilderness treks in Newsletter Editor: Travis Teske - 4056 1761 Australia, and is also [email protected] known as one of Tassie’s toughest multi-day treks. If a Walking Trip is Delayed – What Your Crossing the unspoiled Emergency Contact Needs to Know. wilderness of Tasmania’s Occasionally trips are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Before leaving on a Tablelands Walking southernmost shores, this Club (TWC) outing you should tell your emergency challenging, 9 day trek contact (family member or friend) where you are going covers 85 kilometers over a variety of Tasmanian and give them a copy of the phone numbers of the landscapes – from empty beaches, towering Committee Members as members of the Management rainforests, and alpine heights. You can expect to Committee will be the Contact Officers. carry a full pack of up to 20 kg’s, walking 10-15 kms each day across remote walking tracks, Contact should be with any member of the Tablelands sometimes across river crossings, muddy moors Walking Club Management Committee. The phone and steep ascents. The Pro’s, however, reward numbers of the committee members are found at the beginning of the Walks Program or the Newsletter. Move tenfold. The ever-changing landscape, pristine down the list until you find someone at home. wilderness and abundance of wildlife make it all worthwhile – not to mention the feeling of elation If there were a situation that required a search or and pride as you finish the trek! rescue, members of the Committee would liaise with experienced walkers within TWC and with the Police The classic Mount Anne and SES. They will also hold membership details for all Circuit is one of TWC members, including the name of a family member Tasmania’s greatest or friend to contact in case of delay or emergency. bushwalking challenges, with all of the ingredients The articles and information in this document are printed in good faith. that make up an epic The club does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions in this document or for the manner in which the information contained in this wilderness trek. With deep document is interpreted or implemented. forests, idyllic lakes, sub alpine crags and exposed scrambles, this iconic walks tackles terrain in areas that are subject to 1 some of Tasmania’s most changeable weather. The accommodation before and after walking the five day itinerary includes a summit of the highest track. peak in Tasmania's remote south west, with www.auswalk.com.au exhilarating views across most of the southwest of Park Trek Tasmania. However, this is an extremely Park Trek Walking Holidays offers three guided demanding unsupported bushwalk and it is walks in WA – a nine-day Bibbulmun Track trip, a important that trekkers have previous seven-day El Questro and Bungles walk, and an unsupported pack-carrying bushwalking 11-day Kimberley Explorer adventure that experience. encompasses the Gibb River Road and includes all of the highlights in the magnificent Kimberley Frenchman’s cap is one of region. All tours are hosted by experienced and the top walks in Australia, mature guides, are fully inclusive with vehicle and is a 46km moderately transfers, most meals/snacks and guests are fully challenging return accommodated on tour. Feel connected and engage journey that gives with the natural world, switch off from everyday trekkers some of the best life and walk amongst nature. You don’t need to be views across the entire super fit, just reasonably active and love the World Heritage Wilderness outdoors. area. With extraordinary www.parktrek.com.au side trips to high peaks, trek over varying terrain including buttongrass Bibbulmun Track plains, mossy rainforests, trickling creeks and The eight-day Highlights walk has been carefully windy rock faces. You will be tested as you manage compiled to enable you to experience a cross- the unpredictable weather, mud, and climb the section of the Bibbulmun Track from the steep 450m to summit Frenchmans Cap, so this spectacular ocean views and coastal heathlands in walk is recommended for experienced trekkers the far south, through the magnificent karri and only. However, all will be worthwhile as you view tingle forest and up to the rolling hills and jarrah the surrounding Mt. Ossa, the Arthur Range and forests in the northern section. Fully guided, the Macquarie Harbour from the summit! flexible itinerary allows people of all experience and fitness levels the chance to explore the Track These WA tour operators will show you the during WA’s spectacular wildflower season. All way meals, accommodation and transport provided. Great Walks Enews 21 July 2016 www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au Walk into Luxury World Expeditions We offer luxury small group and private walks on Our exploratory five-day Bungle Bungles the Cape to Cape Track in the Margaret River Piccaninny Gorge Trek takes you into the heart of region. Each multi-day walk is all-inclusive of this ancient land, allowing you to explore one of gourmet food, wine and luxurious beachfront the most unique and natural wonders in Australia. accommodation, including Injidup Spa Retreat’s Enjoy the splendid isolation of the Picanninny ultra luxe private pool villas. Walk distances Gorge as it winds its way between the 350-million- average 6-15km per day, with the focus on guests year old beehive shaped Bungle Bungle domes, balancing time on the track with time relaxing, stopping at spectacular waterfalls and caves. The perhaps with an afternoon dip, cheese platter on trek finishes at ‘The Fingers’ – five sandstone their balcony or post-walk massage. At night, chasms that are great for rock-hopping and sun- guests can relax in their heated pool while soaking. On the final day, experience the remote watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. and rugged landscape of the Kimberley with a Feature experiences such as cliff top sunset drinks scenic flight from the Bungle Bungles back to and winery lunches also included. Two-, four- and Kununurra. eight-day walk options. www.worldexpeditions.com www.walkintoluxury.com.au Albany Walking Holidays Auswalk Albany Walking Holidays showcases WA's unique Auswalk operate group guided and fully support south coast environment, encouraging visitors to self-guided walking holidays along some of come to Albany to experience the diverse coastal Australia's most iconic tracks, including the landscape and unique flora and fauna found in Bibbulmun and the Cape to Cape. With Auswalk's this unique biodiversity hotspot. Discover the seamless organisation you'll get to experience all history of WA's earliest European settlement and these incredibly beautiful landscapes, completely our deep connection to our ANZAC heritage. The stress free and in comfort. All accommodations are self-guided walks take visitors to most of our hand-selected to provide comfort with ensuite premier tourist sites and it is the ultimate way to bathrooms, welcoming hosts and convenient experience Albany. Customisation of walking locations. Walkers joining a group guided tour can packages is available to suit interests and walking expect to be picked up and returned to Perth. On fitness. self-guided trips you will enjoy a night's www.walkinginalbany.com.au 2 Ten tips for wilderness first aiders nature of the incident warrant concern for the Great Walks Enews 21 July 2016 spinal column? If not, it’s possible that there are plenty of other factors that are significantly more Stay calm pressing. Many moons ago, during a military first aid course, I was once told to stop and have a cigarette before Don’t get tunnel vision. treating a patient. I’d argue that advice is probably The wilderness is four dimensional – look around, a bit too blasé, but the point is the cooler heads look up, look out. Before you begin treatment, always prevail. Stop, breathe, assess. consider the environment around you and remove any hazards if it is safe to do so. Remember to Don’t put yourself or others in danger. monitor factors such as weather and available This concept is repeated ad nauseum, but it is daylight as you continue treatment. pretty much impossible to be dispassionate about a friend or loved one in danger. Remember, you are Get trained, stay current. their best chance of survival. Your safety and that Knowledge is power. A Wilderness First Responder of others is paramount. Without this, treatment (or "Woofer") course is your best bet to arming cannot occur. yourself with the amount of information and skills you’ll need for responsible wilderness travel.