Preparation
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Planning for your walk, whether it is a day out or an overnight walk, can make the walk a lot more enjoyable and safer. Don’t just hit the track and hope for the best.

What is bushwalking?

Bushwalking is different for everyone. The term ‘bushwalking’ is used in Australia to mean walking, pushing, hiking, tramping or adventuring out in nature in the Australian bush. It can be done for pleasure, challenge, experience, and for education. Bushwalking trips can have entirely different purposes:  some are about going for a short stroll into a natural area with family and friends stopping for multiple coffee breaks, others are about travelling as far and fast as possible. Bushwalking encompasses everything from bird watching to looking at sunsets, to finding a nice swimming hole to go for a swim. Bushwalking is for everyone!

What information do I need for a bushwalk?

The two types of information that help bushwalkers decide on suitable bushwalking tracks include: 1. Track note information (what the track involves) and 2. Bushcraft information (general skills and information that help you enjoy bushwalking).

Track notes traditionally include:

Navigation: directions like where to start and end, where to turn left and right, where there are river crossings or bridges.

Points of interest: where the look outs are etc.

Naturally Accessible Track notes also include:

Barriers: This doesn’t mean a no-go zones or complete barriers, but details of challenges you might have to deal with in some way. Things like gates, fences, steps, rough bits of ground, steep areas.

Facilities: resources that might help along the way that might help reduce the experience of disability. e.g. knowing information about seats along the track ( e.g. someone with arthritis or with a heart-lung condition, would find information about seats very handy if they need to rest often).

Are there any walking groups? ⌄

Sargood on Collaroy, which is a luxury accessible accommodation for people with spinal cord injury,  hosts ‘Bush Push’ activities. These are guided tours through the trails around their resort. Destinations include Narrabeen Lakes, West Head Lookout, Warriewood Wetlands, Deep Creek Reserve, Middle Head Army Barracks. You can join in if you have Sargood membership or if you are staying at the resort. You get access to their Batecs, X8 Wheelchairs and Freewheels if you join them on Bush Push. For more information: http://sargoodoncollaroy.com/stay/recreational-activities/#program