SAFETY WHEN WALKING
Readers are reminded that this Guide is NOT intended
to provide details about HOW to engage in recreational walking!
There are over 400 walks described in the Guide. These range from short easy strolls in suburban parks, reserves and
gardens, to longer, strenuous excursions along rough bush tracks which require appropriate levels of stamina, strength, navigation
skills, fitness, clothing, evironmental awareness, footwear, and agility.
Throughout this Guide, there has been
no attempt to categorize walks into "grades of difficulty", as an "easy" walk to some people may be "difficult" to others.
The Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs, VicWalk, has produced a WALKSAFE booklet as a general guideline for the inexperienced bushwalker, and as a
reminder to the more experienced, of the best of accepted practice for safe and responsible walking in the Victorian bush.
It is not a book of rules. It is a book of basic common knowledge on which novice bushwalkers can base and build their own
store of practical experience and employ common sense to ensure enjoyment and appreciation of this environmentally friendly
form of recreation.
The underlying philosophy is that to WALKSAFE means
to be armed with sufficient knowledge to avoid encountering unnecessary problems in the bush. It means to plan in advance
a suitable route, clothing, equipment and food for your walking party. It also means to be aware of potential difficulties
or hazards and the accepted courses of action when problems arise.
People's reasons for "going bush" are as varied
as the locations and terrains they frequent, but the knowledge they require in their pursuit is common. For various reasons,
many of today's Victorians lack a background of childhood or early experience of "roughing it" in the Australian bush. It
is hoped that the information in this publication may encourage the uninitiated to sample some of the unique experiences offered
in both day and overnight multi-day) bushwalking.
VicWalk advises that a bushwalking party without any experienced
members should not undertake a trip in remote areas of the state, where external assistance cannot be readily attained in
the event of major accident or disaster.
VicWalk stresses the advantages of learning from the experience of others
and thus encourages novice walkers to join a bushwalking club.
VicWalk exists to serve the interests of bushwalking
clubs and bushwalkers. It is a peak body representing over 70 member clubs with an estimated total individual membership of
12,000 walkers.
Download the WALKSAFE BROCHURE - is REQUIRED READING for anyone who intends to pursue recreational walking at
any level.
HEALTH AND FITNESS.
These Australian-based websites provide useful information concerning developing
and maintaining an appropriate level of fitness
Go for your Life
Physical Activity - How to Get Startedl
