About Us

Lake Macquarie Bushwalkers Inc. has been engaged in bushwalking since 1998. The club walks primarily in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and occasionally in the Sydney Area, and is a member of Bushwalking NSW Inc.

CLUB OBJECTIVES

To organise bushwalking through day walks on a regular basis
To foster an appreciation of and respect for unspoiled bush land, natural scenery and wildlife and to enjoy the social aspects of bushwalking
To operate within the scope of the Club’s Risk Management Policy

DAY WALKS

The Club meets Saturday and Wednesday for day walks. The walks program, available below, indicates

the scheduled walk
walk grade (degree of difficulty for each walk)
the name of the walk leader and contact details

Visitors should phone the leader at least two days before the scheduled walk.

Please familiarise yourself with the walk grading descriptions, the guidelines for walkers and the equipment advice sections on this web site, for further information.

Current Walks Program

Upcoming walks ...

Saturday 14 October 10 kms Grade 2/3

Cooranbong circuit walk

Brian S 0404 094 048

Colleen 0427 460 069

Wednesday 27 September 10 kms Grade 2/3

Concord Hospital – Kokoda Memorial Track-Cabarita

Brian Slavin 0404 094 048

Saturday 30 September 10 kms Grade 3/4

Richters Cave

Bill & Rose 0417 127 684

Wednesday 4 October 10 kms Grade 2/3

Waverton to Wollstonecraft (Balls Head Reserve to Berry Island)

Leonora 0408 559 168

Saturday 7 October 12 kms Grade 2/3

Woods Point Circuit

Nardi 0438 731 684

Wednesday 11 October 10 kms Grade 2

Lemon Tree Passage ramble (return walk)

Margaret 0407 078 563

Saturday 14 October 10 kms Grade 2/3

Cooranbong circuit walk

Brian S 0404 094 048

Wednesday 18 October 13 kms Grade 2/3

Tascott to Woy Woy Peninsula

Brian S 0404 094 048

Saturday 21 October 10-12 kms Grade 2/3

Catherine Hill Bay Historical Walk

Jim 4971 2740

Wednesday 25 October 12 kms Grade 2/3

Eraring Loop

Nardi 0438 731 684

Saturday 28 October 14 kms Grade 3

Warners Bay to Merewether (GNW)

Clay 0400 109 020

Wednesday 1 November 9 kms Grade 2/3

Sculptures by the Sea, Bondi Beach

Ilona 0491 703 508

Saturday 4 November 8 kms Grade 3/4

Alum Mountain, Bulahdelah

Ilona 0491 703 508

Wednesday 8 November 10 kms Grade 3

Fingal Bay sandspit and island walk

Brian C 0427 888 966

Saturday 11 November 12 kms Grade 3/4

Heaton Gap to Comm Tower then Mulbring Valley Lookouts return

Jim 4971 2740

Wednesday 15 November about 10kms Grade 3

Local Walk (from top end Shonalla St Awaba)

Pam & Bob 0431 811 540

Saturday 18 November 10 kms Grade 3

Norah Head Lighthouse, Soldiers Beach, Jenny Dixon Loops

Colleen 0427 460 069

Wednesday 22 November 13 kms Grade 2/3

Islington to Newcastle Beach loop

Jutta 0405 033 550

Saturday 25 November 12 kms Grade 3

Tomaree Coastal Walk, Boulder Bay to One Mile Beach with side trails

Brian C 0427 888 966

Wednesday 29 November 10 kms Grade 2/3

Rose Bay – Hornby Lighthouse (South Head) Loop

Colleen 0427 460 069

Saturday 2 December

Christmas Party – Shortland Wetlands Centre

RSVP required by Friday 24th Nov

Conditions of participation in walks

Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell in any way, or have cold-, flu-, or Covid19-like symptoms.
The Walk’s Leader can ask any intending participant not to start the walk, should the intending participant appear or present unwell.
All intending participants should ensure they follow recommended personal hygiene practices and provide their own personal hygiene products. Neither the club nor leaders can supply hygiene products (e.g. hand sanitiser)

Walk Grades

*GRADE 2 (Easy) Opportunity for large number of walkers, including those with reduced walking ability to walk on well marked and even tracks. Tracks are man made and may have a few steps. Should not be too steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km

*GRADE 2/3 (Easy/medium) Easy walk, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk easily in natural environments on well marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km

*GRADE 3 (Medium) Medium walk with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk on defined and distinct tracks with some steep sections requiring a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for fit beginners. Distance should not exceed about 20km

*GRADE 4 (Medium/hard) Steeper, rougher terrain and may have off-track sections (no more than one quarter of the walk) or a longer distance track walk. Opportunity to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments mostly along defined and distinct tracks. Tracks can be steep. There may be short sections of rock scrambling involved. Leaders should have map reading abilities and/or ability to use a compass. Distance depending on circumstances. Not suitable for most beginners

*GRADE 5 (Hard) Off-track or difficult terrain. Opportunity for walkers with advanced outdoor knowledge and skills to find their own way along often indistinct tracks or off track in remote locations. May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking & crossing involved. Distance covered is unlimited, but may be short & difficult. Only for experienced walkers and not suitable for beginners.

Bushwalking Equipment

FOOTWEAR

This is the most important part of your equipment. Footwear needs to be comfortable, closed shoes or boots and have effective tread

CLOTHING

Should be loose and comfortable and preferably constructed from a strong fabric. Long sleeves and long trousers are recommended for sun protection and walking through thick scrub. A wide brimmed hat is essential for sun protection

WET WEATHER GEAR

Light plastic raincoats or poncho and umbrella are common items found in a walker’s backpack

BACKPACK

A backpack is required to carry your gear as it leaves your hands free

WHAT YOU MUST CARRY

* A minimum of one or two litres of water, or more in hotter conditions

* Sufficient food for your needs

* If you carry medication, ensure you carry adequate supplies. Advise the walk leader if your medical condition is likely to affect your walking

* First Aid Kit. The kit should include adhesive strips (or suitable alternative) for blisters

* A triangular bandage, safety pins, antiseptic lotion and paracetamol are also useful additions

Guidelines for Walkers

Prior to the walk

The walker needs to ring the leader before the scheduled walk to confirm and check the walk details, weather conditions, start time etc. The leader has the right to decide an upper limit regarding the number of participants for a walk taking into account factors such as terrain, safety and organisational difficulties.

Ensure that you are fit enough for the degree of difficulty of the walk. If in doubt discuss with the leader prior to the walk.The leader has the right to refuse participation to any persons they consider may present a risk to themselves or other participants or do not have the necessary skills for the activity. It is anticipated that Temporary Members will, during introductory walks, select Grade 3 or less.

Arrive at the starting point on time (at least 10 minutes before the starting time provided by the leader).

Carry sufficient water for the conditions of the walk. i.e. a minimum of one litre, or two litres or more in hotter conditions.

Ensure you are suitably equipped including first aid kit, sunscreen, hat, food, rain gear, whistle, torch and appropriate clothing and footwear. A map and compass may also enhance your enjoyment of the walk.

Ensure you complete the sign on sheet after reading the Risk Waiver and noting any risk warnings.

Car pooling is recommended. Contribute to car costs if you are a passenger in another member's vehicle.

Remember to bring a sense of humour and adventure. Our leaders are all volunteers so please remember to be patient and kind.

A walker must accept that a walk can be cancelled or varied for many reasons and that the leader's decision is final.

No pets allowed. No participants under the age of 18 years.

During the walk

Prior to the walk

Follow the leader’s instructions. Remember your leader has your welfare at heart. Be courteous, co-operative and helpful to other walkers in the group. Follow Bushwalkers NSW Code.

Generally you should not leave the walk early, unless pre-arranged, but if it is necessary you must advise the leader and when requested, sign off on the activity sign-on sheet. You must accept a leader’s decision to send someone with you to accompany you out.

Do not allow yourself to become separated from the group. If experiencing any difficulty such as pace, blisters, shortage of water, advise the leader immediately. Participants should maintain a line of sight with people in front and behind them.

It is your responsibility to allow sufficient distance between yourself and the walker in front so that you are not injured by branches flicking back.

When walking on a track do not leave it or fall behind the person appointed ‘tail’ for any reason without advising the ‘tail’.

Keep Australia beautiful. Take all rubbish home.

After the walk

Prior to the walk

After the walk

Ensure the leader is aware you have completed the walk with the group.

Remember to thank the leader.

About Us

Current Walks Program

Conditions of participation in walks

Walk Grades

Bushwalking Equipment

Guidelines for Walkers

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

During the walk

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

After the walk

Prior to the walk

After the walk

Documentation

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Lake Macquarie Bushwalkers

About Us

Current Walks Program

*Conditions of participation in walks*

*Walk Grades*

Bushwalking Equipment

Guidelines for Walkers

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

During the walk

Prior to the walk

Prior to the walk

After the walk

Prior to the walk

After the walk

Documentation

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Lake Macquarie Bushwalkers

Conditions of participation in walks

Walk Grades