Being well prepared is half the battle for a successful bushwalk. Regardless of the time of the year, you will always need to take the conditions of the day into account when planning a walk. Check the latest weather forecast and Fire Danger Ratings on the day of the walk to get an accurate idea of the conditions you may be facing. Rain on the day, or on previous days may make the ground very slippery. Strong wind is a hazard if the walk is under trees. Excessive heat can be very uncomfortable – we don’t recommend going on a bushwalk if temperatures are forecast to be above 30 degrees, unless you start early. For obvious reasons, be aware of any fire warnings and avoid areas of high fire danger.
Equipment required includes – comfortable and well fitted shoes with good grip, an extra layer of clothes, including wind protection in cooler months and a hat in the summer, a backpack to carry your supplies (not too heavy!), a guidebook or a photocopy of the walk description, food for sustenance in reusable containers and drink (preferably water), some hand wipes, binoculars and a camera, and maybe a book that helps you to identify animals and plants.