On this page, go directly to:
equipment
clothing
suggested equipment
day walks
througwalks and overnight walks
base camps
first aid kit
food

EQUIPMENT

Initially we recommend you spend little or no money until you discover which activities you enjoy. Discussion with experienced members will reveal the "pros and cons" of their style of boots, backpacks etc. Personal preferences vary considerably. Specialised equipment will cost $50 - $300 (or more) per item, therefore you should be sure you will continue bushwalking and know which items are best for your choice of walks or camps.

Equipment is available from the Club for hire. This is a good way to "try before you buy" and discover which styles or brands suit you.

Specialised bushwalking shops sell an extensive range of gear and many offer a 10% discount to Club Members. The family camping stores in the suburbs also have a range of items but don't stock as much lightweight equipment for through walking.

CLOTHING 

The majority of Queensland bushwalkers walk in shorts summer and winter. Even in cold weather most people warm up soon after beginning the walk. If you prefer, long pants with zip off bottoms may be your choice. Jeans are generally not suitable for walking. If it rains, wet long pants are not as easy to dry as wet legs! In scratchy terrain some wear long pants of light material, but you will also discover gaiters are good leg protection. You need a jumper, tracksuit top and/or thermals, even in summer. Remember the weather can vary in a short space of time.. When you stop walking, especially on a mountainside, you soon feel cold.

Boots are not essential to begin with. Sneakers with reasonable tread will suffice, as will a plastic raincoat and a $10 daypack from a bargain store.

It is customary to bring a change of clothes and footwear to change into for the drive home and the coffee stop, include a plastic bag for dirty boots and clothes.

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

COMPULSORY ITEMS ARE: FIRST AID KIT, TORCH, WARM CLOTHING, RAINCOAT, WATER, WHISTLE, PEN & PAPER, MATCHES OR GAS LIGHTER, HAT.

DAY WALKS

• Day pack

• 2 Litres water

• Torch

• Raincoat

• Sunscreen

• First Aid Kit

• Thermal top &/or jumper

• Hat

• Morning tea & lunch

• Matches or Cigarette Lighter

THROUGHWALKS AND OVERNIGHT WALKS

• Backpack

• Tent

• Groundsheet 

• Parka, raincoat 

• Sleeping bag and inner sheet 

• Hat, gaiters, sunglasses 

• Warm clothes for nights 

• Durable day clothing 

• Socks 

• Sleeping mat 

• One change of clothes

• Swimsuit if near water

• Water bottles

• Matches or cigarette lighter

• Torch

• Tent and/or tent fly, pegs

• Small piece of candle

• Map & compass

• Billy, frypan and billy lifters

• Whistle

• Plastic bowl & plate, cutlery

• First aid kit

• Cooking appliance and fuel 

• Rubbish bag

• Food - high energy

• Soap, toothpaste, toilet paper

• Contact officer details

• Small towel

• Pen and paper

BASE CAMPS

• Tent (large or small)

• Sleeping mat (Thermarest, li-lo, foam, whatever!)

• Warm bedding - sleeping bag and/or your Doona from home is good for winter

• Stove (small camping style or larger 2 burner family camping style)

• Billy or other cooking utensil

• Food (Sat breakfast, lunch suitable to go in daypack, evening meal Sun breakfast and lunch. Nibbles for Sat evening social time)

• Usual day walking gear 

• Folding chair - optional

• Pillow - optional

FIRST AID KIT

A small first-aid kit consisting of band-aids, paracetamol, wide elastic bandage, tweezers and anti-sting ointment will be sufficient for your first walk. This can be added to as you learn from others. A suggested list follows:

• 1 triangular bandage

• 2 non-adhesive dressings

• Scissors

• Tweezers, needles

• Safety pins

• Wound dressings

• 50mm elastic crepe bandage,
  75mm elastic crepe bandage

• Elastic bandage or Micropore tape

• Roll of plaster

• Gauze bandages 25mm, 50mm, 75mm

• Pencil & paper, plastic bags, first aid notes

• Cream for stings eg.Stingose, Paraderm

• Painkilling tablets

• Space blanket

Carry ID and any necessary personal medical instructions.

FOOD

Remember the following when deciding on your menu: 

• Take food that you personally like.

• Take more than you think you will need. Exercise builds appetites.

• Take food easily cooked. Best if it fits into one pot on one burner.

• Use food easily prepared and cooked. After walking all day you will want a meal with the least possible effort and fuss.

• Pre-cooking saves time and fuel. 

• Fresh food keeps for a two-day weekend.

• Dehydrated food saves weight only if you camp near water.

• Dehydrated food is essential on extended walks. 

• Canned food is more suitable for base camps due to weight and litter.

• Milk can be fresh, long life or powdered.

• Plan each meal separately to ensure nothing is forgotten.

BREAKFAST

• Rolled oats, muesli, cereal, breakfast bars, etc

• Powdered milk or individual small cartons

• Fruit, fresh or dried

• Bread or rolls with your favourite spread

• Breakfast bars

LUNCH

• Bread, white, brown pocket bread, pita bread, wholemeal, etc

• Crisp bread, Ryvita, Vita wheat etc

• Butter/margarine (optional, often best spread before leaving home)

• Spreads, jams, honey, cheese, vegemite, etc

• Cold meats, salami, cheese, small tins tuna

• Salad items, tomato, avocado, cucumber, lettuce, etc

• Snack pack fruits, fresh fruit (hard rather than squashy)

DINNER

• Tuna with pasta or fried rice

• Noodle or pasta packages

• Casseroles can be pre-cooked and frozen or dehydrated

• Stir fried vegetables

EXTRAS

• Tea/coffee/Milo

• Milk/sugar

• Salt/pepper

• Sweet biscuits 

• Chocolate, dried fruits

• Scroggin, mixture of dried fruits nuts sweets chocolate etc