This page will inform you about our meetings, how to become a member and how to register for a walk. We will help you get started as a bushwalker.

HOW TO JOIN

We would like to welcome you at one of our meetings (see below) where you will be invited to attend a talk for new members. We consider this an integral part in the process of giving you as much information as possible to ensure your walking enjoyment as well as filling you in on some of the Club’s culture. The talk informs you about walk gradings, clothing and equipment, transport arrangements and membership options. Your Probationary Membership becomes effective at the meeting when an application form is completed and the Club fees are paid.

Probationary Membership for six months is $30; this includes a magazine with our programme of events each month. After completing three walks and a New Members Base Camp you may apply for Full Membership. Your application for full membership should be forwarded to the Membership Officer for approval. If you do not become a Full Member in the probationary period you may then nominate for a further Probationary Membership. There will be no reminder sent out when your probationary membership expires, it is up to you to renominate for a further probationary period.

It is also important that you are well informed about the club and essential equipment before walking, please read this page, the Club Introduction (23KB PDF) and the Equipment page. It is essential that you attend a meeting in the first instance, an application form will be given to you at the meeting.

The club meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at the Newmarket Memorial Hall, corner of Enoggera Road and Ashgrove Avenue, Newmarket. Note, because of Christmas, there is no meeting on the 4th Wednesday in December.

Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. You can download a free copy from the Adobe web site.

SIGNING UP FOR A WALK

Information on walks is found in the magazine and at meetings. Lists to nominate for the next month's walks are displayed on tables at meetings. Before nominating for a walk it is essential you consider the grading on the walk and are confident the walk is within your capability. Initially this may be difficult to assess, but please talk to the walk leader if unsure. If you are unable to attend meetings, you may nominate for a walk by contacting the leader. Details appear in the magazine

Cancellations: Please be considerate and notify the leader as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a walk which you have nominated for. This allows someone on the waiting list to go.

EQUIPMENT

COMPULSORY ITEMS ARE: 

FIRST AID KIT, TORCH, JUMPER, RAINCOAT, WATER, WHISTLE, PEN AND PAPER, MATCHES OR CIGARETTE LIGHTER.

We strongly recommend that you delay buying expensive new equipment until you have been on a few walks. You may not continue bushwalking or you may wish you had made a more informed choice. After a few walks and advice from experienced walkers you will be wiser. Refer to the Equipment page for a list of suggested equipment. 

CLOTHING

The majority of Queensland bushwalkers walk in shorts summer and winter. Even in cold weather, most people warm up shortly 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. 

CONTACT OFFICER

The Club has a designated Contact Officer. All walk leaders provide the Contact Officer with a list of participants on their walk. If there is a problem or a delay returning to Brisbane the leader will endeavour to make contact with the Contact Officer. Walk participants should ensure any relatives or friends who would be awaiting their return have the phone number of the Contact Officer. If they are concerned they can call the Contact Officer for information or to report that the person has not returned.

NEW MEMBERS BASE CAMP

New Members Camps are held five times a year at a variety of locations. The aim is to assist members to gain knowledge of bushwalking skills, ethics, first aid, clothing, equipment and food items. It is a venue to get to know more people in the Club and do some walking. It is planned to be more social than a strenuous walking event with time for talking and sharing ideas.

The camps are also attended by experienced members who bring their knowledge and demonstrate a variety of equipment to illustrate the advantages of different brands of stove, tent, backpack, etc. Many new members are experienced walkers and the camp becomes a venue for sharing experiences and ideas.

Do not buy new equipment to come on this base camp. For some this will be the only camp you ever attend, preferring only to do day walks. For others you may soon choose to go on "through walks" and prefer to spend more money and buy specialised lightweight equipment. Something you learn about equipment at the camp may influence what you buy. Most people manage with what they have, plus borrowed or hired equipment. Please talk to the New Members' Officer for advice if needed. By hiring club equipment you are able to experience different tents, through-packs etc.

Refer to the Equipment page for details of equipment to bring to the base camp.

Transport. See the magazine write up. The leader may contact you and arrange for two or three people to travel together and meet at an arranged point. Details are included in the magazine and car pooling is encouraged. 

Read the magazine for instructions specific to your camp.